Saturday Star

Hispanic eatery La Boqueria entices with market-style food

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LA BOQUERIA, situated in Parktown

North, is an eatery with sublime food and décor to match.

Its Hispanic-style restaurant comes complete with lazily spinning ceiling fans, hanging macramé plants, lush greenery and on-trend furnishing­s. It’s a treat for the senses and the taste buds.

The menu encapsulat­es delicious Hispanic market-style food, which leans toward sharing and feasting. The kitchen focuses on traditiona­l styles of cooking (using skillets, wood ovens and live-fires) for a food experience. The term “eat with your eyes first” definitely applies here.

The lunch and dinner menu runs from healthy Peruvian ceviche to Mexican

Tacos and Argentinia­n inspired asado, where dishes like Picanha and Beef

Fillet Kabobs are cooked over coals. The sharing plates for feasting include Paellas, which are slow-cooked in a traditiona­l hearth for a delicious, smoky flavour (look out for the monthly Paella Sundays), and sustainabl­e Whole Fish from the coal oven. For dessert, take your pick from authentic Churros, Chocolate Nemesis, Drunken Crema and more.

The décor takes inspiratio­n from the mid-century with a warm colour palette, a mix of wooden furniture, and cabinetry behind the bar, used as display units – sourced from independen­t traders around South Africa.

Cosy and welcoming, the space has different sections: tables and booths, a dedicated bar area and the upstairs where you can hide away or have a private function. The floor-toceiling windows mean that the space is sun-drenched for most of the day and still gives you the feeling of sidewalk eating into the evening, much loved throughout The Parks. The bar has some of the best cocktails this side of Peru – with an emphasis on fresh and unique ingredient­s. Try The Spaniard whisky cocktail or a Hollaback Havana with rum, muddled fresh pineapple and strawberri­es, or a Darkest Black, a clever twist on the classic margarita with activated charcoal. There are other tipples and aperitifs to take your fancy, plus an impressive Tequileria.

La Boqueria recently opened their second restaurant at the Polofields Lifestyle Estate – it’s tapas and everyday food heaven. Classic and tastefully modern furniture and pops of fresh greenery plus an impressive central fireplace make this a welcoming space. The spacious outside terrace overlooks the stunning pool, and there are a number of private function rooms. It all contribute­s to a lively atmosphere – along with the added attraction of being located in a secure Balwin lifestyle estate. Booking is essential to receive an estate access code.

Follow La Boqueria on social media and be the first to know about live music, Spanish dancing and other lively events. They also host any special occasion you may have, including group functions which are personally tailored for you.

La Boqueria 17 3rd Avenue, Parktown North, Johannesbu­rg. To book a table, call 011 325 0011 or Whatsapp

076 997 3263.

La Boqueria Polofields Lifestyle

Estate, Midrand. To book a table, call

010 020 1699 or Whatsapp 062 798 5478

Facebook, Instagram, Twitter: @ Laboqueria­jozi

www.laboqueria.co.za

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