I was excited to attend the official opening of the much anticipated La Boqueria in Parktown North. Located on the same strip as The Foundry and the Local Grill, the cute balcony caught my attention as I arrived, lots of green plants and would be a great place to hang out for drinks in summer.

Stepping through the heavy glass front door, was like stepping in to a different world, light wood, parquet floors, and lounge furniture make this venue unique. We were seated in the bustling bar area, but my next visit I will  certainly select a quieter table, possibly even on the upstairs level, looking down over the rest of the restaurant.

La Boqueria is an day eatery in Jozi, and have taken their influences from their favourite food markets around the world. With a nod to traditional styles of cooking on live-fires and in wood ovens, and aim to bring you a real food experience.

And we got to taste many of the dishes – which have certainly left me wanting more- and I can not wait to return.

Winners for sure: Wild Mushroom Toast – pan roasted mushrooms, charred leeks and spring onion relish on toast, what better. The Oxtail Marmalade toast was also a hit – coffee cured, smoked oxtail, served with red onion marmalade, horseradish and lime – delish!

I got stuck in to a platter of Serrano – ham and cheese croquettes, and these are certainly my fave dish of the evening. The Las Ramblas Bravas were also amazing – basically roasted and fried potatoes with tomoto salsa.

Crying Tiger Beef and the Drunken Pork Belly both came our way as a taster, and were amazing – there were so many things to choose from and soon I was too full to have any more, however on my next visit I look forward to trying one of the Soul Bowls – yummy, hearty fare for cold winter nights, as well as some of the yummy dessert options.

It is recommended to book as table as they fill up pretty fast!

A: 17 3rd Ave, Parktown North

T: 011 3250011

W: http://www.laboqueria.co.za/ – at time of release the website is not running.