Terrific TWOS

Ohlala’s Craig Ferriman joins the festivities as Peruvian eatery La Mar blows out two birthday candles.

People often ask me, “What is your favourite restaurant?” And I usually throw it back at them and ask, “What do you want from a restaurant?” To me, dining out is an all-round social and sensual experience. You can serve the finest food, but if the service is slack and the atmosphere is dead, what’s the point?

It’s for this very reason that La Mar ranks at the top of my list when I’m recommending a good night out to anyone who asks. My gut told me good things from the moment I first stepped inside two years ago – just before it launched – and my gut has been reliably rewarded ever since! La Mar thanked its loyal patrons at a recent celebration dinner to mark two years since it welcomed diners in the Middle East. It’s a restaurant that first opened in Lima by celebrated chef Gastón Acurio, serving Peruvian-style seafood. Today, it has branched out geographically across Latin America and to our own shores, all while diversifying its menu. When I tell people that the restaurant is a must-visit, I get asked about Peruvian food and what makes it so special. Right now, La Mar is one of the few places in town offering Peruvian cuisine, and the dining experience is not complete without its classic ceviche. The restaurant, while fine