CHIC Eats

dining in nature, boasts a menu that is rooted in authenticity. It also utilises the freshest ingredients and, whenever possible, sources local products in order to adapt to its location. But it’s not just about the food. La Mar occupies a prime piece of real estate that lives up to its name, which translates to ‘the sea’. If you sit outside, you are right in front of the beach, taking in unrivalled sea views with the glistening West Bay skyline shimmering in the background. The kitchen is bold and constantly trying new things. For the second anniversary dinner, it served a menu embracing the influence of Chinese and Japanese immigrants on Peruvian food. Among the cold appetisers appeared sushi –scallops, cucumber, avocado, coriander in a maki roll with chimichurri and shichimi togarashi. It was a real confluence of cultural tastes. And alongside the hot appetisers were dumplings. They were deep fried in a classic Chinese fashion, but also stuffed with seafood, egg, sweet chilli and garlic sauce, and spring onions. The Chinese wouldn’t recognise it as true dim sum, but the Peruvians wouldn’t eat it either. Bring the two culinary concepts together and the result? Genius. As for the mains? Pulpo (or grilled octopus) in an anticuchera sauce that wins fans over every time. In widening its menu, it has in turn embraced meat, and the beef striploin I tucked into was superbly seasoned, complemented by wild mushrooms, and cooked to order – rare for me, in case you’re wondering. La Mar does not rest on its laurels. It builds on a strong foundation, retains high service standards, and continues to innovate. Happy birthday!