LA PARADA DEL MAR BRINGS SPANISH FLAIR TO CAMPS BAY’S SUNSET STRIP

With the original restaurant in the fast-growing Harbour House Group set overlooking the waters of False Bay, it’s fitting that the latest outpost of the Group’s hugely popular La Parada collection gazes out over the sparkling Atlantic Ocean.

La Parada del Mar occupies a prime position on Camps Bay’s glamorous seafront strip, just steps from the powder-white sands of Cape Town’s sought-after Atlantic seaboard. Unsurprisingly, this new opening stands apart from the sultry Spanish flavour of the original La Parada on Cape Town’s trendy Bree Street.

“La Parada del Mar is more tropically-inspired than the other branches of La Parada,” explains Simone Biggs, Interior Designer for the Harbour House Group, who says she drew inspiration from Ibiza, Miami and Cuba in curating a space that blends laid-back beach-chic with a dose of after-dark allure. “There is still the essence of La Parada here, but because it’s on the beach the space had to have a distinct feel to it.”

And it is certainly a venue of individual spaces. Café tables at street-level are popular for people-watching and soaking up the buzz of Camps Bay’s glorious beachfront. Just a few steps away, the barmen behind the mosaic-clad Bombay Sapphire bar whip together their signature Gin & Tonic Del De Barra; the classic cocktail given a lift by mango, rosemary, grapefruit and orange zest.

Upstairs, La Parada del Mar leans a little upmarket: more Fabiani loafers than sandy Havaianas. A space where raw wood shutters swing open to reveal panoramic views over Camps Bay beach, waving palms and cobalt blue seas. Little wonder it’s already proving popular for private functions from birthday celebrations to intimate corporate events. It’s also fast becoming the most popular spot on the strip for banishing the Sunday blues, with a DJ spinning sultry seaside tunes from the afternoon into the early evening each Sunday.

Dominating one wall here is the elegant Grey Goose vodka bar, where suave barmen in suspenders and Panama hats shake up an enviable range of vodka-infused sundowners. Cosmopolitan with triple sec, cranberry and fresh lime, anyone?

Equally eye-catching is the quirky pineapple-motif wallpaper. Custom-made by designer Robin Sprong, it’s a striking décor element cleverly carried through on the ground floor. While subtly linking the two spaces, it’s also a stylish counterpoint to the exposed plaster that adds urban edginess here; a nod to the building’s heritage and a visual cue reminiscent of the original La Parada in vibey Bree Street. So too the long custom-made tables upstairs, coming together to cater for large celebrations or making way for private cocktail functions.

These communal tables also dovetail neatly with the sharing philosophy on the revamped menu from La Parada’s Executive Chef Martin Senekal. Regulars will find that Senekal has pushed the level of cooking into a new league at La Parada del Mar. Flavours are bold yet perfectly balanced, while plating retains the focus of traditional tapas with a welcome dose of Camps Bay panache.

“We have moved away from traditional Spanish tapas. We’ve kept the concept of small plates built for sharing, but we’ve tried to elevate the level of elegance and quality,” explains Senekal. “The menu is focused on serving fresh seafood dishes, prepared simply and plated beautifully.”

And there’s no shortage of delectable fruits de mer on the extensive selection of tapas plates. Charred Octopus is slow-braised and flame-grilled, then served with a delicious dried tomato pesto. Plump Saldanha Bay mussels require little more than a splash of steaming white wine, garlic and parsley. The freshest line fish is grilled, served simply with a spring onion salsa and crushed tomatoes then drizzled with extra virgin olive oil. Fresh tuna is sesame-crusted and seared, plated with a salad of fine beans and green olives with a citrus dressing.

“With the seaside location we wanted to incorporate more seafood on the menu here, compared to other branches of La Parada,” explains Senekal, who says that more than half the menu is unique to La Parada del Mar.

Alongside the tapas options are larger Plato Principal crafted for sharing. Here, two-dozen salt-grilled prawns arrive with zesty salsa picon for a seafood feast, while an 800g prime rib on the bone will satiate even the hungriest beachgoer. Along with a compact Spanish-inspired breakfast offering, the menu also embraces the culinary trend towards low-carb high-fat (LCHF) dining, with a brace of dishes that cut out the carbohydrates. These dishes, clearly marked on the menu, are also gluten-free and low in sugar. Even the dessert menu boasts a delicious LCHF option, a Baked Vanilla Bean Cheesecake. But for hedonists there’s no shortage of temptations: the traditional Crema Catalan with Palmera biscuits is always a hit; provided you can resist the siren song of churros with salted dark chocolate, that is.

Winter months will see the menu shift focus to heartier dishes –perhaps Catalan short rib braised with smoked olives and fennel, suggests Senekal – but the focus will always remain on interpreting and reinventing traditional Spanish flavours that remain true to the spirit of La Parada.

Although only open a few weeks, La Parada del Mar has quickly grown a loyal following on the sought-after Camps Bay strip. And perhaps unsurprisingly for this seaside outpost of the fast-growing Harbour House Group; this is just the first phase of the journey for La Parada del Mar.

This winter will see the shutters closed for a few weeks as a spacious wrap-around deck is added to the first-floor, offering unbeatable sea and mountain views and expanding the number of al fresco tables on offer for next summer.

La Parada del Mar, laparada.co.za