Boque by Tapavino

Barcelona’s La Boqueria, one of the most famous food markets in the world, is the inspiration for Tapavino owner Frank Dilernia’s Boque by Tapavino. It’s inside upmarket food hall Maker’s Dozen in Darling Square.

Boque is a stall rather than a restaurant. It has pretty burgundy-coloured tiles and stools, and an open kitchen so punters can take a seat at the bar and watch the action.

The menu at Boque works in much the same way as at the other Tapavino outlets (the original in Bulletin Place, and two Balcon by Tapavinos, one in Barrangaroo and another in Blight Street) and is divided into tapas, charcuterie and jamon (Spanish ham), ensalada (salads), land, seafood, and sides.

There are salted-cod croquette, jamon serrano (high quality dry-cured Spanish ham) and Galician-style octopus (cooked and served with kipfler potatoes, smoked paprika and drizzled with olive oil). And a razor-clam omelette, white asparagus with ajo blanco (chilled almond soup) and a selection of conservas (tinned food) such as anchovies and mussels in pickled sauce.

For a quick bite there’s the patatas bravas (fried potato with spicy mayonnaise), and Spanish-inspired sandwiches (you can also take away), such as a chorizo burger with paprika salsa, a pork-and-veal albondigas (meatball) hotdog, and a grilled-chicken bocadillo (baguette).

The wine is from Spain, with plenty by the glass – all served at pours of 120 millilitres rather than the standard 150, which is so people might feel more inclined to try a variety (they range in price from $8 to $14). Sangria is also available on tap.