One of the first questions we ask upon arrival at a new venue is, “what attracted you to the space?” In the case of Mermaid’s D’ La Rosa, which has transformed the former Som Tam Gai Thai restaurant, it was the windows. Of an afternoon, sunlight streams in through the open shutters providing the perfect backdrop for sipping wine and picking at a charcuterie board loaded with dips and miscellaneous cured meats. The new venue is the handiwork of Parham Hamidian, who has spent the last decade working in five-star hotels and managing restaurants here and abroad, chef Alenka Tomse, whose family has been involved in the hospitality industry in her homeland of Slovenia, and their pal Shawn Maftounian, who brings a wealth of marketing experience to the table. Between them, they’ve created a quaint, local-centric neighbourhood noshery that dishes up a mouth-watering array of tapas and specialty sips. “We wanted to create a venue that when you go in, you don’t feel intimidated,” says Parham of the space. With only 40 seats spread across inside and out, D’ La Rosa is warm and inviting, precisely the way they envisioned it. Parham is on a mission to show people that hospitality isn’t reserved for five-star hotels. After much debate, the trio settled on a concept that walks the line between Spanish tapas and Mexican. “It’s simple and fresh flavours, the kind of food we like to eat,” Alenka says.

If you’re here for the afternoon sunshine, the tapas board featuring chorizo, mushrooms, dips, olives, pickled veg and cured meats, is an excellent place to start. If you’re settling in for something a little more substantial, the menu meanders from quick bites such as corn chips and guac to white-fish ceviche. The venue’s chef, who works alongside Alenka in the kitchen and used to own a restaurant in Mallorca Spain, has gifted us with his grandmother’s chicken croquettes recipe, which sit alongside a scattering of tacos. The halloumi has been a popular selection, but the snapper and mango taco is something you just need to experience for yourself (trust us on this one). While sometimes drinks can feel like a bit of an afterthought, at D’ La Rosa, there’s been just as much attention dedicated to curating a cocktail list that holds its own. The Pomegranate Sour has been an early crowd favourite but if you’re only in the mood for one, let it be Cinderella Man, an unexpected-yet-delicious combination of watermelon and white chocolate. The trio have big ideas for the small space, with plans to push into breakfast oh-so-soon.

D’ La Rosa is now open! Head over to our Stumble Guide for opening times and booking details.