La Boca bar and grill Argentinan restaurant is an impressive hotel restaurant, a little different from the norm. La Boca is at the base of the Stamford Hotel and only a stones throw from Kingsford Smith Airport Sydney. occupying a huge space with centrepiece being the fire pit (the Asador). The Asador, not only a spectacle, it is what La Boca use to cook their meat. Argentina being famous for their meat, La Boca impressively cooking whole carcuses traditionally over flame on the Asador. The bits that aren’t served are utilised in stocks.
Being in a hotel there is a strong focus on hospitality. The staff were very well drilled and accomodating. As to be expected being an Argentinian style grill, there are plenty of quality meat options on the menu. The burgers are huge and tasty if you are after a casual meal and a beverage or two from the bar. The are a number of smaller options if you are after a light meal or a starter. La Boca also had a reasonably priced kids menu with games and stuff for them to colour in.
We decided on the three courses for $75. The drinks menu having a good range of Argentinan wine, in particular Malbec, which we love. What better way to start a meal at an Argentinian restaurant, than with a nice glass of Malbec.
The usual option to start is the empanadas which are quite nice to as a starter. This time we decided to try the menu’s newer option being the pumpkin gnocchi and the zucchini flowers. Sharing both options, we were a little thrown by the artichoke in zucchini flowers which had a strong flavour being pickled. We enjoyed the pumpkin gnocchi which had plenty of plavour with a mix of bread crumb herbs, thyme, pine nuts, mushrroms and parmesan pangritata.
This is an Argentinian BBQ ultimately we were here for the meat. The mixed grill being a favourite and called for a return. Cooked on the Asador, this dish is a trio of succulent meat being beef, suckling lamb and suckling pig slow cooked over an open flame. Who doesn’t like crackling and this meal had a couple of different versions and it was delicious. The meat itself was tasty enough to eat without condiments. However the meal came with a tasty chimichurri, which further enhanced the flavour. The mixed grill served with a potato, I assume cooked over the asador.
We also tried the eye fillet steak cooked on the parilla grill. With meat being the star at this restaurant, quality cuts are used with the asador providing plenty of flavour.
Finishing on a sweet note the strawberry pillow was a nicely presented strawberry mousse. But it is pretty hard to go past a choclate raspberry fondand, just oozing decadence!
If you like meat and BBQ, you should check this place out. We love the Argentian options on the menu, the mix grill being a favourite. A great spot for dining if you are staying near the airport or if you enjoy your BBQ. Thanks to La Boca and the Stamford for inviting us to return to the La Boca and the Asador.