I’m so glad I discovered this new restaurant, for the simple reason that it’s a fantastic find. And somewhat unique in the Joburg restaurant scene. Escondido stands out due to its combination of original fare, tight service, and festive atmosphere.

Centrally located in the Illovo neighborhood of Sandton, which is already packed with top-notch restaurants, Escondido serves up tasty tapas that is not strictly Spanish – in fact it borrows from different ethnic traditions all over the world, from India to Europe to southeast Asia. Instead of printed menus, giant chalkboards placed throughout the eatery announce the ever-changing selection, which includes meat, fish, and vegetarian options.

The night I went some of the offerings included orange and sherry duck stir-fry, cheesy papalaka fingers, roast pork belly with vanilla-apple puree, Caprese bruschetta, and lamb koftas with cumin-tomato sauce. A huge plate of shrimp paella was shared amongst our group as well, and I seem to remember a fried calamari platter floating around as well. All delicious.

The staff are to be commended because they have a good command of the menu, which is no easy feat considering its size, and the fact that it changes almost daily. They also were able to serve our table of 20 within 15 minutes of us ordering, even though the restaurant was packed that night. They also have good knowledge of the extensive wine menu – don’t forget, this is a tapas and WINE joint – which was liberally flowing throughout the meal. Craft beers and cocktails make an appearance as well.

The crowd was smart-casual and unpretentious, and the décor is warm and woody, with enough space in the restaurant to accommodate the hordes who come here on weekend nights. Reservations essential!