Chips with everything at this South American eatery in Paddington

• tqm is a South American restaurant in Five Ways, Paddington
• Venezuelan chef Jose Garcia is in charge
• Sunday brunch menu is good value for a lazy afternoon of wine and snacks.

It’s all about tortilla chips. Whether it is avocado with red onions and tomato dip or a chicken tostado mixed with avocado and sitting on a crisp tortilla biscuit, South American food is fun at tqm in Paddington’s Five Ways precinct.

Recently revamped with Venezuelan chef, Jose Garcia in charge, his eclectic Latin  American share plates at the restaurant has stirred a lot of interest among locals.

On a lazy Sunday afternoon, it is so easy to walk to tqm on Heeley Street. You can’t miss it – the heritage-listed, 19^th century terrace is painted in a bright and bold yellow. The colour, yellow, in Venezuelan culture represents harmony, abundance and the warmth of the sun.

The restaurant is spread over two levels. There’s a moody cocktail bar, a narrow dining room with skylight, a courtyard dining area and an upstairs space for more private gatherings.

At the weekends, tqm offers a two-hour, bottomless brunch with share plates and a choice of sparkling, white and red wine. We opted for this experience – minus the wine.

Our top pick was the grilled halloumi with tomato salad. The halloumi was perfectly grilled – firm on the outside and soft inside – the tomato salad spread on the top had just the right amount of tangy flavour.

The beef taco was served with guasacaca  – creamy avocado with a dash of vinegar and lime – with red onion, coriander on a soft tortilla bread.

There was also a pork belly skewer with Amarillo sauce and grilled cauliflower.

At $99 pp, it will not break the bank – shared plates with free-flowing wine is a lovely way of spending a lazy Sunday afternoon. There’s one proviso – you must love tortilla chips.

What: tqm, Five Ways, Paddington

Where: Five Ways, Paddington

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Contact: https://www.tequila-mockingbird.com.au/