I can't understand why she looks like a woman but talks like a man

[bam bam]

Her name is Lalalalala Lola.

I went there as part of the week long birthday festivities on Friday. I have to admit that my take on this restaurant is colored by a real horrendous double date I had there about ten years ago. At the point we partook in this monstrosity, I hated my roomate. I hated my roomate's girlfriend but being the kinda guy I am I was amenable to meeting the roomie's gf's friend. What a horrendous mistake. I was lectured on spirituality for like two hours. I don't even remember the food, just having a rotten time.

So I have slowly made it back there over the years in an attempt to wash the bitter aftertaste of a date gone horribly awry from my mouth. I must say I continue to be impressed.

First, the neighborhood is sensational. If I didn't live in the LGD, I would live on Esplanade. It is absolutely gorgeous there on a summer night. We waited on the owner's porch with two bottles of sangria. The wait was much shorter than expected and we were seated fairly quickly.

I had a white bean and serrano ham soup. The soup had a nice complexity to it. I can't remember the other apps brought to the table.

For my entree, I had the seafood paella. Very garlicky. In fact if you have an aversion to garlic, I would think about avoiding this restaurant. However, I love garlic. But I do think it can overpower the seafood. You get a nice paella dish loaded with shrimp, mussels, scallops and some flaky white fish chunks. Overall, I give this place a huge thumbs up.

My friend JB ordered the pork. This is the only other dish I had a taste of, and I thought it was a little dry for my liking but he devoured it so I am glad he ordered and I didn't.

I give Lola's a strong recommendation. Even though they have a wine list, you can still bring your own. No clue what the corkage is however.

[Jeeves]

Bam, thanks for the heads up on Lola. I know it's there, but I knew nothing about the paella and sangria! Frankie and I both love this combination and since she's in the food and dining bidness I'm surprised she hasn't suggested Lola. We go to Laurentino's for these things lately.

Do you remember the name of the sangria in a bottle? Laurentino makes it from scratch.

[edible complex]

Bam, thanks for the heads up on Lola. I know it's there, but I knew nothing about the paella and sangria! Frankie and I both love this combination and since she's in the food and dining bidness I'm surprised she hasn't suggested Lola. We go to Laurentino's for these things lately.

Do you remember the name of the sangria in a bottle? Laurentino makes it from scratch.

if you are in the Mid City area, check out Arabesque for their sangria! and good food too.

[Jeeves]

Thanks, EC. My last favorite Spanish dining venue was España on Jefferson Hiway (Now a Picadilly....blecch!).

[suep]

I absolutely crave the aioli. It is so spicy with raw garlic that I reek for several days.

I don't remember being charged a corkage, but I haven't been since Katrina.