Lola — Restaurant in Seattle

I’ve been looking to try this place for a while, but it’s always super packed on the weekends. Finally went here on a weekday lunch where it was less crowded Ended up getting the Sweet Pepper Shakshuka, along with the doughnuts

Starting with the Shakshuka, I thought it was pretty fantastic This dish came in the cast iron pan it was cooked in, and it was really hot to the touch at first, so I had to wait a couple minutes for it to cool down. Once I started eating, what surprised me a little was that it was on the liquidy side compared to what I expected. However, this went away quickly once I began mixing the eggs, feta cheese, and vegetables into the tomato sauce and it solidified more.

The flavor on the dish was really good. The tomatoes had a deep, rich flavor to them - even as someone who doesn’t like tomatoes and will instantly remove them any time they’re on a sandwich - I actually liked this. They acted incredibly well as a base for the overall dish; having just enough spice to have a little kick but not be overly spicy. I thought the entire dish was seasoned really well

The real highlights though - was the combination of the poached eggs and feta cheese. The cheese was salty, thick, and addicting, while the eggs were soft, perfectly poached, and the yolks were practically made to melt in your mouth. The combination of these two mixing in with the tomato sauce was excellent

While I could (and did) eat this like a soup sometimes, the bread was the best way to eat this with. They started off giving us two slices of sourdough, so we would pile on the mixed dish onto the bread and eat it that way. This was amazing because it truly gave the perfect combination of a crispy, hearty foundation that acted as a vessel to transport the flavors of the shakshuka. I also really appreciate that they put enough effort on the bread to butter it before giving it to us - when that wasn’t necessary at all

Also, since the two slices weren’t enough to cover the whole dish, I really like that upon being asked for more bread, they very quickly brought out 4 more bread slices for us to finish the rest. Doing this for no extra charge was super cool of them

Moving on to the doughnuts - these were quite good as well - although I wouldn’t say they were all-time amazing. They were super soft on the inside, had a pillowy texture, and the powdered sugar on top tasted great. I was a massive fan of the vanilla mascarpone; although the jam didn’t really seem needed. However, they were a little plain in the flavor department. Also, the 5 doughnuts you get doesn’t really seem worth the $14 price - especially when they’re so small

For the price, this is expensive, but I would say the shakshuka is well worth it because it’s a ton of food. I can’t say the same for the doughnuts, however

Overall, I had a really great experience here, while getting to try a dish that you don’t see on a lot of menus...

My recent dinner experience at Lola was a delightful one. Located in downtown Seattle, this charming restaurant requires reservations, especially on busy Friday and Saturday nights. The ambiance is cozy, albeit a bit dark, and the small size creates an intimate atmosphere. Surprisingly, the tables for four are quite spacious. Outdoor seating is also available, providing an alternative dining option.

The highlight of the evening was undoubtedly the food. The pita bread and dip sampler was a standout, with a unique twist on the traditional pita bread. Rather than the usual Lebanese style, Lola's version was slightly bread-like and dense, yet incredibly fresh, straight from the ovens. The rosemary fries, served with curried ketchup and yogurt sauce, were a hit with both kids and adults alike. The chicken and mushroom kebabs were mouthwateringly delicious, piping hot, and full of flavor. The beautifully grilled lamb chops, accompanied by a bed of fava beans and herb sauce, were another standout dish. However, the black butter spaghetti fell a bit short, lacking in moisture and flavor.

To quench our thirst, we tried the pomegranate lemonade, which proved to be a refreshing and tangy beverage. It perfectly complemented the meal. It's worth mentioning that on busy nights, there can be a considerable wait time for grilled food items, including the ones we ordered. Additionally, the prices at Lola fall on the mid-to-higher end, which is to be expected in a downtown Seattle location with many excellent restaurants nearby.

The waitstaff at Lola was courteous, accommodating, and friendly throughout our visit. They possessed excellent knowledge about the dishes and provided us with great suggestions, enhancing our dining experience.

In summary, I highly recommend Lola for both dinner dates and family outings. The food is undeniably delicious, with a few standout dishes that are sure to please. The friendly service and welcoming ambiance add to the overall positive experience. However, it's important to note the potential noise levels on busy nights and the higher price range.

Pros: Delicious and unique food, with standout dishes like the pita bread and dip sampler, rosemary fries, and lamb chops Courteous, accommodating, and knowledgeable waitstaff Charming and cozy ambiance, suitable for a variety of occasions Outdoor seating option available Pomegranate lemonade is a refreshing and tangy beverage

Cons: Noisy atmosphere on busy nights, making conversations across the table difficult Potential wait time for grilled food items on busy nights Parking can be challenging to find on the street, although free parking is available after 8pm

Neutral: Mid - Higher price range compared to some other restaurants...

I’m honestly a bit baffled about the high rating at this place. We are fortunate enough to dine out often and I have been by this place many times and wanted to try it. It always seems busy, which is a good sign.

I made brunch reservations before a show last Saturday and felt very disappointed in our experience. We were seated right away which was great, but then asked almost immediately after being seated if we were ready to order. We ordered drinks and asked for time to look at the menu. Three different staff members came in the first 10 minutes to ask us if we were ready, and on the third time I felt I should say yes and ordered.

On the plus side the food was pretty good. I got the chicken kebab and it was good but pretty pricey for what it was. Pita and tzatziki were excellent. My husband got eggs Benedict and it was also pretty good but VERY lemon heavy.

Shortly after our food arrived, I was done with my drink and was going to get one more mimosa, but they grabbed the glass without asking if I wanted another. No big deal I figured with the abundance of servers that came by it would be easy to grab someone. We tried to make eye contact with any of the passing servers and even tried to say “excuse me” to one to no avail. We decided to finish our meal and head elsewhere.

When we each had about a bite left a server showed up with credit card terminal in hand, ready for payment. No one had checked in if we needed anything during the meal or if we wanted anything else.

The default tip starts at 20% and increases from there. We ended up in and out in about 45 minutes which in some cases might be great but we were hoping for a relaxing brunch and couple of drinks to enjoy. It feels like prioritize table turnover above people staying to enjoy their meal which makes sense if you’re pushing a 20% tip if the customer doesn’t want to make it awkward.

The pros were that the food came out fast and was decent, the grapefruit mimosa was tasty, the host was friendly and we were seated right away. None of that was enough to make up for the rushed experience and lack of service throughout, unfortunately.

In total for an eggs Benedict, chicken kebab, beer and mimosa we spent just under $100 with service charges, tax...