LOLA — Restaurant in Town of North Hempstead

Last Monday night it was time for us to go back to Lola for our regular wine dinner. One of the guys in the group spoke with chef owner Michael Ginor in advance asking him if he would be willing to cook a special meal for us featuring Foie Gras and all of the other luxurious dishes that one can only dream about. The answer was a resounding yes! Chef used to feature many of the dishes we ate last week on his menu, but the theme of the restaurant has changed over time, but let me tell you his skills have only improved and the meal he created for us will only push us back to the restaurant sooner.

The first creation was Osetra Caviar on top of a Cauliflower Panna Cotta with a "dreamlike" Scallop Tartar, the presentation which you will see, was amazing. As great as the presentation the dish was simply exquisite. We were all raving about it what seemed like forever.

Forever ended abruptly when we were presented with the Totchon of Hudson Valley Foie Gras along with pistachio, rhubarb and duck prosciutto. When I tell you that this might have ever been the best presentation and tasting foie, I've ever eaten, I kid you not. It's a favorite of the 10 of us who were eating it and a staple at all of our wine dinners. Truth be told in all my years of indulging in dishes like this it must be among the 10 best ever and that really is saying a lot. With it we had 2 different Tokaji Aszueszencia's one a 1999 and the other a 2003. Both were excellent.

With the initial offering we had 2 wonderful champagnes one being an Andre Clouet and a 2008 Grand Dame. In addition to 2 outstanding white wines as well.

Dish number 3 was a beautifully prepared Artic Char with spring pea, preserved lemon and marinated ikura. The fish was cooked to perfection, rare, moist and expertly seasoned. Each mouthful was an explosion of wonderful flavors. We were getting a bit creative with the wine pairings now, we opened a 1996 Lopez de Heredia Vina Tondina and a 2007 Charmes Chambertin Grand Cru.

Our next dish was a White Birch Grilled Wagyu with Truffle Pommes Puree and charred scallion Chimichurri. Words alone can't describe the taste of this offering; the attached pictures might help. As I'm trying to remember the wines I realize that my notes were getting a bit messy, but I do remember we opened in no particular order now a 1999 Hospices de Beaune Grand Cru, 2004 Domaine Dujac, 2004 Camille Girard Beaune, 1992 Chateau Leoville St. Julien, 2000 Domaine De Chevaile Grand Cru Classe de Graves and a couple of others I forgot.

Our next dish was extremely traditional when it comes to Foie Gras, it's classic French and it's never served like this here. it was the Whole Roast of Foie Gras with Okinawa Purple potato and braised red cabbage. I've never before had the foie presented to me in this fashion, it's so far removed from the perception of Foie Gras is on a menu that you wouldn't believe it one word will describe this offering WONDERFUL!

This was then followed by a 28 day dry aged Rohan Duck with rutabaga, Medjool date and a Star Anise BBQ Sauce. This was the 6th savory course that we were served and this alone could have been the star of the night on its own. It was beautiful, truly fit for a king.

For desert, (not that we needed any, but we had a 1976 Rheingau in the wings,) we were served a Halva Parfait composed of Silan, Semisweet chocolate and torched meringue. I know it was delicious but forgive me by now my ability to do justice to the meal was a real stretch.

Michael you and you staff out did yourselves. Many of us here for this dinner had been customers on a regular basis before the menu change. After the meal you gave us I'm sure we'll be back for some of our wine dinners and at other times as well. Thanks again for a wonderful night!

PS - I didn't forget about your offer on getting the...

Lola: A Hidden Mediterranean Gem in Great Neck

As a food critic and a lover of Mediterranean cuisine, I’ve had the pleasure of dining at some of Long Island’s finest establishments. When I visited Lola for the first time, I wasn’t expecting to be blown away. Yet, this cozy little spot nestled in the village of Great Neck offered an unexpectedly delightful experience that warrants a return visit.

Ambiance The ambiance at Lola is simple and unassuming. It’s a small, cozy setup—not the kind of place that wows you with décor. But as I soon discovered, it’s the food that takes center stage here.

Flavors That Impress Having an Indian flavor palate, I’m always on the hunt for bold, distinct flavors—not necessarily spicy, but vibrant and memorable. At Lola, every dish stood out with its own personality, and the flavors were consistently well-balanced.

Small Plates to Start We began with a few small plates, and each one had its own charm: • Hummus and Babaganoush: Both were good, though a bit heavy on the tahini. The babaganoush, in particular, leaned towards a richer, creamier profile than I typically prefer. • Roasted Beets: Served with Bulgarian feta, fresh mint, and a sprinkle of dukkah, this dish was light, earthy, and beautifully balanced—a must-try for beet lovers. • Roasted Cauliflower: This dish caught me by surprise. Usually, roasted cauliflower at Mediterranean spots falls flat, but here it was exceptional. Tossed with lemon, scallions, tahini, and Greek yogurt, the flavors were bright and satisfying.

Main Dishes That Shine • Mujadara: This dish was a standout, with its buttery, savory lentils and rice, topped with crispy, spiced chickpeas that added a delightful crunch. • Mushroom Malawach: The buttery flatbread topped with garlicky sautéed mushrooms, caramelized onions, and fresh herbs was rich, indulgent, and hands down my favorite dish of the evening. It’s a must for mushroom lovers. • Chicken Schnitzel: Perfectly crisp on the outside and juicy inside, the schnitzel was served on a bed of creamy, flavorful mashed potatoes. This dish epitomized comfort food at its finest.

Service and Overall Experience The service was prompt, attentive, and friendly, rounding out an already exceptional dining experience.

Final Thoughts While Lola may not captivate you with its ambiance, the food more than makes up for it. Every dish is crafted with care and offers a unique medley of flavors that stay with you long after the meal.

If you’re looking for a Mediterranean restaurant that goes beyond the ordinary, I highly recommend Lola. It’s a culinary experience...

Dinner with a friend midweek in February at Lola, on Middle Neck Road in Great Neck – her first time there, my second. I’m looking forward to my third, and fourth, and….

When we arrived for our 6:30 p.m. reservation on a Thursday evening, the room was mostly empty, with only two other tables and only two bar seats taken. That changed toward 8 p.m., when I noticed that the place had mostly filled up. Note to self: There’s nothing wrong with an early-ish dinner on a weekday (if I start touting the manifold benefits of blue-plate specials, however, you are invited to reprimand me).

We ordered a bottle of Lecea Tempranillo Crianza 2014 Rioja from the very short list (only 6 red wines offered by the glass or bottle – see attached drinks menu photo). It was OK, inexpensive, and paled in comparison to the quality of the food to come.

Service was knowledgeable and attentive throughout – our waitress knew her stuff, and the busboy cleared plates and filled water glasses timely. It’s very nice when things run like a well-oiled machine.

We decided to forego main courses, and instead shared 3 of the Mezze offerings and 3 of the small plates, which was more than enough food (yes, there was a doggie bag). We had: a squash off-menu special with tzatziki, babaganoush (eggplant), and roasted cauliflower salad – each was delicious, especially the latter two. The babaganoush in particular was one of the best I’ve ever had, and trust me, I’ve had plenty! We also shared charred octopus, lamb malawach, and mujadara (see attached food menu photo for descriptions). The dishes’ conceptions were creative, the preparations well-executed, and the results very satisfying. We loitered till well past 9 p.m. and were not rushed out. Lola is not only a high quality establishment, but also a great value. And both street parking and the municipal lot around the corner are free...