Lottē — Restaurant in Wichita

If you’re reading this and it’s before the end of March 2024, ✨S P R I N T✨ to this restaurant to make sure you don’t miss out on these amazing flavors. My husband and I went out for our 5 year anniversary & to sample a new (to us) restaurant. He started off with a Smokey Harvest Cider (Mezcal, Apple Cider, Allspice, Cinnamon). Mezcal is one of those flavors that is an acquired taste, but it was so good I would have been willing to drink it! I ordered the Honey + Fig Smash (Prosecco, Elderflower, Fig, Nectarine) and I could have sworn the drink got sweeter as I continued to drink it. It was divine! For appetizers, we ordered the Tuna Crudo (Scallion Pancake, Sriracha Vinaigrette, Spicy Peanuts, Lime, Cilantro) and Parnsip Bisque (Apple Mustarda, Brown Butter, Hazelnut). Husband says that if he could have gotten two portions, he would have been happier than a fat kid in a candy store. He is hopeful that this particular item stays on the menu a smidge longer. I was very impressed with the bisque. I had never had anything like it and it was surprisingly sweet in a way I wasn’t anticipating. The flavors melded delightfully. Our entrees were the Lamb Orecchiette (Merguez Sausage, Broccolini, Feta, Aleppo, Chile Oil) & Pan-Seared Scallops (Harissa, Couscous Self, Saffron Chutney, Labneh, Mint, Marcona Almonds). Scallops were cooked to PERFECTION! The labneh and saffron chutney offered such a delightful blend of flavor. And the Orecchiette? I don’t know who to thank first. The chef that featured it on the menu or the fine individual who I was blessed enough to have cook it tonight. Either way it was a magical experience that I kept coming back too. My husband is very lucky he tried his bite when he did. I kept going back to the bowl, trying to get every last bite. For dessert, we managed to find space in our second stomach (the famed dessert stomach) to order Tropical Tres Leches (Passionfruit Curd, Mango, Coconut, Buñuelo) and "Ras Malai" Cheesecake (Pistachio, Almond Brittle, Apricot Chutney). While my husband truly enjoyed the cheesecake, he is disappointed that did not also order the Tres Leches. Light and tropical flavors danced on the tongue and I was very thankful the portion was as generous as it was. I can honestly say this was the best dining experience I’ve had the pleasure of participating in here in Wichita. I’m a little hesitant to try their next menu in all honesty, because that means these options won’t be available again. But I truly doubt there will be a subpar plate that comes from this kitchen. 10/10 would...

I was there with a group on opening week. Overall the experience was good. I always find it hard to review a restaurant when they first open because I know they're still figuring things out. We tried a few menu items. I had the bone-in pork chop cooked med-rare as suggested by the waiter. The flavor was great, but half of it was pretty chewy. If I have it again, I'll ask it be cooked medium in hopes that improves the texture. My wife had the beet risotto and loved it. We also had a salad and the house made bread/butter. Both were great. The bread was supposed to come as an appetizer but didn't arrive until our main course was served, no big deal. Drink service was very slow, at one point a beer took over 30 minutes. Our group had almost every item on the menu. I was told the Steak, Ravioli and Scallops were excellent. Everyone who had the pork chop had the same issue with texture as I did. We specified our bill split before orders were taken but it took about 45 minutes to get our bills after we requested them. The server apologized for the long wait and comped the drinks but they only got comped for half of our party. Overall consensus of our group was the food was great, but service was very slow. We were there a total of 2 hours 45 minutes. We'll be back to try it again after they've been...

Lottē in Wichita is one of those places where you walk in thinking, “Okay, cool vibe, very modern, very Instagram,” but then you take one bite of the food and forget the décor even exists. Like, someone could’ve been breakdancing on fire in the corner and I wouldn't have noticed—because I was too busy having a religious experience with my lamb.

I had the braised lamb, and let me be clear: it was the best I’ve ever had. That’s not hyperbole—that’s a lifetime of eating lamb talking. There were flavors in there I couldn’t even identify, and trust me, I’m a flavor identifier from way back. This dish had me questioning my whole spice cabinet.

My wife had the trout with mint, which came with a curry sauce so good, she ate every bite of fish and I straight-up drank the leftover sauce like it was the last can of beer in the apocalypse. No shame. I would’ve asked for a bowl of just that if I thought I could get away with it.

Yes, the place is trendy. Yes, it looks like the kind of spot where they charge extra if you Instagram your food. But who cares? The food is next-level. Forget the atmosphere—come for the lamb, stay for the sauce, and leave planning your next visit before you even hit the...