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| - We've been told to go here a number of times, always avoiding it because I usually just don't feel like sitting with strangers. Also, I actually made it inside once, looked at the sparse menu, and just couldn't commit. I've been to Spain three times, and many tapas bars in NYC, and just never loved more than one dish. Lots of olives and manchego, nothing else ever inspired (also I don't eat red meat/chicken, so is limiting).
Not only did we have the best service in the 5 years I've lived in Phoenix, but the food was amazing, the atmosphere was still very intimate and romantic, and the true test - showing up at a restaurant 20 min before close- they passed with flying colors! They didn't just welcome us, they encouraged us in, without appearing desperate. We ordered all the waiter's recommendations (no chicken or red meat). Gambas al pil-pil, garbanzo espinacas, Barcelona eggplant. I usually hate eggplant unless it's perfect. Actually, same with shrimp, rarely is it cooked the right temperature. EVERYTHING WAS PERFECT. Much of this has to do with the knowledgeable, perfect timing and not hovering service from our waiter. Wine was good, selection is fine.
And my favorite part - the CHEF brought us out a complimentary desert because we complimented him on the perfect flavor of everything. We felt so SPECIAL. He explained that it was a chocolate cake made with olive oil and some other unusual ingredients (I couldn't focus at this point, I wanted to be staged and ready to eat quickly since I was sharing it with a person much larger than myself, i.e. my boyfriend). It was AMAZING.
Hats off to the chef and our waiter, they really care about what they are doing. Very few places in Phoenix that live up to the classy attitude behind the Lola experience.
We love this place. Afraid to go back. How could it be this good two times in a row? We had no expectations. It definitely deserves 5 stars if we have the same great experience when we return.
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