Lola's: A Louisiana Restaurant

LVA Review

This restaurant was reviewed in the February 2010LVA; some of the information contained in the review may no longer be accurate. In most cases, this space features a restaurant that’s been around awhile (and sometimes a very long time, as in last month’s review of White Cross Drugs). But on occasion, we go for something brand new when we think it’s warranted and figures to last. Such is the case with this month’s featured restaurant. We learned of Lola’s by reading a review by Al Mancini in the Las Vegas Weekly. We respect Al’s opinion, so when he raved, we headed over. Lola’s is a “Louisiana kitchen,” serving gumbo, jambalaya, étouffée, po boys, and the like. We’ll get to that, but first, you won’t want to miss a couple of the starters. The first is charbroiled oysters. At $11.49 for a half-dozen and $19.99 for a full, these oysters aren’t cheap, but they are exceptional. Charred over an open flame right off the dining floor, they’re served sizzling in the shell with a light Parmesan topping and garlic bread on the side. This is the rare oyster that even a non-oyster eater has a shot at liking. Another specialty is the crawpuppies, which Lola’s claims to have originated. Just like they sound, these are hushpuppies with crawfish mixed in and this may be the rare crawfish dish that even non-crawfish eaters … well, you get the idea. With the main course, it’s a pick-your-pleasure thing. We had good jambalaya ($12.99) and crab cakes ($13.49), but the dish we loved was bronzed catfish and grits ($14.99). This dish reminded us of the delicacies at Louis’s Fish Camp, the fine restaurant that has since closed at Town Square, only less expensive. And here’s a bonus. Beginning mid-February, Lola’s will begin serving a crawfish boil with product flown in fresh (we’re told that most of the crawfish places that have sprung up off Spring Mountain Rd. use frozen crawfish). Lola’s promises it’ll be the best in town and are kicking off with a little crawfish festival on Feb. 13 and 16 (call to reserve for that party). Lunch and dinner are served Mon.-Sat. beginning at 11 am (closed Sunday). Finding Lola’s might be a bit challenging, as the restaurant is tucked into an area called the Holsum Design Center (named for the Holsum Bread Company that’s been there many years), on the south side of Charleston near the arts district.