Lola Cafe + Bar in Quezon City

Lola Cafe + Bar which opened early this year is a welcome addition to the long lists of restaurants in Quezon City specifically that of Tomas Morato area. I have been to Lola Cafe and Bar for number of times already and I must say that every visit is always an enjoyable one in terms of service and quality of food.

Just like some of the restaurants in Tomas Morato area, Lola Cafe + Bar located at Scout Lozano near Cafe Romulo, is a residential space converted into a dining nook. The ambiance is as comfortable as a home, the service is thoughtful and friendly, and the food is always heartwarming.

Its impressive space boasts of two storey dining areas and al fresco space which is very apt since the place can be jam packed especially on weekends. A touch of white with some gray highlights dominates the space. Quirky trinkets also adds charm to the contemporary and modern vibe of the interior.

The menu is kept simple with focus on comforting food of different origin. They also do serve cocktails and mocktail drinks since they also tagged themselves as bar.

Most of my visits always falls on daytime, hence their mocktails are default order to quench the thirst. The Rio Mocktail (Php120) is a delightful blend of grapefruit and apple juice made even more refreshing by mint leaves thrown into the mix. Tosca Mocktail (Php120) on the other hand is a cool combination of clear soda and apple juice with a mix of ginger and lime. Beliz Mocktail (Php120) is an interesting mix of clear soda and passion fruit juice plus basil leaves. These mocktails are all served in Mason jars that added charm to it.

A meal at Lola Cafe + Bar can be started beautifully with their Camembert Cheese (Php 350). Served on a heavy tile for rustic effect, this cheese which was foiled by crisp breading boast of creamy and semi melted camembert cheese inside. The cheese's innate salty and sweet flavor with buttery flair is a good combination with the caramelized onion and grilled honey apple sitting atop. When spread against the crisp crostini, it is a palatable treat that any cheese loving person or not will definitely enjoy.

Impressively beautiful to the eyes and to the palate, Lola's Salad (Php230) is a combination of fresh greens, grilled mushroom, and smoked bacon topped with perfectly poached egg and doused with balsamic vinaigrette. It is a peek into the healthy and somewhat indulgent world of downright impressive salad.

As an eggs Benedict fanatic, Lola Cafe + Bar verison of Tapa Benedicts (Php350) instantly made its way to the top tier of my list of the best eggs Benedicts I have tried. The tapa they used was very tender and extremely flavorful hinting of a beautiful marriage between savory sweet flavors. The eggs were perfectly poached while the hollandaise sauce was creamy without overbearingly so.

Spicy Tinapa Pasta (Php185) was an indulgent pasta treat especially for those who has affinity for the fish. Its citrusy and spicy flavor cut through the distinct taste of the tinapa without overshadowing it.

The Tinapa Pasta was a delight to the palate but Lola Cafe + Bar's Tartufo Pasta (Php 260) is always a spotlight stealer. Always. In terms of presentation, it can be easily pass off as your usual cream-based pasta, but the aroma is a dead giveaway that it is indeed something way way better. The pleasantly intoxicating smell of truffle was so good, and in terms of the taste, it was simply the best truffled pasta I have tried in Manila.

The comfortable homey ambiance of Lola Cafe + Bar is further justified once you tried their viand dishes. I particularly took a great liking for their Kare-Kare (Php 350) served with sauteed anchovies on top. The tender beef brisket and the tripe were very generous that an order can be shared between 2 to 3 people. The creamy peanut taste of the sauce struck the right balance. This is the kind of Kare-Kare that one may be reminded of great dining experiences at the comfort of their own home.

Equally satisfying but all the more adventurous is Lola Cafe + Bar's Kimchi Kaldereta (Php380) I am not a fan of kimchi, but the kinchi they uses for their Kaldereta is not too strong at all. The tenderness of the beef is always impressive while the sauce always calls for an extra serving of steamed rice.

Lola Cafe + Bar also offers different kinds of desserts. During my last visit, we were told that they will be adding more to the menu. Meanwhile, some of the desserts I have tried were the Pistachio Pavlova (Php90), Belgian Chocolate Cupcake (Php60), and the Bannoffee Pie (Php150) which I really like.

Dining at Lola Cafe + Bar is like taking a much needed vacation just to savor the goodness of food. With the location far from the main road of the always busy Tomas Morato, Lola Cafe + Bar ambiance is relaxing, quiet, and conducive to a long leisurely bonding with loved ones over great food. I cannot wait to revisit again.