Restaurant Weak? Not at Lolita!

Trying to find a new restaurant during Philadelphia Restaurant Week is always a challenge.

First of all, the value is good - $30 for 3 courses. Plus, the fact that you’re getting 3 courses is a great way to be a little more daring and try some different dishes you might not typically order. Lately, though, we’ve come away from Restaurant Week feeling that despite the value, the portions seem to be getting smaller and smaller. That is until we went to Lolita at 106 S. 13th Street in Center City Philadelphia.

It was a warm Friday evening in September with people dining out on the sidewalk. Even though we had reservations, I was nervous we’d still have a wait since it was a Friday night during Restaurant Week and the place isn’t really big. It turns out we didn’t have to wait long and even got to request the “fish bowl” which is one of our favorite places to sit. Sitting in the alcove by the front window is a great place to people watch. We enjoyed watching the parade of under-dressed 20-somethings checking out the restaurant and walking in to request a table.

The great thing about Lolita is that it’s a BYOB. The chances of finding a BYOB on the list for Restaurant Week isn’t usually good so we were already ahead of the game. Hubby, as usual, picked the perfect bottle of wine to compliment our Mexican food. (I asked and he does not remember exactly what we drank. He thinks an oakey Chardonnay.)

My first course was a delicious ceviche. Hubby enjoyed his 3-chile marinated pork carnitas. What a nice surprise to find that these appetizers were “regular” size and not the smaller portions we typically get during Restaurant Week.

For our entrees, I had the grilled Hawaiian Waluu. It’s a different kind of fish than I’ve usually seen on menus and a pleasant surprise. Again, it was a good-sized portion but not overwhelming. Hubby loved his grilled pork chop.

Often for Restaurant Week, the pace is quick as restaurants are trying to get in as many diners as possible in one night. Our server didn’t rush us and let us linger over our bottle of wine while we made our dessert selections. We each ordered something different so we could try the other’s dessert. I ordered the pecan cheesecake and hubby decided to try the Kahlua-espresso soaked lady fingers. What a great way to finish the meal!

We’ll be sure to go back to Lolita again to experience it when it’s not Restaurant Week. I highly recommend reservations since the place is kind of small. By the way, they encourage diners to ‘BYOT’ as in ‘Bring Your Own Tequila.’ They will set you up with the fixins for your own pitcher of Margaritas!


xoxoxo,
The Phillly Foodie Girl