Lola's

Last date I was here: 6/8/2010

Restaurant: Lola’s (http://lolasbarracksbarandgrill.com/)

Location: Barracks Row

Total Rating: 3.65
Food: 4, Price: 3, Service: 3, Ambience: 3, Accessibility: 5

Summary: Lola's takes over the spot where boozy Tapatini's once stood. It's only fair to call the new bar a serious upgrade over its predecessor. Diminutive lamps cast an attractive glow over the bar. Chest-high tables can accommodate groups of six at leather-backed stools – but keep in mind that seating is “family style” so you will share the table with other patrons. Flat-screen televisions ringed with copper frames line the wall behind the liquor bottles. Closest Metro is Eastern Market.

Boasting appetizers like sloppy joe sliders, a pate and brie platter or quesadillas made from shrimp, chicken, prosciutto, spinach, sun-dried tomato and two kinds of cheese, Lola’s provides another option to the typical bar fare along Barracks Row. Hearty sandwiches make up the majority of the menu. A steak sandwich comes cooked to order and dripping with cheese and sweet caramelized onions. Other options include a half-pound burger, a turkey sandwich with cranberry mayo and some big "badass" fish tacos. Although it was not crowded yet when we went for dinner, the service was a little odd. We were unsure of where to sit, since all the tables had “reserved” on them. But the food made up for the service and ambience. My mahi mahi was cooked well and the sandwich was a nice big portion, however it was a little dry – missing the promised tartar sauce. Lola’s was nothing special so I am not sure if I would come back again.

UPDATE: We tried Lola's again before going to a Nats game and sat in the outside back patio area - mainly for smokers, but we were early enough that no one else was there yet. Service was decent and food a little better than the last time, yet still a little overpriced compared to Molly's and others next door.

What I ate:

Billy’s Key Largo Favorite

Fresh grilled Mahi Mahi is topped with melted cheddar & lemon caper tartar sauce.

Served with a side salad with vinaigrette dressing

Grilled Quesadilla

shrimp, roasted chicken, fresh spinach, tomato, cheddar, fontina cheese

served with sour cream and salsa

Plus Keith ate:

Badass Baja Fish Tacos

Two homemade & grilled tortillas wrapped around fried Mahi Mahi & cilantro slaw.
Served with pommes frites

Steak Sandwich

served with au jus and a house salad