01/23/08

A new blend of Latin and Turkish bites are presented in beautiful patterns in a colorful setting at this Mission hideaway.

by Angela Asche

Signless and dark on the outside and bursting with funky color and exotic flavor on the inside, Lolo is the kind of place you want to tell your friends about and no one else. The mini-dining room and bar area are bright and campy, lined with recycled newsprint, ceramic animals, and fringed lampshades. Turkish influenced, Guadelajaran small plates like the panko-encrusted, flash-fried shrimp jicama tacos topped with a tropical relish and chipotle aioli make perfect sense, while the marinated beets and grilled radicchio buttered with feta mousse are refreshing, if a bit unfilling. Entrees are only slightly larger--coming here with a big appetite can get very expensive--but try the Cedar River, grass-fed flank steak with a peach and strawberry mole. For dessert, the ultimate sweet-tooth subduer is the bola verde, a harmonious blend of mascarpone, lavender and mint, layered with quince and sprinkled with lemon peel.

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01/21/08

some good, some just okay

by graymalkin

i actually wandered into Lolo thinking that it was a remodeled Vogolonga but when i realized that it was something completely different i was up for the new experience. the wait staff was very friendly and personable making the experience quite delightful. the food was good but i felt like they were trying too hard with some of the dishes and they could have been somewhat simplified. my only real complaint was the noise level -- it was much too loud in the side room and they should invest in some sound absorbtive wall and ceiling materials. so, it would be nice for a date in the front room (although the traffic for the whole restaurant goes through the front room) or for a party in the side room. in my opinion, they still have some kinks to work out.

• Pros: wonderful staff
• Cons: too loud