Lola’s: she’s all grown up

From hippy chic to tailored bistro

There’s something different about Lola’s. A couple share a bottle of white wine and a bowl of risotto out on Long Street’s sidewalk; the décor is more sophisticated and minimalist, yet Lola offers the same comfort as she did in her teenage years. The chalkboard menu injects fine dining flavours into rustic bistro fare and, this time, offers something for the meat eaters too. Did I mention the staff is gorgeous? Lola had some growing up to do – and now she’s back.

Part-owner, Craig Wobbie, began his foodie career at Kalk Bay’s Olympia Café, and has worked under perfectionist and film shoot caterer Eve Collett before he started his own catering company, Sure Fire Catering, in 2006. Notably, Sol Kerzner (hotel tycoon) was so impressed with Craig that he snapped him up as his personal chef.

“I couldn’t say no to Sol Kerzner and it turned out to be an interesting experience,” Craig tells us.

Lola’s facelift

“Working at Olympia Café, I developed a love for small, intimate spaces, featuring chalkboard menus. Keen to take my career back to the corner shop, where it all started, I jumped at the chance to take over Lola’s, with co-owner, Bret Kramer.”

Lola’s archways have been raised, so that the light pours in, her floors have been leveled and the bar has been pushed back toward the kitchen, which creates more space. Interior designers Gillian Goodwin and Brenda Hart’s vibrant, colourful blocks make up a bar that ties this bistro together, setting off darker walls, quirky cushions emblazoned with knives and forks and interesting light fittings. Dani Louireira designed the fancy logo you see as you walk through Lola’s doors.

Lola has the same respect for vegetables as she does for meat

Vegetarians can put down their pitch forks. Craig is a firm believer that vegetables deserve just as much love as meat products. The result is a veggie offering that far surpasses what was before.

With the help of good friend and chef, Daniel Heyns, Craig and Brett have devised a breakfast, lunch, tapas and dinner menu, emphasising rustic fare, with a fine dining twist. Veggies can opt for light and fluffy soufflé omelettes, sweetcorn frittas, salads and soups, while meat and seafood lovers can chow down on tagliatelle with beef or steamed mussels.

“I want locals to feel like they can pop in for pasta or a great piece of fish,” says Craig.

To start, we sip hearty, butternut soup, with pretty swirls of yoghurt, paprika and basil oil (R35); followed by a salad of sweet poached pears, paired with a gooey Gorgonzola, pine nuts and honey-mustard dressing (R54). Our favourite is the basil and herb crusted chicken – succulent chicken pieces infused with a hint of Parmesan and served with a well-cooked, creamy, mushroom risotto (R68). Our dessert is a flavoursome crème caramel, with burnt honey. Lola’s bounty is rustic and accessible, yet made with fine ingredients..

We also recommend: apple, cucumber and spinach juice or try the carrot, celery and beetroot flavour (both R24).  

By Lisa Nevitt

Lola’s
228 Long Street | City Centre | Cape Town | +27 (0)21 423 0885

Opening Times:
From 07:00 - late, from Wednesday to Saturday, from 07:00 – 19:00 from Monday – Tuesday and from 07:00 – 12:00 on Sundays.

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