Wasn't a huge fan of the asado-seemed like something I could make at home with very little meat. The dessert--a hazelnut chocolate cake--was incredible though!!
(3)
Joe Y.
Might need a reservation on a weekend night. Expect amazing cheese plates and other small plate foods. For a beer and tequilla drinker like myself, the options were limited but they had a lot of signature cocktails and descent wine list. I really enjoyed the octopus dish and I would go back to trying more items on the menu.
(3)
Mer L.
On our most recent visit to Portland, we rented a studio apartment on Munjoy Hill, just around the corner from Lolita. We stopped in for a nightcap on our way back from dinner, and we were so impressed that we returned the next day with my husband's family. The wine list is one of the best in town and is reasonably priced. When we returned for lunch we tried a number of small plates, all of which were excellent. Service was awesome as well. We hope to return next time we're in town!
(5)
Colleen J.
I ended up in Portland after a tough time at home to spend the weekend with my sister. She worked today so I wandered around, she told me to go to this coffee place (which I assume is next door, I never actually made it) and I accidentally ended up here! When I was seated for "lunch for one" I was brought the menu, and he explained all of the sections for me which helped very much. I'm not very cultured so I had no idea what any of these fancy names were. I ordered the confited fingerling potatoes and they were delicious. I had a rye old fashioned to drink, it was extremely well made. Post meal I ate the Jasper Hill cheese served with honey and sourdough toast and it was absolutely delicious. I'm so happy I came here by accident! I would definitely return next time I'm in Portland.
(5)
Steff D.
From the perspective of a very tired, very hungry vegetarian... this is not a place for me. 1. Tired We came in on a Sunday night around 7:45pm. We didn't leave the restaurant until 11pm because the service was so... so... sooooooooooo slow. I think we sat there for (no exaggeration) probably thirty minutes before our drinks even arrived (one negroni, one bottled beer, one draught beer, one neat tequila, and one champagne cocktail). Actually, they sat forgotten by the waiter on the bar for so long I considered just getting up and grabbing them myself, but a woman noticed my death stare and eventually brought them over to us. I liked our server. He was unique and VERY educated, VERY patient, and VERY passionate about Lolita and her menu... but that translated to lengthy explanations of ever. single. component. 2. Hungry One of my biggest frustrations with Portland right now is that the culinary pendulum seems to be swinging in favor of small plates with big price tags. Because of that, my partner and I decided to split the food... HUGE mistake. We got a trio of insanely delicious cheeses ($13); unfortunately, they were the smallest portions of cheese at a restaurant I've ever seen, and they were accompanied by a suggestion of honey, and three very tiny bread slices. The server thoughtfully brought over more bread (and didn't charge us), which I appreciated tremendously as I was ravenous. We also got the caponata ($4) which was made of squash and pine nuts. This tiny (three inches, maybe?) piece of covered bread was not enough for me, though. It was so incredibly flavorful that I could have easily eaten a lot more of it (but not for the price vs. quantity). And we finished with a trio of snacks ($10), including the burrata, sage fried almonds, and herbed olives. The burrata was small like the caponata was (barely more than a mouthful of food), but the almonds and olives were plentiful and delicious. If I came back, it would be for those two things (and for the cocktails, as both the negroni [and I loathe gin] and the champagne cocktail [which was refreshing, icy, and LOVELY] were delicious). 3. Vegetarian The options here are just not enough for this to be a draw for me personally. One of the "mains" was raw veggies in an olive oil bath. I can't pay $14 for something like that and see myself being at all satisfied. Again - I think that this place is an excellent option for people who aren't me. I've heard from friends that the wine here is amazing (I did glance through the wine list... WOW! Much to choose from!); also, the heartier portions of noodles with squid ink or bone marrow with pea shoots are being raved about throughout the city. I also adore the atmosphere. It's perfect for my late-night, needing-to-chill-out mood; low lighting, the walls painted with hues of merlot; and, the house music my kind of tunes. I just can't justify the price for portion for options.
(3)
Jeff P.
Fantastic little spot! It's what a high quality neighborhood restaurant should be. I was saddened by the news that Hilltop Coffee was no longer there (but then found out it had moved next door), but was surprised that the nostalgia vanished as soon as I rounded the corner from the front door. This place was done right. Great industrial-sheik lighting, white tile backsplash, stainless steel, and splashes of red to round it out. Service was friendly and helpful (we were sitting at the bar) by our bartender/waiter, and while we didn't have any drinks this time, we'll be making the trek back just for those some night soon. Now the part you're really interested in; the food. We each started with an order of winter points...and boy were they fresh. The mignonette they served with them was a perfect compliment to the brininess, and wasn't overpowering like some. The beef tartare bruschetta had a nice al dente (read: not like mush) to it, and the mushroom bruschetta (which was modified to accommodate a lactose free diet) had a lovely subtle yet rich flavor. Our main dishes consisted of market fish (Skate) with charred bacon confit, tomatoes and a little spice, along with Asado (shoulder cut of steak) slathered with salsa verde and a nice helping of crispy yet tender potatoes. Well done! We will be back soon.
(5)
Logan P.
This is definitely my favorite restaurant in Portland. I've now been here multiple times for both lunch and dinner. The atmosphere is warm, intimate, and inviting. It has a modern yet classy feel that's not stuffy. The wine bottles lining the shelves above the tables is a nice touch. The waiters are professional, friendly, and very knowledgeable. They do a good job making you feel well taken care of. The food is delicious, from the cheese plates to the toasts to the variety of small, medium, and large dishes. I've always enjoyed their fish entrees and my wife has never been disappointed with the meat entrees. The food is always presented beautifully and also not too ornately. The one complaint I would have is they never seem to have a vegetarian entree, but their smaller vegetarian dishes are delicious, most notably the north spore mushrooms in stoneground grits. I look forward to coming back here again and again.
(5)
Sam F.
Excellent meal, we focused on the seafood and were very pleased. Grilled squid with tomatoes, Spanish mackerel with aioli and radicchio were very tasty. Also recommend the wines -- two we had by the glass, an albariño and a pinot went down well with the meal.
(5)
Chris H.
I'm so grateful I was able to enjoy such a wonderful meal tonight. I started off with with a nice soft, earthy and nutty cheese and glass of white. It sure paved the way for an awesome experience. White bean soup like no white bean soup I have ever had that really made me smile on this freezing winter night. Char grilled romaine. Then some roasted cauliflower over hummus. Kept it vegetarian and they kept it real.. Wow. I will be back to try the proteins. Really nice atmosphere with smiles and greetings when I walked in.
(5)
Karen R.
I have read mixed reviews, but decided to use my Open Table app to select a restaurant for dinner last night. This place is extremely cute and charming...there are maybe 12 bar seats and 6 or so tables. We were lucky to get the last table when we arrived. No fault to the restaurant we are between 2 birthday parties...one with very obnoxious attendees, making what should have been a romantic dinner with my hubby, a bit overpowered. We ordered a variety of snacks and apps to start including blue cheese and salami, and bruschetta type bites. My favorite was the mushroom...so good. These are a really nice way to start. The meals were a bit hard to decipher.( at least for me)...I was not sure on many of the ingredients, but the waitress was very helpful and passionate about the menu and explained it well and provided suggestions. My husband ordered the asado dish (steak) and I ordered the pancetta special...Both we good..mine was rich and a bit too salty for my taste, but had a nice flavor. The steak was a bit rare for ordering medium (and they even recommended this to be cooked medium rare) but had a very nice and unique smokey flavor. The plates are not very large, but the servers help you pair your food for a filling meal. The service was rather slow...it took at least 20 minutes to get our first drink, but the waitress apologized for the delays throughout the meal...it was busy, the credit card machine was down, etc. As I mentioned before, the staff was very nice and helpful, but it did take over 2 hours from start to finish. To sum it up, in my humble opinion, this place is really quite charming, but could use a little fine tuning to help move things along quicker, and maybe a bit more selection on the menu.
(3)
Peter R.
We loved Bar Lola and had high hopes for Lolita which, unfortunately we're not realized. The highs: Great wine and drink menu, great service. We liked the burrata and chicken liver mousse. The lows: the food was just meh. One special, shrimp, was overlooked and swimming in a sauce that was butter and nothing more. The pasta dishes (bucatini and torchino) were unremarkable (bland sauces, for example). We also felt is was over-priced. We might return to sit at the great bar and have apps. But probably not for dinner.
Had a wonderful dinner here with my wife last week. The place was packed when we go there so we grabbed a couple stools at the bar. While the place was packed it wasn't too loud and we were able to easily carry on a conversation without having to speak loudly, which was the case in a couple other restaurants in Portland. The food was excellent. I had the clams and my wife the lamb. We both enjoyed our dishes as well as the company of the bartender and owner. The drinks were also top notch.
(5)
Nikki S.
This lovely little place serves delicious fare and is comfortable, relaxed and sophisticated all at once. Our Saturday night visit (by reservation) was nearly perfect (the hand-crafted cocktails were yummy, but arrived well after our first tapas.) The staff was attentive and knowledgeable and every dish was delicious. Highly recommended!
(5)
Joe M.
Okay, I'm a local. I get out to eat often, and when I do I like tapas. My experience here was special. The service was outstanding: attentive but not hovering, informative but not chatty, sweet but not gushing. Just what you want for a nice evening out. The food was also outstanding. I highly recommend the Pots for price and taste. The soup had delicate yet superb flavor. The clams were the best I've ever had, and that's saying something in this town! Everything from Salad to Desert was exceptional, and I highly recommend checking it out. Ample on-street parking and within a nice walk to the ocean if the time of year is right! Don't think about it, just go!
(5)
Chris P.
I can't imagine a more delicious Friday night. This cozy, beautifully appointed East End restaurant does not disappoint. Outstanding cocktails, a terrific wine list, and delightful food, always delivers. Last night I had clams in a broth that I could have had as my only dish (but six portions). I sort of embarrased my self lapping it up. The gnocchi dish was equally sublime, and a puff pastry and custard dessert hit the spot. Yes, I am a fan.
Great location. Nice wine list. Good place to have a drink and snack. Cheese selection is nice. Not sure if I could convince the hubby to come for dinner.....
(4)
Hairy G.
Mrs. Gorilla took some colleagues here while visiting Portland on a business trip. They had a good time and liked the food!
(5)
Ships A.
The burrata was excellent, the salt cod was delicious, the oysters tasted very good but were a little warm, the pasta with sausage and peas was very good, and the rapini was tasty and cooked perfectly but underwhelming, simple. Our server was phenomenal and the the host was as well. Service was a touch slow but it seemed to be coordination in the back/at the bar rather than servers. The decor and ambiance were amazing, very cool spot. We would definitely go again.
(4)
Susan L.
Terrific dinner, wonderful service, beautiful (albeit small) space. Happy to report that Lolitas is every bit as good as Bar Lola's (which was one of our favorites). Menu is inventive, cocktails are well prepared, food was outstanding. Love that there is something for every appetite. They offer "snacks", as well as small, medium and large plates. Only minor complaint was that we had to ask for bread, and it was delivered without any butter or olive oil. We were not asked if we wanted bread replenished. When the plate of roasted clams arrived we didn't have anything to dip in sauce. Surprised bread or toast is not served as part of that dish so that every drop of sauce could be savored. The clams were tender, and perfectly roasted, the sauce was delicious. Also sampled the spaghetti with squid ink - wonderfully briny; and the torchino with bits of spicy sausage that enlivened the flavors with just the right amount of kick. The roasted peaches were fine, but seemed a little over cooked and too soft, flavors didn't pop as they did with the other dishes. Even though the place was packed and the place is small, the noise level was surprisingly low. Try the apple tart for dessert - a perfect ending to an excellent dinner!
(5)
David T.
I've been in Portland for the week and have had some amazing food, but non better than Lolita. The wine list is excellent and pretty broad. The food started with the appetizer selection of Serrano ham, olives and a selection of cheeses. This sounds pretty normal, but the flavors were exceptional. The second course included the sishito peppers and grilled romaine....also incredible. This was a great way to start. The main course included the grilled (over an open fire) hen and the asardo steak. These were two of the best entrees I've tasted in a long time. Service and ambience were great, location was cool and the food simply outstanding. Highly recommended.
(5)
Alexander M.
Comfortably rich ambiance, friendly staff, and creative/delicious menu items. We went here twice in as many days and both times were so glad we came. We did appetizers and wine both times and can highly recommend the shishito peppers, rapini, and the tomato special. Staff and bartenders are super friendly and knowledgeable and just the right amount of chatty. It's intimate: if we lived in Portland, it would be a go-to spot.
(5)
Nicolette M.
I was astonished to learn that Loita has only been open for a little over week. The decor was inviting, the wine list amazing, and my only regret is that we couldn't stay for dinner. The place was packed and lively. This is obviously a great new addition to the neighborhood. Congrats to Neil and his partners - I will absolutely be back.
(4)
Paul A.
I read about this place on Eater and decided to give it a try during my most recent trip to Portland, and I am really glad I did. Honestly the name kind of put me off because Vinotecas are often dowdy and sort of dated. Well, this place was quite the opposite. It was young, chill, had a great menu with a lot of inventive dishes, and has two chefs just absolutely killing it in the kitchen. I am giving it a five based upon just three dishes we tried because all three were incredible. First of all, the chicken liver mousse here is amazing. It is one of the better chicken liver mousses my gf and I have ever eaten, and we have eaten a lot. It has a slight charred, smoky taste, as if they roast the livers first over wood. It seriously is god-tier chicken liver mousse. Second, the wood roasted clams were awesome. I mean I know this dish isn't exactly rocket science, but the sheer size and quality of the clams they were working with coupled with the wood burning stove they had in this cute open kitchen made the dish more than the sum of its parts. The butter and amazing garnish of caramelized garlic helped as well. Finally, while the vegetarian options might be a bit slight, the cauliflower with hummus and sumac was pretty great. The tart sumac and house-made hummus worked really well with the lightly charred cauliflower. The dish needed a little more salt but whatever. So, I don't know. We just got three things. But they were awesome and we had a really nice time here and the chicken liver mousse was scary good. The end.
(5)
Mike S.
I have three favorite places for Tapas right now, and this is one of them! There is some serious flavor with some major problems... each plate ends! I could eat each one of these plates as a full meal, let alone Tapas... oh, you can share these great dishes too, but I challenge you to being able to. A dish not to miss has been on the menu from day one, the Torchio! This is the stuff that mouth watering dreams are made of. A bit of a spicy tomato awesomeness that leaves you wishing you stole each forkful from your friends as they try to steal your bites of greatness. Yup, its good. Oh and the steak was friggin amazing, cut well and cooked perfect (see photos!!)
Stella and her staff do an outstanding job of wanting everyone to feel welcome, well fed and happy. Excellent drinks, and the food is so delicious and interesting. The lentil salad is one of my favorites and the pasta Nochia (sp?), can't be beat, with just a tinge of zip! I live in the area, am not the biggest foodie, but I do love what they are presenting.
(5)
Lauren A.
Really a hidden Portland gem. The food is fantastic, it's small inside but cozy and cute. We ate at the bar and the bartenders were great. Attentive even though they were busy and helpful with food and cocktail selections. We had the torchini (definitely the best out of all four), summer squash tart, burrata and wood fired clams. Everything was excellent. It's a bit of a walk from downtown/Old Port area but completely worth it. Highly recommended and we will definitely be back when we visit Portland again!
(5)
chad b.
It's great to see the passion they have for food and service. This place defiantly isn't for a quick lunch but if you have time to relax; go!
(5)
Eliza M.
I loved Lola. I think I will also love its little sister. Lolita feels sophisticated, yet accessible. Lola was great for a fancy night out, with their prix fixe menus and themed nights. But Lolita feels a little more every day (ha, I wish). I sat at the bar and enjoyed some cider on draft and some small plates. I got the burrata, the chicken liver mousse, and some olives and enjoyed chatting with the staff. The kitchen is spotless, as it should be since it's brand new, but I have a feeling that's just the type of ship that Guy and Stella run. It's an open kitchen, but unlike its neighbor down the street, they have a SERIOUS industrial fan that allows patrons to leave not smelling like smoke/food/cooking oil. I love the decor and they serve lunch AND dinner. I'm excited to keep going back...
(5)
Liz C.
This small restaurant is a super place to go for lunch. There is a good wine and cocktail list and the menu is fresh and varied. From small nibbles to moderate plates nothing is too pretentious, everything is fresh and well presented. Service has varied from slow to excellent but the food is so good that when service slows, you linger longer. The local mushrooms were excellent, as was the tastes of chicken liver mousse, and burrata. The kitchen turns out a pretty plate with local ingredients. Good for everyone from your mother to a first date.
(5)
Michelle L.
Let me start this review off by saying that the service was super nice and attentive here, and that's why they are earning 3 stars rather than two. I feel like they are doing some things right, but unfortunately also seem to be missing something. Here were the highlights that I would recommend in order of goodness: Squid ink pasta - absolutely the star of our meal, this left us both with smiles and matching black teeth Cranberry panna cotta dessert - I'd never had cranberries on a panna cotta before, it felt both seasonally appropriate and refreshing. A very nice final note to end on. Olives, coppa - hard to go wrong here though? Steak tartar toast, Burrata toast - both were nice - I love Burrata and the touch of citrus zest was a nice change, however the bread was a little tough to split or chew Good, but not quite there: Marrow bones - nice, but needed salt ...I feel like this is usually served with extra salt when I've gotten it elsewhere? Sardine pot - kind of just plain canned fish flavor One thing to note: The toasts are basically single servings. They were tough to split between two people, maybe order one per person if you plan to split.
(3)
Ethan P.
"The Meal of the Year", and that's coming from New Yorkers who take their food seriously. Everything was flawless, deeply flavorful and many of the preparations were stunningly original. You know immediately this is place run by talent after one bite of their excellent home made sourdough. Try the farro with feta, the wood-fired clams, any of their "toasts," the pasta with peas and spicy sausage (torchio with 'nduga), and best of all the lamb meatballs. The plum/blueberry tart was a perfect dessert. And excellent cocktails. My one slight disappointment was the limited and not memorable selection of red wines by the glass. Nonetheless, we're planning on going back next week, before returning to NYC.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : No Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Accepts Bitcoin : No Good For : Dinner Parking : Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : No Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Marge W.
Wasn't a huge fan of the asado-seemed like something I could make at home with very little meat. The dessert--a hazelnut chocolate cake--was incredible though!!
(3)Joe Y.
Might need a reservation on a weekend night. Expect amazing cheese plates and other small plate foods. For a beer and tequilla drinker like myself, the options were limited but they had a lot of signature cocktails and descent wine list. I really enjoyed the octopus dish and I would go back to trying more items on the menu.
(3)Mer L.
On our most recent visit to Portland, we rented a studio apartment on Munjoy Hill, just around the corner from Lolita. We stopped in for a nightcap on our way back from dinner, and we were so impressed that we returned the next day with my husband's family. The wine list is one of the best in town and is reasonably priced. When we returned for lunch we tried a number of small plates, all of which were excellent. Service was awesome as well. We hope to return next time we're in town!
(5)Colleen J.
I ended up in Portland after a tough time at home to spend the weekend with my sister. She worked today so I wandered around, she told me to go to this coffee place (which I assume is next door, I never actually made it) and I accidentally ended up here! When I was seated for "lunch for one" I was brought the menu, and he explained all of the sections for me which helped very much. I'm not very cultured so I had no idea what any of these fancy names were. I ordered the confited fingerling potatoes and they were delicious. I had a rye old fashioned to drink, it was extremely well made. Post meal I ate the Jasper Hill cheese served with honey and sourdough toast and it was absolutely delicious. I'm so happy I came here by accident! I would definitely return next time I'm in Portland.
(5)Steff D.
From the perspective of a very tired, very hungry vegetarian... this is not a place for me. 1. Tired We came in on a Sunday night around 7:45pm. We didn't leave the restaurant until 11pm because the service was so... so... sooooooooooo slow. I think we sat there for (no exaggeration) probably thirty minutes before our drinks even arrived (one negroni, one bottled beer, one draught beer, one neat tequila, and one champagne cocktail). Actually, they sat forgotten by the waiter on the bar for so long I considered just getting up and grabbing them myself, but a woman noticed my death stare and eventually brought them over to us. I liked our server. He was unique and VERY educated, VERY patient, and VERY passionate about Lolita and her menu... but that translated to lengthy explanations of ever. single. component. 2. Hungry One of my biggest frustrations with Portland right now is that the culinary pendulum seems to be swinging in favor of small plates with big price tags. Because of that, my partner and I decided to split the food... HUGE mistake. We got a trio of insanely delicious cheeses ($13); unfortunately, they were the smallest portions of cheese at a restaurant I've ever seen, and they were accompanied by a suggestion of honey, and three very tiny bread slices. The server thoughtfully brought over more bread (and didn't charge us), which I appreciated tremendously as I was ravenous. We also got the caponata ($4) which was made of squash and pine nuts. This tiny (three inches, maybe?) piece of covered bread was not enough for me, though. It was so incredibly flavorful that I could have easily eaten a lot more of it (but not for the price vs. quantity). And we finished with a trio of snacks ($10), including the burrata, sage fried almonds, and herbed olives. The burrata was small like the caponata was (barely more than a mouthful of food), but the almonds and olives were plentiful and delicious. If I came back, it would be for those two things (and for the cocktails, as both the negroni [and I loathe gin] and the champagne cocktail [which was refreshing, icy, and LOVELY] were delicious). 3. Vegetarian The options here are just not enough for this to be a draw for me personally. One of the "mains" was raw veggies in an olive oil bath. I can't pay $14 for something like that and see myself being at all satisfied. Again - I think that this place is an excellent option for people who aren't me. I've heard from friends that the wine here is amazing (I did glance through the wine list... WOW! Much to choose from!); also, the heartier portions of noodles with squid ink or bone marrow with pea shoots are being raved about throughout the city. I also adore the atmosphere. It's perfect for my late-night, needing-to-chill-out mood; low lighting, the walls painted with hues of merlot; and, the house music my kind of tunes. I just can't justify the price for portion for options.
(3)Jeff P.
Fantastic little spot! It's what a high quality neighborhood restaurant should be. I was saddened by the news that Hilltop Coffee was no longer there (but then found out it had moved next door), but was surprised that the nostalgia vanished as soon as I rounded the corner from the front door. This place was done right. Great industrial-sheik lighting, white tile backsplash, stainless steel, and splashes of red to round it out. Service was friendly and helpful (we were sitting at the bar) by our bartender/waiter, and while we didn't have any drinks this time, we'll be making the trek back just for those some night soon. Now the part you're really interested in; the food. We each started with an order of winter points...and boy were they fresh. The mignonette they served with them was a perfect compliment to the brininess, and wasn't overpowering like some. The beef tartare bruschetta had a nice al dente (read: not like mush) to it, and the mushroom bruschetta (which was modified to accommodate a lactose free diet) had a lovely subtle yet rich flavor. Our main dishes consisted of market fish (Skate) with charred bacon confit, tomatoes and a little spice, along with Asado (shoulder cut of steak) slathered with salsa verde and a nice helping of crispy yet tender potatoes. Well done! We will be back soon.
(5)Logan P.
This is definitely my favorite restaurant in Portland. I've now been here multiple times for both lunch and dinner. The atmosphere is warm, intimate, and inviting. It has a modern yet classy feel that's not stuffy. The wine bottles lining the shelves above the tables is a nice touch. The waiters are professional, friendly, and very knowledgeable. They do a good job making you feel well taken care of. The food is delicious, from the cheese plates to the toasts to the variety of small, medium, and large dishes. I've always enjoyed their fish entrees and my wife has never been disappointed with the meat entrees. The food is always presented beautifully and also not too ornately. The one complaint I would have is they never seem to have a vegetarian entree, but their smaller vegetarian dishes are delicious, most notably the north spore mushrooms in stoneground grits. I look forward to coming back here again and again.
(5)Sam F.
Excellent meal, we focused on the seafood and were very pleased. Grilled squid with tomatoes, Spanish mackerel with aioli and radicchio were very tasty. Also recommend the wines -- two we had by the glass, an albariño and a pinot went down well with the meal.
(5)Chris H.
I'm so grateful I was able to enjoy such a wonderful meal tonight. I started off with with a nice soft, earthy and nutty cheese and glass of white. It sure paved the way for an awesome experience. White bean soup like no white bean soup I have ever had that really made me smile on this freezing winter night. Char grilled romaine. Then some roasted cauliflower over hummus. Kept it vegetarian and they kept it real.. Wow. I will be back to try the proteins. Really nice atmosphere with smiles and greetings when I walked in.
(5)Karen R.
I have read mixed reviews, but decided to use my Open Table app to select a restaurant for dinner last night. This place is extremely cute and charming...there are maybe 12 bar seats and 6 or so tables. We were lucky to get the last table when we arrived. No fault to the restaurant we are between 2 birthday parties...one with very obnoxious attendees, making what should have been a romantic dinner with my hubby, a bit overpowered. We ordered a variety of snacks and apps to start including blue cheese and salami, and bruschetta type bites. My favorite was the mushroom...so good. These are a really nice way to start. The meals were a bit hard to decipher.( at least for me)...I was not sure on many of the ingredients, but the waitress was very helpful and passionate about the menu and explained it well and provided suggestions. My husband ordered the asado dish (steak) and I ordered the pancetta special...Both we good..mine was rich and a bit too salty for my taste, but had a nice flavor. The steak was a bit rare for ordering medium (and they even recommended this to be cooked medium rare) but had a very nice and unique smokey flavor. The plates are not very large, but the servers help you pair your food for a filling meal. The service was rather slow...it took at least 20 minutes to get our first drink, but the waitress apologized for the delays throughout the meal...it was busy, the credit card machine was down, etc. As I mentioned before, the staff was very nice and helpful, but it did take over 2 hours from start to finish. To sum it up, in my humble opinion, this place is really quite charming, but could use a little fine tuning to help move things along quicker, and maybe a bit more selection on the menu.
(3)Peter R.
We loved Bar Lola and had high hopes for Lolita which, unfortunately we're not realized. The highs: Great wine and drink menu, great service. We liked the burrata and chicken liver mousse. The lows: the food was just meh. One special, shrimp, was overlooked and swimming in a sauce that was butter and nothing more. The pasta dishes (bucatini and torchino) were unremarkable (bland sauces, for example). We also felt is was over-priced. We might return to sit at the great bar and have apps. But probably not for dinner.
(3)Michael K.
Lolita is a restaurant with a few good ideas and some very lovely small plates, but the whole meal lacks on execution, particularly on the larger plates. Clearly the star was the wood fire grill -- we started with two grilled toasts with mushrooms and burratta, both of which were quite good (I was particularly fond of the mushrooms). However, moving to small plates, it seemed obvious that the dandelion greens should have been blanched to remove some of the bitter flavor prior to sautéing, though the purée of almonds and garlic was wonderful, almost humus of sorts. The Arctic char was a mess. Tiny pieces of cured fish were served on top of whole potatoes in a bowl too small to realistically cut anything. I'm normally not one to think too hard about plating, but these fist-size chunks of potato made the whole affair most unpleasant. After that we moved to pasta -- bucatini with tomato and torchio (misspelled on the menu as 'torchino') with sausage. The pasta was clearly cooked in unsalted water, which is a cooking 101 mistake. The torchino was without much flavor, while both pastas were sort of overwhelmed by the liquid fat coagulating on the plate, the bucatini featuring more oil than tomato. But the biggest tell was that the tomatoes in the bucatini were clearly not grilled, in spite of the restaurant's heavily featuring this beautiful grill! If you or I had that grill in a restaurant, we'd show it off any chance we could, because it's not like most customers have access to such wonderful equipment so regularly. Overall, Lolita gives the sense of a restaurant with a few very good ideas but a paucity of execution and (I can only guess) experience. You don't serve whole potatoes in a dish where they can't be cut, you don't cook pasta in unsalted water, and you don't make a tomato sauce with more oil than tomatoes! If Lolita's staff brought in a new sous-chef or a good consultant, I can see its becoming quite good, but as of now I cannot recommend it. You're best off sticking with Fore Street or good ol' Maine seafood. PS: While Lolita claims on its website to keep tables open for walkins, on our visit, both the host and our waitress said that they're barely able to accommodate walkins because of the volume of reservations they take. Better messaging would go a long way.
(2)Bill R.
Had a wonderful dinner here with my wife last week. The place was packed when we go there so we grabbed a couple stools at the bar. While the place was packed it wasn't too loud and we were able to easily carry on a conversation without having to speak loudly, which was the case in a couple other restaurants in Portland. The food was excellent. I had the clams and my wife the lamb. We both enjoyed our dishes as well as the company of the bartender and owner. The drinks were also top notch.
(5)Nikki S.
This lovely little place serves delicious fare and is comfortable, relaxed and sophisticated all at once. Our Saturday night visit (by reservation) was nearly perfect (the hand-crafted cocktails were yummy, but arrived well after our first tapas.) The staff was attentive and knowledgeable and every dish was delicious. Highly recommended!
(5)Joe M.
Okay, I'm a local. I get out to eat often, and when I do I like tapas. My experience here was special. The service was outstanding: attentive but not hovering, informative but not chatty, sweet but not gushing. Just what you want for a nice evening out. The food was also outstanding. I highly recommend the Pots for price and taste. The soup had delicate yet superb flavor. The clams were the best I've ever had, and that's saying something in this town! Everything from Salad to Desert was exceptional, and I highly recommend checking it out. Ample on-street parking and within a nice walk to the ocean if the time of year is right! Don't think about it, just go!
(5)Chris P.
I can't imagine a more delicious Friday night. This cozy, beautifully appointed East End restaurant does not disappoint. Outstanding cocktails, a terrific wine list, and delightful food, always delivers. Last night I had clams in a broth that I could have had as my only dish (but six portions). I sort of embarrased my self lapping it up. The gnocchi dish was equally sublime, and a puff pastry and custard dessert hit the spot. Yes, I am a fan.
(4)Stacey F.
My reviews are usually pretty short and sweet but this one is worth more real estate. Recently came back from our annual culinary trip and this year was New England with a stop in Portland, Maine. We heard about a new hotspot, Lolita, so decided to check it out. So glad we did! Great atmosphere - small and crowded but roomy and relaxed. Cool décor and the chandelier was the snazziest thing we'd ever seen - it was made of pipes - what a stand out. We did have to wait longer than expected for our table, but one of the very friendly managers kept checking on us, which was the right thing to do. Dying for drinks, we finally got seated and the manager checked on us again. Ends up, he was one of the owners (Neil) and once he found out we're from NYC, where he's originally from, he decided to wait on us for the evening. Real nice touch - no pretense at all. He suggested we start with a couple of cocktails. They were super creative, potent and tasty. And he guided us through the incredible wine list - so extensive! We ordered a slew of items from the menu...cool concept here. You can get snack items, cheese and meats, small, medium or large plates - all depending on your appetite. They don't make you order everything up front, don't rush you at all - they really let you sit and relax. (Could be why we had to wait awhile for our table.) Our faves of the night were the liver pate, roasted peaches, wood roasted clams, nduja sausage pasta (totally unique!) and the short rib steak. All so fresh and delicious and cooked in an awesome wood fired grill, which we had a clear view of. We were completely stuffed, but Neil managed to convince us to try their signature dessert, the apple tart. That's actually our dessert of choice back at home, so we went for it. So crisp and buttery...yum! All in all, just a fabulous night out and we may even head back to Portland sooner rather than later just to go back to Lolita.
(5)Alise K.
Great location. Nice wine list. Good place to have a drink and snack. Cheese selection is nice. Not sure if I could convince the hubby to come for dinner.....
(4)Hairy G.
Mrs. Gorilla took some colleagues here while visiting Portland on a business trip. They had a good time and liked the food!
(5)Ships A.
The burrata was excellent, the salt cod was delicious, the oysters tasted very good but were a little warm, the pasta with sausage and peas was very good, and the rapini was tasty and cooked perfectly but underwhelming, simple. Our server was phenomenal and the the host was as well. Service was a touch slow but it seemed to be coordination in the back/at the bar rather than servers. The decor and ambiance were amazing, very cool spot. We would definitely go again.
(4)Susan L.
Terrific dinner, wonderful service, beautiful (albeit small) space. Happy to report that Lolitas is every bit as good as Bar Lola's (which was one of our favorites). Menu is inventive, cocktails are well prepared, food was outstanding. Love that there is something for every appetite. They offer "snacks", as well as small, medium and large plates. Only minor complaint was that we had to ask for bread, and it was delivered without any butter or olive oil. We were not asked if we wanted bread replenished. When the plate of roasted clams arrived we didn't have anything to dip in sauce. Surprised bread or toast is not served as part of that dish so that every drop of sauce could be savored. The clams were tender, and perfectly roasted, the sauce was delicious. Also sampled the spaghetti with squid ink - wonderfully briny; and the torchino with bits of spicy sausage that enlivened the flavors with just the right amount of kick. The roasted peaches were fine, but seemed a little over cooked and too soft, flavors didn't pop as they did with the other dishes. Even though the place was packed and the place is small, the noise level was surprisingly low. Try the apple tart for dessert - a perfect ending to an excellent dinner!
(5)David T.
I've been in Portland for the week and have had some amazing food, but non better than Lolita. The wine list is excellent and pretty broad. The food started with the appetizer selection of Serrano ham, olives and a selection of cheeses. This sounds pretty normal, but the flavors were exceptional. The second course included the sishito peppers and grilled romaine....also incredible. This was a great way to start. The main course included the grilled (over an open fire) hen and the asardo steak. These were two of the best entrees I've tasted in a long time. Service and ambience were great, location was cool and the food simply outstanding. Highly recommended.
(5)Alexander M.
Comfortably rich ambiance, friendly staff, and creative/delicious menu items. We went here twice in as many days and both times were so glad we came. We did appetizers and wine both times and can highly recommend the shishito peppers, rapini, and the tomato special. Staff and bartenders are super friendly and knowledgeable and just the right amount of chatty. It's intimate: if we lived in Portland, it would be a go-to spot.
(5)Nicolette M.
I was astonished to learn that Loita has only been open for a little over week. The decor was inviting, the wine list amazing, and my only regret is that we couldn't stay for dinner. The place was packed and lively. This is obviously a great new addition to the neighborhood. Congrats to Neil and his partners - I will absolutely be back.
(4)Paul A.
I read about this place on Eater and decided to give it a try during my most recent trip to Portland, and I am really glad I did. Honestly the name kind of put me off because Vinotecas are often dowdy and sort of dated. Well, this place was quite the opposite. It was young, chill, had a great menu with a lot of inventive dishes, and has two chefs just absolutely killing it in the kitchen. I am giving it a five based upon just three dishes we tried because all three were incredible. First of all, the chicken liver mousse here is amazing. It is one of the better chicken liver mousses my gf and I have ever eaten, and we have eaten a lot. It has a slight charred, smoky taste, as if they roast the livers first over wood. It seriously is god-tier chicken liver mousse. Second, the wood roasted clams were awesome. I mean I know this dish isn't exactly rocket science, but the sheer size and quality of the clams they were working with coupled with the wood burning stove they had in this cute open kitchen made the dish more than the sum of its parts. The butter and amazing garnish of caramelized garlic helped as well. Finally, while the vegetarian options might be a bit slight, the cauliflower with hummus and sumac was pretty great. The tart sumac and house-made hummus worked really well with the lightly charred cauliflower. The dish needed a little more salt but whatever. So, I don't know. We just got three things. But they were awesome and we had a really nice time here and the chicken liver mousse was scary good. The end.
(5)Mike S.
I have three favorite places for Tapas right now, and this is one of them! There is some serious flavor with some major problems... each plate ends! I could eat each one of these plates as a full meal, let alone Tapas... oh, you can share these great dishes too, but I challenge you to being able to. A dish not to miss has been on the menu from day one, the Torchio! This is the stuff that mouth watering dreams are made of. A bit of a spicy tomato awesomeness that leaves you wishing you stole each forkful from your friends as they try to steal your bites of greatness. Yup, its good. Oh and the steak was friggin amazing, cut well and cooked perfect (see photos!!)
(5)Michael D.
Great place to get a small snack or a full dinner. They have A lot of small dishes that can be combined with the real entrées. They have a pretty wide selection of wines which I don't care about but the food is equally great. The place is pretty small so I suggest make a reservation especially during the weekend. That was a great mushroom bread an excellent cheese. The only downside of this place is that it's cramped with people so you end up dining with somebody next to you even if you don't want to and portions are really really small and I think this is something that can be improved. If they were serving bigger portions I would think about this place to go there for lunch but as it is right now I'm not going to tpay $20 to be hungry.
(5)Jamie M.
Stella and her staff do an outstanding job of wanting everyone to feel welcome, well fed and happy. Excellent drinks, and the food is so delicious and interesting. The lentil salad is one of my favorites and the pasta Nochia (sp?), can't be beat, with just a tinge of zip! I live in the area, am not the biggest foodie, but I do love what they are presenting.
(5)Lauren A.
Really a hidden Portland gem. The food is fantastic, it's small inside but cozy and cute. We ate at the bar and the bartenders were great. Attentive even though they were busy and helpful with food and cocktail selections. We had the torchini (definitely the best out of all four), summer squash tart, burrata and wood fired clams. Everything was excellent. It's a bit of a walk from downtown/Old Port area but completely worth it. Highly recommended and we will definitely be back when we visit Portland again!
(5)chad b.
It's great to see the passion they have for food and service. This place defiantly isn't for a quick lunch but if you have time to relax; go!
(5)Eliza M.
I loved Lola. I think I will also love its little sister. Lolita feels sophisticated, yet accessible. Lola was great for a fancy night out, with their prix fixe menus and themed nights. But Lolita feels a little more every day (ha, I wish). I sat at the bar and enjoyed some cider on draft and some small plates. I got the burrata, the chicken liver mousse, and some olives and enjoyed chatting with the staff. The kitchen is spotless, as it should be since it's brand new, but I have a feeling that's just the type of ship that Guy and Stella run. It's an open kitchen, but unlike its neighbor down the street, they have a SERIOUS industrial fan that allows patrons to leave not smelling like smoke/food/cooking oil. I love the decor and they serve lunch AND dinner. I'm excited to keep going back...
(5)Liz C.
This small restaurant is a super place to go for lunch. There is a good wine and cocktail list and the menu is fresh and varied. From small nibbles to moderate plates nothing is too pretentious, everything is fresh and well presented. Service has varied from slow to excellent but the food is so good that when service slows, you linger longer. The local mushrooms were excellent, as was the tastes of chicken liver mousse, and burrata. The kitchen turns out a pretty plate with local ingredients. Good for everyone from your mother to a first date.
(5)Michelle L.
Let me start this review off by saying that the service was super nice and attentive here, and that's why they are earning 3 stars rather than two. I feel like they are doing some things right, but unfortunately also seem to be missing something. Here were the highlights that I would recommend in order of goodness: Squid ink pasta - absolutely the star of our meal, this left us both with smiles and matching black teeth Cranberry panna cotta dessert - I'd never had cranberries on a panna cotta before, it felt both seasonally appropriate and refreshing. A very nice final note to end on. Olives, coppa - hard to go wrong here though? Steak tartar toast, Burrata toast - both were nice - I love Burrata and the touch of citrus zest was a nice change, however the bread was a little tough to split or chew Good, but not quite there: Marrow bones - nice, but needed salt ...I feel like this is usually served with extra salt when I've gotten it elsewhere? Sardine pot - kind of just plain canned fish flavor One thing to note: The toasts are basically single servings. They were tough to split between two people, maybe order one per person if you plan to split.
(3)Ethan P.
"The Meal of the Year", and that's coming from New Yorkers who take their food seriously. Everything was flawless, deeply flavorful and many of the preparations were stunningly original. You know immediately this is place run by talent after one bite of their excellent home made sourdough. Try the farro with feta, the wood-fired clams, any of their "toasts," the pasta with peas and spicy sausage (torchio with 'nduga), and best of all the lamb meatballs. The plum/blueberry tart was a perfect dessert. And excellent cocktails. My one slight disappointment was the limited and not memorable selection of red wines by the glass. Nonetheless, we're planning on going back next week, before returning to NYC.
(5)