Lola Gives You Wings
I first heard 2 years ago that Lola's Cafe was opened by a fellow NYGH batchmate, so it was a must-try for me. I finally did last week!
Most food blogs recommended the Honey Paprika Crispy Wings ($10) as a starter. It was SO GOOD. Tender and well-cooked with the sweet and crispy skin, I'd eat this again anytime. Wings are about the only deep fried food I won't avoid.
We were there at dinnertime so we had no chance to try their brunch menu (available from 10am - 3pm). The dinner menu is served from 6-10pm. What a waste! I was so attracted to their Avocado Eggs Benedict ($14) and Breakfast Butter Croissant ($15) - dishes that are highly recommended on other food blogs - because the breadlover in me just cannot resist the brioche and croissant in those dishes respectively. One day...when I feel up to travelling all the way to Kovan on my own, I'll try them!
Their dinner menu had heavier offerings. I got the Confit of Duck Leg with Honey Mustard Sauce ($17). This is the priciest thing on the dinner menu (the priciest brunch menu dish costs the same: Lola's Full Works with ham, bacon, sausages, eggs, toast, tomatoes, and salad) - which is great news for the customer with a budget.
The duck confit was served on a bed of silky mashed potato with a moat of honey mustard sauce, with a side of what should have been arugula (aka rocket) but I requested to swap it since I can't stand arugula. I got mesclun salad, which worked just fine. The confit's lean meat was flavourful and I wiped the whole thing clean. I'm not a fan of mustard, but I think it makes a nice dip for the meat.
My companion had the Mexican Verde Stew with Pilaf ($14) - shown in the next two photos. Oh my, I love pilaf rice. Pilaf has the feel of undercooked rice - slightly hard and not as soft or 'fragrant' as properly cooked rice.
I tried pilaf for the first time in Turkey on a family trip in 2012. It was cooked in this tomato sauce similar to bolognese, with lots of onions and bell peppers and meat. The pilaf was soaked in the sauce infused with all these flavours...heavenly. But I had no idea what it was called until I saw this being served!
It was my companion's food but I shamelessly reached over and got a few mouthfuls (after asking for permission of course). The pilaf was sweet, but quite dry on its own. Eating it with the stew will be better. I found the stew slightly spicy, similar to curry. For recipe suggestions for pilaf, read this.
My companion also got the truffle fries ($12) with grated parmesan. The truffle flavour was heavy with this one - great news for truffle lovers. I'm not, so I much prefer the truffle fries at Wimbly Lu - those had a much milder truffle taste and didn't remind me of petrol before I put them in my mouth.
Did I mention I love the wooden bowls they serve the food in? So instagram-worthy.
We gave dessert a miss because we were both so full. Our dessert stomachs were non-existent after the meal. Such a waste - their desserts are doing so well that they have a separate cafe space beside this one just for serving desserts. The cake display looked tempting. I'll definitely be back for brunch one day - can't miss out on that Avocado Eggs Benedict!
Lola's Cafe
5 Simon Road Singapore 545893
Tel (65) 6284 0349
Reservations can be made at their website.
Monday Closed
Tuesday 10 am – 1130 pm
Wednesday 10 am – 1130 pm
Thursday 10 am – 1130 pm
Friday 10 am – 1200 am
Saturday 10 am – 1200 am
Sunday 10 am – 1130 pm
