Cafe Lola
Saturday, November 15, 2008
When the new French restaurant in town was described as "French bohemian", we weren't sure what to expect.
Upon entering Cafe Lola, the question was immediately answered. It's a warm setting with relaxed yet elegant ambiance, French music piped in the distinctly different rooms and most importantly, delicious wine and food.
Lola is the muse of the place. The owners Ivavina and Henri Donneaux are transplants. He is from Belgium and she from Bulgaria. Their love of both Paris and the South of France inspired "Lola". The two rooms reflect that, one with a true Parisian feel, the other more French whimsy, a bistro of sorts.
The food, oh, the food. Henri is no newbie, having spent years between The Field Club of Greenwich and Le Figaro Bistro as well as La Panetiere in Rye, NY
He has also worked at David Bouley restaurant in NYC, as well as with Guy Savoy in Paris . The chef felt it was time to branch out on his own, and how lucky for us that he choose Fairfield.
We shared several dishes starting with the "Moules Au Curry", steamed mussels, finished with a light Madras curry sauce, by far the most unique and delicious mussels we've tasted. The "Salade Verte" made up of
mixed greens, dried cherries, shaved goat cheese and Champagne vinaigrette was light and fresh. Our main dish was the "Beef Bourguignon" consisting of traditional beef stew with Burgundy wine, carrots, pearl onions & mushrooms, over pappardelle pasta. Rich, as it should be with such tender beef, we finished every bite!
The wine list consisted of wines primarily from the US, France and New Zealand. There's even a specialty drink menu including "Lola in the Fall", "The Starving Artist" and "Hemingway in Paris" to name a few.
We couldn't leave without trying their traditional "Crêpes Suzette", a classic recipe with orange zest sauce, flambé with Grand Marnier. Again, it was very well done.
Cafe Lola is filled with enormous promise, and we can't wait to return. We're already thinking about the Sunday Brunch, a decadent treat for this lack luster breakfast town. Overall, it's a bit pricey, but no more so then many other Fairfield restaurants and worth every penny. They welcome kids, but Suzy would leave them home with the sitter.
Lola would make the perfect spot for a small intimate holiday party or dinner with friends. It's warmth in both atmosphere and food should make it a successful favorite here in Fairfield for years to come.
57 Unquowa Rd
(Fairfield Center, Near Community Theatre)
292-8014
CafeLolaRestaurant.com
Upon entering Cafe Lola, the question was immediately answered. It's a warm setting with relaxed yet elegant ambiance, French music piped in the distinctly different rooms and most importantly, delicious wine and food.
Lola is the muse of the place. The owners Ivavina and Henri Donneaux are transplants. He is from Belgium and she from Bulgaria. Their love of both Paris and the South of France inspired "Lola". The two rooms reflect that, one with a true Parisian feel, the other more French whimsy, a bistro of sorts.
The food, oh, the food. Henri is no newbie, having spent years between The Field Club of Greenwich and Le Figaro Bistro as well as La Panetiere in Rye, NY
He has also worked at David Bouley restaurant in NYC, as well as with Guy Savoy in Paris . The chef felt it was time to branch out on his own, and how lucky for us that he choose Fairfield.
We shared several dishes starting with the "Moules Au Curry", steamed mussels, finished with a light Madras curry sauce, by far the most unique and delicious mussels we've tasted. The "Salade Verte" made up of
mixed greens, dried cherries, shaved goat cheese and Champagne vinaigrette was light and fresh. Our main dish was the "Beef Bourguignon" consisting of traditional beef stew with Burgundy wine, carrots, pearl onions & mushrooms, over pappardelle pasta. Rich, as it should be with such tender beef, we finished every bite!
The wine list consisted of wines primarily from the US, France and New Zealand. There's even a specialty drink menu including "Lola in the Fall", "The Starving Artist" and "Hemingway in Paris" to name a few.
We couldn't leave without trying their traditional "Crêpes Suzette", a classic recipe with orange zest sauce, flambé with Grand Marnier. Again, it was very well done.
Cafe Lola is filled with enormous promise, and we can't wait to return. We're already thinking about the Sunday Brunch, a decadent treat for this lack luster breakfast town. Overall, it's a bit pricey, but no more so then many other Fairfield restaurants and worth every penny. They welcome kids, but Suzy would leave them home with the sitter.
Lola would make the perfect spot for a small intimate holiday party or dinner with friends. It's warmth in both atmosphere and food should make it a successful favorite here in Fairfield for years to come.
57 Unquowa Rd
(Fairfield Center, Near Community Theatre)
292-8014
CafeLolaRestaurant.com
