Ken Bridge is at it again.
The Heights restaurant genius (Dragon Bowl Asian Bistro, Pink's Pizza) is up to his usual tricks with a new venture which should add some culinary depth to the old neighborhood.
Lola.
Lola is located in the 1100 Block of Yale at the intersection with 11th Street. Sitting on the NE corner, Lola will fill the space across the street from the post office that has been empty for many months. (I can't tell you how many times my wife and I have commented to each other that it would be a great spot for a restaurant) For years, Eckerd Drugs made the corner it's home, but the building was vacated when Eckerd closed and it fell into disrepair.
Recently, however, the structure was purchased and fully renovated. A health club has already moved into the North corner becoming the building's first tenant.
Mr. Bridge's vision is a full-service restaurant serving three squares a day to the neighborhood folks. "Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be served seven days a week." he states. A welcome change in an area where most places close on Sunday.
Fresh, local ingredients and on-the-spot preparation will be key, as in Mr. Bridge's other ventures.
The star at breakfast will be omelets "made-to-order" for patrons who will have a dazzling list of ingredient choices ranging from broccoli to prosciutto and everything in between. Lunch and dinner will feature American comfort foods at "small-town" prices right here in the big city.
Mr. Bridge hopes to obtain a club license, much like Shade on 19th, so that guests will be able to enjoy an adult beverage with a meal by joining the club rather than having to carry a bottle along with them to dinner.
An opening date is not yet firm, but Ken and his team can be seen daily working to get the space ready for business and the sign is already up announcing the new diner to passersby.
In addition to being a landmark hit song from the 70's, Lola, it appears, will soon be a landmark diner in The Heights. I will be first in line.
So excited! Love Pink's and Dragon Bowl ... this is just what we need in the Heights!
Posted by: Jodie Eisenhardt | 07/28/2009 at 09:29 PM
Jodie, I could not agree more. I told Ken the same yesterday.
Posted by: Fred | 07/28/2009 at 10:37 PM
Pink's is hands down the best pizza in town-- I am super psyched to find out what Ken plans to serve for breakfast!
Posted by: mala | 07/30/2009 at 10:42 PM
Oh! So excited! I live just down 11th and have driven by that shopping center all while they have been restoring it and HOPING that something so great would end up there. Can't wait to try it out! And thanks so much for this site - I just found it and am a HUGE fan.
Posted by: Sarah | 07/31/2009 at 01:52 PM
Do you know when it is going to open? I wish we had more places like that in the Oak forest area - actually I wish we had some! There is Doyle's and lots of chinese and mexican, but it's sorely lacking.
Posted by: Dani | 08/04/2009 at 12:15 PM
I noticed the "hiring all positions" sign, so I hope that means they'll open in September. It has been very difficult to find a restaurant in the Heights open for all meals 7 days a week, so this location is sorely needed. I especially appreciate the "small town prices". Not everyone can afford to eat at the likes of the American-style restaurants over on Studewood. Thank you, Mr. Bridge!!
Posted by: Janet | 08/30/2009 at 02:04 PM
I wish it was still a drugstore...
Posted by: Roger Cooprt | 09/01/2009 at 09:21 AM
I hear ya DAni! Oak Forest/ Garden Oaks REALLY REALLY needs a place like this....not tthat the new shopping center in at 43rd and Ella would be a good idea...
Posted by: jen | 09/08/2009 at 04:03 PM
Very excited about this!
Posted by: Ashley | 09/15/2009 at 01:29 PM
Tried it today and can't recommend. Upon opening the door, we were greeted by burnt bacon smoke that filled the diner. Menu was limited and rather expensive for what you get - $11 bought three eggs, bacon, toast, and potatoes. The food was OK but not appreciably better than the same plate you can get at Denny's for $5. Yes, there is a premium for ambiance, but Lola's is way overpriced.
Posted by: Wes | 09/20/2009 at 11:40 AM
That's unfortunate. I will give Ken a few weeks to work out the kinks before going in.
Posted by: Fred | 09/21/2009 at 06:07 PM
first of all, the building never "fell into disrepair" as stated. It simply sat vacant.
the building's art deco design was restored. (as much as possible)
it used to be a car dealership and repair shop. then at some point is was a S&H Green stamps redemption center.
not sure when Eckerd's moved in there, but they were there for years. I shopped there over 20 years ago.
We went to Lola's this past Saturday with kids in tow. We didn't even sit down as it was so sterile and not conducive to children.
Very sterile and not warm and welcoming.
Will try again another time.
Posted by: Laura | 09/24/2009 at 04:40 PM
Stopped by Lola's on a whim last weekend for dinner. Waited 25 min for the duex and a CFS. Horrible, all of it. Steak over-cooked and mushy at the same time. How is that even possible? Mashed potatoes so over done you tasted the starch. Asparagus so bitter it should have been slapped, not served. As for the CFS, totally unremarkable. No vibrancy, no flare, no taste whatsoever. All this for $30+, and to basically serve yourself because of some kitschy dinner theme? I think not. Final thought: if the staff had even seemed remotely interested in our service, our food, ANYTHING, we might have considered returning. But they didn't, and we won't.
Posted by: AML | 11/18/2009 at 02:25 PM
Wow! I am sorry to hear that.
I have not been in since the preview party. Unfortunately, I have heard several other stories like yours.
On the bright side, there are a lot of new restaurants coming the Heights!
Posted by: Fred | 11/18/2009 at 02:34 PM