Lo-lee-ta. Lo. Lee. Ta. Say it slowly. It's governed by two lush, velvety beats backed by a soft animated beat. The mellifluous hum of the name translates perfectly into the comfort and subtle excitement present in Philadelphia's Mexican BYO Lolita. With its daring menu and chic two-tone decor, the quaint restaurant is a hotspot for weekends.
Lolita does not accept reservations, so when we arrived at 9 p.m., we had to wait a steep hour until we dined. Though there is little wait space at the entrance, the hosts offer to call your phone when your table is ready. In this case, you can "pre-game" by sampling some gelato at Capogiro Gelateria across the street, like we did. Now you are really ready to eat.
After our wait and light snack, the host seated us comfortably by the active open kitchen. It's a bustling environment of happy-go-lucky diners enjoying their blood orange margaritas (Lolita is known for its unique drink flavors that change daily) and waiters carrying stylish platters as they weave through the labyrinth of tables. All entrees exit the kitchen looking like fantastic innovations of modern art. A little drizzle here, a few leaves there, and then underneath the perfectly placed garnishes are the prime taste explosion. The portions are not huge, but adeptly satisfy your hunger. People at such hotspots don't want to be seen aggressively stuffing their faces, for crying out loud. The amiable staff offers their best and friendliest service, even on stressful Saturdays. Our waitress happily gave her honest recommendations and accommodated our desire to share portions.
As an appetizer, I started with the chips and salsa. However, these were not your typical bagged tortilla chips thrown in a basket. That is not how Lolita does its business. Rather, they offered three kinds of chips and three different dips: a green mild salsa, guacamole and tomato-rich hot salsa ($7). All possessed unique brilliant flavors and with three options for both chips and salsas, several combinations arose.
For the entree, I ordered the delicious orange-glazed pork carnitas ($8), while my companion got the tofu enchiladas($18). Both were refreshingly modern takes on their classic Mexican ancestors. Bold flavors accompany every dish, with hints of unknowing spices. The freshness and lightness of their menu is venerable. Likewise, the cheesecake ($7), perfectly creamy and light in flavor, ended the night in the true Lolita fashion: leaving you yearning for more. However, with the slight dent in your wallet and your inevitably full stomach, this desire simply prompts you to plan your next dinner to Lolita.
