Lola Offers Spanish Tapas and Style in Sylvan Park

There’s no need for a passport or a packed bag. The culinary spirit of Spain is as close as Sylvan Park. Lola, a Spanish tapas restaurant, is the latest eatery from Siege Hospitality, which includes Santo, Epice and Kalamatas. Owner Maher Fawaz’s longtime love of Spain was the impetus for Lola. It was there that he met Juliana Aguiar, who has decades of experience as a chef in Madrid and still lives in Spain part time. Juliana, along with culinary director Matthew Ralph, oversee the kitchen.

Juliana brought Spanish cuisine to Epice for several summers before Lola opened. “Once a week, we would do a five-course dinner,” says Bradley Ryan, a partner with Siege. “You can have the Epice menu or the Spanish menu, essentially. We did that for a few summers as we were concepting this Spanish restaurant out.”

The team prides themselves on practicing traditional, old-school techniques. “It’s like our tomato toast, pan tumaca,” says Bradley. “It takes us four-and-a-half hours to make the tomato sauce. It’s not an easy process, but we’re dedicated to doing it in the sort of ancestral kind of method in a way to bring out the rustic flavor the dish demands. You can’t cheat tomato sauce. Any Italian grandma will tell you that.”

The design of the newly constructed building is also meant to conjure up images of Spain, from the terra cotta roof tiles to the restaurant’s open interior, fashioned to feel like a food hall in downtown Madrid. Chris Nonno of Louis + Partners Design, headquartered in Ohio, and Katie Vance with the locally based Powell architectural firm, worked on the project.

What to Expect

White walls offer a contrast to the dark wood beams on the cathedral ceiling. In the entryway, to dramatic effect, black and white tiles are inset into a concrete floor. White marble-top tables with black metal bases dot the restaurant, which seats about 50. A concrete and clay tile bar is surrounded by high-backed, light wooden stools and flanked by an antique, arched mirror that reflects an array of spirits.

Why Visit

A highlight of the restaurant is folding glass doors that open onto a patio that seats 25. Situated on a corner of Murphy Road that’s become a bustling restaurant hub, the patio is perfect for people-watching. The lively music, craft cocktails and large selection of Spanish wines — not to mention, a charcuterie board featuring Spanish meats and cheeses — makes Lola a fun spot for a date night or any other occasion.

What to Order

The croquetas, which are thin, crusted croquettes with fillings like slow-roasted duck, branzino or mushroom, are a favorite. Octopus with spiced chorizo is also a highlight, as is the charcuterie board — all prepared with a commitment to authenticity. Whether it’s peppers, crackers, olives or a variety of other menu items, “we are basically at the place,” says Bradley, “that if we can’t make it from scratch, it has to be imported from Spain.”