Note: We were invited to try Bar Lola for dinner, however all opinions are my own.
Bar Lola has opened in the city. We go in for a 6pm dinner on a Saturday night (kid-free!) First up, drinks. I ask if they can do a mocktail – and yes, what would I prefer? Sour notes or sweet fruity notes? I opt for the sweet. Out comes a pomegranate and soda drink. Mr FPJ opts for a surprise cocktail.
We love the arancini balls ($16 for two pieces) served with a light napolitana sauce. Perfectly crumbed and crunchy on the outside, and no gluggy rice on the inside. Iโd happily order another serve. The ciabatta with whipped nduja ricotta shmear ($10) is not anything special and a little bit dry so we would skip this next time.
After chatting with our waitress about the vitello with tomato and capers ($17), I decide to give it a go. Itโs a unique combination of both lamb and tuna, and surprisingly I think it really works well together. The tartness from the capers gives it a nice edge, and I love the finely chopped vegetables and herbs mixed through. Itโs not the prettiest dish, and definitely not something Mr FPJ likes, but I enjoy this.
The clams with white wine cream ($20) are actually pretty tasty โ tender, flavourful, and served with a generous side of crusty bread. The only downside? The broth is way too salty. We are really looking forward to dunking that crusty bread and soaking it all up, but it just didnโt work. Most of the bread ends up sitting on the side, sadly uneaten. A bit less salt and this dish wouldโve been a winner.
I seriously canโt wait to get my hands on the handmade pasta (4 types on the menu)โ itโs made fresh daily, which is always a good sign. The fusilli alla vodka ($20) comes with a ball of burrata right in the centre, which I stir through all that rich, creamy sauce. Honestly, it’s like pure comfort on a plate. More please!
On the specials menu, is the truffle fettuccine alfredo ($28). It is incredibly creamy, delicate, and surprisingly light โ none of that heavy, gluggy texture you sometimes get. That said, the shaved truffle on top didnโt do much for the flavour. I found myself wishing the truffle had been better infused into the sauce itself to really bring it to life.
If youโve been following me for a while, youโll know I love my tiramisu โ so I was really excited to try it here. Sadly, it was a letdown. The sponge fingers were still hard and dry, like they hadnโt been soaked in coffee long enough. Instead of that dreamy, melt-in-your-mouth texture, it turned out to be a bit of a dry and sloppy situation. Not the sweet ending I was hoping for.
By 7pm, Bar Lola is buzzing โ it gets absolutely packed, so if youโre heading there on a weekend, a reservation is a must. The vibe is hip and happening, with noticeably more women than men the night we visited. The setting strikes a nice balance: white tablecloths and candles give it a touch of intimacy, but it still feels relaxed and unpretentious. A great spot for date night or a fun dinner with friends. Definitely try the handmade pastas!
See the reel of my experience below:
Bar Lola
98 Alinga St, Canberra ACT
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