Week 11: Pizzeria Lola

Dateline: Saturday, dinner hour.  Location: Golden Valley, MN.  Scene: the female half of our beloved couple is enjoying a “bear-nap” (side note: bear naps differ from their distant cousin, the cat nap because the bear nap is a deep, hibernation-style sleep that could, left uninterrupted, go on for months.  Bear naps typically occur in one’s “den” aka bed versus the cat nap which often takes place in a chair or, for some cats, in a sink.)  while the male half bounces around the house shouting, “I like pizza!  I like it!”  All that chattering woke the bear from her deep, deep slumber and she begrudgingly returned to the vertical position, brushed her teeth, and our couple took off for Southwest Minneapolis, just nine miles from our front door.

Some pre-pizza research about our week 11 destination, Pizzeria Lola, had us both intrigued and a little nervous.  Known for their unique wood-fired pizzas and notoriously long waits, we feared the worst.  While we wouldn’t have to stand in line, pig-style, we were less than enthusiastic about the prospect of rubbing elbows with the real housewives of 50^th & France while our tummies growled and we became faint from hunger.   We faced our fears, said a silent thank you to my former boss, Dave, who recommended Pizzeria Lola, and off we went on yet another pizza-related adventure.

Pre-Pizza Moods:  It goes without saying that my hubby’s pre-pizza mood was high, whereas I was fighting fatigue and not sure if I would rather eat or sleep.  He clocked in at an 8 and I was more like a 4.

Parking Situation:   When we arrived in Southwest Minneapolis, my heart fell into my stomach as I noted that there is no parking lot for Pizzeria Lola.  Technically, there is a parking lot nearby, but it was in the process of having new asphalt laid, so street parking was the only option – and suffice to say, at 6:15 PM, there were a lot of cars already on the street.  We scored a spot about half a block away, noting an abundance of pizza-loving zombies lurking all over the sidewalk in front of Lola. 

Exterior Appearance:  Pizzeria Lola is wedged between a French gastro pub and a one-hour martinizing drycleaner.  Lola’s patio is adorable and inviting – and also apparently dog-friendly!  Owner Ann Kim named the pizzeria after her beloved Weimaraner.  If you like to enjoy your pizza al fresco, this is the patio for you.  And your dog. 

Entrance/Welcome:  After pushing through the throngs of pizza-craving patio dwellers, we entered Pizzeria Lola.  The host station is located right inside the door and although there appeared to be a large number of future pizza eaters lurking about, we were immediately seated without so much as a nanosecond wait.  This stroke of good fortune improved my mood significantly!

Clientele/Overall Vibe: This place was packed with attractive people.  I have rarely seen so many blinding white veneers, Botox, Rolexes, and European shoes all in one place.  I didn’t realize that real housewives and their scary-attractive partners actually ate pizza . . . until I noticed the impressive wine list.  We all know that real housewives are fueled by collagen and wine. 

Side note: the acoustics inside of Lola create a din in the air.  This isn’t a place to whisper sweet nothings to your beloved, because s/he wouldn’t be able to hear them over the clinking and laughter of your fellow diners.  If you don’t mind shouting, you’ll do just fine here.

Wait Staff: Our server was b-u-s-y.  She jogged by periodically and seemed friendly, although I had a hard time hearing anything she said over the ambient noise of the restaurant.  I mostly just nodded and smiled.

Menu Selection: Pizzeria Lola isn’t trying to be anything other than a pizzeria – and I, for one, appreciate that.  I’m tired of visiting pizza joints that want to sell me a fried chicken or a club sandwich.  If you’re not in the mood for pizza, go someplace else.  If you’re in the mood for a wood-fired pizza – either a classic or an innovative variety – this menu has something for you.  We were unsure of the size of the pizzas – and due to the noise, asking our server was an exercise in futility, so we bravely decided to order two pizzas.  The hubby ordered a Sweet Italian – featuring house red sauce, homemade fennel sausage, mozzarella, provolone, red onion, and Peppadew.  Embracing my roots as a child of the 80’s, I went for the My Sha-Roni! with house red sauce, mozzarella, natural-casing pepperoni and homemade fennel sausage. 

Food Wait Time: We forgot to time our pizza arrival because we were absorbed with people-watching.  It arrived neither at lightening fast speed nor at tortoise-slow speed so I’m going to rate the wait time as average. 

Drumroll, Please . . . The Pizza Itself:  I’m just going to say it.  If there is a better wood-fired pizza in town, I haven’t sampled it.  Our wood-fired pizza was not blackened to a charred crisp but was perfectly prepared.  The Sweet Italian kicked My Sha-Roni’s butt in terms of flavor, but we licked the platters clean.  Both pizzas were delicious but the Sweet Italian is hands-down, the best wood-fired creation that has ever passed my lips. 

My hubby – who, if you recall, after week 8, was not a fan of the Neapolitan pizza . . . that is, until he experienced Lola, which he rates among his top five pizza experiences.

Price & Value: Pizzeria Lola is pricey – and based on their location and clientele, they can afford to be.  A personal-sized pizza will run you $15 and you’ll pay upwards of $8 a glass for vino.  Even the beer ain’t cheap.  Our total bill - including tip – was just shy of $60.  We certainly can’t afford to visit Lola on a regular basis, but it was definitely a date-night treat.

Post-Pizza Mood: As we waddled toward the door, post-meal, we overheard the hostess telling people that the wait for a table would be between 90 minutes to two hours.  We felt triumphant; bellies full; and we didn’t even wait for our table!  Winner, winner, pizza dinner!  That victorious feeling meant we left Lola at a 9.  The price-tag and the noisy dining environment kept us from perfect 10’s.

Bottom Line: This place is lovely.  The pizza is delicious, the patio is welcoming . . . and if you clip enough coupons in the week(s) prior, you’ll easily be able to swallow the price tag and maybe even enjoy a $12 glass of wine.  Be prepared to wait . . . or sneak in at off-hours to experience it for yourself.