Reviews for Lola's, Casa Borrega, and Babylon Cafe

Ian McNulty reviews Lola's, the Faubourg St. John paella go-to, this week and finds something for regulars and trend-seekers alike. Owner Angel Martinez sadly passed away from cancer in 2011, but "today all the touchstones of Lola's remain," thanks to the Martinez family, GM Courtney Enderle, and chef Lindsey McLellan who has been "adding specials that often combine Spanish flavors with local seasonal flavors" including short ribs and softshell crabs to impress alongside fan-favorites like the caldereta (lamb stew) and fideua (paella-style vermicelli). [Advocate]

Scott Gold reviews Casa Borrega this week, the relatively new authentic Mexican restaurant and nightlife hub on O.C. Haley in Central City. Gold deems it "a restaurant yet to hit its stride, but still accomplishing some remarkable things in the kitchen." While the tacos are "hit-and-miss," the mole sauce "hit the mark" and "the pozole, a traditional hominy soup considered by many to be the national dish of Mexico" is worth a try. [Gambit]

This week Tom Fitzmorris gives THREE WHOLE STARS and +1 Hipness Points to Babylon Cafe on the "collegiate, international restaurant bazaar" that is Maple Street. T-Fitz has found yet another restaurant of "oversized portions," but trades in his usual fried seafoods for "all of the Middle Eastern staples" including his extremely rare #1 Essential Dish hummus, #8 Rosemary lamb chops, and even a Mediterranean bread pudding. But what really draws T-Fitz to this Lebanese restaurant is the house-baked bread, which is "like a fat pita" or in frat-speak "a pizza without toppings," bro. And while you must BYOB, don't get so rowdy that you "pull back the curtains from the windows on the left-hand wall" or "you'll gaze into a busy, unassociated laundry business," unless you need a little existential moment before returning to campus in your buddy's Porsche SUV. Also, "they could use more desserts." [CityBusiness, sub req]

· Lola's: Old Favorite Endears a Mid-City Stalwart, While New Specials Sharpen its Edge [Advocate]
· Review: Casa Borrega [Gambit]
· Babylon Café Appeals Beyond College Crowd [CityBusiness, sub req]
· All Week In Reviews [-ENOLA-]