Food Review: Lolla Singapore At Ann Siang Road | Innovative Mediterranean Restaurant On Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants

Posted on July 8, 2023 by theRantingPanda in Food

The Place Located along Ann Siang Road, Lolla restaurant is an established name which I revisited recently after a couple of years. Lolla has been in the spotlight this year as its current head chef, Filipina chef Johanne Siy, was named Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants’ Asia’s Best Female Chef. Chef Johanne is the head chef of Lolla since 2020, and she used to work under Chef Andre in the now-defunct Restaurant Andre. Lolla is also Number 63 on Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2023.

The restaurant sits on a conservation shophouse, and the interior has not changed much from my last visit few years back. On level one, you will find a 14-seater counter seating which gives diners the best glimpse of the kitchen action.

There is also a basement dining section with a long communal dining table that can accommodate 22 diners. The dining ambience is rustic, though it does show some signs of aging by now.

The Food Lolla accepts reservations for both lunch and dinner, where it only offers a fixed price Tasting Menus on Fridays and Saturdays. I visited on a normal weekday where the Mediterranean restaurant showcases its ala carte and seasonal menus. Expect sharing plates style dining, where the ala carte menu is concise, yet it also offers a varied option across seafood, meats, starters and desserts.

From the counter seat I was on, I could see that most of the dishes are grilled over charcoal fire where you can expect robust flavours across the dishes.

My meal started with the Toasted Sourdough with Kombu Butter (S$14) where you get freshly baked bread along with the soft and sinfully good kombu butter.

If there is one signature dish you must try at Lolla, it is definitely the Sea Urchin Pudding (S$38/half portion). This is still as satisfying as I recall it to be – a luscious texture of creamy squid ink, cream, egg yolk and topped with fresh Uni.

For greens, no regrets for me having the Burnt Cabbage, Crispy Capers (S$28). This grilled cabbage is very flavourful along with some balsamic vinegar, and I especially love the charred edges of the cabbage along with the delicious crispy capers.

For protein, I strongly recommend the Pan-fried Lemon Sole (S$68), a New Zealand fish grilled with brown butter accompanied by lime by the side. The flatfish spots a nice golden texture and it is buttery and flavourful on its own. Have it along with bits of the crispy capers and the overall taste is even better. It is quite a rich dish, which is best to be shared between 2-3 diners.

The other protein I had was the Mayura Wagyu Tri-Tip (S$89) served with chicken jus, Heirloom carrots and topped with cocoa beans. Wagyu Tri-Tip is not a cut of beef I typically encounter, where it is a triangular cut of meat that comes from the bottom sirloin section of the cow. Although it is a lean cut of meat, the version here at Lolla does have a decent amount of fat, offering a bit of buttery taste.

The last part of my meal, I decided to go for the Dark Chocolate and Pistachio Tart, Pistachio Ice Cream, Milk Chocolate Cremeux (S$28). A rich dessert where the Pistachio ice cream is aromatic, and the dark chocolate tart is sinfully good as well.

Rants The high stool seats around the counter might not be that comfortable after some time.

Will I Return Again? I had a great meal at Lolla. While the restaurant feels a little dated by now, it is still a great dining venue if you are looking for robust flavours and a straightforward dining menu. It also helps that the dining ambience is quite casual, which makes this an ideal spot for first date nights.

Make your reservation instantly at Lolla here.

TheRantingPanda says:
Taste bud: 4.5/5
Hole in the pocket: 4/5
Ambience: 4/5
Overall Experience: 4/5