Hot potato, the earliest dish designed to be passed, is nearly extinct due to the constant ravages of grade-school appetites. Today's Groupon revives shifting sustenance: for $10, you get $20 worth of tapas and drinks at Lalola Bar de Tapas.
The Nob Hill eatery features a succinct menu of small-plated Spanish specialties, ideal for passing between friends like gossip, only juicer. Authentic Iberian eats such as the white anchovies marinated in vinegar ($3) or the creamy queso Manchego ($9) are sure to enchant, while the seafood paella ($12) and lamburger con patatas ($9) offer protein-rich portions to please vitamin-B-deprived palates. Lalola's wine menu boasts a manageable collection of almost exclusively Spanish wines by the half glass ($4+), full glass ($7+), or bottle ($24+) to sip between small servings, as well as homemade red or white sangria ($7+) and a collection of sweetened meal-ending treats. Savor the caramelized rice pudding ($7), or opt for a slice of the goat milk cheesecake ($7) for a custardy conclusion.
The intimate family-owned eatery, which seats roughly 35 feasters, is nestled in a cozy corner space on Pacific and Mason. The rich red walls and chalkboard menu transplant diners to the smoldering atmosphere of midnight dining in Spain, as experienced by Lalola's Madrileño owner-brothers. The expansive corner wall of windows offers views of the city's mobile charmer, which makes it an ideal place to linger over a light meal or to stop in for a quick bite on a nightly Segway ride around the neighborhood.
Reservations are not accepted.
Reviews
Lalola serves authentic Spanish tapas in a welcoming neighborhood atmosphere, according to the San Francisco Chronicle:
- Lalola feels like something that could be in Spain, yet also is at home in San Francisco. While many tapas bars fudge the concept and veer to more formal seating and substantial courses, Lalola, which has room only for about 35 people, sticks with the classic concept. It's designed to offer a few bites and a drink before patrons move on to somewhere else. However, customers seem to be having such a good time that they stick around. Before long, they've had their fill and simply want to head home. – Michael Bauer, San Francisco Chronicle
More than 170 Yelpers give Lalola a four-star average, 83% like it on Urbanspoon, and Citysearchers give it 3.5 stars:
- After living in Spain for over a year, I am a harsh critic when it comes to Spanish food in San Francisco. Lalola did it right! – lola2727, Citysearch
- ...high quality foods letting their natural flavors speak for themselves. The crashed eggs are a great example of how to make simple food taste extraordinary. – Michael G., Yelp
- The place is intimate (meaning small), charming (meaning friendly), and has great energy (meaning I loved it)... The food is wonderful. – Christopher W., Yelp
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