We've been wanting to go here ever since it opened and I'm here to tell you that it didn't…read moredisappoint. They have done a fantastic job at refurbishing the place into a quaint little restaurant. We went on a Friday night and they had live music on the deck. I'm handicapped and found parking was a little difficult however, once inside the restaurant the staff was extremely helpful and attentive. Their specialty drinks were fantastic. I had a El jefe.which is their version of an Old Fashioned. To be honest I liked it better than the typical Old Fashioned. They have a great wine list too. My wife ordered the creamy goat cheese tapas (appetizer) and it great. Very light and tasty. My in-laws ordered the Setas al Ajillo. They are button mushrooms that have been and white ones and other spices and they were fantastic. On to the main course. My wife and I shared the seafood paella for dinner. And my in-laws shared the pan bronzed redfish. They were both exceptional. We will definitely be returning both for dinner and the occasional tapas and cocktails. PS. Please note that if you want to try one of the Paella meals that it takes about 30-40 minutes for them to prepare it but it's so worth it.

My wife and I have been meaning to try out Valencia and finally got around to it for a birthday…read morelunch today. Valencia, near downtown Covington, is a stylish, contemporary presence featuring tapas and traditional Spanish cuisine, with a respectful nod to the local culture. Service was friendly and attentive today, with Dara providing valuable info on menu offerings and taking excellent care of us. Today we enjoyed their specialty tapas; a Valencia roll, fried calamari, and a brand new offering - fried chicken pesto flatbread. All were excellent, with the roll having a sumptuous glaze and the calamari packing a tasty jalapeño punch. The flatbread, which we found out that we were the first to try, may have been the star of the show; generously portioned, with a thin crust, moist chicken and a zesty , but not overpowering, pesto finish. Although we were too full for dessert, several appealing ones were available. A number of specialty cocktails were also featured. We enjoyed their sangria. We look forward to returning to Valencia!

Great food, all very tasty! It's a nice relaxed ambiance with friendly service. We were able to…read morebring our own bottle of wine with the $45 corkage fee waived when we also purchased a bottle for them, so that was appreciated to drink a special wine we brought! I'd definitely come back!

Service was pretty good the restaurant was very quiet and much slower than expected but nicely…read moredecorated. I had the beef shank and potatoes bombas which was delicious and decent amount for the price like the acidity of the pickled chilis. I did have the seasonal crawfish and crispy rice salad. Partially my fault for not reading and clarifying but the combination of cucumber and fresh herbs reminded me of a cucumber gimlet with crawfish was not my favorite. The strawberry blonde drink was delicious. I like to go to restaurants alone and try new things so tapas is typically a safe bet for small plates and decent prices wouldn't say that's the case here. But probably great for date or girls night.

I finally made it to Lola's and it definitely lived up to the hype. From the moment we walked in,…read morethe atmosphere stood out. The place has a great energy to it warm, inviting, and the kind of spot where you can sit back and enjoy your meal without feeling rushed. Food: The food was absolutely on point. Everything we ordered was packed with flavor and cooked perfectly. One of those meals where every bite reminds you why people keep coming back. No complaints at all just really good food from start to finish. Service: Service was excellent. The staff was friendly, attentive, and made sure everything was taken care of throughout the meal. Food came out in a reasonable time and the overall experience felt smooth and welcoming. Ambiance: The ambiance was fire. Cozy, lively, and full of character without feeling overcrowded. It's the type of place that works whether you're on a date night, out with friends, or just looking for a good meal in a great setting. Overall: Great food, great service, and an atmosphere that makes you want to stay awhile. Lola's is easily a spot I'd return to and recommend to anyone looking for a solid dining experience in New Orleans. Definitely going back.

I loved Lola's in New Orleans, and our recent private group brunch was another reminder of why this…read morecharming, family-owned Spanish restaurant deserves so much love and support. Tucked away in the Bayou St. John/Mid-City neighborhood, Lola's offers an intimate, cozy atmosphere and authentic Spanish-inspired cuisine. For our private brunch, the restaurant put together a special prix-fixe experience for $85 per person, including two drinks and a selection of shared dishes. It was a wonderful opportunity to enjoy several menu favorites while spending time with our group in a more intimate setting. Our menu featured shrimp and grits, tomato basil salad, garlic shrimp, garlic Brussels sprouts, and a choice of seafood, meat, or vegetarian paella. The food was flavorful, comforting, and beautifully presented, with the paella being the undeniable highlight! The paella alone is worth visiting for! Seeing those gorgeous pans lined up along the bar was such a treat. The vibrant saffron-colored rice, generous ingredients, fresh herbs, and lemon garnishes made for an impressive presentation. I especially appreciated that the restaurant offered seafood, meat, and vegetarian options to accommodate different preferences. The garlic shrimp and Brussels sprouts were also great additions to the meal, and I loved the variety of dishes included in our brunch experience. The atmosphere felt warm, welcoming, and full of character, which is exactly what makes Lola's so special. The only reason I'm giving four stars instead of five is that they ran out of the bread with alioli, which was supposed to be included in our prix-fixe menu. I was really looking forward to trying it, especially since it's such a classic accompaniment to Spanish cuisine. It was a small disappointment in an otherwise lovely experience. Beyond the food, I really want to encourage people to support this restaurant. Lola's has been part of the New Orleans dining community for decades. Restaurants like this contribute so much to the city's culinary character and deserve to be celebrated. My recommendation: If you're visiting New Orleans and love Spanish food, especially paella, make Lola's one of your dining stops. It's a wonderful alternative to the typical French Quarter restaurant circuit and absolutely worth venturing into Mid-City. And if you want to support them even before your visit, consider purchasing a gift card and making a reservation ahead of time. Gift cards: https://order.toasttab.com/egiftcards/lolas Overall: 4/5 stars. A memorable private brunch, beautiful paella, charming atmosphere, and a restaurant I genuinely hope continues serving New Orleans for many years to come!

Exceptional food & service!! Picked up food to go and…read moreeverything was great. Thank You!!

Very impressed. I was in the area early and this was the only place around (besides fast food) that…read morewas open for breakfast. The restaurant was very quiet and comfortable. Spotlessly clean! Real cloth napkins and nice heavy silverware were another nice touch. Hard to find those any more, even in upscale restaurants. My food was fresh and very well made. I had the Baleadas La Express Supreme breakfast which was two big breakfast tacos with steak, egg, cheese, avocado, crema, etc. Very filling, stick-to-your-ribs kind of food. The flour tortillas were thick and flaky. The rest of the ingredients were excellent as well. I wanted to get some plantains (I love plantains!) but I was too full to eat another bite. The servers and staff were friendly. My coffee cup never got empty. My food came out quickly. It was a little pricey for a breakfast, but it was worth it for the excellent food and the cultural experience with it. No complaints at all. Highly recommended. I will surely be coming back to try some of the other items on the menu.

Beautiful little restaurant spot for tapas. great sangria, nice ambience and a sweet owner. Food…read morewas great!

Spent my birthday here last year and it was a fantastic experience! I thought we were told that the…read moreplace would be shutting down, but glad to see it is still up and running. My entire family enjoyed this place, and the owner is a very kind man. I will try to be back soon again!

Checked out this spot while in town for a conference…read more Cute place! Walked a mile from hotel past a lot of empty restaurants on a Wednesday night but once I got here, place was pretty full! Got the shrimp and chorizo arepa after being recommended by server/bartender and what a great choice, the chorizo was really flavorful/ spiced well, shrimps were huge and delish. Even the plantain chips were yum, light and crispy. Got the flan to-go b/c was too full and was also very yummy. Great spot!

We ate at this place a year and a half ago and we still talk about it! Everything we had was…read moredelicious. This is the Aba that we compare other rapes too when we travel or are able to find them locally (we are from Oklahoma). Our next New Orleans trip will definitely be featuring this place Ps- they sell their hot sauce in bottles and it was delicious! We were there to go on a cruise and I grabbed a bottle of their sauce and took it with me.

This place has closed, and I am CRYING. This used to be one of our favorite places. Especially for…read morehappy hour food and drink specials (thinking about you, frozen espresso martini!) Seriously....the shrimp small plate (licked the bowl clean)...and the dates--so delectable !! Please, please bring this restaurant back or someone give me intel on the chef's whereabouts! Is there another spot opening??

My friend and I LOVE apps and small plates. This is the perfect place. Also nothing here is above…read more40$ so it makes it even more enjoyable. We started with the special strawberry Basil daiquiri and it was small but it was a 9/10. We got the Brussels and they were amazing with the goat cheese. I wish they were less steamed and more crispy I guess ? 8/10 Surf and turf board was incredible. Everything on the board was amazing and it was only 35$ 10/10 Then we decided to get the chorizo flatbread. I was not a fan - but my friend said she loved it. The cheesecake was really good as well. The drinks were always on point. And we plan to come back and try different things next time. The staff was super friendly and great at clearing the table. The place was also super cute.

Food was Amazing !!! Staff were wonderful !!!…read moreLoved the vibe of the restaurant!!! Great place to have a meal before a show at the theatre

Delicious surprise! I wasn't sure what to expect or if there…read morewould be much on the menu I would want. I'm picky with my proteins and ended up going straight veggie but it was fabulous. I had tempura cauliflower and husband had pork casserole. We both loved our food and shared amazing guacamole. (I am proud of the guacamole I make at home and this put it to shame!). Service was great and the setting has the perfect Latin vibe. Highly recommend. Only complaint - portions are too big. Haha!

After discovering this little gem through a yelp event, I just had to bring my husband back!…read more Do not let the location scare you. We all know some of the best ethnic foods are not in the upscale side of town. I was given a very friendly welcome back and my husband was greeted like a friend as well. They have a great drink selection, so I encourage you to try something new. We were served the refried black beans and chips. I don't know what they do to these beans and I don't wanna know. Just keep'em coming!! My husband ordered a huge plate with all different meats, fried plantains and veggie salad. The steak and pork were beyond tender, and that flavor... wowww! It was like Honduran nachos, fried plantains covered in pico and aioli. Im sold! My dinner was equally delicious, more than I could eat. For two drinks, 2 huge dinners it was only $30, I'm sorry but no fancy restaurant can pull off that level of quality food, the amount of food for that price. Whether you're getting take out or dining in you'll feel welcomed. I can't wait to go back and try other items!

There's a saying that if you want some good food you'll find it attached to a gas station. This was…read moredefinitely all facts! I wasn't looking for anything specific to eat but this place called to me so I whipped into the parking lot and headed in! This is such a homey type of place that puts a lot of pride and joy in their food and showing off Latin culture. Los Alvarez Exxpress Latin Food is a local mom and pop spot on the corner of Gardere and Burbank next to the S&P Food Store/Chevron gas station. I wasn't exactly sure what to expect going in but what I got was a lot of warmth and comfort. This is a place for Latin locals to relax and get a bit of familiarity and good food. I dined in and ordered the Granadas Catrachas. Catrachas are traditionally known as Honduran tostadas. Los Alvarez puts their spin on it by using Granada flour to create a puff pocket and stuff it with meat, rice and cheese and serve it with encurtido (Honduran pickled vegetables). I ordered one with chicken and one with beef. The serving was huge and absolutely delicious! I was only able to eat one. That, on top of the chips and salsa and black bean dip had me full for the rest of the day! Everyone that works there is friendly and for a second you don't feel like you're in Baton Rouge. This is a magical place.