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!

Valencia was such a delicious discovery! I went here with my co workers based on a recommendation…read moreand we were all so glad that we did! We had a large group so made a reservations, but it seems walk ins were welcome as well. The space was very cute. Our waitress made some great drink and food recommendations. And took recommendations. I got a pomegranate mojito. We ordered several appetiziers, my favorite was the beef empanadas. For dinner we got the Pollo and Chorizo Paella and the Negra Fideua. It's served family style and our waitress was super flexible allowing us to split the order between the two. I had never tried a Fideua before and it was our favorite dish! The portions were huge and we went home with leftovers. For dessert we tried the brownie which was a good balance to our appetizer and dinner. This is definitely a place I would visit again. Great ambiance, delicious food, and lovely service.

One of my favorite restaurants in New Orleans! Everything is so good, you can't go wrong with…read moreanything on the menu. I first came here for their tasting menu with a graduation party and the service was delightful. The ambience is very nice, not too upscale, but you can definitely dress it up. We came back for a second time and my favorite would have to be the Grilled Hanger Steak, Crispy Duck Pasta, Griddled Sourdough with Boquerones and Beef Shank and Potato Bombas. The bombas are to die for!! The Boquerones surprisingly is really really tasty. It definitely adds up, but very worth for a special night.

Food was very good, however, very unfortunate. The whole experience was overshadowed by very rude…read moreservice from the hostess to start off the night. Restaurant was not even half full and hostess sat us in the very back corner against the wall by the restrooms, we had a reservation. When we asked nicely to wait for another table or move to a different spot, hostess rudely snatched menus off table and move tables without speaking. Just put a very bad taste in our mouth prior to what would have been a very delicious and enjoyable meal.

Went to Lola's for Mother's Day brunch and honestly the short rib and grits completely stole the…read moreshow. The short rib was so tender it literally melted in your mouth. The grits were creamy, rich, and paired perfectly with the savory sauce and vegetables. One of those dishes where everybody at the table keeps sneaking bites off your plate. I also tried the steak and eggs over potatoes which was good too. The steak was cooked well and the potatoes were seasoned nicely, but after tasting those short ribs, nothing else really stood a chance. For the appetizer we ordered this fancy oyster dish that I cannot pronounce to save my life lol, but it was actually really good. Crispy, flavorful, and beautifully plated. Definitely a great starter if you want something a little different. The restaurant itself has such a charming atmosphere. The floral wallpaper, vintage decor, fresh flowers on the tables, and cozy setup made it feel warm and intimate without trying too hard. It was busy for Mother's Day brunch but still felt relaxed and enjoyable. Definitely a spot I'd go back to, especially for those short ribs and grits alone.

The seafood paella from Lola's is still the best dish I've ever had in the city of New Orleans, and…read moregiven the city is known for its food that should tell you something. It's just downright delicious and filling too. The bartender was a bit awkward. She said she'd only worked there for two months, so maybe she is still trying to find her rhythm. Her interaction or lack thereof seemed notable enough to drop a star. Still, in a community full of solid dining options I'll recommend Lola's again and again.

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.

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!

A European experience. A long wait that may annoy Americans but is typical of Europe to allow for…read moremore conversation and a more casual dining experience. Once you start getting your order, the plates slowly come out two or so at a time. Each plate had different qualities and a completely different flavor profile so I will review them all separately. Service while European took some getting used to. The owner is the only waiter which causes some delays. It's probably for the best as it allows them time to create the meal for you, but I believe it is important to acknowledge this in a review. Olives were a 5/5, very soft and fleshy and delicious unlike other restaurants in the area. Nothing much more to say. Good olives. Patatas were a 5/5; they were pleasantly fried and had a nice alioli. Not traditional but still good. Desperately begged for a sprinkle of salt on top of them though Ceviche was a 4/5, good flavor and texture on the shrimp and fish but were a bit too vinigary for my liking. The salad was the best part of it and was balanced perfectly. Mushrooms were a 5/5, they were just crimini mushrooms but the sauce was perfect for them. I ended up using the cracker that came with the jamón to soak it up. Jamón and chorizo were a 5/5, the sheep's cheese was delicious and you can never go wrong with meat and cheese. I preferred removing the cracker that came with them, though. Calamari steak was a 5/5 and my personal favorite. I've never had just tender and delicious squid. The owner prides himself on simple recipes and I'd have to say that this really showcased that. I could taste (and identify) nearly every flavor present in the dish just on one bite. The best part of the meal. The tortilla was my least favorite part and was a 1/5. I hate to say it, but I believe it was bad. It just tastes like a latke, but is not crispy and is very thick causing a bland and boring sensation. I finished my meal with an espresso with a pour of brandy. Espresso was strong and lovely and was a nice way to end the meal. I definitely recommend this restaurant if you love food and don't mind a wait, because it is definitely worth it.

Nothing hits the spot like a warm arepa from Mais. The…read moreserver was incredible and the arepas were amazing! The only downside were the plantain chips were old and not crispy at all. Granted we did some in an hour before they closed; this was not good. The drinks were also not made well as both caprarinias were not good. Overall we love Mais even with the small missteps.

Our server was very professional and understood the needs of my guests from India. One was…read morevegetarian. We ordered plantains with avacadoes and two different sandwiches. One with chicken and one vegetarian.

We chose Solera Bar & Tasting Room for the last BR restaurant week, in 2024. It was phenomenal. I…read morechose to have the wine pairing with my meal, and my partner had the margarita. Both good choices. Overall, the wine pairing was okay. I like the appetizer pairing of a nice light, white bubbly prosecco. The second was a classic red wine to pair with a steak. The last wine is where I was not impressed. It was a dessert wine that had a smell similar to a distilled whiskey. I took a sip and decided I rather another glass of prosecco. Shout out to the server who was accommodating and swapped out that glass for what I requested. He didn't have to, but he did! The food was mouth watering delicious. We started off with the sauteed shrimp and the piquillo peppers. THANK GOD the piquillo peppers are a Solera regular. I will be getting them again. The shrimp were just okay, nothing out of this world. Second course was the filet with polenta. It was absolutely delicious and packed with flavors that complimented each other well. Final course we had the rum bread pudding and the manchego cheesecake. The manchego cheese is definitely a rich and an acquiring flavor. Without the blueberry sauce, you would think its just a slab of cheese. The rum bread pudding was spectacular. I have never loved a rum sauce with my bread pudding, but the Solera one kept me wanting more. Overall and enjoyable experience, with a couple minor foods that lack the razzle dazzle of a 5 star review.

Fantastic drinks and small plates! The bar and dining areas are amazing and tastefully decorated…read more The staff were next level- very welcoming and knowledgeable.

A Latin style tapas place in the arts district boasting flavors from South America (Argentina,…read morePeru, Venezuela, Yucatan), Mexico (Oaxaca and Mexico City), and the Caribbean. Fresh seafood from the Gulf of MEXICO and a wicked drink menu. They offer several ceviches. Tapas include guacamole, empanadas, crawfish queso, fish dip and veggie salads like crispy cauliflower and Brussels sprouts. We had the crispy cauliflower served with tempura, cashew habanero crema, garbanzo hash, and chimichurri. Loads of flavor and just the right bite size for tapas/apps. Plates include churrasco, fish and grits, paella (can be served veggie or without shellfish if you're allergic), lamb, Yucatan style pork, shrimp or steak mofongo, and chicken poblano. I had the churrasco, served with papas bravas. Steak cooked perfectly and seasoned perfectly. My husband had the steak mofongo and the beef tips, like the churrasco, were seasoned perfectly. The plantain mash was sweet and somehow savory at the same time. We loved both dishes. They make mean margaritas and caipirinhas hre, and also offer drinks like the paloma, the Bolivian sour, sangria, and specialty drinks. Service was amazing. She was so upbeat and helpful. This restaurant was a little slow when we went. It deserves a lot more love. It's so close to the touristy part of the French Quarter. Leave the gimmicky spots and come here, you won't regret it.

Definitely worth trying. Cute restaurant. Nice ambiance and vice. Clean…read more The crawfish Queso is mild, not spicy at all. Good flavor. The shrimp ceviche is delicious. The sauce is spicy. If you like spicy- get this dish. Not your typical ceviche. The Mofongo is tasty. If you like Vinha D'Alhos. You'll like this dish. The steak had a marinated vinegar taste. The meat is also very tender. Service was good. Waitress was nice and welcoming.

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.

This was a terrible experience. They don't have much on the menu, and they don't speak English. We…read moreordered our food, amd strictly said no beans. We also asked for chips and salsa, and they brought out what looked like beans, which looked disgusting. They brought out our food and served white rice instead of Mexican rice. My wife's food had bones in it. She ordered a Sprite, and there was something floating in the bottle. Since they don't speak English, they didn't do anything. To top it off, they charge gratuity.

Just ordered a shrimp taco bowl and steak taco bowl. Wonderful and full of goodness. I go every…read morecouple of weeks and everything has been outstanding.

What an outstanding meal! I ordered the street corn nachos and added shrimp and extra cilantro. The…read moreportion was generous, enough to take it home and have a second meal. Absolutely yummy. Margarita was good, too. Service was a little slow, but our server mentioned she'd only been there three weeks. So, I can forgive that. The owner visited our table and was very friendly. I'm already planning my return trip with a group of friends.