We recently discovered Lolita in Midtown Manhattan. This place, that serves Mexican food has quite an amazing decor, vibrant and bohemian chic that make it a hot spot for a happy hour. Well, talking about happy hour, it extends until 7pm on Fridays, which were the days we visited them, so we took advantage of it for their margarita ($12) and empanada de platano ($7 for two). They do have other cocktails, like The Jerk, that, just because of the name, I had to order. It had so many components: with vodka, banana, lime, strawberry, ginger, allspice, jerk bitters, scotch bonnet and is carbonated (hopefully, I did not forget anything). It is as they describe it like a clarified and refreshing highball with notes of Caribbean fruits and spices. And for sure, they are generous with the vodka! Anyway, being in a Mexican restaurant, we had to try their guacamole that was pretty good, mild, although I like mine with a bit of avocado chunks. Another appetizer I really enjoyed was their Ostiones Asados or roasted oysters, prepared with gremolata, garlic butter, ancho chile and cotija cheese. I love roasted oysters, that are a good option if you do not like shucking a live seafood in your mouth. These large oysters were delicious, and spicy! Definitely to try. Jodi had their huitlacoche quesadilla (Oaxaca cheese, mushrooms, huitlacoche, roasted corn and salsa macha crema) that was earthy and I also got their Baja style fish tacos, made with battered cod, charred jalapeño aioli, avocado and a citrus slaw. This was a pretty good taco, the fish being crispy and flakey, the whole thing being packed in flavor. A must have. The only entree I got was their pollo enchiladas that was served with a delicious mole (I do not know if they make it, mole being a quite complex sauce).

Empanada de platano at Lolita in NYC, NY

Huilacoche quesadilla at Lolita in NYC, NY

Of course we had to have dessert. They have two: bunuelos that are beignets and a tres leches. I, for sure, preferred the former that were addictive: slightly crispy, pillowy on the inside, I did not need any sauce with it. The tres leches was good, but the center was not that soaked in that delicious milk combination.

Overall, we had a good dinners at Lolita: the food is great, in an amazing decor and nice atmosphere. The back room, away from the bar, is a great spot, as not as noisy, in case you want to give it a try.

Enjoy (I did)!

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Lolita - 45 West 45th Street, New York, NY 10036

I Just Want To Eat!