Review: Lala’s Bistro (Victoria Island)
I've fully accepted that a big part of why I, and many others, visit restaurants is for the aesthetics. Of course, the food quality is most important. We can't eat aesthetics. However, the biggest draw for me to restaurants, based on social media, is the breathtaking décor. Many Lagos restaurants focus on this, sometimes at the expense of food quality. But that's a discussion for another day.
On this note, I decided to visit Lala’s Bistro with a friend. It's located in a boutique hotel in VI. We went there on a Friday evening. The bistro has a patio space that epitomizes 'Boho Chic.' Normally, accessing it would cost at least N25k per person. Fortunately, a restaurant week deal was on, allowing us to dine there for less.
The restaurant also has an indoor space. However, it's not as impressive as the patio. The patio was even more stunning in person. Its elegance was enhanced by soft instrumental music. Upon arrival, we were warmly greeted and led to our seats. Reservations weren’t actually necessary, by the way.
The restaurant week deal limited the menu choices. So, I chose Prawn and Chorizo Mousse as my starter, Pan-Seared Barracuda Filet for the main course, and Lala’s Cinnamon Roll for dessert. My guest had Chicken Tacos, 4 Oz. Sirloin Steak, and the Chef’s Coconut Scone. Additionally, I had a Sex on the Beach cocktail along with the complimentary soft drinks included in the N15k deal.
Chicken Tacos
We received our drinks quickly. However, the starters took over 30 minutes to arrive. That was longer than I preferred. But the portion sizes were so generous that I wasn’t upset for long. The Prawn and Chorizo Mousse was a harmonious mix of flavors. It included caramelized onions, prawns, chorizo slices, a hint of groundnut, and a rich white wine mousse. It came with a tasty, albeit slightly oily, slice of baguette. The tacos were exceptional, with a perfect balance of crunch and succulence.
Prawn & Chorizo Mouuse
However, the Sex on the Beach cocktail disappointed me. It was fruity and alcoholic, but the sour orange flavor didn't appeal to me. It reminded me of a Chivita orange juice I dislike.
Our waiter was very attentive. We only needed to signal her when we were ready for our main courses. At one point, her frequent check-ins almost became intrusive. But I prefer that to having to search for a waiter. She was probably concerned we weren't enjoying our meals, as my guest and I were sharing our dishes. After we reassured her, she gave us more space.
Pan Seared Barracuda Filet
The presentation of our meals was impressive. The Barracuda filet was tender and well-cooked in tangy lemon and oyster sauce. The arancini was new to me, and unfortunately, it didn't impress me. Its outer coating was too sharp, and the inside was too chewy. My adventurous food choice didn't pay off this time.
4 Oz.Sirloin Steak
My guest's meal, however, was excellent. The mash was the smoothest I'd ever had, creamy and delicious. The steak was juicy, though inconsistently textured. The dish also included fresh quinoa and vegetables, which I appreciated.
Lala’s Cinnamon Roll
Dessert was eagerly anticipated, especially the cinnamon roll. Sadly, it didn't meet my expectations. It was stale, diminishing the enjoyment. The accompanying ice cream was just okay, with an unexpected nutty flavor. My guest's scone, however, was soft, rich in coconut, and paired well with the vanilla-strawberry ice cream.
POSTSCRIPT
I wouldn’t go as far as saying Lala’s Bistro prioritises ambience over food quality because they definitely snapped on some things. Still, I’d love to go back for a girl’s night out because my IG feed deserves 👍🏽
VERDICT
DAMAGE
Restaurant Week Prix Fixe - N15000 for 3 courses and beer/soft drinks
Sex on the Beach – N6500
PARKING
It’s a street parking situation