Loola is located on the same floor as My Humble House, and it's easy to spot the entrance due to its white facade.
The decor is simple with white chairs and wooden tables. The restaurant has a nice viewing spot where you can see the "lotus" flower of the Marina Bay Sands.
We ordered a variety of food to try out since it's our first visit. The Waldorf (S$13) - a salad consisting of baked apples, walnuts crumble, fresh celery, dried cranberries, creamy dressing, was crunchy and refreshing. They also added some fresh diced green apples for added crunch too.
Free ice water for all diners. Service was excellent as they will keep coming over to ask how was the food and if everything is ok.
There were 2 soups on the menu. The first was the Creamy Tomato Bacon Soup (S$9) - Tomato and Carrot soup with crispy bacon. The soup didn't come pippin' hot, so we requested them to heat it up again. Taste was good.
Their second soup is not your usual kind of soup, but a local Salted Vegetable Duck Soup (S$9) - or more commonly known as Kiam Chai Arg. What sets this version aparts from the "homemade" version is the addition of Egg emulsion in the soup, which creates an almost creamy texture. The soup also had chunks of Confit of Duck, where the duck skin had a crisp texture.
A surprise hit from Loola was this Marrow & Toast (S$15) - Grilled bone marrow, toast, balsamic reduction, capsicum pesto. I didn't know how this bone marrow dish ended up here in this cafe, but it's sinfully good. Eat the marrow with the crispy toast. Creamy and intense.
Another beef dish we had was the hearty Stewed Oxtail (S$28) - Oxtail, tomatoes, celery, carrots and bread. The oxtail had lot's of chunks of meat, and they were tenderised after being stewed for hours in the vegetable stock.
We love roast pork. And Loola's Pan Seared Braised Pork Belly (S$28) hits the right spot. The honey pork belly had a crusty skin, yet the pork remained juicy. Served with a side of crispy lotus roots chips, plus the very English bubble & squeak, which literally is a pan fried potato pancake made from roasted vegetables.
As if it's still not enough, a 3rd animal joined out dining table - The Spatchcock (S$36 for 2 diners) - It's a juicy whole pan roasted chicken carved at our table but the service staff. The chicken had minimal seasonings, and they provided some citrus salt and rosemary salt to go along with the roast.
The roast chicken also came with sides of String Beans in anchovy reduction, and caramelized baby onions (my fav).
We like Loola for the good food and service, and will make an attempt to try out their desserts next time when we are here.
Loola's by Awfully Chocolate
8 Raffles Avenue,
#02-14
Esplanade Mall