BYOB

Lola’s Bistro, Key West, 1/28/22

~ hsnixon ~ Leave a comment
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Lola’s opened in 2019 and is a small place that uses menu-less dining.  The menu is an oral presentation without prices and only small descriptions.  Chef is at one end of the room where he prepares each dish while a couple staff circulate in the room collecting orders.  There are 2 seatings but they can’t seem to stay on schedule so our 8:00 started more like 8:30.  However it was fun to quiz the diners as they exited the place and find out what they enjoyed.  There are 2 small benches out front for a couple lucky waiters.  They provide water and one wine-glass per person, but otherwise it is a bring-your-own-beverage with no corkage fee.  One other idiosyncrasy is they accept only cash or maybe a local check. There are only about 10 tables so reservations are a must but according to the table next to us, the waitlist does work, as that’s how they got in. Lights are very low with lots of votive candles on the walls and one on each white cloth covered table.  Fairly loud music was in the background.  The menu changes daily.  The food is wonderful with everything cooked perfectly.  Without a doubt the best meal I had in Key West and one I highly recommend. Continue reading →

Two Doors Down (Urbano Cafe), Dallas, 8/9/18

~ hsnixon ~ 4 Comments
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Urbano Cafe has been around for 9 years, located in the shopping center that has Jimmy’s Food Store.  Owner Mitch Kauffman had tried several other locations before settling here.  It is a small BYOB restaurant with fun choices but early this year they opened Two Doors Down (2DD) next door.  It serves the same menu but also offers wine by the glass and bottle.  It is nice to have the choice if you forgot to bring wine and are there too late to swing into Jimmy’s and pick up something.  They serve lunch and dinner with a small menu and a menu of specials that changes regularly.  The small bare wood tables are fairly closely spaced and a small bar is at one end of the room.  The opposite end looks out to the street but the blinds were closed when we were there as you entered through Urbano Cafe.  The lights are dimmed and there is a hum of people talking softly and having fun.  Service was efficient and reasonably helpful.   Continue reading →