Tucked away in a discreet corner off the beaten track from Kovan MRT Station, Lola’s Cafe appears little more than one of those run-of-the-mill coffee-and-cake joints that have been springing up all over Singapore as of late. Its nondescript exterior bears a simple sign embellished with its name, and from afar, gave me the impression of housing a dusty bookstore that had been left behind in this ever-speedy age of technology.

But looks can be deceiving. 😉

Walking past the glass doors that separated Lola’s interior from the hustle and bustle of its neighbouring housing estates, I found myself immersed in what can only be described as a perfect blend of coziness and that hard-to-find promise of good things to come. I was there to meet up with an old friend from primary school, and what better place to catch up than in this welcoming abode of Lola’s? 😉

After waving eagerly to each other and exchanging customary  greetings of “How have you been” and “It’s been so long”, we sat down, ordered, and tucked into our food (at the recommendation of my friend who has been a regular since its opening in May) while filling each other in our lives after primary school. 😀

And did I mention that we also had a couple of deliciously cool ciders? Ah, to escape the humidity on our sunny island.

We started off with one of Lola Cafe’s signatures, Honey Paprika Wings that arrived at our table arranged rather prettily on a wooden board. Definite plus points for presentation, as it makes for a good conversation starter too!

I’ve had several (unfortunate) experiences with chicken wings that are either too dry or practically drowned in batter, to the point where it overshadows the taste of the meat. Luckily, this wasn’t the case at Lola’s; coated with a layer of honey and a sprinkling of paprika that went well with the succulent chicken flesh, this was a starter that had us humming in satisfaction even before our mains were on the way. 😉

My main was Duck Leg in Orange Mustard Sauce. A braised and pan-fried duck’s leg sat atop a cloud of buttery mashed potato and mustard, and practically screamed, “tuck in!” at me. I think this is one of the few times I’ve actually enjoyed cutting up my meat as much as eating it! 😀

Like our wings, this dish was a combination of melt-in-your-mouth goodness and other tangy flavours. Highly robust and filling, I could literally taste a hint of homeliness that is sadly missing in so many cafes.

And, oh, that orange. Because who isn’t a sucker for a delicate slice of fruit on their plates? 😀

The plate it came in was pretty small, so I was surprised at how quickly it filled me up; a sign of real good value for money!

As the night went on, we were pretty stuffed with Lola’s generous servings of good food and company. But as the saying goes, there’s always room for dessert, so we sweetened our meal by sharing an Earl Grey Tart! 😀

I’m not a fan of warm desserts, but that caramelized banana? Oh my goodness. I don’t think I’ll have my banana the same way ever again. Grabbing our forks in eager anticipation, we dug in till we found a sweet layer of Earl Grey paste nestled within the crispy pastry, which was surprisingly cool.

Amid our laughs and recollections of our primary school memories, I had time to take in the interior, which was stocked with subtle lights (for privacy and ambiance), sewing machine turned dining tables, and a blue-grey wall done u with lams and empty glassed frames arranged in a random manner – old school and unpretentious. Service was prompt too, and we didn’t have to wait long for our food throughout our time there.

We ended the night feeling thoroughly satisfied, and with hopes for a fulfilling end to the year – for my work, and for my friend with her impending semester abroad. As for me, I’ll be back to see what else this little gem in the making has to offer for sure. 😀

Address: 5 Simon Road

Website: http://www.facebook.com/lolascafesg

Contact: 6343 1808

Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 11am – 12mn

chueonit.