Lolha Review July 2020
It wasn’t that we hadn’t been able to get great meals from local restaurants, many of them continued to provide delicious meals delivered to our doors when ever we wanted them. What wasn’t available was the ambiance and service, which is a big part of why we love to go out to eat. I love to cook, so it isn’t that we need the restaurants to survive, but if I am going to go out, I love the entire experience. It doesn’t have to be fancy, by any means, it just has to have an atmosphere I can’t get at home, and I do enjoy great service! That is why Lolha Restaurant and Beach Bar is one of my favorite places to go. The main restaurant is still closed but the beach bar is open. The menu is limited but you will still find a lot of great choices.
The service is wonderful. I have watched some of the staff literally grow up here at Lolha, and others I have sadly had to say good-bye to because it was time for them to retire. The familiar faces remain and there is very little turn over here. To me this speaks volumes. Continuity along with the commitment of the staff to make your dining experience special is what sets the service above the ordinary.
You can’t beat the view at Lolha, either! Sitting right on Akumal Beach the view of the bay and beyond are breathtaking. It is one of the oldest establishments along the Riviera Maya, still owned by the same family – that right there should tell you their food and service is consistent. They have incredible items that have been on the menu since I first visited 20 years ago, but I have to say one of the things I love is that the owner is a foodie, and she is constantly making changes and adding things to the menu that take it a step above - current and innovative. Some of my best bites of food over the years have been at Lolha.
Let’s talk about food – one of my favorite topics. I have to admit before we moved here, I had my special plates that I ordered repeatedly and didn’t often vary. Sadly, some of those items are not on the current, pared-down menu. So I pushed myself out of my comfort zone and ordered items that I hadn’t before. For example: jalapeno poppers, I had never ordered them before because, in my mind, they are typically frozen and available at bars all over the world. Man, was I wrong! These poppers are made fresh, with an excellent coating and served with a garlic aioli dipping sauce, simply amazing. Another shocker were the chicken wings. OK before moving here, I certainly didn’t come to Mexico to order chicken wings, not when there were so many local Mexican dishes to choose from. Again, I was blown away by the wings at Lolha. In fact, I will go on record and say they are the best I have ever tasted. Cooked to perfection and served with a hot sauce &/or blue cheese dressing, carrots and celery, they were delicious, and I was not the only one to think so. I reluctantly shared one with a friend and she couldn’t wait to order her own the very next day. Four out of four of us agreed they were amazing.
We spent 3 nights in Akumal and ate breakfast, lunch and dinner. Each meal was amazing. If you are local or a returning guest and are missing something on the menu contact them a few days ahead and you may be pleasantly surprised. We went for Father’s Day weekend and Mike had his heart set on a ribeye and I, my favorite, chili relleno. So I called ahead and asked if we could get these items. I was assured that Mike’s steak was not a problem, but they were not so sure about my chili relleno – no problem, there will be plenty of other opportunities, I said. When we arrived for dinner it was so lovely to have the waiter welcome us and with a big smile and confirm our orders. The smile on my face, when I found out they had prepared both dishes gave away my excitement. Later, when I thanked Laura, she laughed because, she said, she had finally been able to pull a joke on me and surprise me with my favorite dish. (Gary, if your are reading this, you would be pleased with her prank!) I have to say, Lolha’s chili relleno is what I have compared every other to and none has come close. They offer meat and cheese, I love the plain cheese with a simple egg dip and amazing red sauce.
I could go on and on about my favorite breakfast items – over the years I think I have tried every one and never once been disappointed. For those staying at the hotel, breakfast is often included in your reservations and there aren’t many better places to start your day.
Lunch and an ice cold beer after enjoying a swim in the bay, or snorkel with the turtles will never disappoint.
Dinner is so special, sitting on the beach enjoying the evening as everything starts to quiet down. You can even opt to have your own private dinner arranged for those looking for a more romantic experience. Or looking for something lighter and fun to do with a group of 6-10? Try the wine, tequila or mescal tastings paired with amazing small plates. Perfect way to enjoy a special occasion during these times when social distancing and smaller groups are a must, along with being outside which is advisable during Covid-19.
Another idea is to make a day of it by combining a Spa treatment at Buddha Spa with a great afternoon by the pool or in the bay and meals at Lolha!
Above all else, the staff is taking every precaution to keep everyone safe and are dedicated to maintaining the strictest of measures for Covid-19 sanitation, from taking everyone’s temp as you enter the resort to using menus you can download on your phone, washing hands regularly, wearing protective gear, and thoroughly sanitizing every table after use. That, along with nature’s sanitation - lots of sunshine and fresh air - you can relax and enjoy yourselves at Lolha.