For an early taste of Lolita’s, I Love the Burg is hosting an exclusive preview night with the restaurant on Thursday, July 20, where guests will enjoy a seven course Chef’s Tasting Menu and bubbly. Limited to 30 guests, tickets and information here. *Update: the preview dinner is now sold out. We look forward to seeing everyone there!*

After St. Pete had to go without for nearly three months, Lolita’s Wine Market is making its triumphant return in historic (and beautiful) new digs in the Warehouse Arts District this weekend. Lolita’s, formerly located on 18^th Street, officially opens in its new location at 420 22^nd Street South on Friday, July 21 inside the Historic Seaboard Train Station, home to the Morean Center for Clay.

As part of the move, Lolita’s has not only expanded the menu (more on that below), but also added a beautiful garden for outdoor seating. The indoor portion of the restaurant, The Dining Room at Lolita’s, seats 32 and will be reservation-only. The outdoor space, El Jardin, will be first-come, first-served, offering Lolita’s beloved charcuterie as well as wine and salads. Reservations are available now for the indoor dining experience.

Owners Kelly Rodriguez-Laureano and Alex Rodriguez have gone to great lengths to restore the southwest end of the train station to its former glory, expertly filling the space with art and color. Kelly, as talented with design as she is in wine, brought back the beautiful windows overlooking the Pinellas Trail. And the new garden space, reminiscent of a butterfly garden, has already become a favorite for those passing by on the trail or at the train station for the art – and that’s without the wine and cheese.

New menu showcases Chef’s talents

Chef Alex, whose creations have long been a favorite in St. Pete, has outdone himself with the new menu. In addition to the rotating charcuterie offerings Lolita’s has always been praised for, his seasonal selection of shareable small and medium plates is truly must-try. I Love the Burg got an early tasting of some of the new dishes, and we couldn’t get enough.

The Latin influence is evident throughout the new menu, with big flavors and perfect pairings highlighting each dish. Of course, the special touch is nearly every single ingredient being made in-house, from hibiscus foam and smoked trout caviar to salsa macha, passionfruit ice, and a delectable pineapple-date chutney.

The sweet corn vichyssoise was one of our favorites, pairing a housemade corn arepa with a delicious lemon crème fraiche, huitlacotche, and the aforementioned smoked trout caviar. The heirloom carrots, served atop a bed of housemade citrus yogurt and topped with hibiscus foam, is the tastiest version of the vegetable we’ve ever experienced. And the star of our experience was the *literally* smoking new ceviche dish, Fire + Ice: a cool, sweet, and spicy combination of ahi tuna, jalapeno, lychee, tomatillo, toasted corn, red onion, and the frozen passionfruit-aji Amarillo granita.

Through it all, be sure to save room for dessert, and as always, be prepared for one of the area’s most thoughtfully-curated wine selections. Lolita’s will be open for dinner Wednesday-Sunday beginning at 5 pm, though ownership plans to also start brunch service later this summer and lunch service in the fall.

Enjoy an exclusive preview dinner

*Update: the preview dinner is now sold out. We look forward to seeing everyone there! Stay tuned for I Love the Burg exclusive events coming soon.*

For those who would like an early sneak peek, I Love the Burg and Lolita’s are hosting a preview night on Thursday, July 20 at 6:30 pm, featuring a seven course Chef’s Tasting Menu by Chef Alex, as well as bubbly upon arrival. Seating is limited to 30 total guests, and tickets for the event cover all food, a glass of sparkling wine, taxes, tip, and EventBrite fees. Additional wine can be purchased with dinner, with pairing suggestions available.

The Tasting Dinner will include: Amuse Buche – Truffle Foccacia; Sweet Corn Vichyssoise; Beets + Goat Cheese Salad; Eggplant; Scallops; Beef Short Rib; Cookies + Milk.

Be sure to follow Lolita’s on facebook and Instagram for more updates, and visit their website to make your reservation now. The Dining Room at Lolita’s is reservation only, and El Jardin will be open as available to walk-ups and to diners before or after their meal inside.

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