Date Night at Lola

Hi, Friends! This past Saturday, my husband and I found ourselves in the rare position of having a free night alone together. Time for a Date Night! We are always up for trying something new, and our culinary curiosity led us to Manchester.

Since Lola Mediterranean Woodfire opened its doors back in October, it has been high on my list of places to try. The buzz around town has been incredible; genuinely, everyone I know who has dined there has raved about it, including one of my chef pals. Their modern take on Greek and Mediterranean flavors have clearly made a significant impression in a very short time. 

Forbidden Fruit & Meet Me in Mykonos / Tirokafteri Dip & Homemade Pita

As a testament to its popularity, there were no reservations available for Saturday, and we were bummed that we didn’t think ahead far enough. Luckily, the bar and pizza counter are first come, first served spots, so we quickly spruced up, booked it out the door, and hoped for the best!

Luck was on our side that night, because there were two spots just waiting for us at the marble-topped pizza counter. We were happy to be seated right in front of the beautiful, copper-domed woodfired oven. It was super cozy on a frigid, winter night. Our spontaneity had proved successful and we had found ourselves a little romantic “hygge” right here in Vermont.

Our experience at Lola was outstanding. The service, the ambiance, the food, the cocktails- all of it. One of my favorite moments was watching the homemade pita cooking in the woodfired oven as it puffed up into a cute, doughy balloon, and then deflated into a delicious disc of herbed awesomeness. We tried two tasty dips with our pita:the tangy tirokafteri (spicy feta) and the garlicky fava bean. Our server was very friendly and knowledgeable- she helped my husband decide on a drink since there were so many unique options on the menu. And that was just the start of a wonderful meal!

I highly recommend a visit to Lola Mediterranean Woodfire. It’s cozy, yet modern. It’s upscale, yet approachable. But most importantly, it’s just tasty. It’s perfect for a date night or any other occasion you can imagine. Valentine’s Day Weekend is coming SOON, so don’t delay!

Manchester Life Magazine has a New in Town section in every issue, highlighting all the new businesses that have opened up in the Shires since our last publication. In the Holiday ‘25/Winter ‘26 issue, you’ll find restaurants like Lola, lodging establishments, retail shops, and more to help guide your own spontaneous outings. Go forth and explore, everyone!

Prasopita- braised leeks, spinach, and feta wrapped in phyllo and baked. Served with onion yogurt and dill. The leeks give it a lovely, subtle onion flavor. A nice alternative to the classic spanikopita, which is made with spinach only.

Fig & Harissa Pizza- harissa sauce, fig, za'atar honey, mozzarella, oregano, garlic, sopressata. The honey and fig add a delightfully nuanced sweetness to this mildly spicy woodfired treat.

Eternal Sunshine- whiskey, blood orange honey, acid reduced orange, bitters, garnished with a dried cinnamon orange wheel. Our server’s favorite cocktail on the current menu. The honey adds so much depth of flavor to this bright, citrusy beverage.

Chicken Souvlaki- Large 6 oz skewer served with pita bread, pickles, charred vegetables, and tzatziki. This dish was the perfect example of Lola’s modern take on classic Greek cuisine. Juicy and flavorful, especially when you get a taste of the chicken, pickle, and tzatziki all in one bite!

We tried so many savory things at Lola Mediterranean Woodfire, we didn’t have room for dessert, but you bet we’ll be back for more!