Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
LoLa 41 bistro to bring global cuisine, sushi bar to Palm Beach
Marco Coelho mixed drinks and waited tables in the town of Palm Beach for a decade. Twenty years later, he’s returning to the island as a restaurateur for the opening of his third outpost of LoLa 41 in February.
It will be nestled in the upcoming White Elephant Palm Beach, which is debuting after a transformation from the Bradley Park Hotel.
Coelho founded the original location of this global bistro and sushi bar in 2006 in Nantucket off the coast of Massachusetts.
“I am incredibly grateful and humbled,” he says. “This opportunity came up, and it was like fate. I had always wanted to have a restaurant of my own here. LoLa is such an iconic place in New England that we have received many requests to open from Miami to New York
City to Las Vegas.”
The décor, which he describes as “low lights plus high energy with a cool, smart, and chic look,” reflects his upbringing in Brazil.
“I grew up in the garment business and studied fashion early on,” Coelho says. “A lot of the glamour and feel for the ambiance comes from those roots. We will have slightly brighter colors than from the restaurants up north to bring out that Florida vibe. But the minute you walk in, you will definitely feel like you are in LoLa.”
Mother-of-pearl chandeliers will hang amid a palette of red, gold, deep brown, black and white with Venetian plaster, original artwork and a concrete bar embedded with antique coins from countries across the 41st parallel. Poolside dining will grace a landscaped courtyard and DJs will entertain occasionally.
The eclectic menu will mirror the Nantucket and Boston locations with a couple of Florida seafood specialties exclusive to Palm Beach.
Signatures include tempura king crab leg with sweet chili sauce ($21) and hamachi sashimi with serrano, cilantro, sriracha and ponzu sauce ($22). The LoLa Burger arrives on an oversize English muffin topped with aged cheddar and red-onion compote while foie gras gravy doubles as dipping sauce for fries ($23).
Coelho calls the Korean bulgogi with Chinese broccoli and crispy garlic a must-try. “It is such a traditional dish,” he says. “It’s a great balance between the fresh egg noodles, tender beef and the deep, rich spice that is inherent in the dish.”
Another of his favorites is the Honshu sushi roll with tuna, cucumber, avocado and poke sauce ($25). “The fresh hamachi with serrano and lime is a great combination for that perfect bite,” he says. “I like to pair it with my favorite Moriko sake or with a glass of Veuve rosé.”
Desserts include tres leches and a chocolate pretzel crunch parfait with whipped mascarpone and dulce de leche (both $11).
Coelho won’t craft the cocktails himself anymore, but highlights will include the Tigger with tequila, honey and lemon ($17) and LoLa Spritz with yuzu liqueur, Aperol, elderflower and Prosecco ($18).
“I don’t think I would be where I am had it not been for the amazing experience that I had in Palm Beach,” he says. “I can’t wait to see what this next chapter brings.”
Nightly dinner and eventually breakfast and lunch will be served at 290 Sunset Ave. Visit Lola41.com for more details.