LA Lounge and Spa

Elite '09

89

124

Damon I.

Boston, MA

8/6/2008

Having done some time in LA, it's always amusing to see how derivatively wrong something "LA style" can be.  LA Lounge has fun touches like the hanging cocktail chairs out of Logan's Run, fuzzy carpets that invite shoe abandonment and long comforting couches.  The regular tables are a bit wide and put one at disconcerting distance for intimate conversation and footsies.

Dinner and drinks were delightful though our server was a bit green (nearly spilled after meal coffee)  The Mango Mojito contained a refreshing burst of mint and mango and was brought by the eager bartender himself.    We started with fried green tomatoes and mozarella -  a fine blend of Southern pride and Italian mangia.  The crab cake was yummy and a fish dish (exactly which kind escapes me for the moment) wasn't amazing but sat atop a bed of wonderful pimento.  

LA Lounge is big city fusion dropped in a cozy town.  While the decor seemed a little misguided, the dining experience was pleasantly surprising.  Take someone special to soak  in the sights of Greenville over sophisticated sustenance.

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Elite '09

121

160

Melissa C.

Boston, MA

6/30/2008

When I was told Starlight was closed for a summer vacation, I had given up on good lunches.

When I was told, "you have to try LA Lounge." I only nodded and followed along. I was sure that I was about to go to another restaurant that hands you a grilled cheese sandwich and calls it a panini.

Although the name conjured up images of a gym cafe, one glance at the interior told me that I had passed judgment too soon. A softly lit, open space, full of mossy-looking throw rugs and palm fronds. The decor is predominantly boho, dotted with mod accents.

The menu is small, which I generally prefer, however, I had trouble finding items that did not have applewood bacon in them. Requesting that the bacon be removed, I tried the Carolina Shrimp Quesadillas and the House Cured and Smoked Salmon Flatbread.

The salmon was fabulous, traditional flavor combinations in an inspired entree.

I loved the house made corn tortillas in the Shrimp Quesadillas, but found the dish to be bland, overall. The shrimp appeared seasoned but not flavorful. I think the use of pimiento cheese was an interesting choice that unfortunately only promoted the general blandness of the entree. Perhaps it relies on the bacon for its flavor, but a bacon-flavored quesadilla is not really any more appropriate than a bland quesadilla. All in all, the quesadilla was nice enough, but unimpressive and a bit too fusion-y for my preference.

Anyway, for the area, this restaurant is gem. It immediately became one of my favorites. Yes, I'd like to see a little less red meat on the menu, but I'm happy to see a place where you can get more than just sandwiches for lunch. And they say they'll have a Sunday brunch soon, please let that happen very soon, I'm dying for a good brunch.

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