Lola’s Peruvian Beef Stew: A Cold Weather Comfort in Glendale

As temperatures plummet, especially with Downtown LA recently recording a high of 50 degrees, a hearty stew becomes not just a meal but a sanctuary. Lola’s Peruvian Restaurant in Glendale offers precisely that with its exceptional beef stew, a dish that transcends mere sustenance to become a soul-soothing experience.

A Glendale Staple with Peruvian Heart

for almost two decades, Lola’s Peruvian Restaurant has been a haven for those seeking authentic South American flavors, particularly Peruvian cuisine. While boasting ceviches, saltados, and arroz chaufa, it’s their slow-cooked beef shank stew that truly shines.

The Anatomy of Comfort: Lola’s Beef Stew

The stew, a labor of love, simmers for five hours, infusing bone-in beef shank with cilantro, peas, red wine, and a medley of aromatics including aji amarillo. The result is a slow burn of spice, perfectly balanced by the acidity of salsa criolla.

The base of creamy mashed potatoes is “excellent on their own,” providing a canvas for the “thick gravy-like sauce” that promises to soothe the most weary soul. The aji amarillo peppers impart a nuanced heat,contributing to the dish’s complexity and warmth.

More Than Just a Meal: A Cultural Experience

Lola’s goes beyond culinary excellence by hosting live music on select nights, creating an immersive experience. Patrons can “sip a pisco sour” while enjoying the music, completing the cold-weather comfort experience.

Practical Application: Making the Most of Your Visit

1. Timing is Key: Visit on a night with live music for an enhanced experience.
2. Spice Level Awareness: Be prepared for a slow, manageable spice from the aji amarillo.
3. Explore the Menu: While the stew is a must-try, explore other Peruvian classics like ceviche.
4. Pisco Sour Pairing: Complement your meal with a pisco sour for the full Peruvian experience.

Lola’s Peruvian Restaurant, located at _230 N. Brand Boulevard #2610, Glendale, CA 91203,_ is a cold-weather sanctuary that shouldn’t be missed. The slow-cooked stew,according to one reviewer,is “cold-weather food at its finest.”

Los Angeles culinary Scene: Budonoki’s Steak Frites and Hi.Dozo’s Sushi Delivery

Los Angeles continues to offer a diverse and evolving culinary landscape. Recent highlights include a revamped dish at Budonoki and a high-end sushi delivery service, Hi.Dozo.

Budonoki’s Wagyu Zabuton Steak Frites

Budonoki, located at 654 Virgil Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90004, has transformed its wagyu zabuton into a steak frites dish. This transition aligns with their menu of creative drinking dishes and snacks.

The steak is cooked to an “ideal medium-rare” and features a “smooth au poivre sauce.” Complementing the tender meat are “golden brown and hot” fries,offering a balanced crispness.

A suggestion to enhance the experience is to order the Budo-gnocchi. According to a review, “the leftover dredges of truffle sauce make for great French fry dipping.”

Hi.Dozo’s premium Sushi Delivery

Hi.Dozo, a delivery-only service from chef Daisuke Nakazawa, is making waves in Los Angeles. Nakazawa, known for his New York City omakase, is soon bringing his celebrated restaurant to LA.

the Deep Dive, priced at $54 (before delivery fees), includes “12 pieces of nigiri, and four pieces of futomaki with Japanese whole-grain mustard.”

The quality of the rice and fish is particularly noteworthy. “The intensity of the rice balanced with sweetness and the brightness of vinegar made it stand out for me,” states one reviewer. Thay also highlight, “The fish was amazing, as good as a top-tier omakase, each piece exuding a plump bite.”

Hi.Dozo is available for delivery via Doordash.

Deep Dive: The Allure of Omakase at Home

The increasing popularity of high-end sushi delivery services, like Hi.Dozo, highlights a desire for premium dining experiences within the comfort of one’s home. Omakase, which translates to “I’ll leave it to you,” is a japanese dining style where the chef selects and serves the dishes, frequently enough showcasing the freshest seasonal ingredients. Bringing that level of culinary expertise home offers convenience without sacrificing quality.Services like Hi.Dozo frequently enough use specialized packaging, temperature control, and expedited delivery to maintain the sushi’s integrity, ensuring a near-restaurant experience.

The Evolving Landscape of Steak Frites

Steak frites, a classic dish, continues to evolve with innovative interpretations.Budonoki’s use of wagyu zabuton, a highly prized cut of beef, elevates the dish to new heights. The au poivre sauce, a pepper-based cream sauce, provides a rich and complementary flavor. Creative additions, like the recommendation to dip fries in truffle sauce from the Budo-gnocchi, adds a unique twist. This highlights the importance of culinary creativity and the ability to reimagine classic dishes with premium ingredients and inventive pairings.

What other types of dishes, besides stew, does Lola’s Peruvian Restaurant offer that might be considered comforting?

Glendale’s Culinary Comfort: An Interview with Food Critic Anya Sharma on Lola’s Peruvian Stew

With the recent cold snap hitting Los Angeles, we at Archyde wanted to delve into what makes a truly comforting meal. We spoke with Anya Sharma, a renowned food critic specializing in Los Angeles cuisine, about Lola’s Peruvian restaurant in Glendale and their much-lauded beef stew.

Experiencing Peruvian Comfort food in glendale

Archyde: Anya, thanks for joining us. Lola’s Peruvian has been a Glendale staple for years. What makes their beef stew stand out, especially when looking for comfort food?

Anya Sharma: Absolutely! Lola’s gets it right.It’s not just about filling you up; it’s about warming you from the inside out. The slow-cooked beef shank is incredibly tender, and the cilantro sauce is vibrant and flavorful. It’s a real taste of Peruvian home cooking, even here in glendale.

The Secret Ingredients: Aji Amarillo and Slow Cooking

Archyde: The article mentions aji amarillo peppers providing a ‘slow burn of spice.’ How noticeable is that spice for someone new to Peruvian cuisine, and does it truly enhance the comfort factor?

Anya Sharma: The aji amarillo provides a gentle warmth, not an overwhelming heat. It’s more of a subtle complexity that unfolds as you eat. That warmth, paired with the richness of the stew and the creamy mashed potatoes, definitely contributes to that comforting feeling. it’s welcoming, not intimidating, even for spice novices.

Beyond the Stew: A Full Peruvian experience

Archyde: Lola’s also offers live music and pisco sours. How does that enhance the overall dining experience, especially for someone looking for a cold-weather escape?]

Anya Sharma: It transforms it! The live music creates a lively, immersive atmosphere, transporting you from a chilly Glendale evening to the vibrant culture of Peru. Sipping a pisco sour while enjoying the music alongside a hearty stew… it’s an experience that engages all the senses. It’s not *just* dinner; it’s an evening out.

LA’s Changing Culinary Landscape: Sushi and Steak Frites

Archyde: Beyond Lola’s, Los Angeles seems to be constantly evolving culinarily. What are your thoughts on trends like the high-end sushi delivery from hi.Dozo and the updated Wagyu steak frites at Budonoki?

Anya Sharma: It speaks to LA’s culinary maturity. Hi.Dozo brings omakase quality into your home, catering to convenience without sacrificing excellence. And Budonoki’s steak frites,with Wagyu zabuton,shows a chef’s creativity in elevating a classic dish. It proves that comfort food can be both refined and accessible.

Food for Thought: Your Comfort Food Questions

Archyde: Excellent insights, Anya! what is *your* personal comfort food dish besides beef stew? And to our readers, what’s your ultimate go-to comfort meal on a cold day? Share your thoughts in the comments below!