Lola's   

153 14th St
Hoboken, NJ 7030
201-798-2371

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Lola's is hardly Jersey's first tapas bar, but it's one of the few with a real tapas bar vibe. Lola's novel-length menu includes literally dozens of small plates of seafood, meat and vegetable preparations. Some, such as calamari cooked in its own ink, are surprising. Others, like chorizo with peppers and onions, are basically comfort food. Everything's expertly prepared and presented, but for tapas bars, the vibe's the thing. The mood should be that of a party, with much eating, much drinking and much crowd volume; Lola's certainly has that part right. Lola's struggles a little to handle the mob scene, but if the wait for a table is vexing, there are worse things than a pre-meal glass of Lola's fantastic sangria. The hacienda decor is faintly kitschy, and the music's a bit loud, but Lola's is the real deal -- and a surefire spot for a first date or a rendezvous with old friends.