Owner Kathy Lola Domitrovich gets ready to welcome patrons at Friday night's opening.
Sydney Bender

Lola's Returns to Add Cajun Spice to Oak Bluffs

Lola's Southern Seafood re-opened turned on Friday - for the third time in 20 years. Old favorites like Mussels ala Lola will still be offered, and so will a late night dancing scene, but this time mainly with DJs spinning the tunes.

It was never goodbye. It was always see you later.

Lola’s Southern Seafood, the restaurant and nightclub located at 15 Indian Inn road in Oak Bluffs is back — for the third time.

The Oak Bluffs hangout first opened its doors on the fourth of July in 1994 by owners and seasonal residents Kathy Lola Domitrovich and Paul Domitrovich. Lola’s quickly became known for pairing southern soul food with Smokey Robinson and the Supremes.

“Now it’s our 20th anniversary,” said Ms. Domitrovich, who is also a chef. “Well, give or take a few years.”

Official re-opening party is Saturday, May 10.
Sydney Bender
Official re-opening party is Saturday, May 10.
Sydney Bender

After 15 consecutive seasons Mr. and Ms. Domitrovich sold the business to Doug and Leslie Hewson, owners of the restaurant Mediterranean. Then, in August of 2010, after Mr. and Ms. Hewson announced they were not going to continue running Mediterranean, Mr. and Ms. Domitrovich returned to the Island and re-opened Lola’s. Two years later the Domitroviches sold the restaurant to Atria owners Christian and Greer Thornton, who opened a new restaurant there called Hooked in May 2012.

This past winter, Ms. Domitrovich heard that Mr. and Ms. Thornton were not going to run Hooked for another season.

“I heard this and said to my husband, ‘You know, we should return,’ and I thought he would say, ‘Not again!’ But he said, ‘Yes!’”

Mr. and Mrs. Domitrovich never sold the real estate. “That’s how we were able to get it back each time,” she said.

Lola’s officially re-opened on Friday, May 2. Ms. Domitrovich greeted guests at the door and Mr. Domitrovich talked up patrons at the bar.

Owners Kathy Lola Domitrovich and Paul Domitrovich, and manager Kristin Finley Brown.
Sydney Bender
Owners Kathy Lola Domitrovich and Paul Domitrovich, and manager Kristin Finley Brown.
Sydney Bender

“I’m the steak and he’s the sizzle,” Ms. Domitrovich said. “I’m Lola and he’s Mr. Lola. Not too much has changed, except our ages. My husband is 80 now, but we’re still the young souls that started this place.”

“Some things are a little different this time around, but the soul is still here,” she added.

What is different? For starters, the napkins.

“Apparently nobody makes leopard print cloth napkins anymore,” said Ms. Domitrovich. “But we found these fabulous multicolored ones and I absolutely love them.”

Also new is the addition of chef Chad Ford. “He’s a great chef for the restaurant. I gave him all the old Lola’s menus and he put his own twist on some things.”

Rest assured, old favorites like Mussels ala Lola will still be offered, Ms. Domitrovich said.

Highlights from the new menu include magic dusted fried chicken wings served with a watermelon wedge, Georgia peach salad with grilled shrimp and Bad Martha’s Beer battered catfish with tiger fries.

Using DJs will also be new, Ms. Domitrovich said. “We’ll still have dancing and music seven nights a week but not as much live music. The age of live music is hard and just not in the cost. But we do have a couple of good local bands and some good DJs.”

“What I realized when Lola’s wasn’t open was that there was nowhere for people over 40 to dance,” Ms. Domitrovich added. “I like to fill that niche. At Lola’s someone who is 22 could be dancing next to a bunch of 80-year-olds.”

The grand opening and 20th anniversary party for Lola’s is Saturday, May 10 at 9 p.m.

Comments

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 05/05/2014 - 14:21

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Joseph Paul Uranker Oak Bluffs

Welcome back,looking forward and to enjoying Mussels ala Lola again and again,putting in my reservations for Mother Day today.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 05/05/2014 - 16:20

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Nancy New York

We missed you SO much! Please have the jambalaya - both regular and veggie! We are SO excited.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 05/05/2014 - 19:11

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Catherine English New York, NY

Lola's is a coming home...When I visit the vineyard it is not the same when

Lola's is not there.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 05/06/2014 - 07:39

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Jack O'Callaghan Vineyard Haven

Mmmmm... Hope the Smoked Grilled Calamari is back as well !!!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 05/06/2014 - 08:55

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Beth Tafuri Mamaroneck, NY

My husband and I have been visiting the Island for many years and Lola's was one of the first places we went. We always check to see if you are there and the years you weren't made us sad. Can't wait to come back and eat your great food and dance the night away!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 05/06/2014 - 09:38

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Nick Turdean Edgartown

Welcome back!
We hope you'll continue the great live local band tradition with Johnny Hoy and the Bluefish among others.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 05/06/2014 - 12:27

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Ann Haley Pittsburgh, PA

Welcome back....we surely missed you and can't wait to taste that chicken again.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 05/06/2014 - 14:45

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Frank & Linda Murray Oak Bluffs

YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WELCOME BACK!!!! We will look forward to picking up where with left off with a new "Twist".

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 05/06/2014 - 22:35

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The Tomlinsons Tampa, FL

Best of luck with your grand re-opening! We love you guys and hope to make it up there this summer!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 05/06/2014 - 22:43

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Karen Selsey New York

Kathy and Paul, we have missed having you as a part of our Island life. Thanks for coming back. See you soon

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 05/07/2014 - 09:25

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Liz Wayne, PA

Hallelujah! Lola's always has been a favorite of our entire family. A wonderful place where you always feel welcome, the food is amazing, and Yes the dancing across Generations! Welcome Home!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 05/07/2014 - 16:21

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Dennis McAndrews Wayne, Pa

Everyone in my family and our friends are all thrilled to hear of the triumphant return of Lola's. At Lola's, we always feel so welcome, the food is great, and the atmosphere is fantastic! Welcome home!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 05/08/2014 - 13:26

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Dexter and Marilyn East Chop

Really glad you are back. Looking forward to seeing Mark behind the bar again. See you this weekend,

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 05/10/2014 - 15:23

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stiles, Kenneth J. Randolph, MA

Jacqui and I are looking forward to enjoying a great dinner and dancing with Paul and Renee Metell this summer.
Glade your back, Lola.

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 05/11/2014 - 14:35

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Francine & Mike Buono Huntington Beach California

Our mouth is watering weigh envy because we are not there for your grand opening! Best of luck & God speed with Lola's return

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Thu, 05/22/2014 - 16:04

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Deb McDonagh Boston

This is the best news I've heard in awhile. Thanks Kathy & Lola. Can't wait!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 07/01/2014 - 16:27

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Denise Litchfield, CT

My sons are THRILLED you are back! As they say, "It's not the same on the Vineyard without being able to go to Lola's!"

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 07/08/2014 - 21:55

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Calvin and Nora Price Madison Ct

Welcome back! We look forward to our visit. We always enjoy the great food .

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 07/21/2014 - 23:10

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Phil Hart Hollywoos

Welcome back. I think I was the first customer when Lola's first opened in 1994.

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