Lala, the new restaurant from singer Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, Bad Bunny, and his manager Noah Assad, has just opened to the public at the Mall of San Juan.
"lala is an experience where the flavors of contemporary cuisine converge. Our concept fuses different gastronomic models in a way that honors the diversity of flavors from multiple parts of the world," said Daniel Vitiello, general manager of lala.
The lala menu and prices
Sharing plates and main courses average $15 to $60. Some meat dishes can reach $74, while most plates, such as pastas and seafood, average $25 to $35.
"Our mission is clear: to be a destination for food enthusiasts, adventurers and those seeking a culinary experience beyond the ordinary. lala is designed to make you feel at home, regardless of where you come from. In the end, our greatest wish is that everyone gives lala their own meaning," Vitiello said, adding that the restaurant involved an investment of around $5 million and has, to date, created more than 200 jobs, both direct and indirect.
Chef Guillermo López Folch's vision and the lala menu
With more than a decade of experience in the culinary industry, Puerto Rican chef Guillermo López Folch joins the team to bring dishes such as the Filet Mignon, the Wellington and house-made fresh pastas to life.
"Through lala, I have the opportunity to share my passion for gastronomy and, especially, contemporary cuisine, in a place that goes beyond a dining experience. We have taken a bold stance, seeking perfect harmonies between unconventional ingredients," said Chef López Folch.
The food offering will be paired with a wine list that includes around 300 labels from wine regions around the world. Added to that is a craft cocktail menu overseen by mixologists Luis 'Bigote' González, Anthony Vargas and José "Chuck" Rivera, under the consultancy of the firm Liquid LLC. The cocktail menu developed by the team includes the Electric Limoncillo; Ser Humilde; Jazmín; Yao Min; Clorofila; Lalalandia and Quickie.
lala also offers several dessert options, among them the Chocolate Praline Bar and the Tropical Tart.
The design of lala, an ode to Puerto Rico's topography
lala covers 8,974 square feet with seating for 170 diners, private dining rooms, a VIP area, a bar, a chef's table, a Raw Bar and a terrace.
The design was inspired by the island, the movement of ocean waves and the silhouettes of the mountains of la Cordillera Central. That experience extends to the exterior, where nature intertwines with the terrace pergola. The pergola is a tree-canopy structure of white aluminum tubes that floats and moves with the wind.
The large sculptures in the main dining room, as well as the one installed on the terrace, the reception desk and the tables in the private dining rooms, Green and Blue, were all made by Puerto Rican artist Luisel Zayas.
This content was translated with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
