It is always great when to find a new place to dine.  In this case we discovered a great little restaurant that made us feel we were on vacation for a couple of hours.  Ola Latin Kitchen located in Fairfield County was a pleasant surprise.  A Latin American/tropical themed decor matched with a latin fusion menu was the recipe for a fun evening.   The interior of blue and golden walls remind one of the ocean and the golden sun, while ceiling fans, potted palms and banana trees create the illusion of the tropics. The menu of Latin Fusion blends flavors and cooking styles from Latin America, Mexico, Portugal and Spain.

It was in this inviting setting that we dined.  We sampled some wonderful tropical cocktails including the Passionfruit Mojito and the Coquito Tropical, both refreshing drinks to start our meal. Ingredient selection can make or break a cocktail and you could tell these cocktails were made with fresh .

Ola Latin Kitchen is a great place to enjoy tapas (small plates) that you can share with the rest of your dining party and engage each other in a communal enjoyment of your food.  We ordered the QUESADILLA DE VEGETABLES, a nice veggie dish prepared with seasonal fresh vegetables, three cheese blend in a creme fresca.  So good.

We also enjoyed  the Tacos de Quinoa, a healthy alternative to tacos made with organic quinoa, plantains, mushroom, spinach, and pico de gallo.  A interesting and flavorful take on this Mexican staple. The Calamari was fantastic, lightly breaded and served with a mango and chipotle aioli. Very fresh and tangy and a nice presentation as well on a long rectangular white plate.

For those who desire meat, the Pinchus is a good choice. Seared beef served on a skewer with rectangle shaped fried yucca, pico de gallo and a chipotle aioli and presented with a violet flower.  A great dish with a fine presentation.

I always love a good Seafood Paella and I was anxious to try this dish which is available for one or two.  The presentation of the dish was beautiful with twin slices of fried plantain crowning the dish.  The dish consisted of shrimp,mussels,clams,scallops,fish of the day ,smoked chorizo, saffron, braised tomatoes and a roasted garlic sofrito.  A really fine interpretation of this classic Spanish dish and highlights the Latin fusion influences in the menu.

After great cocktails and our meal we managed some room to sample some Latin desserts and the Tres Leches cake with coconut was delish and was the coffee flan and the empandas with nutella.

Ola Latin Kitchen is a great place to escape for a few hours to the relaxing vibe of the tropics.  The fantastic Latin fusion menu under chef/owner Rene Lemus will having you return again to try more exciting dishes.

Ola Latin Kitchen

694 Brooklawn Ave Bridgeport Ct  (on the Fairfield  border) 

web:   http://www.olalatinkitchen.com

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