Loló, In Living Color on Valencia

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After six years of booming business on 22nd Street, Loló has made the move to Valencia, becoming the latest addition to its booming restaurant row. The vibrant Mexican spot, owned by executive chef Jorge Martinez, his wife Lorena Zertuche, and GM Juan Carlos Ruelas, has moved to a significantly larger space, with 65 seats, an open kitchen, two bar areas, and a downstairs private dining room that accommodates 20 (that last one won't open until the spring). The eye-popping former Lot 7 space, overhauled by Zertuche, features tons of color and a wealth of fun and inventive touches, from a wall covered in more than a thousand origami boats to salvaged car doors and pickup truck seats used as benches.

Fans of Loló's menu at the old location will find all of the Mexican-inspired favorites, like tacos tropical with panko-encrusted shrimp in a jicama "shell," fried brussels sprouts with shallots and hazelnuts, and the seared tuna tacon with avocado and aioli, in full force. There are also some new items inspired by Jalisco, like sopes made with oysters and confit pork jowl, Dungeness crab croquetas, and birria with short rib, clams, and shrimp. For those embarking on their first visit to Loló, keep in mind that it's a small-plates, sharing-oriented experience. Here's the full menu.

On the beverage side of things, bar managers David Gallardo and Leon Vasquez have upped the ante on Loló's typically agave-centric cocktail program, with an increased focus on mezcal. The duo are offering original drinks like the Gold Digger (mezcal, yellow Chartreuse, tonic syrup, grapefruit bitters) as well as riffs on classics like a pomegranate-infused tequila mule with a hint of mezcal. A nine-seat "agave bar" (no cocktails) will feature a rotating flight of mezcals and tequilas, with three one-ounce tasting portions for $10-12; cocktail drinkers can sip at the front bar or at their table.

As of tonight, Loló's hours will be Monday-Thursday, 6 pm-12 am, and Friday-Saturday, 6 pm-1 am. (Yup, that means a new open-late option in the Mission; they were only open until 10 pm and midnight, respectively, at the old location.) Brunch and lunch service should come online next month, and there's still no word on what the partners plan to do with the restaurant's former home, which it only vacated a couple of weeks back.

· Loló Closes For Move to Valencia [~ ESF ~]
· Loló Taking Over Lot 7 Space [~ ESF ~]
· SF's 20 Most Underrated Restaurants [~ ESF ~]