Fodor's Guide to Puerto Rico

Last Thursday evening a couple stopped at Ola Lola's and were a bit surprised (and a bit disappointed?) we were closed. We explained our days and hours, that we would be open Friday. Turns out our new friends Ben and Marlise are writers for Fodor's travel guides. They are on the island updating information for the new edition of Fodor's Guide to Puerto Rico. Unfortunately, they were moving on to Rincon on Friday and would probably miss us. We had a nice chat, talked about our little corner of the island, what's what, what's good. We told them about our menu and suggested they try One-Ten-Thai for dinner, which they did, which they loved.

We got an e-mail from them on Sunday saying they were coming for dinner on Monday. Cool! They talked to Andy at One-Ten-Thai and others about our place. The "word on the street" about Ola Lola's was so good, so positive they decided to drive back to Shacks from Rincon for dinner with us. Elaine has done such an incredible job with the food and the menu! And the word is out.

We had a nice mellow crowd on Monday, busy but not harried. Ben and Marlise got to meet some of our resident "characters" and got to bask in that one-of-a-kind Ola Lola's atmosphere. I think they thoroughly enjoyed their dinners - Elaine's Awesome Asiago-Artichoke dip, Chipotle Chicken sandwich and her Asian Chicken Sandwich.

One of the things we try to do is to (pleasantly!) surprise our guests, with excellent, first-rate service first and foremost, with our drink and beer selection, and with Elaine's amazing menu. There is a certain level of expectation when you pull up to a place like Ola Lola's. I mean, it's a rum shack. It's a cute rum shack, a "lemonade stand for grown-ups" as one of our friends described it, but a rum shack none the less. (BTW - it's more of a lemonade stand for "never grown-ups.") On the first visit, most people don't expect to find a choice of 16 beers. Or Grey Goose. Or the "best pina coladas in the world" (according to the Billabong women's surf team). You certainly don't expect a menu with four gourmet chicken sandwiches, a homemade burger with your choice of 23 different toppings. Or three amazing appetizer dips. We try to always exceed expectations.

Ben and Marlise were surprised we've only been doing this 2-1/2 years. In their experience it usually takes much longer to reach the level we've reached, in quality, variety and customer following.

First Islands magazine. Then the cover and a story about kite surfing at Shacks. And coming in 2010, Ola Lola's (and One-Ten-Thai!) in the 6th edition of Fodor's Guide to Puerto Rico. Thank you, Universe! And thank you, Ben and Marlise, for coming back to visit us! We're honored.