LOLA 55 is a fine casual restaurant inspired by immersive travels throughout the culinary landscape of Mexico’s vibrant regions located in the IDEA1 building in East Village, downtown San Diego. Utilizing a counter-service model, the restaurant aims to celebrate local produce to create a chef-driven concept rooted in Mexican-inspired fare. In its design approach, LOLA 55 tapped the principals at the award-winning LA-based firm Bells and Whistles (Campfire, Sycamore Den, Starlite), challenging them to honor the concept’s Mexican heritage while infusing the space with a Memphis-inspired aesthetic. To bring this to fruition, the team utilized a color palette consisting primarily of peach, aqua and turquoise accented by plants intended to inspire an inherent tropical feeling reminiscent of time spent away on a sun-drenched vacation.

Decorative elements including a unique white Terrazzo bar top, steel, and geometric components were woven together to give the property a retro, yet modern feel – equally playful and sophisticated.