Lola Coastal Mexican’s renovation revealed | Eater Denver

"A 17-year-old coastal Mexican restaurant in Denver’s Lower Highland was recently overhauled at the request of owner Dave Query, who tapped interior designer Kari Whitman—known for hotel projects in New York, Baltimore, and Los Angeles—to add eco-friendly touches and create an oceanside-retreat atmosphere. The refreshed space is bright and open with white-and-blue decor, chunky ropes, graphic wallpaper, blue glass buoy light fixtures, a rope chandelier, and murals depicting horses on the beach and a woman with a red flower in her hair; tables reuse pine reclaimed from the restaurant’s former floor. Outdoor and group dining were prioritized: the patio features a three-person swing that looks into the dining room, two styles of table seating, and a bar with garage doors for easy patio access plus a 14-top communal table, while a downstairs bar and seating area provide a more intimate dining option. In addition to the redesign, Baja chef Javier Plascencia has taken over the kitchen, signaling a culinary refresh alongside the interior changes." - Susan Stapleton