Red Lulu Opens in South Norwalk
Amy Kundrat
South Norwalk can add another notch to it’s ample dining belt with newcomer Red Lulu. A sister restaurant to the vibrant scene that is Lolita Cocina in Byram, Red Lulu opened last night with an over-the-top party introducing this “Mexican speakeasy with a luxe twist” to the well-dressed masses.
The menu strikes some very familiar notes to Lolita’s inspired Mexican: bbq ribs with a coffee, chocolate and orange glaze; flautas; blackened grouper tacos; and carnitas to name just a few eye-catching bites.
Staying true to its SoNo address, the bar and lounge are front and center, housing impressive collection of tequilas and serving signature cocktails including a Red Lulu margarita, sangrias, a selection of Mexican beers, and aqua frescas.
Two floors of seating and an indoor wrap around balcony look out over the drama of the main dining area replete with large copper and glass chandeliers, blood red Damask wall coverings, and wrought iron everything.
For those who love Lolita's hopelessly cool vibe and Mexican inspired menu, the scene continues in Norwalk.
Red Lulu is located at 128 Washington Street and will be open for dinner and cocktails 7 nights a week beginning at 5 pm.
Reader Comments (36)
ANY RESTAURANT JODY PENNETTE DOES IS OVER THE TOP. HE IS A GENUIS
Was there for dinner last night...outstanding!
We found LuLu to be confused- it had the food of a high class restaurant, but with the decor of a bordello. We also found that the music was so loud that we could barely speak to enjoy our dinner. . . met some people outside with the same complaints. . . wish they'd decide if they're a restaurant or a night club!
Red Lulu knows exacty what it is - a loud, fun, sexy, over the top bar, restaurant, and nightclub that doesn't try to be anything but themselves. They are their own "category" and that's why we love them.
FELT LIKE I WAS ENTERING A FUNERAL PARLOUR. GOD AWFUL. WILL BE GIVEN ITS LAST RIGHTS IN APPROXIMATELY 6 MONTHS.
Ugh. I'd rather eat lucky charms topped with vegemite.
"We found LuLu to be confused"
Quite the opposite - it seems that people like YOU are confused.
Places with great food, loud music and dimi light like lulu in SoNo, Lolita in Byram , Molto in Fairfield and Geronimo in New Haven know exactly what they are - FUN and HIP!
It's OK that you didn't enjoy it - but don't blame it on the restaurant being confused. They have a target audience and you aren't part of it. That's all
I somewhat agree with confused. the food was fabulous, but having dinner at 8:30 the music doesn't need to be so loud you can't have a conversation. when I asked the waitress if they could turn down the music she informed me the owner wouldn't allow it, it's part of the whole Red Lulu experience. What business owner in today's financial environment doesn't accommodate the clientele? I suggest splitting the speakers so you have the loud music in the bar and quiet dinner music in the dinning room. I also felt the price for the margaritas $12.00 was outrageous and when I questioned that there wasn't any liquor in the Lolita the waitress didn't accommodate my request, just told me how the drink was made, which I really don't care, just make me a good drink The other problem was our meal was cold. If I treated my client in this manner I wouldn't be in business for very long. Jody needs to learn customer service and you do whatever you can within reason to please your clientele. Since I had a bad experience I won't be back!!!!!!
The place is over rated!!! They think they are a "Red Carpet place" so far from that.. They should really figure out if they are a restaurant? or a club!!!
But I will say one thing nice about them! The sangria is wonderful....
This place is amazing; it appeals exactly to the crowd they are going for. Lolita and Red Lulu both have their own audience and if people don't like it; so be it. The food is amazing and the entire ambiance is remarkable! Congratulations on Red Lulu and I wish you all the success in the world :)
Man there is some serious negativity coming over these wifis and hi speed cables... I guess nowadays if you can't do.. Blog. Personally, I feel the food and atmosphere is nothing short of amazing. I'll be going into Red lulu tonight to support the creative ingenuity you don't find all too often amongst so many generic tired BORING restaurants/bar/whatever. I feel sorry for all who don't get it, but people like me who can see a good time when it's smiling at you from across the bar are GRATEFUL for the choice to eat somewhere that's actually worth talking about. Oh and how dare they think their a red carpet place?? Whatever that means!
As the owner of Red Lulu, I wanted to thank you for all of the great reaction. You are absolutely right, the restaurant has a certain attitude that one either loves or hates. For what it is worth, the environment both from its decor and music was designed to invoke a cocktail party ambience combined with a full service menu. I wanted a nice hybrid between restaurant and night club and I am sorry if instead it has registered as being "confused". I always felt the dining scene had become a little too precious and the club scene was a bit too extreme . For the 30-50 years old crowd, I think Red Lulu can provide an entertaining quality evening of fresh hand squeezed margaritas and high quality clean fresh Mexican cooking. I realize it may not be for every one but I would prefer the great creative slams over ambivalence any day. Thanks again for taking notice.
Jody
While the food at LuLu was ok.. the chef is no Rick Bayless... drinks are over priced and "under-liquored"... the furniture in the bar area has got to be from a second hand store, the blue couches have holes in them, significantly warn at the corners, and a scent of old grandmother... If you want to be high end then give high end... don't go cheap on it Jody... and the night I was there they were playing Cantaloop by US3... seriously? Jody, if you are the owner, FIRE your DJ ASAP... a "Mexican Bordelo" it is not, it's like a bad theme college party... I'd concur with the folks above who say the music is loud for a restaurant, but as Jody states, that's for some and not for all... I am one of those it's not for but to each his own... bar scene I'd give it a 3 1/2 out of 5 (based on drink price an quality), restaurant I'd give a 1 1/2 out of 5 (good ideas on the menu, poor excecution, music too loud for any sort of communication aside from sign language)... and if you are looking for a mix of restaurant and nightclub you may have to make a choice between one, Rain made the wrong choice and they went out, although they really didn't have a choice since they had no potential on the food end, LuLu has the food potential, but needs to find it's true identity... it'll be interesting to see what it is in 3 to 6 months... oh, and the people at the "front of the house" need to learn basic manors... trendy does not equal obnoxious...
There are so many different styles of dining experiences to be had in Fairfield County that saying there is something for everyone is a bit of an understatement.
Conversely, not every restaurant, cuisine or trend is for everyone. I think that's where we at CTbites come in. We love to scout, celebrate and tease out the new and noteworthy in Fairfield County and share it with you so you can then go forth and discover it for yourself.
I love reading all these opinions, so I have to share my own humble opinion. When this food writer & gourmand observes something that incites this much dialogue at both ends of the spectrum, it's usually worth checking out.
I don't think that people need to be so aggressive . . . My wife and I stopped by to check this restaurant out last Saturday. We're from L.A. and were hoping that LuLu would remind us of home. Unfotunately, a few of the staff were a bit snarky towards us and the music was loud enough that even in our booth we couldn't hear each other. It' a shame. We're hoping that it gets better and more condusive to conversation . . .
I would highly recommend checking out LU-LU'S sister restaurant, LOLITA, in Greenwich, CT. Directly of exit 2 on 1-95, LOLITA is a hidden gem that has the same ambiance as LU-LU, yet it is a bit smaller and is not surrounded by bars, lounges, and food venues. The cuisine is amazing, the staff is remarkable, and the music is just right :) RED LU-LU is a great place for a fun, sexy, Friday or Saturday night out :) LOLITA is a bit more low key and defineitly worth trying!
I recently went to Red Lulu, for a "Girl's Night Out" dinner. It was amazing! Nothing better than getting away from the kids for an evening & going to a place like that!
The atmosphere was super trendy...like you just walked onto the set of True Blood. It's seems they hit the nail on the head with what's hot these days. The music was loud, I agree. So, you should be more in a party mood, than a sit down & chat mood. It's not like we couldn't talk. We just had to talk loud. I wouldn't change it, as it fits with the nightclub feel.
The margaritas were super duper expensive, as some have mentioned. It's a much better value to get a pitcher...they are huge!
We all enjoyed the fresh tasting food. The banana dessert was off the charts good. Also, the complimentary cotton candy with pop rocks? So cool! The maître d' was a bit snotty to us. But, our waitress was very attentive & nice.
I'll definitely be going again!
This place looks cool & all but after reading all these comments I sensed a pattern of negativity. I will still give it a try even though I wish they brought back OCEAN DRIVE... now that was a good restaurant.
How obvious is it when competitors and ex employees use this forum to bash businesses... I think the owner or manager proclaimed it isn't for everybody. I went with four friends and we had a blast. Why not go and make up your own mind???
I am pleased that red lulu seems to bringing something different to the SoNo scene. I think it will help jump-start down town again...and now me and my girls have a new place to eat and enjoy a sexy atmosphere. Yes, there are some kinks to be worked out but its more enjoyable each time we go. Don't fear change :)
I'm all for a cool, hip vibe,but $12-14 for a watery margarita in SoNo is absurd. Maybe Greenwich is a different matter. I also second the thought that snotty, inattentive wait staff does not add to the experience. And, if you can't hear your companions talk, just who are you satisfying? At least have one quiet area in the place where you can have a conversation, IF you are willing to pay the ridiculous drink prices. If "TEQUILA BAR" is mark of your moniker, at least have one affordable margarita or shot people can try- to either get them in the door, or keep them if they wander in. I left after being ignored by the staff and perusing the prices-not a good vibe for me.
Jadelise! I don't think you know what cool, hip vib is, why don't you tell us what hip, cool and what is a great vib. I love reading CT bites never wrote a comment on it but after reading a couple of your I couldn't let go , I grew up in Sono it was great, fun and sexy I think no I know red Lulu is going to bring that back. I been in there 3/4 times and I love it! Sono needs it but it doesn't need your negativity. You don't like it don't go in it.
John: "even though I wish they brought back OCEAN DRIVE... now that was a good restaurant."
Obviously not if they went out of business...am I right?
Don't forget there might be a difference between a GOOD restaurant and just a restaurant that you like...just sayin'
Please all of those negative posters find somewhere else, I travel and dine in every metro city, its nice to come home where there is a quality menu, cool vibe and attentive staff. The only unstuffy place with a creative menu we have in Greenwich is Baang, I now have another favorite place to meet friends and have good food and fun and it is LuLu's. I've already been there a few times and the food has been outstanding the drinks good ... the music a bit too loud and maybe the staff feeds off the poster patrons negative, this is not Greenwich, I am better than you attitude, well "f" Greenwich, Greenwich is not Manhattan.
I had no idea this thread was so lively! Went last weekend with another couple, all of us serious foodies though we are indeed more "senior" in age. I understand we're not the target "hip" audience, but we eat out often and regularly and are loyal customers when we are happy! Sorry to say we were sorely disappointed by the attitude of our waitstaff which bordered on condescending. Restaurant was half empty yet we still waited nearly 45 minutes to be served drinks, 1-1/2 hour before dinner came. Shrugged off by our wait person. The food WAS mostly very good, but between the poor "attitude", darkness that prevented us from seeing what we were eating, and inappropriately long wait, we'd recommend taking your dining dollar elsewhere where customers are valued.