About Us
Lolita Restaurant is a Mexican Restaurant located in Philadelphia in Midtown Village. Originally opened in 2004 by restaurateurs Chef Marcie Turney and Valerie Safran, it underwent a major renovation in 2014 and reopened with a fresh look, a new Mexican street food-inspired menu and a full liquor license. The extensive full-scale renovation highlights the addition of a 16-seat bar and chef’s counter looking into the open kitchen.
Lolita seats 45 guests with additional outdoor sidewalk seating in the warmer months. Reservations are accepted every day for lunch and dinner, while seating at the bar and chef’s counter is on a first come, first served basis. We have a full liquor license and accept all major credit cards.
In October of 2002 Marcie Turney and Valerie Safran began a revitalization on the corner of 13th and Chestnut Streets in Center City. With the launch of Open House, the area known as Midtown Village had it’s first modern yet relaxed housewares boutique. Within months Open House doubled in size and in 2003 was named Best of Philly for a housewares store by Philadelphia Magazine.
In March 2004 the women then crossed the street from Open House to open Lolita Restaurant, a modern Mexican restaurant that has since received numerous accolades, including Best Margarita in Philadelphia Magazine and Philadelphia: Where To Go Next by Food and Wine Magazine.
In August of 2006 Grocery, a gourmet food market, opened at the corner of 13th & Chestnut. With this venture Marcie and Valerie make flavorful and restaurant-quality foods available in an everyday gourmet market.
In May, 2009 the pair opened an accessories and artisanal chocolate boutique called Verde. Located right next door to Lolita, this boutique houses jewelry and other gift items, as well as Marcie Blaine Artisanal Chocolates.
In addition to her work as executive chef at her restaurants, Turney created her own signature line of chocolates. The chocolates have even garnered recognition from Oprah Magazine (Feb ’11) praising the “delicious” combinations that “are inspired by global cuisine.”
In September, 2010 Marcie and Valerie opened Barbuzzo, a Mediterranean Kitchen and Bar, at 110 S. 13th Street. Barbuzzo and Chef Turney have garnered national attention including, a James Beard nomination for Best New Restaurant, 2011 and Best New Restaurant and Best Dessert by Philadelphia Magazine.
In 2012, Jamonera, a Spanish restaurant and wine bar was opened at 105 S. 13th St. and was listed as one of the Top 50 Restaurants, 2013 by Philadelphia Magazine. Jamonera features one of the largest Sherry lists in the country.
Finally, in September, 2013, the pair opened Little Nonna’s off the corner of 13th and Locust. This restaurant was an immediate hit with its inspired takes on classic Italian-American dishes.
Valerie and Marcie were honored in 2014 to be nominated by the James Beard Foundation as a semifinalist for the Outstanding Restauranteur category. The pair now own 7 different restaurant and retail concepts on 13th Street between Chestnut and Locust in the Midtown Village neighborhood and are proud to call Philadelphia home.
