Where are they now?

Paul & Kathy (Hanzakos) Domitrovich are at LOLA'S!

Lola's Southern Seafood on Martha's Vineyard
Contributing Writer Elena Kerasiotis

Many have asked Malista where certain Detroiters have landed. Where are they now? To start the series we selected Detroit's own, Kathy Hanzakos Domitrovich. Kathy relocated to Manhatten in 1983 leaving Ham Heaven and Detroit behind for the glamour of "the City." After a brief detour to Long Island's Jones Beach Hotel, Kathy, her husband Paul, and son, Michael, landed in Martha's Vineyard and the rest is history…

Lola Kathy and Paul Domitrovich have been cooking up great food and fun for their customers on Martha's Vineyard for the past 12 years. Before that, they had two restaurants in Manhattan - one was located in Tribeca, three blocks below the world trade center, and the other in Midtown near the side door of Lord and Taylor. If you ask them which location they prefer they will always say, "We loved New York City, but the restaurant scene is fickle. Martha's Vineyard has been good to us. It is like living and working in paradise. Your customers are loyal and come back every year looking for us. We have watched them party down as young adults, watch them get married and even baptize their kids." Visiting Lola's is a true family experience and one that is a must do when visiting the island. Lola's is located on Beach Road, Oak Bluffs, MA. Need directions just ask any cab driver, they'll take you right there.

Lola can usually be found in the kitchen cooking up her southern seafood specialties with the same cooks that have been by her side since opening day. Paul is always found moving from table to table greeting guests and saying hello or singing happy birthday in his Mardi Gras birthday cake hat. In the off season, the couple travel often between New Orleans and Key West, where Lola gets most of her inspiration in southern Creole kitchens. She has always enjoyed this cuisine and thought the island seafood would work well with the highly seasoned foods of the south.

Music and entertainment are the second best thing about Lola's. Live music is booked every night from June 'til Labor Day, and weekends during April, May, September and October. Lola's prides themselves in having some of the best live music on the Vineyard, and the couple spend all inter booking bands from New Orleans, Key West, Boston, Providence, and New York City.

"We offer a one stop shop venue. Come for cocktails on our outdoor bar where piano or guitar music is heard during the dinner hour. Stay for dinner, and then dance the night away without ever having to get back in your car and going to another location," says owner Paul. "We love what we do and we are thrilled that so many people come back every year to see what Lola's cookin'."

In 2002 Mardi Gras owner Paul Domitrovich was elected King of the Mystical Krewe of Shangri-La New Orleans. This was quite an honor for a northern gentlemen, and Paul stepped up to the plate and learned all about the folk lore and traditions associated with Mardi-Gras and New Orleans. We spent two years attending balls, riding on floats and being honored as King of Shangri-La. The high point of the experience was Paul leading 50 floats of over 2000 members down St. Charles Street in a Mardi-Gras Parade throwing hundreds of pounds of colorful beads to the crowd of half a million people watching the parade. It was quite the day. One he will never forget.

Several of you have visited Kathy on "the island" and have enjoyed her tremendous selection of seafood and not to forget those "Detroit Style Ribs". Kathy is always waiting for you all to visit, with her gracious smile, and all the warmth and enthusiasm she was known for in Detroit. If you would like to contact Kathy or book an event at Lola's, she can be reached at Lola@lolassouthernseafood.com Kathy has made some major health changes and she can recommend entrees for those of you watching their diets. In fact, those who have recently visited refer to the experience as a "Health Bootcamp." Visit and you'll know what I mean. This is not for the faint of heart.

Malista!