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Lola
Categories: Nightlife Bars Wine Bars Restaurants American (New) Wine Bars, American (New) [Edit]
2058 E 4th StCleveland, OH 44115
(216) 621-5652
- Hours:
Mon-Fri 11:30 am - 2:30 pm
Mon-Thu 4 pm - 10 pm
Fri-Sat 5 pm - 11 pm
- Delivery:
- No
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Valet
- Attire:
- Dressy
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Good for Kids:
- No
- Takes Reservations:
- Yes
- Price Range:
-
$$$
- Take-out:
- No
- Waiter Service:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- Yes
- Wi-Fi:
- No
- Good For:
- Dinner
- Music:
- Background
- Best Nights:
- Fri, Thu, Sat
- Happy Hour:
- Yes
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- Yes
- Noise Level:
- Average
- Good For Dancing:
- No
- Ambience:
- Romantic, Classy
- Has TV:
- No
- Caters:
- No
- Wheelchair Accessible:
- Yes
250 reviews for Lola
Review Highlights
"Special": maple- bacon ice cream."
(in 34 reviews)
"I had the beef cheek pierogi and crispy bone marrow."
(in 19 reviews)
"Michael Symon is definitely my favorite Chef."
(in 43 reviews)
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250 reviews in English
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Review from Angie P.
I went here for my birthday dinner and it was delicious.
//Appetizers:
Beef Cheek Pierogi: Okay, these were just amazing. You get two large pierogis (perfect because it was me and my boyfriend eating) and they are stuffed to the max with pulled beef cheek. It was delicious. The Horseradish Creme Fraiche was delicious.
Pork Belly: My boyfriend enjoyed these. I however, didn't so much. Honestly, I'm just not a pork person so I can't count that against my rating here.
//Entrees:
Cavatelli: This amazing dish had Wild Boar, Leeks and Parmesan. It was TO DIE FOR. I mean honestly, it was amazing right down to the softness of the cavatelli. I loved every bite of this.
Smoked Pork Chop: This was my boyfriend's dish. I didn't have the pork but OH MY GOD, the Polenta was amazing! I wish I could have an entire bowl of it!
//Service:
Service was really great. Our server was very friendly but not overbearingly so. I have no complaints here.
//Drinks:
I went with a White Peach Bellini and the boyfriend had a glass of wine. My Bellini was delicious.
By the way, the drink list is on an iPad so that adds to the cool factor of this place.
//Misc:
The last thing I purchased was a signed copy of Michael Symon's book. I had to. It is going to look great in my kitchen and I'm pretty stoked to read it. It's full of great photos, recipes and anecdotes. -
Review from Ernie C.
Manhattan, NY
1/17/2012
This place is good - I'll buy that it's the best Cleveland has to offer - but it's not the best I've ever had. While the food is solid - the service leaves a lot to be desired - very spotty. I would say overall North End Market in Hudson is just as delicious. Both pale in comparison to a high end NYC restaurant.
Also - be specific about the kind of table you want. The hostess is nightmare to deal with. I almost walked out - if it wasn't for the GM.
If you don't mine paying for good food with unrefined service - you won't be disappointed. Will I return? Probably. Won't race back though. -
Review from chris k.
Twinsburg, OH
OK yelpers. Settle in with a snack and a drink. This may be my longest review ever.
I made a reservation for my wife's birthday. We were greeted and seated promptly at what is probably the best table in the place. The lighting is subtle and the colors soft. Great ambiance. Excellent feel.
We were greeted promptly by our server, Nicole. She gave us the wine menu which is on an iPad. Very cool. We chose a bottle and ordered the beef cheek pierogi, the pork belly, the white bean soup and a Greek salad to split.
Let me start by saying our server, Nicole, was top notch. I spent a year in grad school waiting tables and it's not a cake walk. This young lady had it together and was very professional. The front of the house management is on top of it at Lola. The staff is swift, efficient, and friendly.
Now the food.
The pork belly was, in a word, sublime. I've had pork belly in a dozen restaurants and the closest competition Mike Symon has here is at Michael's Genuine in Miami, Florida.
The plate was presented with a nice heap of Julienned carrots and other veggies with a sprinkling of cilantro. The sauce is out of this world. Piquant, tangy, fragrant and popping with flavors. Every bite was a different taste experience. My wife went crazy for it and I wasn't far behind.
The beef cheek pierogis were outrageous. The beef itself was perfectly seasoned and oh so moist. The two large pierogis were garnished with a rich dark sauce and horseradish creme. Delicious. Slivered green onions topped the dish. I couldn't leave any sauce on the plate so I mopped up what was left with the crispy bread. No complaints here.
Water was refilled promptly and the soup arrived. It was a lovely pumpkin color and Nicole was nice enough to split it for us as we were sharing. Excellent service.
The soup was rich and flavorful but not overpowering.
The salad was fresh, crisp, and perfectly dressed. We finished it and shortly thereafter our entrees arrived.
The hanger steak my wife ordered was tender and perfectly cooked. The Lola fries are outrageously tasty and rich.
My Berkshire smoked pork chop was the highlight of my meal. It's hard to describe this dish except to say there's a little bit of heaven in every bite.
The smokiness of the pork combined with the cheesy polenta and chile sauce was rich beyond compare without having too many things going on on a single plate. The balance of flavors was unmatched and I was truly saddened when it was all gone. What a dish!
We didn't have room for dessert but Nicole brought out a plate of fresh cookies and a candle for my wife's birthday. A very nice touch.
I've been living in Cleveland for about 12 years now and this is, by far, my most memorable meal here. Michael Symon has put together a winning menu in a venue that would hold its own in any city on the planet.
If you have a chance to go to Lola by all means do. You won't regret it.
Chris -
Review from Rock F.
Brecksville, OH
2/4/2012
Disappointing
We chose to go to Lola for dinner last week when we had some out of town visitors in for a meeting. We were all really looking forward to dinner.
We arrived a few minutes early and were seated rapidly. The space is really nice and the wine bar area is really cool.
We ordered appetizers. Pierogis, pork belly and a few others. These were the highlight of the meal. Excellent.
About TWO hours later our meals came. Really 2 hours. We were apologized to 6 times. You know, "sorry it is taking so long, your entrees will be here in a few moments". Our waitress was not one of the staff who apologized. Seemed odd.
I had the hanger steak and it was cold and overdone. The shellfish dish was ok. The trout was excellent. The cavatelli was overlooked and also cold. We hesitated sending the food back because we were unsure of how long it would take.
It seemed to me that because the wait staff was embarrassed by the kitchen performance, we were neglected. We ordered one bottle of wine, would have liked another but didn't get the chance to order it.
So, you can probably tell that we won't be back. The next day we went to Johnny's Bar. It was superb. The third night we went to parallax. Amazing!
I don't know why I am giving Lola two stars. None of us will ever return. I guess it is because I always root for the Cleveland guys. -
Review from Sara M.
North Wales, PA
2/3/2012
Amazing food. The duck was decadent. Maple bacon ice cream was delicious. The staff was friendly and efficient. Lovely evening.
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Review from Joao Pedro L.
Cleveland, OH
1/31/2012
Michael Symon's restaurant activity in Cleveland is now vast, but Lola is the jewel in the crown. Perfect author cuisine, with plenty of imagination, but also very well directed on more common foods. Service is outstanding. A must in the Cleveland area.
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Review from Kathryn G.
Tustin, CA
1/3/2012 1 Check-in Here
We all know why we come here - it's the closest any of us will get to Kitchen Stadium. And it doesn't disappoint. The food was gooooooood. Coupled with the chic environment and cool atmosphere - it was easy to forget that I wasn't back home in LA. I have to be honest - I liked every dish we ordered. Here are some of the items that I recommend you try:
Appetizers:
Sweetbreads, Pork Belly, Beef Cheek Pierogi. You can't go wrong with any of these. The sweetbreads were my favorite, but you won't go wrong with any of them. Each appetizer is enough to feed two people (without stuffing them).
Main dishes:
Pork chops with cheesy polenta and bbq onions and sauce. Holy cow - was this good. The pork chops were perfectly cooked, served over a bed of cheesy polenta and drizzled with a bbq sauce and bbq onions.
Wild boar ragu. Or, as my husband called it, comfort food in a bowl. You know how rainy weather makes you want to curl up on the couch with a bowl of soup? This dish encapsulates that feeling. -
Review from Michelle N.
San Diego, CA
12/12/2011
I'm one happy camper! I ordered the pork chops (medium), and it was served with this delicious cheesy polenta. The pork chops were delicious and tender, and the polenta added a nice touch. The server did remark to me that "The Chef recommends the pork chops be prepared medium rare or medium", so that was a nice touch. I was also able to sample the fries - they were flavored with rosemary and came in a side cup.
Overall, I'm very pleased with my dining experience. The drink menus on iPads were TOO COOL, the ambience and environment were nice, and the service was great. It's everything I'd expect of an iron chef restaurant.
Btw, I just LOVE how they tell you what you ordered when you receive your food. It always adds an extra brownie point to my yelp reviews. :) -
Review from brian k.
Houston, TX
12/9/2011 Seated via OpenTable
The ambiance was nice. The staff, friendly and professional. I had higher expectations of Lola since this is a Michael Symon restaurant. It's no Bar Americain in NYC, however the desserts are in the same class. The maple bacon ice cream is wonderful. The rib eye, not so much. Too fatty for "choice". The wine selection is nice.
I'd not suggest this for a business dinner, but drinks and appetizers might serve you well. -
Review from Dan D.
11/2/2011
I am pretty sure I have been to every one of Michael Symon's restaurants.
But Lola is my favourite.
So much my favourite that it was here that I decided to take Jessica before asking her to marry me along the shores of Lake Erie.
It is here that so much care is put into each dish, so much care into the experience of each customer.
While the dishes are often seasonal, one thing that is always on the menu (and worth recommending), is the smoked berkshire porkshire porkchop. Anytime you are at a Michael Symon restaurant, the pork will always be excellent (and especially if there is a pork BELLY dish on the menu!) and his cheesy polenta is always outstanding.
But anything you get, will be great. I am sure.
One of my favourite restaurants in the world. -
Review from Theresa C.
Cleveland, OH
10/26/2011
I have to say for a iron chef restaurant it felt underwhelming the first around. The place looks classy and feels classy, but the entrees didn't live up to the expectations.
We started with the bone marrow appetizer which was probably the best part of the night. These melt in your mouth morsels are complimented well with the assortment of breads and other condiments. For entrees, I ordered the pork chop and my boyfriend ordered a fish dish. Both tasted good, but lacking in flavor for a world class restaurant.
I have to say the menus on iPads were a nice touch and the restaurant looks elegant, but next time around I hope the food matches the expectations.Listed in: Pomp and Circumstance
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Review from Brian L.
McLean, VA
1/7/2012
I had high hopes for this place considering the price tag and reviews.
It was just ok. Started out with the pork belly (I've had better). Ordered the rib eye (good but I've had better). Ended the meal with a weird bacon ice cream french toast dessert (first time and out was suprisingly good). -
Review from asra a.
East Haven, CT
2/4/2012
small portions, food was good but woke up hungry in the morning. service was ok as well- didn't think this place was too astounding, had high expectations walking in.
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Review from Adam S.
11/3/2011
Stuck in Northern Ohio for a few weeks for work, this place was # 1 on my food priority list. I had high expectations about this place going in, and for the most part, those expectations were met.
I had the beef cheek pierogi and the pork belly appetizers. The pierogi was pretty good. I liked the horseradish sauce. I liked the dish, but if and when I come back, I probably would try a different appetizer before returning to this one. The pork belly was the star of the meal. It was really great. It had a sauce that candied the outer layer of the belly. Wonderfully delicious. I've eaten pork belly at a lot of places, and this belly was as good as I can remember eating.
For the entree I had the hangar steak. I was perfectly cooked and very tender. I really liked the pickle sauce and there was a nice spiciness to the dish. I would definitely get it again.
The dessert was french toast with maple bacon ice cream. I thought it was pretty good, but maybe a bit too heavy for me. I felt like the french toast could have been more lightly fried. It was ok, but again I probably wouldn't get it again.
The prices here are quite reasonable for the quality of food that you receive. Service was fine. It's a very good meal. -
Review from Kat S.
Athens, OH
11/9/2011
I tried Lola for the first time on Friday night and had an all-around great meal. The table ordered three appetizers-the famous beef cheek pierogis, the crab salad, and a charcuterie board. The crab salad wasn't bad, but it wasn't terribly memorable either. It was definitely the worst thing ordered that night, but it was still good, though a bit dull. The pierogis were a beautiful elevation of a Cleveland classic, very rich and filling. The charcuterie board was beautiful, with many kinds of cured meats and spreads. It was definitely big enough to share, as some was left uneaten despite all of us sampling the meats.
I ordered the hanger steak with fries. The steak was beautifully cooked, exactly as I ordered. And the fries were thinly cut, crisp, and delicious. They were brushed in rosemary, which made the even tastier. Someone ordered the pork chops over polenta which was also a delicious dish (and I normally don't like polenta, but theirs was so tasty).
Our waitress was friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable, as I would expect at a restaurant of this level. The impressive wine list was presented by iPad.
My one criticism... the steak didn't come with a vegetable. I understand that Lola is often playing with traditional steel-mill family favorites, so meat and potatoes is definitely a classic. Still, a green vegetable would have been a welcome addition.
This is a TRUE Cleveland restaurant. For a meal that has playful, rather elegant food that stays true to the culture of this city. -
Review from K. M.
Silver Spring, MD
1/3/2012
Ate at Lola for lunch last week and had one of the best meals of my life.
I ordered the chicken confit and couldn't get enough. The meat was tender and full of flavor, as you would expect from a confit, but the delicious mixture of broth and steel cut oats underneath it really balanced out the meal. Together, it tasted like the tastiest chicken noodle soup I have ever experienced.
The portion size was more than I expected and left me full (often hard to do at nicer restaurants) and the price ($13) was very reasonable for the experience.
My wife had the pork schnitzel which was also very tasty. Most noticeable was the large chunks of bacon along with the brussel sprouts and squash.
Wait staff was very attentive without being intrusive and the restaurant creates a very elegant atmosphere.
Overall, an excellent lunch time experience that I will definitely be back next time we are in town. -
Review from Terry G.
Cleveland, OH
1/1/2012
Mike Symon's Lola is one of my favorite places to go for lunch. I always have the scallops wrapped in bacon. So so yummy.
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Review from Ben N.
9/5/2011
Like millions of others, the wife and I seem to get sucked into the celebrity-chef culture that seems to dominate high-end American dining these days. So when we came to Cleveland, we dutifully went off to Michael Symon's Lola.
We lived in New Orleans for more than a decade, during the heyday of Emeril's long run as America's Big-Time Celebrity Chef. Although the food at Lola is inspired by cuisines and ingredients different from those of Emeril's flagship in New Orleans, the entire production at Lola reminds me quite a bit of Emeril's: It's a big bustling restaurant with very good food, mostly excellent service, big portions for an upscale place, and a lot of crowd-pleasing menu items. And it's probably somewhat overpriced because of the mostly-absent chef/owner's notoriety.
There's something a bit clunky about Lola. I'm not a fan of the decor and atmosphere at all: seriously dark, with almost no colors other than black and grey, the restaurant brings to mind a somewhat cheesy upscale cocktail lounge. The soundtrack of heard-them-a-million-times classic-rock songs was kind of annoying, too. The menu, too, doesn't exactly seem to jibe as far as pairing apps and entrees go; ingredients and influences seem like they're all over the map.
What we had was good, though. The beef cheek pierogis were absolutely terrific as an appetizer: melt-in-your-mouth texture and huge, deep beefy flavor. The smoked Berkshire pork chop, served with a cheesy polenta, is upscale comfort food and a massive sliced slab of meat; it was very satisfying and maybe even too much a good thing. The wife got the wild salmon, which was served with fava beans, chanterelles, baby tomatoes, and a delicious green-pea-and-mint puree. She reported that most of it was cooked perfectly, although the one bite she left over for me seemed a little overdone. A green salad was pretty unmemorable, and had two many giant leaves in it.
Our server was talkative and quite efficient, but I got the impression by the end of the meal that his knowledge of the food and wine list (stored on an iPad) wasn't as thorough as he'd have liked you to believe.
Overall, an enjoyable evening, but after we were done, we wondered whether we should have instead checked out some undersung Cleveland restaurant, e.g., Crop, instead of making a beeline for the Big Boy's place. -
Review from J B.
Virginia Beach, VA
10/8/2011
Its always hard to base a review on a place like this by lunch alone but it's all I had time for. And it was nothing special.
Great ambiance inside, nice patio seating available for a fall day on 4th street. Open kitchen with chiefs' table seating available. Even a great menu selection available for lunch.
However.... the food underdelivered. The beef cheek starter was great. The server recommended the "Lola burger." Even after having a burger at BSpot the day prior I took the recommendation from the server and got the Lola burger anyway. It was served on an English muffin along with a single caramelized onion and a bit of an thousand island type dressing. All for $11. It was sub-par at best. The burger at BSpot was 3 times as good for the same price.
I'd go again, this time for for dinner but only because it's Michael Symon. I would probably skip lunch next time. -
Review from Kristin G.
Royal Oak, MI
8/30/2011 1 Check-in Here
LOLA, lo lo lo loooo laaa! Wow, just great impressions all around. We started out at the bar since we were early for our reservations and wanted to sit at the beautifully lit up bar. There is an understated sophistication to Lola that I really loved. The atmosphere is grand, but not in an overly fancy way. The kitchen is exposed and very nice and clean and modern. It's not the quietest place to eat a meal, but it has a really romantic and classy feel to it. It's welcoming and kind of kitchy even with the various pig statues on glass shelves as you walk in.
The bar service was fast and friendly. Wasting no time, I started with the Hot and Dirty Martini, per fellow Yelper's recommendations and I wasn't disappointed. The olives stuffed with blue cheese were the winning touch for me, so much that I had the bartender top me off with more before heading to my table.
The atmosphere is grand, but not in an overly fancy way. The kitchen is exposed and very nice and clean and modern. It's not the quietest place to eat a meal, but it has a really romantic and classy feel to it.
For an entree we started with the Ceviche. The fish was fresh, the avocado & fresh citrus acid cutting through it all just really was the perfect start to a great summer dinner. Next, I ordered the Walleye with Corn puree. The crisp skin of the walleye, the sweet fluffy fresh pureed corn...it all just came together so well. The result was a harmony that resonated bite after bite.
For dessert we ordered The 6AM Special. Do yourself a favor GET THIS DESSERT!!! Holy smokes. It's made of Brioche French Toast & topped with Maple Bacon ice cream & caramelized apple. My only one super knit picky complaint would be don't skimp us on the caramelized apple, Lola! That stuff is off the charts good mixed in all together as one "perfect bite" combo. Near the end, my husband and I were fighting over the last bits of apple to go with the remaining ice cream and brioche french toast. Leave it to Michael Symon to come up with such an inventive and dangerously delicious concoction! We were so happy with our meal that we decided we "needed" a signed copy of Symon's book. I'm a long shot from being a chef, certainly not one of Symon's stature...but one can dream! ;) -
Review from Linda N.
Washington, DC
10/28/2011
Lola features a pretty space, an impressive wine collection, and nice little touches throughout your meal. I tried the pork belly...excellent, with a definite Vietnamese flair. Also had the beef cheek pierogies...great texture and gravy with deep flavor. Sturgeon as entree...nicely cooked and presented atop potatoes and potato puree.
I'd like to get a seat in front of the open kitchen if I have a chance to revisit. The bar area got crowded around 7 on a Friday night.
Conversation overheard: Innovation is not going to PNC's website and seeing what they're doing! -
Review from Jae Hong H.
Cleveland, OH
9/5/2011 Seated via OpenTable
Upon reservation the restaurant accommodated us promptly. the waiter was merchant-like, encouraging us to order wine and desert; I personally prefer waiters to only intervene when prompted. LOLA has an ipad as the drinks menu; fancy fancy. i ordered this plum-flavored belgian beer that turned out to be $8 wood chuck. note to self: always try wine at a three dollar sign restaurant.
as advertised, beef pierogi was awesome. it has many different flavor in ways that you don't experience everyday. it is "the difference" you expect when you commit yourself (financially) for a fine dining. For entree, I tried the two pork dish: pork chop and the quail & pork belly. Pork chop doesn't have too many different flavors; it's mostly the pork chop and grits, but the flavor is very rich; it's one of those things you just describe as "damn good." For me personally, it wasn't quiet the "blew me away" fine dining entree i hoped it would be. Pork belly was okay, while the quail was a bit salty but very flavorful; the side vegetables had refreshing and sour flavor and turned out to be my favorite part about this dish.
overall, i really liked beef pierogi, but was not blown away by the pork dish. between the two pork dish, i'd recommend the pork chop. and i wish i never ordered the $8 wood chuck. -
Review from Linda W.
8/5/2011 1 Check-in Here
I made it! Finally. You know when the anticipation is more than the experience itself? Not in this case, baby! Every time I'm in Cleveland, it's for the day on a weekend and usually I'm out and gone before 5 o'clock....so no Lola before 5 on a weekend.
On my way through Cleveland this time, I met up with the kid and we hit lunch and drinks at the bar on Friday. David was our beverage magician who created their signature Gin-gin Flower for me and a grapefruit-based signature drink for the kid (she's 25 - still a kid to me, so don't get freaked out about letting a "kid" drink, okay?) The Gin-gin Flower was a divine concoction of gin (duh), ginger, violet and other amazing elixirs that was sinfully, decadently delightful. So many levels of flavors going off on my palate both simultaneously and sequentially that it was almost like quiet fireworks. Thanks, David, you were wonderful!
We shared the charcuterie platter (stopped at The Greenhouse Tavern first for drinks and apps there), which was a composed art of cured meat beauties, pickled red onions, pickled ramps, cornichons and stone ground mustard displayed on a wooden board. Baguette discs to spread and pile the delights onto accompanied the board.
First off, the pork rillette was a smooth and creamy explosion of almost sexy flavor. I could swear there was an herbal quality to it, but was assured the only ingredients were pork, salt and pork fat. Wow. Thin slices of garlicky pork salami were perfectly, wonderfully satisfying. The prosciutto was so soft, sweet and tender it nearly melted in the mouth. Our least favorite was the cured pork loin - not that it wasn't good, it just didn't quite hit the same high notes as the others on the board.
BTW, this visit made my trifecta of Michael Symon restaurant visits in Cleveland....first experience was the top notch Lolita, then the B-Spot (actually I've been to both the Woodmere and Strongsville locations....Crocker Park next for the trifecta of B-Spots!) and Lola makes three. Thanks, Michael, for offering nothing but the best to Cleveland! -
Review from Emiko V.
8/8/2011
Whmmm - this one is a toughy for me. As much as I would love to give a higher rating, I'm stuck at 3 stars. On a whim my boyfriend and I ended up at Lola on a random Wednesday night for a late dinner. I was really excited we picked this place because I had been interested in dining here for a LONG time and was finally getting my chance. Upon entry, the decor makes this restaurant easily able to compete with any of the best in NYC, Chicago, etc. The vibe is very romantic (thanks in part to the sexy furniture and dark mood lighting) and would be perfect for date night.
We were seated immediately and handed an iPad complete with drink menu (which I thought was innovative and fun). We ordered a drink each, all of which I can remember is that they were very good. We then placed an order for salads - mine with fried pig ear (yes, I said pig ear - don't judge!) and the boyfriend had pork belly. Here's where things started to go wrong - our server forgot to bring my salad (boyfriend received his right on time) and we both had to remind her two more times (when we could manage to flag her down) that I had ordered the salad, to which she responded that she'd bring it right out. Our entrees arrived - both of which were very good - and I had still yet to get my salad. I did eventually get it halfway through my meal and it was given to us free of charge, but at that point I couldn't enjoy it to the full potential of deliciousness that it had.
The meal and vibe were really great, but the service was poor (for a great restaurant that wasn't close to 100% full) and the bill very expensive. It will definitely take some coaxing to get me to go back here, but I'm also willing to give it another try. -
Review from Sara B.
9/14/2011
You know when everyone is talking about something so you have to do it and it's just so-so. I hate that. Well, luckily this was not one of those times.
I met a girlfriend at the much hyped Lola for a business woman's lunch. And we ordered the business woman's special*, which happened to be the tuna nicoise tartine. I was expecting something like at Tartine in Rocky River, but turns out a tartine is an open face sandwich. Who knew? Hope Tartine RR doesn't fine out and have to change it's name.
ANYWAY... It was amazing. It had this great little potato salad and all the ingredients were so fresh and light. I literally ate every bite on the plate and would've licked it if I wasn't being all businessy.
The waitress was extremely friendly and I kept thinking she was going to sit down at our table and have a bite. She also made a great white wine recommendation, which I am very hard to please on.
*There is no business woman's special, but if you've ever seen Romy and Michelle's High School Reunion, you'll get the reference. -
Review from Iliana C.
9/20/2011
AMAZING! Friendly/knowledgable staff and the food is worth the price! I drove here from Pittsburgh just to try the food of an iron chef and it was worth it!
I had the pork chop with polenta and it was rich and creamy. I don't normally like pork but I figured Michael Symon would be the guy to get me to change my mind and he succeeded! For dessert I had the chocolate cake which was spectacular.
I also brought my vegan girlfriend and the waiter offered a gnocchi-type pasta in a marinara sauce. My girlfriend hates marinara but she was in shock over how good this dish was. To quote her: "One of the best vegan dishes I've ever had!"
I recommend coming here and making reservations. I made my reservation online and put on there that one of us was a vegan. It was nice not having to explain what vegan was or if they could make something special.
All in all a great experience. -
Review from Julie D.
Updated - 7/11/2011 2 photos
We decided to stop by here for a late lunch last Wednesday after spending time at the R&R HOF. We used open table for our reservation, but it was not necessary on this particular week day, this time of the day. We got one of the huge half circular booths. You gotta love the golden colored vinyl. Loved the fact that their drink/wine/beer list is on an iPad. Very cool.
BJ got the hanger steak which is basically a salad with onion, cucumber, arugula, chiles, and yummy vinaigrette. The steak was cooked a perfect medium. It wasn't huge, a perfect lunch portion. I got a salad and ham sandwich combo. I picked the spinach salad with watercress, fennel, oranges, beets, goat cheese, and pumpkin seeds. Very good. My half sandwich was divine. No one does pig like Lola's. So good. Amazingly tender and so full of flavor. For dessert, we shared a honey panna cotta. It was incredible.
And almost as good as the food, Derek Jeter was in the booth next to us. He was in town because the Yankees were playing the Indians. He was having lunch with his father, most likely in anticipation of his 3000th hit. So cool. Unfortunately, it didn't happen in Cleveland.Listed in: My Personal Dining Favs!
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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4/7/2008
Lola, Lola, my sweet Lola....
You know, I blew outta the Cav's game early Saturday night for you.… Read more »
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Review from Tony P.
Allentown, PA
1/12/2012 Seated via OpenTable
The food was good but not great. We had alot of expectations based on the reviews. The pork belly appetizer was tough and mushy not alot of flavor. Probably was not made right that night. The creamy bean soup was very gritty. The scallops entree tasted ok lacked seasoning. The shellfish entree was very good had alot of good flavor in a wonderful broth. The whole wine list on the Ipad looked neat but we could only find glasses and half bottles asked the waiter if there were other selections and he said everything was there on the ipad. When we left I noticed there was a much larger selection of wines hanging from the wall at the bar. Also surprised that we could not order the wine through the ipad it was only for show. It would have been better in a nice folder, we would have spent more with a complete list. I guess shouldn't go there on a Monday night.
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Review from Heather K.
New Cumberland, PA
9/10/2011 1 Check-in Here
Best meal I've ever had, hands down. Best service, too.
Our server was wonderful, and she was so patient in explaining the different menu items to my husband and I. When we got our food, it tasted so good! Words can't do it justice!
My husband and I enjoyed the pork chops, and it melted in our mouths. He even remarked that they were better than his mother's. Now I know he enjoyed them ha ha!
We will definitely be back next time we are in town. -
Review from Andy N.
Cleveland, OH
1/16/2012
Fantastic! The atmosphere of Lola's is that of a top end restaurant that would charge you and arm and a leg for a slice of bread. But the prices at Lola are down to earth.
What really makes it for me is the quality of the food. This places knows how to serve high quality, fresh food.
The servers and staff are helpful in suggesting items and in how to prepare them, such as meats to be cooked a certain way/temp.
If you grab a lunch there, the Spicey tomato soup is excellent and I would suggest getting a cup regardless of what your meal will be. I would also suggest a grilled Cheese. These are excellent.
Dinner is a real treat and you have great choices of fresh ingredients.
I would recommend Lola to anyone. Definately worth the visit. Take a day and visit the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and cap that off by a visit to Lola. That will make you want to visit Cleveland again and again.
You should get reservations to help ensure a table though. It can be busy on a weekend. -
Review from Nathaniel W.
Chicago, IL
9/30/2011
Wow is this an amazing gem in Cleveland.
Micheal Symon has finally brought an upscale restaurant to his native town.
The Food: Pretty damn good. I will never forget the beef cheek perogies. They were so tender and delicious. You can tell it was a staple that the restaurant like to take some pride in. I had the duck as my entre; possibly one of the best ducks I have ever had. Little fat and very tender and juicy. For desert, I'm not sure what it was called but all you have to know is that it had bacon ice cream. Yes, you read that right.
Ambiance: Very nice design, upscale. I felt that the tables were too close together. Granted I know that is to maximize profits however I just didn't like the fact that my neighbor could reach over and take some of my food had he wanted to.
Service: Above par. Very helpful and quick with the menu. I did thing that the sommelier was a bit pushy with the higher priced wines. Come'on, I know you can get perfectly good flavors out of bottles that aren't in the $200 price range.
Overall: Great place for a nice dinner. Great choice of wines to chose from. Good for a classy night out. -
Review from John D.
Avon Lake, OH
12/11/2011
Fantastic food. Reservations strongly recommended. Every bite is an experience. Pricey, but if exquisite flavor is what you desire, this is the place.
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Review from David f.
Austin, TX
7/7/2011
This place is so good that last night between the appetizer and the main course, my mother and I made a reservation to come back the next night. It was that good. The only negative was the snarky know-it-all bartender. Other than that the service was terrific.
Here's what we had, all highly recommended: Beef cheek pierogie (a must, do not even THINK about not eating one. Even if you're a vegan or something.). Walleye on creamed corn. The walleye has become my new favorite fish. Limited availability thought. The charcuterie plate. It changes daily. Nothing on it was short of delish. Finally, the hangar steak.
We sat at the kitchen table and observed the quiet chaos in the kitchen. It was a delight.
Can't wait to go back again. Tonight. -
Review from Dustin T.
Salt Lake City, UT
12/2/2011
Love the location. Lot of hip restaurants nearby, but this one stands out because of its unique menu and high quality food. The pork belly appetizers were so good.
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Review from Cameron M.
Valencia, CA
7/30/2011
Went to dinner here with my wife, sister in law and brother in law. I was very excited when my brother in law was able to secure the chefs table. As a chef it was fun to sit there and enjoy watching other chefs working hard at their craft.
I had the bone marrow as an appetizer. No one else at my table were really bone ,arrow fans and they loved it as much as I did. I could go back just for that!
My brother in law got the "bacon" as his appetizer. It was a healthy portion of braised pork belly and it was amazing. It melted lime butter.
For dinner my wife had the hanger steak and it was in perfection, the pan sauce was rich and delicious. I have a hard time ordering hangar steak now because I don't think it will ever be as good.
My main course was the Smoked Berkshire Pork Chop with cheesy polenta and grilled peppers. Let me just say that I LOVE all things pork and believe that a properly cooked pork chop canneasily be better than any steak. This one was just that!
The polenta was creamy and rich, the oan sauce was nice and salty and deep brown with a lasting intense flavor that combined with the polenta perfectly. The onions and peppers were sweet and smoky and added this perfect little treat in the middle of the meal.
The pork chop was cooked perfectly! Juicy and thick! The bone added so much flavor and was CLEAN when I was done. I don't say this often but I will saynit now...
BEST RESTARAUNT MEAL OF MY LIFE AND CAREER!
I dream about that pork chop.
The dessert was also great. I had the 6 am special. It was 2 small pieces of French toast with maple syrup and maple bacon ice cream with gold flake. Such a great way to end the meal!
The service was fun, warm, and inviting, everything fro. The food and service to the neighborhood was amazing. I can't wait to go back to Ohio just to hit up Lolas again! -
Review from Ashley K.
8/16/2011
Overall, a decent dining experience. Had a reservation for a group at 9:15. Arrived on time and did have to wait a few minutes for our table to be available, but not too long.
Menu was interesting, although somewhat disappointing that vegetarian options were extremely limited. Even the fries are cooked in pork fat. I do eat seafood and was dying to try the scallops but they came wrapped in pancetta. Michael Symon loves his cow products. But I will say that our server was very knowledgeable about the menu items and was careful to warn us of which items seemed like they would be vegetarian but were actually not. If you have any dietary issues, make sure to mention them to your server here.
I ordered the Goat Cheese Onion Tart, which was delicious...a very mild goat cheese cooked to perfection. I also got the Summer Vegetables entree. It was incredibly small and not filling at all, but tasty. Drink selection was great, servers was excellent.
Overall, I think it's a bit pricey for what you actually get, but I wouldn't be against dining here again. -
Review from Lola A.
Comstock Park, MI
6/5/2011 Seated via OpenTable
We were passing through Cleveland and decided to check out this restaurant which has the same moniker as moi...yours truly. It was a great choice!
Lola's is an upscale dining establishment which on the night we were there seems to attract a lot of young professionals. It can be loud; in fact one table of diners asked to be moved because the conversation from another table was too raucous.
The service, however was great! Starting with the bread which was hot and delicious, our entrées were seasoned to perfection and for dessert...well, they heard it was a special day for us, so the pastry chef added a special sparkle with candles. Nice touch!
The celebrity chef was not on site during our visit, but our server indicated that he would have signed the menu if he was. The only thing which was uncomfortable was how cold our area was...we couldn't figure out where the vent was. Fortunately, a server noticed our discomfort and located the vent and covered it up which made the experience much more pleasant. -
Review from Dave K.
Youngstown, OH
9/12/2011
There's no denying that the food at Lola is amazing - I'd say it's unparalleled as far as the Cleveland area goes.
To start, my wife and I shared the beef cheek pierogi, which was pretty close to perfection.
For my entree, I had the sturgeon and creamed sweet corn w/ bacon and shrimp. Again, close to perfection - the creamed corn was a most excellent complement to the fish. I sampled my wife's lamb chop, which was tender and flavorful.
As much as I'd love to give five stars for our amazing meals, the waiter was kind of annoying and the noisy, rock & roll atmosphere didn't win any points either. -
Review from Cristina T.
Riverside, IL
7/25/2011
I had been looking forward to eating at Chef Symon's restaurant for a while, so when I had the chance to road trip to Cleveland, there was no question where I would be eating dinner one of the nights. Lola is not only a place where you can experience great food, its fun and lively and the service is impeccable. As soon as we walked in, we were greeted and taken immediately to our table. Our server handed us an Ipad which contained a drink menu. My boyfriend was already impressed.
Although I cannot recall the name of our server, she was easy to talk to and made great recommendations. We started with the beef cheek pierogies. Upon tasting these delights, I cried a little-no really I cried-ask my boyfriend. These were the most succulent, perfectly crafted little bites of soft dough that just melted in your mouth.
We continued our meal with the charcuterie plate. Whenever I am at a restaurant I always get the charcuterie. This by far blew any other plates out of the water. All the meat was made/cured in-house. My favorites were the smoked salmon and the confit of pork belly.
Just when I thought this couldn't get any better my entree arrived. Hesitant at first to order the pork chop, our server assured us that it was spectacular. She did not steer me wrong. This pork chop was cooked the way it should always be-kind of had a bbq taste, but was perfectly juicy. The polenta it sat upon was creamy and rich.
For dessert we decided upon the 6 am special-brioche french toast w/ homemade bacon ice cream. Divine.
Go to Cleveland. Go to Lola. Experience what real, unpretentious food is.Listed in: Fries, fries fries!, Cleveland Eats!
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Review from Samantha H.
Chicago, IL
8/30/2011
Oh Lola, how I love thee. I was quite surprised that on a Saturday at 7pm it wasn't packed. I suppose it is Cleveland, which isn't exactly known for being a fine dining mecca (this place would make a killing in Chicago or NYC), but still. It's situated on a block full of bars and outdoor seating. All of the other places were lively but Lola was only about 2/3 full. Either way, more for me! I love the decor. The bar has a wine cellar behind it that is clear so you can see the servers going in to get bottles of wine when they're ordered. It's pretty similar to Gordon Ramsay's Petrus...pretty cool! The sommelier was very friendly. We sort of knew what we wanted, but he was helpful either way. The service was absolutely outstanding as well. And the bill was less than I expected. Totally worth the 5 hour drive to go there (yes, I did).
Onto the food. For a starter we did the beef cheek pierogi. O-M-G. The beef was super tender but the star was actually the pierogi itself. It was amazing! And I grew up on the NW side of Chicago where we have the second highest concentration of Polish people outside Warsaw (literally, not even other places in Poland have more densely populated Poles) so I consider myself a good judge of pierogis. Highly recommend. For entrees my husband got the pork chop, which he thought was the best pork chop ever. I was more impressed with my lamb. It comes with a cucumber sauce that is almost like a sexy tzatziki sauce. It was so yum! The lamb was a perfect medium rare and so good I was gnawing on the bones afterward (I know, classy). But seriously folks, go get this lamb.
