Lola Bistro & Wine Bar
Cleveland, OH 44115
Phone: (216) 621-5652
- Price:
- $$$
- Cross Street:
- Professor Avenue
- Hours:
- Mon-Thu 11:30am-2:30pm, 4pm-10pm, Fri 11:30am-2:30pm, 4pm-12pm, Sat 4pm-12pm, Sun 4pm-9pm
Editorial Review for Lola Bistro & Wine Bar – by John Hyduk
The Scene
In a historic neighborhood of onion-domed Russian Orthodox churches, Lola is surrounded by babushkas during the day and BMWs at night. Inside, it's cool and comfortable, a culinary showcase of chic techniques and modern methods. Chef Michael Symon is a hometown product who graduated from the Culinary Institute of America and worked his way up the local food chain. Symon's stylings can be admired both live and via his frequent Food Network appearances.
The Food
Lola's menu lists North Coast staples like lasagna, tater tots and mac and cheese. Forget great aunt Fanny's comfort supper: Symon's porcini-laced lasagna uses gouda; fresh crab tater tots side his Slash 'n' Burn (Lola speak for blackened grouper); and macaroni accompanies goat cheese-and-rosemary chicken.
Editorial content is independent of paid advertisers. Any expenses are paid for by Citysearch.
Insider Tips
What to DrinkLola has 4,000 bottles of wine in the cellar at all times, including fine boutique wines rarely sipped in Ohio.
When to GoThe raw bar hums from afternoon until late night, with last oyster call at 2am on weekends.
User Reviews for Lola Bistro & Wine Bar
04/23/2008 Posted by wackjagner
Owner/chef Michael Symon has made a name and a fantastic career for himself, but seems to have, perhaps, lost his way in all the hype - you can't go a day in the local media without hearing/reading his name. Unfortunately, the great food that made the classic Lola (now Lolita, its sister restaurant) SO great, seems to have been put on a "back burner": meals are tasty enough yet uninspired, recipes are relatively standard (see: pasta dishes), for such prices. It seems he's actually a very nice and is clearly a charming man, plus it's always nice to have national attention focus on Cleveland (he's the reigning Iron Chef, in case you live in a cave), but there are HUNDREDS of as-good-as-or-way-better eateries in town, and I wish that the local media would stop kissing his bu*t long enough to acknowledge them.
Pros: a place to go for a crowd, or to be seen, or before a concert, or to hob-nob with its famous Iron Chef
Cons: food is average, can be noisy, prices are high if you're budgeting
03/12/2008 Posted by MenofSteel
We've been excited to visit Lola ever since Michael's rise to fame on Food TV. We had reservations for 3/8, the blizzard day, but canceled because we didn't think the weather was condusive to a great meal at an upscale place. As we wondered the E. 4th area at about 7pm, we found all other restaurants closed (Corner Alley), not seating anyone else (Flannary's, HOB) or just having the bar open (Zocalo). What goes around comes around and we were graciously welcomed at Lola as a walk-in. Attire was not an issue this night. Like us, others went to the Cavs game earlier and had t-shirts on. Sure, it's not an inexpensive dining experience. The menu is also limited as you'd expect at an upscale place. The protions were decent sized but not overwhelming as I'd heard before. The drinks were good and strong although the wife's two cosmo's each looked and tasted completely different. My Grey Goose Martini's (w/blue cheese olives) rocked. I forgot what we had for desert (I told you the drinks rocked) but it was chocolate and it was very good. So if that's where it all ended, I'd say it was a very good dining experience. I would go again. The highlight for us though was Michael. First, you can hear his recognizable laugh across the room. You didn't have to look to know he was there. He also came to our table and had a very nice, genuine conversation with us. He's a busy guy so for him to take a few minutes and talk to his patrons went a long way for me. We've been to other Iron Chef's restaurants in NYC and they were nowhere to be found. You could tell Michael wasn't just going through the motions. He was very sincere and very appreciative of us being there. It made for a special dining experience.
Pros: Michael's presence, casual feeling ambiance but upscale food
Cons: Prices, portion size
Users Like You Also Viewed
Buca di Beppo
16677 SOUTHPARK CENTER
STRONGSVILLE, OH 44136
Don's Lighthouse
8905 Lake Ave
Cleveland, OH 44102
