Lola - A Michael Symon Restaurant

We love eating at Lola. Even though pricey, we went for our anniversary. The food was fabulous. My husband isn't the most food adventurous type and he loved his food. The meat and scallops were cooked perfect. Everything really did make the occasion even more special. We went back a second time for Cleveland restaurant week. $50/person and it was a three course meal with large portions. We still rave about the maple bacon ice cream. Thanks Michael for a great place in Downtown Cleveland. It's definitely worth a visit.

Worth a stop if downtown. Innovative food, servers very good with recommendations. I would take out of towners to Lolita if they want a taste of Michael Symons cooking though...

Definitely above the ordinary, this placed has the ambiance and menu of a New York place! And they're not afraid to offer unusual items for ...

I've had the opportunity to eat at many well known places on the East and West Coast through work (Le Bernardin, Nobu, etc) and for the firs...

you clearly have no idea what you are talking about. you dined at lolita in tremont based on your menu selections. does lolita sound like a "french bistro"? it specializes in mediterranean/italian cuisine. maybe you should go back to the olive garden for your "all you can eat" salad and breadsticks. leave the more sophisticated dining to people who get it. peace.

Wow. Went in with some expectation of service due to the prices. Lunch. Reservationist was clear saying we MUST be out by 2:00. Server had an attitude right off the bat pushing us for our order (this was at 12:00). Ordered drinks then perused the appetizers. Ordered four including the charcuterie plate. All arrived and when a guest inquired what was on the charcuterie plate she lazily replied without being specific of what was what. When pressed for more specific detail she said she didn't know and would ask the kitchen. She proceded to be vague again and we went about enjoying mystery selections. Soup course arrived and we were all stunned by its heavy saltiness. It was brought back to the kitchen with the server pointing us out to the cook and manager. No mention was made to us about our returning it. Pressed again for our lunch orders and reminded we needed to be out by 2:00. A guest inquired about the cut of meat and again she didn't know. I assume she is very clear on what 20% mea... Read more

went for a birthday dinner. food was really up and down. First disappointment was the breadsticks. First, this is supposed to be a french bistro and we are getting clearly non-homemade HARD breadsticks? My family made jokes about using them if we felt threatened when we drove downtown. Our appetizers took a long time to make, enough to even get up to eat the breadsticks! Zucchini fritters were very good as an appetizer, but really small portion. Ricotta dip tasted like... ricotta and nothing else. No one was really thrilled with their entrees. I ordered the macaroni with goat cheese and rosemary and chicken [without the chicken]. The dish was really just macaroni with an alfredo sauce. I didn't eat it and instead ordered a side vegetable so I could have something to eat. Other people at the table ordered the linguine with clams, which they liked, the meatballs which were just fine [but a little bizarre- three HUGE meatballs just sitting in sauce, nothing else]. Also ran out of the wine... Read more

We went to Lola's with our son and daughter-in-law to celebrate our 34th wedding anniversary. Our son recommended it. It was wonderful. The waiter was great and knew everything about the menu and the food. The whole staff was very attentive and we had wonderful service. Our food was delicious and we were full when we left. The price was about right for a great restaurant. We had a wonderful evening and I feel that Lola's made our 34th a special one. The Charcouterie is to die for.

I would only recommend this joint if you are my enemy or if you enjoy bad food and bad service. This was the worst dining experience... I have never had such an incompetent server. She threw our drinks and dinner on the table! She did not listen to our order. I do not care that the owner of the restaurant has a tatoo from a Betty Crocker cut-of-meat picture. The bread was something out of a third world prison. DO NOT GO TO THIS PLACE.

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.

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 d... Read more

We ate here on a Friday, it was busy, loud, and dark. The server was fantastic, her recommendations were spot on. We had the charcuterie for an appetizer, which was delicious, then she had the duck and I had the pork chop and I couldn't decide which was better! They were both VERY tasty, and the portion sizes were incredible, I don't understand how people on here are complaining about the portions... For a "gourmet" restaurant the portions were ENORMOUS! Dessert we had the 6AM Special and the Warm Chocolate Cake, the chocolate cake was perfect, rich and gooey with delicious sangria berries and berry sorbet. The 6AM Special was good, definitely different, with the maple-bacon ice cream was surprisingly good, the only problem with it was that the french toast was stuck to the plate like cement, so it was very hard to eat. All I know is that this 2 hour dining experience flew by and my stomach and tastebuds thank the chef for hisefforts.

For my Christmas gift, my wife promised me a weekend in Cleveland to dine at the restaurants of the newly named Iron Chef. There's a whole lot I like about both Michael Symon's restaurants, Lola and Lolita. First off, the staff is overly accommodating. We went into Lolita on a busy Friday night and the hostess managed to squeeze us in for a table. She talked with us and we told her how we had planned to try to dine at both restaurants, but Lola was booked for dinner on Saturday and were not able to get reservations. Minutes later she returned to our table to inform us that if we were still interested in dining at Lola on Saturday, that we had had a 6:30 reservations there! We went to the bar after dinner where she followed up by giving me a signed menu from the Iron Chef and recommended Cleveland hot spots for the rest of our weekend. Her tile should be concierge, not hostess. We also had the chance to talk with the manager, who was also very polite and accommodating as wel... Read more

If I could have given 3.5 stars I would have; while definitely an above-average experience, I am only marginally recommending the place. Previous comments about the saltiness are correct; I really don't understand why the food is over-salted. My husband and I came here for our anniversary. He ordered the scallops, which were excellent. I had the halibut which was good, but as previously stated, too salty. For appetizers, my husband ordered the beef cheek pierogoes. Good, but you only get two pierogoes for $12.00. I had the crab gnocchi, which was delicious. Our desserts were excellent, but very small. The portions are indeed small, especially considering the price. Our server was very friendly, but wasn't as knowledgable about the wine as I had hoped. We asked to speak to the chef, so that I could congratulate him on his Cleveland magazine cover. He was very charming and we had a nice conversation with him. The atmosphere is really nice; I love how it is decorated, and th... Read more

I am a big fan of Lolita in Tremont, and heard good things about Lola, so thought I'd give it a try. Although the decor was good, the restaurant was very loud and I could barely here myself speak - and this was a Wednesday night. The appetizer was tiny, literally 2 or 3 bites. The entrees were alright, but extremely over salted and nothing stellar. We thought we'd be too full to finish the dessert, but both deserts could literally be eaten in 1 bite. I have honestly never seen anything smaller. I wanted to try the famed "6am special", but found it very strange tasting and just odd. I'm all for restaurants serving smaller portions, but at Lola the portions were just miniscule. Service was alright, but overall, I was very disappointed and cannot say I will go back in the future. If you are looking for great food and a great atmosphere, check out Lolita instead.

I enjoyed this restaurant very much. It isn't perfect, however. It was too dark in the space to see much. With less than perfect eyesight, the ultra-low lighting made it especially difficult to enjoy the surroundings, let alone see the menu easily. The music playing was enjoyable, but it was a bit too loud, causing people to speak louder and louder to hear each other over it. Service was very good, and not overbearing. The servings are unusually small, especially compared to the typical American chain restaurant. But we felt they were just right to give us enough of a taste without making us feel bloated and sick. Although it did make the bill seem even higher. All the dishes we ordered were very intense in flavor. The complementary bread and gnocchi appetizer were very good, as were the venison and squab entrees. The venison was perfect, and it was not gamey. The bright red interior of the squab surprised me, but I trusted that the chef felt it was cooked perfectly. I... Read more

Chef Michael Symon, of Food Network fame, uses only the freshest, local ingredients in preparing some of the best dishes you've ever tried. Be sure to save room for desert. Pastry chef Corey has some wonderful selections. My favorite is the 6 am Special - miniature french toast with maple-bacon ice cream and carmelized apples.

My wife and I were traveling through town on business when we were told by an associate that Lola is Cleveland's best restaurant. Being a wine and restaurant professional my interest was peaked. We were warmly welcomed at the door and shown to a lovely table for two. Our server, Natalie was friendly, helpful, knowledgeable and efficient. The wine list was good but erratic. It missed some very key elements. The martinis on the other had were superb, and most importantly, the food was out of this world. The chef's focus on mid-western comfort food prepared with gourmet excellence is spectacular. I had the lamb shank and it was, without exaggeration, the best lamb dish I have ever had. Period. My advice - make your reservations ASAP.

I just want to take a moment and comment on the review "Waste of Time, Waste of Money. The gentleman who wrote the review failed to mention a couple of things regarding his experience. We too were there the evening he and 3 others dined at Lola. It was New Years Eve and everyone was informed when making the reservation there would be a $100 limited menu. Anyone restaurant knowledgable expects this type of package. This man proceded to cause scene after scene complaining and disrupting all other patron's wonderful evening and dinner. In an effort to be "heard", he physically attacked an owner and had to be escorted out. It would only be fitting that he would have a bad taste in his mouth the day after. I think everyone who went to Lola the evening of New Years Eve would agree that the food and service was a wonderful start to 2007. Anyone who loves food should check out Lola and enjoy!!!!

I consider myself well traveled and well versed in fine dining. This restaurant is a JOKE!!!! Can this restaurant be any worse???? First of all they lure you into the restaurant and do not warn you they are about to steal your money by offering a limited menu ridicously priced. FIRST!!!!! $100 per person is a joke. So after you point out that you were not told about pricing during reservations or confirmation you and the guests are offered a seconday menu. The first clue to the horrible food is the abundance of SALT on, in and around everything! Apparently the chef has not figured out FLAVOR and chooses to cover the food in SALT for taste. Back to the secondary menu...$42 for a 1.5 lb lobster that really is only 4 oz is a complete scam, watch out for the Sweet Potato Gnocchi...you would think they would provide $40 worth of Gnocchi since they just gave you $2 worth of lobster...but think again. No sort of Chef explaination can do it justice...Oh and the waitstaff is not e... Read more

Went there with a friend from out of town. Little difficult finding parking. Went on a weeknight without reservatuions and were seated right away. The staff was very friendly and helpful. As an appetizer, I really recommend the Big Board for Two. Fantastic.

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.

This is the best type of restaurant: fine-dining food and service in a place that's a neighborhood hangout for many. That way, you get a friendly and relaxed feeling when you stop in, even if you're there for a special occasion. I would recommend this place to food snobs from New York and LA and to regular folks alike. Hands-down the best food I've ever had, bar none. Pricey for some, yes, but worth it, without question.

The person who said "you can do better Cleveland" must have hit Lola on a rare day because, living in the neighborhood, we stop in frequently for an appetizer or light dinner at the bar and they have really great unique soup, unique menu, the breads are always fabulous with special butters and it has always lived up to its reputation of being a special, exclusive, romantic place to go. You probably do need a reservation if you want to sit at a table but you can walk in, sit and eat at the bar, they have valet parking and if you want to see 'famous people'.......

HUGE disapponitement with new menu. Stale bread. Wet salad. Very poorly prepared, entre that was cold. Mediocre, college student service. All for a lot of money that I could have spent much better at a competitor downtown. Very unhappy. Will not return.

You have to try their version of mac-n-cheese. If mom only made our like this years ago. Great food, great martinis, great experience. I recommend this place to all my friends from out of town -- gotta experience Lola!

best bistro around. My husbands favorite. Everything is perfect, including service. Martini heaven. We are 3 for 3 here.

Just try their version of Mac-n-Cheese - out of this world! Rich and delicious. Nice wine list and good atmosphere. We went without a reservation (although later in the evening), and were seated promptly in spite of a large crowd. Service was excellent - the right mix of attentive and let-you-eat. A bit on the pricy side, but worth it for a nice night out.

I went to this restaurant for once, and I was amzed becuase of the tasty food and the great service. I don't think it can be better than that. This restaurant is good for couples and also for singles.