Lola Bistro

Headed to Cleveland, Ohio for business and did my usual R&D of food exploring. It was my chance to visit and try Michael Symon's Lola Bistro in downtown Cleveland. It was only a 15 min walk from my hotel located on 4th street, which was a cute closed off street of casual/fine dining and bars. I was in pork heaven. If you don't know, Symon is very well-known for his skills with pork and Lola's definitely displayed that. Seated myself at the bar, which had uplighting through the table top and the bar drink menu was on an iPad, pretty cool. I started with the Pork Belly appetizer of "buffalo pig ear", shaved celery, blue cheese, apple; main course of the Smoked Hampshire Pork Chopchiles, cheesy polenta, bbq onions. I thought my meal was done, but the very gracious and kind bartender gave me dessert on the house bc I waited longer than normal for my main course. Ended on a sweet note of the 6 a.m. Special a brioche french toast, maple-bacon ice cream and caramelized apple. This meal was probably one of the best I've ever had. My taste buds were satisfied and I enjoyed every bite of the food. That pork chop was cooked perfectly, the juices and the smoke were lovely. I'm so glad I came here and fortunate that my clients are based in Cleveland, which means...future visits and *ahem* an expensed dinner..haha.