Lolita

Lolita is the name of a restaurant in the Tremont District of Cleveland. It is the 2nd restaurant that Chef Michael Symon has opened in the Cleveland area.

Michael Symon is the newer Iron Chef on Food Networks, Iron Chef America. He is also the new host of Dinner Impossible on the Food Network.

I have been following him since he began his quest on the Iron Chef competition and knowing he was from Cleveland - and recently being a transplant to the area.

Last year, Aunt Sue & Uncle Tom gave us a gift certificate to his restaurant Lolita, but due to the crazy renovations, Celie's cast, and the pregnancy, we haven't really had the chance to do so. However, last night - Aunt Sue & Uncle Tom & Mrs O were all on hand to watch the girls while Bob and I were actually able to get into an early reservation at Lolita's.

Bob was actually excited about going to his restaurant considering he has watched a few shows recently with me featuring Michael Symon and can see why I like him. I also prepared one of his recipes for Thanksgiving and I think it was the best thing on the table (cornbread dressing). I was just excited not to have to snarf my food down before meltdowns occur and not having to worry about crayons, goldfish, or sippy cups.

It took us about 20 mintues to get to the restaurant. It is in the historic district of Tremont. It was a really cool area. It reminded me a lot of Virginia Highlands in Atlanta - at least the Virginia Highlands of old. We were sat immediately. It is a fairly small venue, with seating of about 80 or so. Our waitress, Tammy, was awesome. It definitely had a cozy, relaxed feel to it with an artistic edge. It definitely made me miss some of the old hang outs of Atlanta & Boston. But I was very glad to have found something so cool in the Cleveland area & with such reasonable prices. WOW!!

Bob had the roasted garlic bruchetta for an appetizer and I had the mixed greens salad with local goat cheese in a lemon viniagrette. My salad was absolutely delicious and light. The lemon viniagrette was the perfect consistentency and perfect balance of sweetness & tartness. Just wonderful. Bob ordered the Meatballs with a squash puree as a side. I ordered the Hanger steak over chickpeas, skordalia & cilantro with a side of local roasted potatoes. WOW!! Bob's was awesome - great flavor combinations - it was like eating a traditional bowl of spaghetti and meatballs without the spaghetti. Yummy. My steak was phenomonal. perfectly done and seasoned well. The chickpeas & skordalia was a light and crunchy contrast to the steak. The roasted potatoes had a wonderful seasoning and done to perfection. Of course, we couldn't have dinner and not get dessert as well. Bob ordered the Chocolate Pot du Creme and I ordered the Gelato of the day - a Porter Gelato - that would be Porter as in a beer. I snagged a bite of Bob's dessert before he dug in. WOW!! it was AMAZING. The thick chocolate custard was well balanced with the creme on top and the touch of caramel. But what really kicked the flavor in my opinion, was the hint of sea salt on top. WOW!! My Porter Gelato was fantastic. The flavor of the porter was front and center and the gelato was smooth and creamy. If I had known about this dessert at the beginning of my pregnancy, I would have ordered it by the Gallons. It definitely satisfied my beer craving.

It was a fabulous dinner & it was nice to spend some time with Bob just him and I. I had been looking forward to going to Lolita's for dinner for almost a year and I was not disappointed. I admire Chef Symon because he talks a lot about flavor and balance in his dishes, but since you cannot smell through the TV, you kind of have to take his word on it. He is the Truth though. His flavors are wonderful. It really is the first time that I have been able to really dissect things and it was a lot of fun for me. I hope that we are able to go back again some time after Jake gets here.

Watch out those in MI. He is supposed to be opening a restaurant in Detroit called Roast. You will be in for a REAL treat.