Michael Symon’s Lolita is a beautiful little restaurant situated in the Tremont area of Cleveland, OH. If you don’t know who Michael Symon is, I’ll give you a little introduction.

Michael Symon is a Cleveland-born, celebrity chef often seen on shows like The Chew and Iron Chef. He has several restaurants in the Cleveland area; B-Spot in Woodmere, Lola in downtown Cleveland, and Lolita in Tremont. He is also opening a BBQ restaurant by the fall in downtown Cleveland called Mabel’s BBQ.

I’ve been to B-Spot several times and they have amazing bratwursts and their lola fries are to die for. I was really looking forward to trying Lolita if all of his food tastes as good as B-Spot.

Although I made a reservation, I got there just as they opened, so I was promptly seated. They only served dinner, which is fine I suppose. I just had to plan my day out and find things to do in the afternoon.

I enjoyed the atmosphere and the industrial-style lighting balanced with wood and exposed brick. The ceiling still had the old molding from the original building.

I got a glass of wine to start off with. They also serve beer and other standard drinks. I wasn’t sure what meal I was going to get so I settled on a Riesling because it tends to pair well with a variety of foods.

I also ordered a meat board with the smoked salami. This also came with lots of crusty bread, fennel, and a mushroom sauce. It was very good and I had to make sure not to eat too much or I was going to spoil my dinner. It packed up well and I had the rest the next day.

For my meal, I got the Rabbit Risotto. It was composed of shredded rabbit, rice, and various exotic mushrooms. It was a hearty meal with a bold flavor. It had been a long time since I’ve had rabbit so my tastebuds didn’t know what to think. It was very good, but my palate wasn’t used to it. As I continued to eat it, I became more accustomed to the flavor and it was wonderful.

I also got a side of fried brussels sprouts with walnuts and anchovies. Normally, I’m not a fan of 2/3 of the ingredients, but they were fabulous together. I had never tasted anything like it before. It was a bit oily, but that wasn’t a big deal. It was a strong flavor that slaps you in the mouth. It’s definitely a must try.

My usual companion, Jo, got a sausage pizza (I know, he’s so “brave). He said he loved it. The sausage tasted of high-quality and the crust was crispy without being burnt.

Overall, it was a pleasant experience and I would go back. This is a place that is on the pricier side, but if you’re looking for good quality and interesting food, then this is the place for you.

Lolita 

900 Literary Rd

Cleveland, OH 44113

Thanks for reading.