Planning the itinerary home for my cousin's wedding, a daytrip to Cleveland was on the top of my list to check out one of Iron Chef Michael Symon's restaurants. Love to watch the sheer joy and passion he cooks with. Michael Symon's enthusiasm reminds me of the abundance, details and love that my Chuck put into his own creations. And don't get me started on the love of the Pig they share in common. Anyone else remember the 100 lb wedding pig on a spit in our postage stamp of a backyard? This was my opportunity to experience the essence of Symon's cooking first hand. So what's a little 2.5 hour drive for lunch?
Apparently, Seattle weather followed me as it was spitting rain the entire trip. Melting the blue collar, working town landscapes of my childhood with the moody greys of my present felt timeless and perfect. Navi did a reliable job of delivering my Dad & I to Lola's doorstep 15 minutes prior to our reservation.
The restaurant combines elegance, intimacy, hip modernism and a splash of nostalgia into an inviting atmosphere. The open kitchen was enchanting and kept catching my eye. Everyone we encountered was very friendly and looked geniunely happy to be there. A delight to see.
As always a bittersweet tinge surrounds my foodie ventures as I imagine how Chuck would have enjoyed them. My memories of Chuck are so interlaced with food that the two can never be separated. Especially when it's an experience that I know he would have immersed himself in. And oh, how he would have loved Lola.
Dad & I took our time perusing the menu. Pierogies with Beef Cheeks as the appetizer to share was a no brainer. Been curious to try them since I first saw them in Symon's cookbook last Dec. After vacillating between the Scallops and the Duck Confit, I ordered the Duck as it was just added to the menu and a starter Mixed Greens Salad. Dad chose the Hanger Steak with fingerling potatoes.
When our apps delivered I was a bit disoriented as the salad before me contained a bouquet of fresh, lovely looking...beets. Beets are one of the few foods that I'll go out of my way to avoid, so I couldn't image having overlooked that detail while reading the menu. Just as I was about to ask our waitress if I had ordered the wrong salad, a memory flooded over me and my laughter bubbled over. The first year and a half after Chuck passed away, each time I dined out beets were the featured vegetable. I couldn't get away from them. Beets were everywhere, always arriving un-announced. And each time in Chuck's honor I'd diligently give beets another chance. Inevitably with a slight glance upward I'd whisper "I still don't like them Chuck, nice try." Finally, it became so common that I comically shouted out loud in the middle of a downtown Seattle restaurant "Enough with the Beets Already!" Immediately beets stopped coming across my path.
Which brings me back to Lola and the salad filled with them artfully crafted in front of me. I recognized it as a little wink from Chuck. That he really wanted me to try the beet salad. Truth of the matter is I was delivered a Spinach Salad and not the Mixed Greens, but I'm sticking to my story. And I'll be damned, but that salad and the beets were absolutely delicious. Hats off to you Iron Chef for making something I previously detested extremely enjoyable. And Chuck, you've finally won the beet battle.
In conversations, we explained that I was visiting from Seattle and was uber excited to try the restaurant. The manager came over to talk to us about our journey and fuss a little. It was sweet and so much fun.
And then came our gorgeous, scrumptous main courses. Dad throughly enjoyed the hanger steak. The duck confit was absolutely heavenly. The crunch and salty skin, the crispy lettuce, sweetness of the apple,the tang of the mustard, hint of pancetta and richness of the duck. The balance of flavors was subtle and perfection. My compliments to the chef, you made my soul sigh!
Oh and the pierogies were purely divine. Overall a lovely meal and adventure shared with my wonderful and indulgent Dad. Definitely ranks within my top 10 meals.
Next time you find yourself in Cleveland check out Lola. It rocks! My only regret is that I don't live closer.
POSTCARDS FROM LOLA
Dad & I
