Lola

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. Pros: Service, ambiance, food!!!!!!! Cons: Wine list needs some tinkering. more

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!!!! Pros: educated service Cons: hard to get in on weekends more

I consider myself well traveled and well versed in fine dining.\r \r 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. \r \r 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. \r \r 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 even courteous enough to warn you that the meal cannot feed a small child let alone a full grown adult. \r \r We skipped dessert since we were now guessing that Strawberries meant more than ONE but Slim ODDS that there would be more than TWO. \r \r On the plus side, the ONLY item of value were the drinks...if you enjoy PURE alcohol and no flavor...you are gonna need it just to get through the meal and accept the check.\r \r Pros: Loaded Drinks Cons: Need the drinks for the dehydration from all the salt 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. \r \r As an appetizer, I really recommend the Big Board for Two. Fantastic. Pros: Food, Atmosphere Cons: Parking, Little Pricey more

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. Pros: Great people-watching, Impossibly good food, Great service Cons: Parking (use valet!), Reservations a MUST more

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'....... more

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. more

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! more

best bistro around. My husbands favorite. Everything is perfect, including service. Martini heaven. We are 3 for 3 here. Pros: modern cuisine, trendy, excellent wine menu Cons: bad location, need more specials, rotate menu more

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. Pros: Inventive and tasty, Nice atmosphere, Good wine list Cons: Parking limited, Can be crowded more

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. more