Cleveland: Ohio's new chow town

Everything about Lola Bistro reflects Michael Symon’s culinary style and personality. (Rather than chef’s whites, the cooks at his downtown restaurant wear mechanic-style garb.) Michael is a proud carnivore, so servers at Lola will applaud you for wanting a big pile of protein. The menu changes every couple of months; the seasonal Frito Misto appetizer includes pork belly, pork ear and chili-spiced cracklings, and Hampshire Pork Chops bear no relation to what can be, in the hands of amateurs, notoriously dry “other white meat.” He even incorporates bacon in dessert, but lighter choices such as lemon mousse with caramelized grapefruit score, too. Not all of Michael’s newer ventures into burger territory have wowed us, but his landmark first restaurant is as good as ever. (216) 621-5652; lolabistro.com