Hello Fall

Living in the South for the past three years has had its perks.  Miami and Houston both have helped me avoid my least favorite season of the year: fall.  I know, I know, I'm mostly alone on my feelings for this season.  Maybe I'm just a Debbie Downer but I get sad cause the days are getting shorter, the weather's getting cooler and the greenery is no longer...green.  


Life has taken me to Cleveland for a few days and I went from a steamy 95 degrees in Houston to 49 degrees my first day.  It was so windy, I wished I had my winter hat and long underwear on.  Ok, I'm being a bit dramatic but it was cold!  


How did I "celebrate" this climate change?  
a) enjoyed walking around in my trench that has been barely used since Mom bought it for me last year
b) bought a pumpkin donut and had pumpkin ale 
c) realized maybe this chilly weather isn't so bad if it's only for a few days (and if the sun is out too)


Now onto my culinary adventure...
I ventured to Iron Chef Michael Symon's (and now co-host of the new talk show The Chew) restaurant, Lola.  I was actually surprised to find out it was so close to my downtown hotel.  My first two days in Cleveland did not leave a good impression on me cause the city seemed a bit deserted and run down.  Then I walked over to 4th Street, where the restaurant was located, and found a cute, lil street filled with trendy restaurants, which brought a sign of life to this city.  

located at: 2058 E 4th St, Downtown, Cleveland, Ohio

I went there for lunch with a friend, who happened to join me in Cleveland for the day.  We split Spicy Tomato Bisque, which wasn't so spicy but had a nice tanginess from blue cheese.  

The friend ordered Chicken Confit, at the recommendation of our server.  She said it was just added to the menu the day before and she couldn't get enough of it.  I opted for Pork Schnitzel, only because I saw the words BACON and BRUSSELS SPROUTS and knew I had to have it.  

The Chicken Confit was amazingly tender, like melt-in-your-mouth.  If chicken tasted like that all the time, I would eat it non-stop.  BEST CHICKEN EVER.  

My Pork Schnitzel was the good kind of salty that comes from BACON and super tasty.  Michael Symon does not mess around.  mmmmmm

Of course we ordered dessert.  We got a palate-cleansing Coconut and Cactus Pear Sorbet topped with dark chocolate.