Lolita | Cleveland

At Chef Michael Symon's chic and cozy Mediterranean bistro Lolita, there's an understated brilliance working its way into his dishes. Take the exemplary House made Pork Rinds ($6) which achieve a light and airy crispness, benefiting from a simple chili and lime seasoning that ever so nicely cuts their natural saltiness. The Crispy Pig Tails & Ears ($10) are another outstanding demonstration of the chefs prodigious ways with pork. The textures are spot on where crispy yet tender forkfuls meet a fennel-onion agrodolce, pickled chilies and cilantro. The Carrot Agnolotti ($18) presents elegantly braised rabbit that has been shredded and is bathing in a gorgeous, bright heirloom carrot agrumato. Side dishes of Fried Brussels Sprouts ($6) laced with caper, anchovy and walnut and Broccolini ($6) seasoned in Calabrian chili, olive oil, garlic, lemon and breadcrumb prove themselves worthy to stand alongside all these tremendous meat dishes. 

Cocktails are inventive and inspired. The Port Authority ($11) made with Makers Mark bourbon, LBV port, balsamic reduction and basil offers unique and deep flavors. The wine list is thoughtful and widely sourced despite the one Rosé offering of Bonny Doon Vin Gris de Cigare ($12). I am always going to be on the lookout for Rosé this time of year. 

The small space is relaxing and tasteful, where soft lighting and exposed brick meet elaborate pressed gold ceilings. Heavy framed slate windows gaze out over a quaint block in the neighborhood of Tremont. Lolita would be the perfect host for an intimate girls dinner or a date night. The Destination Cleveland crew as a whole was thoroughly impressed with our first dinner out in C-Land. 

Lolita

Tremont

900 Literary Road

Cleveland, Ohio 44113

Coppa Enoteca

On a quiet strip of Shawmut Avenue in the South End sits the intimate yet lively enoteca opened in 2009 by the duo of highly acclaimed Boston chefs; leader Ken Oringer and protégé Jamie Bissonnette. Bissonnette, known for his nose-to-tail cooking, his palate challenging dishes and his way with charcuterie, takes the reigns as executive chef displaying his prowess by way of Italian inspired small plates at Coppa. The ladies and I were seated comfortably at the table in front of the long narrow bar; the late evening sun shining through the floor to ceiling windows in the background.Prefaced by a refreshing St Germain cocktail at The Franklin Cafe with an epilogue of Miller High Lifes at DeLux, Coppa was the boisterous, feel good Thursday night experience highlighted by some really, really good food and wine. The cocktails are inventive, sparking serious intrigue as they maneuver seamlessly around a full liquor license utilizing cordial based ingredients along with fresh juices, vintage spirits and house made syrups and bitters. A Negroni Rosato ($9) combines Rosato vermouth, Aperol, Bols Genever and rhubarb bitters for a well rounded apertivi. It was refreshing with bright and sweet flavors and a wonderfully bitter finish. As we navigated the menu with our good spirited waitress to guide us, we placed our orders in multiple stages, feasting on Stuzzhicini (small Italian bar snacks), salumi, offal, cold-antipasti, wood fired pizza and pastas. Wood roasted Meatballs Alforno ($6) are a blissful first bite, coated lightly in red sauce, draped with a strip of lard and sprinkled in parmesan cheese with just a hint of breadcrumb. Next, a Tonno Conserva ($7) presents cured tuna belly with anchovy, squash and parmesan on a slice of toast. It offered an interesting combination of ingredients with bold, unexpected flavors. The Crostini di Fegato ($6) follows in the same fashion, the chicken liver pate with mostarda was pungent and savory.
A Salumi Platter ($10) showcases the freshest daily selection of thinly sliced house cured meats. From Duck Prosciutto, Rabbit Porchetta, Prosciutto di Parma, Mortadella and Coppa, the perfect slices offer an array of salty flavors and various textures served on a whimsical pig shaped cutting board. House made pasta dishes include a remarkable Trophie con Pesto ($13) with pine nuts, piave and tender morsels of fingerling potatoes while a loose interpretation of Spaghetti alla Carbonara ($14) delights with smoked bacon, sea urchin and farm egg.Vegetables plates are rather lovely as well. Seasoned with fresh herbs and tangy olive oil are the Funghi Marinati ($5). Then there was deliciously thick spears of Grilled asparagus ($7) with a runny poached egg.The wine list is also worth mentioning, it offers boutique and artisanal wines from Italy. We first enjoyed a Refosco Bastianich Rosato ($28) and finished off the meal with a sparkling Faive Rose Brut ($30). The Salsiccia ($16) pizza is an absolute standout. While I was expecting to be awestruck by the non traditional offerings, without a doubt I would recommend ordering a pizza at Coppa. Tomato, spicy pork sausage, ricotta and red onion is a well balanced blend of toppings; lighter on the sauce and generous on the ricotta, highlighted by the prevalent spice of the pork over a crispy wood grilled crust but an overall warm doughy pie. Simply amazing. I would also recommend trying at least one dish from the Offal menu.We tried the Coda de Maiale ($9) - a wood oven roasted pigs tail with mostarda glaze. I found it to be exciting and versatile - crispy and salty reminiscent of bacon in one moment and a bite of tender fatty pork in the next. Two of the evenings specials showcased risk-taking combinations, the first a Burrata and Black Cod Crudo. Almost an awkward pairing is sashimi style fish and the creamy buratta cheese, it seemed to work out okay, but not with flying colors. Same goes for the Chocolate Covered Foie Gras accented with a strawberry glaze. I'd be content if I never ate chocolate covered foie gras again; but that's not to say I didn't enjoy tasting it! What a wildly adventurous pair. We ended the meal with a gorgeous Formaggio Plate, proving, in the end, that simple dishes truly do shine here at Coppa. My favorites of the evening were the classic dishes done well - the meatballs, the pizza, the pesto pasta, the house cured meat and the cheese plate. If you're offal averse - pigs tails and perhaps chicken liver just aren't your thing, don't bypass this South End enoteca in favor of playing it safe. The menu is versatile and caters to all types of food lovers, even vegetarians as evidenced by a few of our plates. When you combine that with swift, friendly service in a lively energetic atmosphere, it makes for one outstanding neighborhood restaurant.

Coppa

253 Shawmut Avenue

Boston, MA 02118