3 States
2 Days
1,105 Miles
23 Hours, 32 Minutes Driving Time
33 MPG
47 MPH Average Speed
7 Restaurants
8 Bakeries
2 Ice cream shops
Years ago, after reading Michael Ruhlman’s The Soul of a Chef, an instant need to dine at Lola was created. This book traces the Certified Master Chef program at the Culinary Institute of America, Thomas Keller’s high end Napa Valley restaurant The French Laundry and up and coming Michael Symon’s Cleveland bistro Lola. Since reading this book the gregarious Chef Symon won Food Network’s The Next Iron Chef and subsequently had his own series.
Fly or drive? Driving I could cross some stuff off the Chicago, Ohio and Indiana lists.
Friday, March 23rd, 2012
Alinea, Charlie Trotter’s, Tru, Spiaggia, Topolobampo and Moto. Been to Chicago's top restaurants except for Everest and L2O. Time to cross one off the list.
Everest is perched on the 40th floor of the Chicago Stock Exchange and requires checking in with a doorman, taking an elevator to the 39th floor, transferring to another elevator to the 40th and a walk down a narrow hallway.
That narrow hallway accentuates the grand space you step into.
How's this view?
Went with the 3 course prix fixe menu, $94, choosing either signature dishes or ones that show the ability of the kitchen.
Spring Onion Soup, Artichoke Puree
Crusted Berkshire Pork Cheeks, Poached Veal Tongue, Choucroute Salade, Petite Ravigote
Magret of Mulard Duck, Wild Pine Honey, Marinated Turnips à la Colmarienne
Ruby Grapefruit Gelee, Tapioca, Blood Orange Glace
Michigan Asian Pear, Caramel Almond Praline,Milk Chocolate Hazelnut Glacé
>Saturday, March 24th, 2012
After using they Hyatt’s fitness room for weights the cardio was handled outside; it was neat to run the sidewalks walked so many times.
Built in 2007, Trump Tower is on my top 5 favorite Chicago buildings. I admire how this gleaming spire of curved and angular surfaces has different looks from various angles and distances. Like any honorable new Chicago building it pays respect to older building with its design.
16, appropriately located on the 16th floor, is the building’s high end dining destination.
My table's view was of the iconic Wrigley and Tribune Buildings. If you want, I can give an exhaustive narrative of the history and design of them.
Keeping it healthy with an Egg White Omelet, Turkey Bacon, Tropical Protein Shake and Whole Wheat Muffin. $22.
Walkerton, Indiana
The last trip to Fort Wayne was for dinner and a movie after visiting the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum 25 miles north. This visit was all about food!
Sitting shoulder to shoulder on one of Cindy’s Diner’s 15 stools I marveled at all the bustle.
Powers Hamburgers. 1940. Classic. Great group of customers and personable employees.
Their legendary little burgers with sautéed onions smashed into them.
Apple Fritters could bring world peace.
The nice lady made my decision with that Pecan Roll and when I asked if she could make my decisions for the day she cheerfully quipped, “Have a blessed day!” That is a Cinnamon Scone from Yum-Mee Bakery.
This is America.
Ottawa, Ohio
Dietsch Brothers in Findlay makes their own chocolate and ice cream so I got both with Black Raspberry Chocolate Chunk.
Findlay
Lola anchors Cleveland's pedestrian 4th Street.
The open kitchen provides a backdrop to the dimly lit dining room.
Beef Cheek Pierogi, Wild Mushrooms, Horseradish Crème Fraiche
One bite put it on the Best Things I Put In My Mouth list.
Let's take a look at a cross section:
Smoked Berkshire Pork Chop, Chilies, Cheesy Polenta, BBQ Onions
He uses mascarpone in the polenta. Devious. And delicious.
The 6AM
Brioche French Toast, Maple-Bacon Ice Cream, Caramelized Apple
Waitress: “Is there anything else I can get for you sir?”
Me: “A cot. I’m going into a food coma.”
Walked around Cleveland getting to experience it more after only one prior visit. The Arcade is the nation's first shopping center dating back to 1890.
Sunday, March 25th, 2012
Up after 2AM. Work out. Drive, drive, drive.
The fog still hadn’t burned off in Bucyrus.
Yes, this is a donut, from Pat’s Donuts & Kreme in Lima, Ohio. That’s just quadruple goodness.
The golden hue of the Oatmeal Raisin Cookies contrasted beautifully with the black tray. True art!
Near the Indiana border, the brick streets of Fort Recovery underscored the town's age.
James Dean grew up in remote Fairmount, Indiana and was buried here in 1955.
Lafayette’s sharp courthouse and town square.
A need to dine at Triple XXX Family Restaurant was instilled after seeing it on the long defunct Food Network series The Best Of , and more recently on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.
The snaking counter was filled mostly with nearby Purdue University students.
Their legendary Chopped Steak and Triple XXX Root Beer from which the restaurant gets its name.
Home before 6.