Ms. Dahlia, Detroit/Cleveland
Age and Occupation: 24, PhD Student
Fiance's Age and Occupation: 24, IT System Administrator
Engagement Date: December 31, 2006
Wedding Date: May 2008
Blogging Since: September 19, 2007
Venue: United Methodist Cathedral & historic downtown hotel in Cleveland
About Me: I enjoy cooking, dancing and swimming. I am a geek and apply game theory to my everyday life. Winter is my favorite time of year, especially when spent curled up with good coffee and a book by Madeleine L'Engle.
Rehearsal Dinner, Part 2
November 30th, 2007 @ 11:08 am by Ms. Dahlia
I received an email earlier today from Mr. Dahlia’s mom with some exciting news- the rehearsal dinner is booked!You may recall from my earlier post that we have checked out a couple of places. Over Thanksgiving weekend, we went out to another wonderful dinner with Mr. Dahlia’s parents to Lola, (the new!) Iron Chef Michael Symon’s flagship restaurant. Mr. Dahlia and I had already been to Lolita and loved it, and we were really looking forward to visiting Lola.
Expectations were high. I’ve been to Lolita twice, and both times was thoroughly impressed by my meal. When Lola moved from Tremont (an area in Cleveland with lots of restaurants and galleries) across the river to E. 4th st. (by the House of Blues and other restaurants and nightlife; this is right downtown), Symon turned Lola into Lolita- a more casual, friendlier on the wallet version of Lola. But Lola is arguably the best restaurant in town, and Symon won “The Next Iron Chef” between the time that we made our reservation and actually ate our meal.
Sadly, I do not have pictures of our evening, as I left my camera at home and my cell phone is camera-free.
We were seated promptly at our table; at a neighboring booth was none other than Michael Ruhlman. Mr. Dahlia’s mom and I were discussing whether the chef himself would be working that night, but that question was quickly answered- he was. It turns out that Chef Symon spends a significant amount of time at each of his restaurants when they are open, and he tries to talk with every.single.person that sits at his tables. Yes, we did get to meet him(!) and talked with him briefly about having our rehearsal dinner at Lola. (Eeee! The teenage girl foodie in me is still really excited- this is the first celebrity I have ever really talked to!) Naturally, he thought it was a great idea.
After dinner, we met with the manager and saw the private dining room. Chic, modern, wonderful. The only question was whether it would be large enough. (At this point in time, we had decided it was either Lola or Lolita. Lola’s dining room seats 30, and Lolita’s, 45). We decided that only those directly involved (and their significant others- or parents, in the case of the flower girl and ring bearer) in the wedding would be invited to the rehearsal dinner- which leaves us at 27 for dinner. Given the close proximity of the restaurant to the hotel where guests will be staying, we figure that we can set up a time to meet guests at the bar after the rehearsal dinner.
So Lola it is.
And I am more than ecstatic about getting to taste some of the wonderfulness that comes out of that kitchen the night before I get married. (Holy cow! I’m getting married!)
Where are (did) you having your rehearsal dinner? Are (did) you including out of town guests, or restricting it to those involved in the wedding?
11 Responses to “Rehearsal Dinner, Part 2”
That’s so exciting! I have to admit I watched all of The Next Iron Chef (I’m such a tv addict) and Michael Symon was my fave throughout. In fact he sort of made me want to go visit Cleveland, haha. It seems like it will be an awesome place for your RD!
Very fun! I had a feeling you’d be announcing this. 
Miss Dahlia, that is AWEsome!! My husband I just went there on Tuesday for our 6-month anniversary and it was fantastic. I love the atmosphere and the food is amazing. We plan to take my father-in-law (a HUGE foodie) there when he comes into town. We also saw Mr. Iron Chef walking around and talking with guests, but we weren’t actually able to meet him. 
Maybe next time! I’m sure you’ll have a great rehearsal dinner there!
We went to the 100th Bomb Group for our rehearsal dinner. We did not invite out-of-towners, mostly because our bridal party was so big and we were having so many people in from out of town- it would have been too big. We ended up with parents,grandparents, and bridal party with guests, which turned out to be around 40 people. For any other Cleveland bride, I would suggest the 100th Bomb Group- the service and food were fantastic.
My FI and I went to Lolita for our negative six month wedding anniversary on Sunday (meaning 6 months until the big date). We loved it, and I also got to meet Michael Symon and got a picture with him. Its so exciting to have such a (food) celebrity here in town and have him be so down to earth!
We’re actually having our rehearsal dinner at the Winking Lizard (Lakewood) - a local chain of bar/restaurants. We love their food and beer selection - and its a little less formal which is what we wanted. Plus, we did invite the out of towners, so its easier on the wallet. My favorite is the grilled cheese, which I will totally be having that evening!!! The room has pool tables and karaoke (and we’ll bring Guitar Hero) so it will be a fun evening!
The new Lola will provide a lovely warm romantic atmosphere for your rehearsal!
We went for a more down to earth rehearsal more inline with our rustic and cozy wedding. We had ours at Mario Fazio in Willoughby Hills. It’s our neighborhood “joint” that we go to for a relaxed night out every so often. The food is so much better than one would expect of a little tucked away Italian restaurant. And they had a party room just big enough for our big group. It worked out perfectly! And it was delicious and fun and I only had to drive 1.5 miles home afterward to get back to my last minute crafting 
Oooh! Tiffany! Are you going to use the bowling alley in the basement too?! FUN!
Lucky you! Michael Symon was a standout on the Next Iron Chef series and I’m so glad he won in the end. I’m sure your rehearsal dinner is going to be scrumptious!
Miss Dahlia, would you mind e-mailing me about the pricing for Lola and Lolita? I think a gift card to one or the other would make a good holiday gift for some Cleveland peeps. Thanks!
Chrissie- The most complete information about prices for Lola and Lolita are available on the website http://www.lolabistro.com.
Hopefully that helps you out!
Yes, I know I am responding to this post several months behind, but I am a (transplant) clevelander myself, and I used to live in the apartment directly above Lola (thats my window in the picture! Haha). The restaurant, staff and food are absolutely amazing, and my girlfriends and I have spent many “girls nights” drinking martinis in their fabulous bar. What a great place to have your rehearsal dinner - you are so lucky! Great choice!
