February 4, 200817 yr I made Symon's Pork Cheek and Black Eyed Pea Chili yesterday that I found in <a href="http://www.foodandwine.com/articles/super-bowl-blowout">this article.</a> Not surprisingly, it was really, really good. Took awhile to put together, but it was worth it. If you don't like spicy food, I might cut back on the jalepenos or chipotles...it had some zip to it.
February 4, 200817 yr wow that sounds good. The wings, also in the link, sound great as well. I love Sriracha.......
February 14, 200817 yr Nice article about Symon. Nothing groundbreaking in terms of new information or insight, but nice all the same. Symon says: Cleveland flourishes Thursday, February 14, 2008 On the homepage for the Culinary Institute of America (www.ciachef.edu), there is a video module in the lower left. It shows some of the school's classes and features its more distinguished alumni. One of the videos shows the school's most famous alum, at least for right now. Visitors can watch Chef Michael Symon in his quest to become the newest Iron Chef. More at: http://www.cleveland.com/suncourier/presstime/index.ssf?/base/columnist-0/1202932241185960.xml&coll=4
February 14, 200817 yr One item in terms of new insight, he's selling his house in Brookpark, upgrading to somewhere on the East side. You can check out the kitchen in his old house <a href="http://www.clevelandfoodie.blogspot.com/">here</a> (follow the link from the Cleveland Foodie blog)
February 14, 200817 yr I noticed on the foodie blog that La Tortilla Feliz in Tremont is set to reopen in March? Interesting! clevelandskyscrapers.com Cleveland Skyscrapers on Instagram
February 14, 200817 yr I noticed on the foodie blog that La Tortilla Feliz in Tremont is set to reopen in March? Interesting! Yeah, lots of good restaurant info on that site. Sounds like the "new" look will be worth checking out!
April 22, 200817 yr Our lil' homegrown hero is branching out.... ---------------------------- Iron Chef plans to open restaurant at revamped Book Cadillac hotel By JOHN GALLAGHER and SYLVIA RECTOR • FREE PRESS STAFF WRITERS • April 21, 2008 Michael Symon, a star of television’s “Iron Chef” food show and one of the nation’s fastest-rising celebrity chefs, will open an upscale restaurant this fall at the Westin Book Cadillac Detroit hotel. Advertisement
April 22, 200817 yr Symon to host Food Network show, create Detroit restaurant Tuesday, April 22, 2008Melissa HebertPlain Dealer Reporter As if Michael Symon wasn't busy enough. Cleveland's Mr. Type A of gastronomy is taking on another challenge. He's going to be the host of "Dinner: Impossible," Food Network's third-highest rated show. And he's creating another restaurant in Detroit. These new jobs are in addition to his other roles as owner of Cleveland landmark restaurants Lola and Lolita, and one of the Iron Chefs on Food Network's "Iron Chef America." He will continue to do "Iron Chef America," shooting 10 shows for the new season in June. He begins shooting 10 "Dinner: Impossible" shows next week, finishing at the end of May. New episodes of "Iron Chef America" will begin airing in November, Symon said. One episode of "Dinner: Impossible" will air in July, said "Dinner: Impossible" executive producer Marc Summers, with the new season slated to start in September. More at cleveland.com
October 23, 200816 yr Iron Chef Michael Symon unveils downtown Detroit restaurant Roast by Joe Crea/Plain Dealer Food and Restaurants Editor Thursday October 23, 2008, 12:08 AM DETROIT -- Friends and family, investors and boosters converged on downtown Detroit Wednesday night to help launch Michael Symon's latest venture. And, many hope, to help spur a renaissance in a beleaguered corridor once considered the 5th Avenue of the Midwest. Symon couldn't have found a more perfect setting for his latest restaurant outside of Cleveland. So his partners built that perfect setting around him. John Ferchill, chairman and chief executive officer of The Ferchill Group, a Cleveland-based real estate development and management firm, had acquired the historic Book-Cadillac Hotel in a battered corner of downtown Detroit. When Ferchill and a coalition of more than 20 partners decided to refurbish that property, which had been abandoned for decades and ravaged by vandals, there was only one chef he considered. More at cleveland.com carole here: Love the Ferchill quote. He is one of my favorite developers - not that I am alone - and he is right, in my opinion. What do you think?
October 23, 200816 yr ""Doing a project like this takes people who have a real fortitude to them. It takes the kind who really want to take a chance. The leadership in Detroit knew they needed something that would energize the town." "Love the Ferchill quote. He is one of my favorite developers - not that I am alone - and he is right, in my opinion. What do you think?" http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/03/24/kilpatrick.investigation/index.html http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,416543,00.html http://articles.latimes.com/2008/aug/08/nation/na-mayor8 http://www.kwamekilpatrick.com/aboutthemayor.html clevelandskyscrapers.com Cleveland Skyscrapers on Instagram
October 23, 200816 yr carole here: Love the Ferchill quote. He is one of my favorite developers - not that I am alone - and he is right, in my opinion. What do you think? I disagree. Do we have the best, most progressive political leadership? Absolutely not. But I wouldn't look at a project like this in Detroit & say 'wow, this doesn't happen in Cleveland' Look around and see our investment in the Warehouse District, East Fourth, Euclid Avenue, University Circle, the Flats, & beyond...we're doing pretty well and with poor leadership that wouldn't be happening. Could we do more? Perhaps. However, that quote seemed like an unqualified, personal dig rather than a professional opinion to me.
October 23, 200816 yr I agree, I think the Ferchill quote was a cheap shot. I like him a good deal as a developer, but I've heard enough stories about him that I know he's not a saint or a savior.
October 23, 200816 yr I of course agree that our Mayor doesn't seem to be involved in corruption and therefore hauled away in handcuffs! When the word 'fortitude' was used in the article, I wasn't thinking that meant illegal ! Jeffrey T, absolutely some of what has already happened is amazingly wonderful. But what I see lacking is a willingness to look at cleveland and say let's do unpopular (not illegal!) things that can revive the economy. Forget whether or not we get re-elected; forget if we are republicans or democrats. Let's work together. I DO think that is happening on some level but if you look at the kind of things promoted by our usual developers, they can be a bit uninspiring (mostly on the housing end). I'm liking the Opportunity Homes idea fleshed out a bit this week. We have too many homes for our population so why not expand the amount of land owned by residents next to foreclosed homes and tear them down. Land banks are not new either, we've had them for a while. But I want the best of the best, like Ferchill, to keep working on projects that are going to help bring Cleveland back. For example, if we gave tax abatements to the Film Industry we would not have lost a few good movies and more importantly, would be picking up monies for our economy in Ohio. The more money we have (and part is better than none, as far as tax abatement for business is concerned) the more money we wind up with for great projects to continue. I have no animosity towards Detroit, I'm glad they had this new venture open up and god knows I hope they revitalize their economy along with us. My posting was in no way about detroit, but about Cleveland! Our government peeps in Cleveland need to look over the threads on Urban Ohio every day. They'd get a lot of great ideas. I'm also of a belief that most of the vision, historically (and not just in Cleveland) comes from the private sector, not our leaders in government. So my comments were actually more directed at them.
October 23, 200816 yr You keep saying he's the best of the best, etc... no one is prohibiting him from doing work here. Film tax breaks aren't a cleveland issue, they are an ohio issue which the city has zero control over. I'd just love to know one instance where he's been shot down. Book Cadillac is a great project, don't get me wrong, but it doesn't seem so different to me than the ameritrust proposal. Why didn't Ferchill make a play on that? Perhaps the real problem is leveraging investors in this town, not the government. He has over 20 investors in the Book Cadillac Project... I'd like to know who they are, if they are local detroiters, etc. I think our administration has very, very, little to do with this.
October 23, 200816 yr You are wrong, if you are comparing Cleveland to Detroit. Cleveland has several projects going on right now that are larger, more expensive, and more impactful. Flats East Bank ($550,000,000+) 668 Euclid ($?) East 4th Neighborhood ($?) etc... He is one of my least favorite developers because he tries to make himself look better at the city's expense, which I think everyone sees right through. What has he even developed here to be one of your favorites?
October 23, 200816 yr Part of Ferchill's comments are sour grapes. He's mad because he found that he wasn't able to get certain deals done during the Mike White administration. I don't remember the particulars, they may even already be outlined somewhere in this forum. But basically he made a big stink out of it and vowed he'd never do business in Cleveland again. And while I think he's made a small return to the market, my impression of him is he's not one to forgive and forget. I'd take anything he says about Cleveland with a grain of salt.
October 23, 200816 yr You keep saying he's the best of the best, etc... no one is prohibiting him from doing work here. Film tax breaks aren't a cleveland issue, they are an ohio issue which the city has zero control over. I'd just love to know one instance where he's been shot down. Book Cadillac is a great project, don't get me wrong, but it doesn't seem so different to me than the ameritrust proposal. Why didn't Ferchill make a play on that? Perhaps the real problem is leveraging investors in this town, not the government. He has over 20 investors in the Book Cadillac Project... I'd like to know who they are, if they are local detroiters, etc. I think our administration has very, very, little to do with this. Starwood put up a ton of money!
November 6, 200816 yr Wow - he's expanding fast! Good for him! Symon cooks up Milwaukee expansion By AMY ANN STOESSEL 1:15 pm, November 6, 2008 Michael Symon, owner and executive chef of Cleveland restaurants Lola and Lolita, is taking his culinary expertise to Milwaukee. Plans call for Mr. Symon’s latest venture to be part of the Milwaukee Hotel Palomar and Residences, a $150 million, 500,000-square-foot development slated for Milwaukee’s McKinley District. The project will pair 63 condominiums, plus a penthouse floor, with the Hotel Palomar, a 175-room, luxury hotel, on the city’s east side. More at: http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20081106/FREE/811069969/1022
November 6, 200816 yr I've been wanting to visit Milwaukee, but I will now wait for this to open before I go.
November 21, 200816 yr Michael Symon exits 'Dinner: Impossible' -- and talks to us about it Posted by mhebert November 21, 2008 11:10AM Lisa DeJong/Plain Dealer file Michael Symon's done with "Dinner: Impossible." When Michael Symon was offered the gig to host popular cable television series "Dinner: Impossible," viewers knew that the winner of "Food Network's Next Iron Chef" was taking over for a disgraced chef. What they didn't know was that Symon would be a temporary replacement. Food Network officials announced that former series host Robert Irvine will be returning to "Dinner Impossible." Irvine has been rehired to film six new episodes for the series, to be aired sometime in March 2009. More at cleveland.com
November 21, 200816 yr I'm glad to hear that he knew this all along, I was wondering about that. I'd rather see him doing other things anyway.
May 5, 200916 yr Chef Michael Symon gets prestigious Beard Award Posted by ekleiner May 04, 2009 22:26PM Associated PressChef Michael Symon brings home a Beard award. Beating the odds is nothing new to Michael Symon. Monday night, the Cleveland restaurateur and Iron Chef took an especially auspicious leap, winning the 2009 James Beard Foundation Award in the Best Chef Great Lakes category. "I've never been speechless in my life, and I was absolutely stumbling over my words when I went up there to accept," said Symon on his cell phone from the Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center in New York City, where the 2009 Beard Awards Gala was still in progress. "I was completely messed up." He said he did have the presence of mind to thank colleagues and mentors, such as chefs Paul Minnillo and Carl Quagliata "and so many of the great chefs in Cleveland who've been such an inspiration to me and other cooks in the city." His win is a rare honor -- and even more rare for a Northeast Ohio chef. During the 19-year history of the Beard Awards, Symon's recognition is the first ever for a chef working in Cleveland. In recent years, chefs from Chicago -- the biggest metropolitan area competing in the Awards' Great Lakes category -- have dominated the category. The Beard Awards are the nation's top honors for food and beverage professionals. Coveted gold medallions are awarded to chefs, restaurateurs, food journalists, broadcasters and authors, restaurant designers and architects. More at http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2009/05/michael_symon_gets_prestigious.html
May 5, 200916 yr I just came on here to post that, of course. :) That is great, great news and I'm thrilled that he won.
May 5, 200916 yr That is the best news I've heard all year. Is the PD going to question the voting process? I hope the County Commissioners were not involved in the process.
May 5, 200916 yr ^what does Dan Gilbert think? Anywho, so the best chef in Chicago is actually in Cleveland. Or another way to look at it, no Chicago chef is as good as Michael Symon!!!
May 6, 200916 yr Took my in-laws (from and live in South Florida) to Lolita on Sunday. They, of course, absolutely loved it!
May 6, 200916 yr Took my in-laws (from and live in South Florida) to Lolita's on Sunday. They, of course, absolutely loved it! Good, get them to stay, they dont want to go back to crime infested, humid, over priced SoFl.
May 6, 200916 yr nice. congrats to chef symon. symon brings the national attention, but cleveland has a very lively and hopping restaurant/foodie scene -- hey chicago don't sleep on the clev!!!
May 7, 200916 yr Took my in-laws (from and live in South Florida) to Lolita on Sunday. They, of course, absolutely loved it! Good, get them to stay, they dont want to go back to crime infested, humid, over priced SoFl. Well, my wife - a South Florida native - can't imagine ever returning. At least not until we're old and retired and spend the winter down there. Her parents won't even visit if it's cooler than 60 though. I don't think they even own pants. But I think I at least convinced them to start watching Iron Chef...at least if Symon is on.
May 7, 200916 yr Took my in-laws (from and live in South Florida) to Lolita on Sunday. They, of course, absolutely loved it! Good, get them to stay, they dont want to go back to crime infested, humid, over priced SoFl. Well, my wife - a South Florida native - can't imagine ever returning. At least not until we're old and retired and spend the winter down there. Her parents won't even visit if it's cooler than 60 though. I don't think they even own pants. But I think I at least convinced them to start watching Iron Chef...at least if Symon is on. Lawd. They sound like a couple who wears those hideous walking sandals year round.
May 19, 200916 yr Pilsner Urquell Partners With Culinary Star and 2009 James Beard Foundation Award Winner, Chef Michael Symon Original pilsner beer elevates concept of food and beer pairing WASHINGTON, May 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Pilsner Urquell, the original golden beer is partnering with Celebrity Chef Michael Symon to showcase Pilsner Urquell's unmatched compatibility with food. The partnership is a natural pairing between one of the world's most cutting edge chefs and the world's original golden beer. A renowned chef and 2009 James Beard Foundation Award recipient, Michael Symon can be seen regularly on the Food Network's successful "Iron Chef America" program, of which he was a past winner. In addition, Chef Symon previously served as the host of the Food Network's "Dinner: Impossible" and "The Melting Pot", and has made numerous appearances on the network's "Sara's Secrets", "Ready, Set, Cook" and "Food Nation" shows. In his latest culinary endeavor with Pilsner Urquell, Chef Symon will highlight how matching food with appropriate beer is a great way to enhance the dining experience. While countless people in the past have reached for a bottle of wine to go with their meals, beer is gaining a rightful seat at the dinner table. More and more people are discovering that beer has an incredible range of complex flavors that complement both classic and modern fare better than wine can. More at http://news.prnewswire.com/DisplayReleaseContent.aspx?ACCT=ind_focus.story&STORY=/www/story/05-13-2009/0005025127&EDATE=
May 19, 200916 yr I hope this isn't the beginning of the Emerilization of Symon I don't think so. Nothing wrong with extending your Brand
May 19, 200916 yr It would be great if he could extend his brand with GLBC as they extend their brand. But that's wishful thinking..
January 23, 201015 yr Iron Chef Michael Symon vs. Ace of Cakes Duff Goldman http://clevelandplanner.blogspot.com/2010/01/iron-chef-michael-symon-vs-ace-of-cakes.html February 6, 2010 edit: Also, in case you were wondering, Mario Batali came to visit fellow Iron Chef last night at Lola. (my gf works there)
January 23, 201015 yr DANG, I would have probably died if I saw Mario and Michael standing there. About as good as the time I was watching the Numbers Band and Chrissie Hynde got on stage and sang a few songs with them. Am going for a group dinner Tuesday, haven't been in I swear a year.
January 24, 201015 yr Also, in case you were wondering, Mario Batali came to visit fellow Iron Chef last night at Lola. (my gf works there) I was at Lola last night! but I probably left before Mario Batali got there.
January 25, 201015 yr actually mario was with symon all weekend. according to symons facebook they went to b spot, lola, and lolita on saturday, then brunch at bar symon on sunday.
February 26, 201015 yr According to a tweet from chef Symon this morning, "holy crap we won the sobe burger bash.......bspot best burgers in the nation 2010!!!!......the fat doug brought it home" I believe this is a part of the Food Network South Beach Food and Wine Festival
March 1, 201015 yr According to a tweet from chef Symon this morning, "holy crap we won the sobe burger bash.......bspot best burgers in the nation 2010!!!!......the fat doug brought it home" I believe this is a part of the Food Network South Beach Food and Wine Festival Iron Chef Michael Symon wins burger bash POSTED: 10:07 a.m. EST, Feb 26, 2010 MIAMI (AP) — Food Network Iron Chef Michael Symon said he owed it all to the pastrami Thursday after his "Fat Doug" hamburger was named top burger at the South Beach Wine and Food Festival..... http://www.ohio.com/lifestyle/85483032.html
July 22, 201014 yr Cook like an Iron Chef premieres tonight at 10 PM EST http://www.cookingchanneltv.com/cook-like-an-iron-chef/index.html
April 10, 201213 yr Mike won the opening round of Chopped All-Stars, S2 http://www.foodnetwork.com/food-network-full-episodes/videos/index.html He's in the final!
April 13, 201213 yr Found out last night Symon and company are expanding to airports with hybrid of the his former Bar Symon mixed with B-Spot. Pittsburgh and Atlanta are first on the list. In other Symon news: Tenants, including Michael Symon restaurant, announced for Portage Crossing development in Cuyahoga Falls Cuyahoga Falls officials on Thursday announced that several tenants have signed to be part of the new Portage Crossing shopping center.Included are Chef Michael Symon’s B Spot Restaurant, Chipotle Mexican Grill, Panera Bread, Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt and Pet Supplies Plus. The businesses will join anchor tenant Giant Eagle at the development to be built on the site of the old State Road Shopping Center. http://www.ohio.com/news/break-news/tenants-including-michael-symon-restaurant-announced-for-portage-crossing-development-in-cuyahoga-falls-1.294839
June 13, 20178 yr ^ i thought he live on Marchmont in Shaker? I know Jonathon Sawyer was selling his house in CH
June 13, 20178 yr ^ i thought he live on Marchmont in Shaker? I know Jonathon Sawyer was selling his house in CH He was on Marchmont before he bought and re-did the current house on Kent in C.H.
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