Where Laurie Torres Eats and Drinks Around Cleveland: Word of Mouth
The Mallorca owner and Cleveland Independents president shares her go-to spots, longtime Downtown favorites and the local restaurants that keep her rooted in Cleveland’s dining community.
by Christina Rufo | Mar. 2, 2026 | 5:27 PM
Courtesy Laurie Torres
Born in Pittsburgh and raised across the country, Torres has lived in Cleveland longer than anywhere else and proudly calls it home. In 1996, inspired by Spanish culture and Mallorca’s old-world architecture, she brought a taste of Spain to the city. As president of Cleveland Independents and a longtime Solon resident, she champions empathy, hospitality and the vital role local restaurants play in shaping community identity.
Solon Staple: Although I do love to cook at home, I like Station 43, which is just a simple, down-home kind of place, and it's right around the corner. They mainly serve bar food, and because Mallorca is fine dining, I want to go somewhere I can get big, gooey mac and cheese, cheese sticks or something like that. There are so many good choices on their menu.
Coffee & Cocktails: Evexia in Aurora has beautiful, delicious coffee drinks in the morning. For cocktails, I’ll go to Burntwood Tavern in Solon. They have a really nice cocktail list. If I’m drinking alcohol, it’s usually vodka, and I like something on the sweeter side, with pomegranate or something like that.
Vibes: I really like Johnny’s Downtown. It’s been there for so long, and I’m a big advocate for frequenting places that have supported the city for decades. If I’m going out, I want to go somewhere like Johnny’s or Blue Point because they’ve stood the test of time. Johnny’s has that old-world feel that makes you comfortable, with the curtains and that classic restaurant atmosphere. And then Marble Room is just stunningly beautiful, a place you go to take it all in and listen to the piano. They all have great features. I tend to bop around because there are so many beautiful spots Downtown.
New Flavors: Lulo, which is right down the street, focuses on Puerto Rican cuisine, and while it’s distinct, there are some similarities between Puerto Rican and Spanish flavors. It’s inspiring to see what they’re doing and to explore different flavor profiles to spark creativity in my own kitchen. Plus, their space is beautiful.
Recent Bites: One of the best things I’ve eaten recently is the Feijoada at Batuqui in Chagrin Falls. It’s this incredible Brazilian pork dish with black beans simmered with bacon, ham, beef, smoked pork loin and kielbasa, served with rice, farofa, collard greens and tomato relish. It’s so good, especially with that yellow sauce. My children are vegan, so we tend to go to a lot of places that have those options as well. There's the Vegan Club in Shaker Heights. It’s so good, you wouldn't even know it’s all vegan. And of course, there's Cleveland Vegan in Lakewood, as well.
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Christina Rufo
Christina is a passionate reporter on Cleveland's culture and dining scene, compiling Cleveland Magazine's monthly dining guide. A graduate of West Virginia University's journalism school and the New York University Publishing Institute, her work celebrates the people, plates and parties that make Northeast Ohio shine.
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