Meetings went late so dinner was pizza (with a good friend, *waves*) at Home Slice. We were adventurous and ordered the Black+Blue and Potato Pizzas. They were pretty great, so who cares if the potato put me in a carb coma (I rarely eat potato).

I’ll be honest and admit that as an ex-New Yorker I almost take offense to the “New York Style” claim. Home Slice’s crust is too thin. Yes, NY-style is thin-crust but not this thin and the toppings in NYC are not as “generous”. Regardless… Home Slice is a great pizza joint on it’s own accord and one of my fave pizzas in Toledo.

Tip: while in NYC, visit Lombardi’s (SOHO) and Grimaldi’s (DUMBO) for some of the best pizza… on the planet.

Home Slice Pizza | 28 S. Saint Clair St | (419) 724-7437

This weekend was one of my favorites in Toledo, ever.

The weather was beautiful (unlike today) and there was so much to do/see. Highlights included a 50th birthday party, brunch at Manhattan’s, the Erie Street Market flower sale/farmers market, an afternoon at The Toledo Botanical Gardens (almost magical), and another Old West End BBQ. You know how time seems to fly by when you are having fun? For some reason this weekend crept by slowly and I really got to enjoy it.

Photo taken Sunday at the Toledo Botanical Gardens/Crosby Gardens.

Toledo Botanical Gardens | 5403 Elmer Dr | (419) 936-2986

Erie Street Market | 237 S Erie St | (419) 936-3743

Manhattan’s | 1516 Adams St | (419) 243-6675

For some reason I had been under the impression that The River Cafe overlooks either the Maumee River, Lake Erie, or where the two meet. I just did a search online and found mention of it actually overlooking the Ottawa River?

Regardless, water is water… and a restaurant on water with great margaritas and a view that leaves you feeling calm and possibly even refreshed after a drama-filled day is totally radical.

The River Cafe | Point Place | 6215 Edgewater Dr. | (734) 723-7405

“There aren’t too many places left that were around when I was a kid”-D.

Lunching at Manos seems to be pretty popular with the office crowd. It certainly tastes good. I’m a big fan of the hummus and the seasoned olive oil + bread (moreso the sesame bread in the basket than the pita).

We had the feta quiche and the Patio Platter — it’s too bad the actual patio has been taken over by the upstairs bar. The quiche comes with fresh tomato, onion, cucumber, etc. and was great as a leftover the next day too. And I don’t often do “leftovers”.

Manos Greek | 1701 Adams Street | (419) 244-4479

It lives.

…on the back patio of Wesley’s.

Wesley’s | 1201 Adams Street | 419-255-3333

Color me corrected. The weather was much warmer this afternoon than I expected.

We spent part of the afternoon shopping for groceries. First stop was The Andersons, where we browsed the trees and plants (we have some tree needs) and picked up vegetables, pasta and more. Next was a totally spur of the moment visit to Sofo Foods Il Mercato, which smelled amazing first step in the door. More veggies were picked up along with a still-warm-from-the-oven loaf of Italian bread. Our last stop was Claudia’s and we left with tofu, seitan, peanut butter that we ground fresh ourselves and some non-toxic cleaning supplies.

What do all three have in common? They’re local. And they aren’t the only local groceries around… so more to come on that.

The Andersons | 4701 Talmadge Road | 419-473-3232

Sofo Foods | 5400 Monroe Street | 419-882-8555

Claudia’s | 5644 Monroe Street | 419-534-3343

ps. I love The Anderson’s logo and their liberal use of Futura (typeface). Well done.

I’m sorry to have been gone for the week but it’s much colder here right now than I’d like, so maybe that worked out for the best. Looking at the forecast I see the next few days won’t be much warmer. Rather than spending free time outdoors this weekend, I might re-watch “Two Toledos” — a documentary by Jacob David and Joel Washing.

Toledo, Spain and Toledo, Ohio were the very first Sister Cities relationship in the world (1931). Both cities host thriving arts communities. “Two Toledos” tells the stories of contemporary artists living in both Toledos, highlighting well-known locals Richard Reid, Ann Tubbs, Robert Garcia and others.

Learn more about this great documentary and score a copy at TwoToledos.com.

I’m off for Sarasota tomorrow so I’ll be missing another great weekend in Toledo. But no worries… I’ll be enjoying some sun and the company of family.

Friday night’s dinner was steak diane at Mac & Tong’s. This is a hidden gem. Mostly white hairs getting tipsy at the curvy bar while some dandy plays tunes on the piano. Mac seats us at the usual table and Tong’s cooking is deeelish as always. Choose the dill/cottage cheese dressing for your salad, try the teriyaki vegetables, order a Mac-a-rita (or two), and admire the photo of Mac sporting a falcon on his arm.

Mac and Tongs | 4330 West Central Avenue | 419 531-3103

At Central and Talmudge.