Last Friday night started out with pizza from HomeSlice, downtown. Next, we headed uptown to the Ottawa Tavern. They were hosting a benefit party for this year’s Artomatic 419! — which is going to be epic.

The entertainment for the night was “Desire”, a group of chicks and a DJ that really know how to get down — Motown, R&B, and all. After a couple drinks we scooted down the street to meet up with friends at Wesleys, which is the same as it’s always been.

It’s Friday again! Where did the week go?

HomeSlice | 28 S Saint Clair St. | (419) 724-7437
Ottawa Tavern | 1817 Adams St. | (419) 725-5483
Wesley’s | 1201 Adams St. | (419) 255-3333

Last week I was reminded of a restaurant I had been meaning to try by a reader, Tom of Sylvania. And what a great reminder it was. Revolver in Findlay was about a 45-50 minute drive and well worth every ounce of gas.

The “amuse-bouche” was a vanilla potato chip in a kalamata olive foam… tasting much better than this photo looks.

D. ordered an appetizer of hominy, shrimp and greens while I nibbled on the most perfect pork belly ever.

The salad was a mix of wild greens, chevre (goat cheese) flattened upon the plate, covered in spiced nuts and slivered apple. The fresh sweetness of the apple mellowed the vinaigrette on the greens providing our table with lots of “ohhhhs” and “ahhhhs”.

The show stealers were saved for last, of course. D. enjoyed venison with wilted greens and pumpkin ravioli and I the caraway spiced meatballs with a horseradish foam atop cabbage and pale-coloured beets. I have been dreaming of those meatballs several nights now.

The menu proudly displayed the names of local farms supplying fresh ingredients for the week, the reverence of which could be tasted in every bite. Make a reservation and drive down to Findlay for a dinner the likes of which you would be hard-pressed to find in most of the Midwest and at the reasonable price not likely found on the coasts.

Revolver | 110 East Sandusky St. in Findaly | (419) 424-4020

It’s been close to a year since the closing of Diva—what was once one of Downtown’s more swanky spots—and I was reminiscing this afternoon. Chef Erika Rapp made one of my most favorite dishes of all-time: acorn squash stuffed with winter root veggies and a buerre blanc. Any event catered by Chef Erika was always a delicious delight (the scallop dish above and soup below were enjoyed at a luncheon for Warhol-hanger-on, Richard Weisman in ‘07).

Diva was perfect for lunch meetings, a post-work cocktail, romantic for-twos, and lively late night dinners with friends. The upstairs hosted more than it’s share of independant art exhibits and intimate music performances… positioning Diva as more than just a hip eatery. I’ll continue to miss it.

Last year I purchased two Toledo books of note. They are from a series called “Images of America”, Toledo—The 19th Century and The 20th Century. I will quote from the back of the former,

Toledo incorporated in 1837. Its canals, railroads, and natural resources inspired Jesup W. Scott to proclaim Toledo “The Future Great City of the World.” Such boosterism overstated the case, but Toledo did soon attract manufacturers of farm wagons, bicycles, and beer. And in 1888, Edward Drummond Libbey relocated his glass company to the city, creating a catalyst for other glass-manufacturing ventures. Toledo: The 19th Century illustrates the city’s early struggles and eventual success as “The Glass Capital of the World.”

These are more than just “picture books” as I’ve learned quite a bit about Toledo’s notable past by flipping through them in my spare time. It’s a reassuring reminder that although Toledo has struggled from the start, there have always been moments of greatness. Let’s keep them coming.

Amazon Links: “Images of America”, Toledo—The 19th Century & The 20th Century

As I write this, I am savoring the taste of a totally amazing Red Velvet cupcake. D. and I took a much needed break from car shopping yesterday and visited Cake in a Cup, Toledo’s answer to NYC’s Magnolia. Along with the red velvet, we brought home a strawberry-flavored piece of heaven and another with banana and chocolate that D. chose. Yum. Cupcakes are perfect, little, portable pots of luxury.

Cake in a Cup | 6801 W Central Ave # 2 | (419) 491-1104

It’s actually hopping over there on a Saturday afternoon (lots of Old West End faces). I had no idea. Great sandwiches and D. loved the chili fries… I’m not much of a fry person, myself. We are both nursing mild hangovers—curses to the Macaritas at Mac & Tongs—but Pam came to the rescue in a yummy way.

Pam’s Corner | 237 S Erie St. | In the Davis Building | (419) 243-2081

Last night we received a call from our favorite lawyer—forever looking out for our best interests—alerting us that Downtown Toledo’s newest restaurant had opened it’s doors. I normally wouldn’t bother with a non-locally owned restaurant but Pizza Papalis is based out of Detroit which at least makes it regional. Anyway, it’s important to me to support any and all businesses investing in Downtown (as it should be to all Toledoans).

We were seated on the second floor, overlooking the Mudhen’s field. By Spring this restaurant will be slammed with business and it seems they’ve planned to accommodate that with massive dining areas on both floors and a bar with garage-type doors that will likely be opened come warmer weather.

Featured are the deep dish pizzas known as “Chicago-style”. We had ours with onion, sausage and black olives. The small-sized pie was more than enough to fill D. and I, and we returned home with leftovers. If we could have eaten it all right then we would have… the pizza was incredibly good. Likewise was the service. From hostess to busboy to owner, Joe Sheena. *Handclap*

Pizza Papalis | 519 Monroe St. | (419) 244-7722