R, M, and D met us for Thai food on the East Side this Saturday. Bangkok Cafe was a suggestion of R & M’s… and it was a GREAT suggestion.

It’s been a long time since I last had Thai beef jerky. Bangkok Cafe served it up perfectly warmed and with a small dish of sriracha.

They allowed me to order off the menu–holy basil with ground pork–and I loved this dish that I had been missing terribly. Everyone shared, with D.’s green curry being my second favorite taste of the night. Highly recommended!

We finished the night with a couple cocktails at Andre’s Lounge on Summit Street. The papier-mâché busts are really something.

The drinks are strong and cheap… and I had fun playing awful music on the jukebox.

Bangkok Cafe | 3401 Woodville Road | on the East Side | (419) 697-7979

Andre’s Lounge | 1337 North Summit Street | (419) 248-9201

We met up with J. & A. and some new friends at Calvino’s this week for a celebratory dinner. J. & A. had just come off a 3-day fast… and if you haven’t enjoyed real food for a few days this was a fantastic way to bring back the yum.

D. and I arrived early and bought a bottle from the wine shop next door with the silly name “Got Wine”. The prices were really great, so great that a corking charge of $10 to bring upstairs wasn’t outrageous (considering bottle prices at most restaurants). But we will have to go back and pick up wine for home.

The group all ordered individual pizzas and shared. I got the white pizza, one of my faves, and D. made his own with red sauce, ricotta, jalepenos, and red bell peppers. I need to remember that D.’s the best. Hands down. We also shared more bottles of wine. It was a top notch night in Toledo.

Calvino’s | 3143 W Central Ave | Cricket West | (419) 531-5100

D. and I grabbed lunch on the water at Six Pack Bar & Grill this Sunday. It was my first visit to what I imagine could or may be a hopping party spot on the Maumee. It was previously called The Lighthouse, and earlier Frank Uncles—which would have been the last time D. visited, years ago.

The outside decks were fairly expansive, including picnic tables, a couple bars, docks for boaters and even hammocks. We shared the great view of the river with only a few more tables/patrons. According to D., Six Pack seemed a bit ‘rough around the edges’ since his last visit. But I see a lot of potential and think we’ll come back with friends for an evening of drinks sometime in the future.

Our pub food was pretty good for what it was—a grilled cheese (on thick texas-style toast) and side salad for me while D. thoroughly enjoyed his “black and blue” burger and onion rings.

Six Pack on The River | 2605 Broadway St | (419) 381-1140

I met my wonderful friend K. for lunch today at Ranya’s–a small-ish Mediterranean spot Downtown, only open during the week for lunch. It’s been a year plus since my last visit for no particular reason… outside of me being an idiot because the food is AMAZING.

K. and I arrived at noon and the place was packed, so I would suggest visiting a little earlier or later if you are turned off by crowds.

We both asked for the Mjadara Brown Lentil & Rice Casserole which was accompanied by an incredibly delicious soup. In the past I would order the same thing, over and over again–the Mediterranean Tuna Melt. Not sure why, but it’s pretty great if you’re into tuna melts.

Ranya’s | 608 Adams St | (419) 242-7462

Old West End/Ottawa Tavern Thursday strikes again! A group from the OWE met up and rode our bicycles for a bit, and met up with other cyclists at the Ottawa Tavern for food, drinks, and music.

The camaraderie inside the Tavern was great but I was really impressed by the camaraderie outside…

…beginning with this wonderful coupling.

Sweet handlebars.

Nice groupshot!

And more…

Parking permitted, this side of sign!

Adult tricycle! I feel like I’m in Florida.

Thanks to the Dirty Damn Band for tonight’s entertainment.

The plan was meeting everyone on the patio at Manhattan’s and later riding our bikes to the Art Walk. We showed up, bicycles in-tow. And that’s where we remained. Subsequently, we missed the Art Walk. All of us! Oh well… next month.

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

A few minutes before this photo was taken I was shown the little guy above, moving about in a bucket of water. I did not eat this guy, leaving that task to D. and M.–which they enjoyed quite a bit. The Attic on Adams (above Mano’s Greek Restaurant) hosts a Cajun night on Wednesdays, complete with seafood gumbo and everything Creole. And it’s a great spot for cocktails with Old West End locals.

Just thought you should know.

The Attic on Adams | 1701 Adams St. | (419) 243-5350

OWE/OTT was great fun. A group met up in the Old West End for a bicycle ride down to the Ottawa Tavern.

M. brought Z. and they rode a tandem!

It was an easy ride for the most part, so we kept riding… past the OT, through Downtown, down to the river, and back.

At Ottawa Tavern we all had something to quench our thirsts. And were met by friends sans bicycles. Jeff Stewart, local musician extraordinaire, was performing when we arrived.

May is National Bike Month, but events like this will be happening throughout the Summer and I will make sure to attend as many as possible.

Upcoming:

Toledo Bicycle Extravaganza

This Saturday, May 16th — Bike with your neighbors and friends to the downtown Toledo Farmer’s Market. Around Noon there will be a group ride from the market to Manhattan’s for a lunch buffet and live music! A group of Old West Enders are meeting at The Commons [Bancroft & Robinwood] at 9:30 am. Check out this PDF flyer and map for more details.

We grabbed some coffee at the new Ground Level Coffeehouse today on our way home from errands. It was the former “Brewed Awakenings” and you can read more about the transformation of the space in an Independant Collegian story here.

The coffee was great–likely because it’s Flying Rhino Coffee, another local Toledo gem of a business. Check out the Ground Level website for hours and events calendar. They are hosting some pretty epic poetry readings and the like. Ground Level also offers great sandwiches options, making this a choice lunch spot.

The Ground Level Coffeehouse | 2636 W Central | (419) 671-6272

It’s still a little chillly out, but not so much that a couple drinks and bar appetizers on the patio of Manhattan’s is out of the question. We shared chicken strips paired with some spicy mustard and a plate of chicken quesadillas that were fantastic with jalepenos.

Be sure to check their website for an event calendar full of local entertainment gems and what looks to be a delectable Scotch Whiskey Dinner on the 13th.

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

D. and I pulled the bikes out Friday afternoon and rode downtown. The city was full of activity, including a MudHens game.

We closed the night with a couple manhattans… at Manhattan’s.

Saturday was the second Artomatic 419! weekend for ‘09, so we spent our day with several hundred fellow Toledoans enjoying local visual and performing arts.

Artomatic has been a complete success… so do come out next Saturday for the final day (May 2nd).

Post-Artomatic activities included dinner at the Oliver House, more bike riding, and cocktails with friends on the back patio of Wesley’s.

D. started his Sunday with a visit to the Toledo Bicycle Co-op!

They have a gazillion bikes ready for you to claim and ride away with.

Next up…

The Ice Cream Social!

Thanks to everyone who came out, supported a great local business, and enjoyed some ice cream! I had a really great time celebrating the 1st birthday of this little Toledo blog with all of you.

… and this entirely pleasant dog! An extra special thanks to Marcia and co. at Lickity Split!

A few hours later had us enjoying R.’s birthday BBQ in the Old West End. A popular dish was the red hot sausages, but they frightened me a little so I declined.

All said and done, it was a great Toledo weekend–we have so many more to come!

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

Artomatic 419! | 201 Morris St | 419-254-ARTS (2787)

Wesley’s | 1201 Adams St | (419) 255-3333

Toledo Bicycle CO-OP | 2272 Collingwood (St. Mark’s Episcopalian Church) | (419) 386-6090

Lickity Split | 2021 Glendale Ave | (419) 382-3285

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

Happy New Years Eve, everyone! We stocked up for the night at Joseph’s Beverage Center. It’s bonkers out there!

Josephs Beverage Center | 4129 Talmadge Rd | (419) 472-1421

ps. Don’t drink and drive! ABCO services is offering free towing and a ride home from midnight to 3 a.m. The number is 419-536-6123. Jot it down.

Friday night was the Second Annual ‘Tis the Secor Show at the Secor Building downtown. Highlights included an exhibit of works from 40+ local artists, open studios and live music.

One of my favorite pieces was front and center in the lobby — a portrait by Richard Reed of his friend Marty.

It’s beautifully done.

There was live music in the lobby including Toledo’s best experimental group, KDB.

After leaving the Secor show we met up with friends for drinks at Wesley’s in uptown. It’s a sure bet on Friday nights and features some of my favorite pro-Toledo decor, including the infamous “You Will Do Better in Toledo” sign, the original of which is sadly long gone.

We finished things up with a nightcap at The Attic on Adams the new hotspot above Manos. Hope to see you there soon!

The Secor Building | 425 Jefferson St @ Superior | Downtown

KBD | myspace.com/kbdtoledo

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

The Attic on Adams | 1701 Adams St. | 419-243-5350

J. graciously opened his home on Tuesday for his, now second, election night party. Guests brought a ton of food and tended the bar while others had their eyes glued to the TVs. Towards the end of the night revellers pushed out of the house, into the yard, and celebrated with some fresh air.

The parking lot to El Camino Real was packed last night… and so was the restaurant. I had a bean burrito with guacamole and D. had a taco and a couple of those chili relleno things he loves so much. And, we shared a pitcher of margaritas — my favorite reason to visit. It’s apparently a fave of a lot of Toledoans because there were some pretty tipsy folks out last night… like falling down on the ground tipsy.

El Camino Real | 2500 W Sylvania Ave | (419) 472-0700 | There’s one on the east-side too… google it.

P.S. Don’t drink and drive, K, thanks, bye.

I carry a bit of Bavarian blood in me and have visited Germany twice, BUT I’ve never been to a German-American festival. We’ve heard nothing but good things about the festival in Oregon and that raccoon mascot/logo is so damn nice… we grabbed our designated-driver/lawyer and drove over the river. The cornfield on both sides of the drive to the parking lot was a little ominous.

We ran into M. almost immediately, and of course, he was in lederhosen. He was also a few beers ahead of us so we got some tickets and started drinking. D. was able to finish the night off with a free glass mug by trying 7+ different beers. I tried to stick with old reliable Bitburger. Bitte ein Bit.

There was more to this festival than just beer. There was food, lots of it, pretzels and sausages and potato latkes/pancakes. There was quite a bit of dancing. And there was a parade!

But in the end, the real focus was on drinking bier. Except for our designated driver who had none.

At one point, there were dancers on a giant cuckoo clock-styled stage. It was around this time that I started to realize the crowd was getting bigger.

Much bigger. And it was about this time that we decided it was time to go home.

But not without saying bye to the rollerderby girls. BYE!

German American Festival Society | Oak Shade Grove in Oregon, Ohio

Got back into town just in time for the Old West End Security Margarita Cruise down the Maumee. It was a good excuse to interact with the neighbors, under the guise of margaritas and fund-raising for the neighborhood security patrols.

…And they were great margaritas (ie. strong). There was mexican food as well — like salsa, burritos, and D.’s favored taquitos. I had a couple taquitos myself and they were pretty great. It’s safe to say by the end of the cruise most of the Sandpiper was three-sheets to the wind, except for Captain Greg.

Looking for more boating excursions in Toledo (can we rent boats for the day?), so if you know of anything please drop me a line.

Dinner at Manos’ kicked off our weekend. One of my favorite dishes is the baked feta… typing this is making me hungry.

The opening of Ottawa Tavern has been pushed back a week (thanks to Manos for letting us know), so after a short moment at Space 237 for their opening we drove straight to Frankie’s to see Sinker (above).

We chatted with friends over Dr. Reed’s. What’s a Dr. Reed? you ask… PBR (Pabst Blue Ribbon) + Ice + Lime + Straw.

Not Miller High Life.

Not lemon.

PBR, Ice, Lime, Straw. Period. It’s the drink of the summer, courtesy of D’s co-worker Harper.

Friday ended with the first ever show by the Secret Swords [2 parts Stylex + 1 part Shuttlecock = Secret Swords]. Keep your ears peeled.

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

Sinker | myspace.com/sinkersinker

Secret Swords | myspace.com/secretswordsmusic

Did you know you can get pitchers of margaritas at Manhattan’s? Neither did I!

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

M. & K. asked us out for sushi last night… which worked out well because I had been craving sushi for the past week. Sori Sushi, it was. As we walked in we were greeted by a cheery sign stating “Beer and Sake 1/2-off Wednesdays”. Nice.

That fried mess on the bottom right is vegetable tempura, which is always yummy. Our server was Sori, the restaurant’s co-owner and namesake. It’s her wonderful mixed media art that adorns the walls and menu designs. She has a super cute personality so stop in — the food is always excellent and the prices are even better, and remember Wednesdays for the drink special.

Sori Sushi | 5236 Monroe St | (419) 720-7674

It lives.

…on the back patio of Wesley’s.

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