The Toledo Museum of Art hosted a wonderful party in the Peristyle for the Kentucky Derby last week.

There were several local restaurants donating bites to eat and serving up their own versions of the hot brown while mint julips flowed from every crevice–thanks in part to Woodford Reserve Bourbon.

Both women and men were in their Derby Best.

And the hats were breathtaking!

When it was time for the race, a sea of bonnets rushed into the Peristyle.

It was an exciting race. Congrats to “Animal Kingdom!”

As the party began to end many Derby revellers were found on the front steps of our beautiful museum. It was a grand to-do… and one I hope happens again next year.

Toledo Museum of Art | 2445 Monroe Street | (419) 255-8000

This Saturday was the Vertical “Mix”, an annual fundraising party for The Arts Commission held this year at the top of the O-I/Fifth Third Bank building. Each year this party gets better and better, with amazing food and cocktails, live entertainment, and the best art auction in the city. As we arrived we were given complimentary binoculars so we could enjoy the amazing view to the fullest which included a “super moon”! The party was packed all night long with Toledoans in fancy attire. A big congrats to all the event chairs, volunteers, and to The Arts Commission!

The Arts Commission of Greater Toledo | 1838 Parkwood Avenue | (419) 254-ARTS

We started out the night with dinner and drinks at Ice. It was our first visit to the “somewhat new” Downtown establishment. Next, drinks at our friend M.’s apartment. And the night ended at The Ottawa Tavern with shows by “Science of the Big Machines” and “The Dirty Damn Band”. Everything about the night was pleasant–except when they ran out of ice at the OT!

Hope you had a great night and 2011 treats you right!

The Ottawa Tavern | 1817 Adams Street | Uptown | (419) 725-5483

Ice Restaurant and Bar | 405 Madison Avenue | Downtown | (419) 246-3339

…choose local!

“When needs are met locally by locally owned enterprises, people have greater control over their lives, money is recycled in the community rather than leaking off into the global financial casino, jobs are more secure, economies are more stable, and there are the means and the incentives to protect the environment and to build the relationships of mutual trust and responsibility that are the foundation of a community.”

Visit the business directory of Toledo Choose Local, or simply just patron the businesses you know to be locally-owned. Our local economy and the environment as a whole will thank you later! Happy 2011!

xoxo!

I have been to Fifi’s on special occasions in the past, but it had been a while. Years, to be honest. I recently visited with my good friend J. and was pleasantly surprised. Not at the quality of the food, which has always been top-notch. I was surprised at the prices–they seemed much lower than I remembered. Not low as in cheap, but low enough to compare with some of the “high-end” chains and low enough that the next time someone suggests a chain I will scoff.

J. enjoyed scallops and I absolutely loved the boeuf au fromage (tenderloin medallions topped with semi-melted roquefort cheese). The pâté as an appetizer is a must.

Also, no longer is there a jacket-requirement. And there is a quaint little outdoor smoking patio in the front. But remember, smoking is a terrible habit. :/

xoxo, Enjoying Toledo.

Fifi’s | 1423 Bernath Parkway (off Airport Highway) | (419) 866-6777 | Reservations recommended – just in case.

This is a guest post from our neighbors, T. & A., who also enjoy Toledo. Sorry for the delay in getting this up!

Goaded on by the uncommonly warm weather and a Columbus Day off, we headed up to Michigan in search of pick-your-own apples at Spicer Orchards. We managed to just miss the time frame for PYO apples, but what we found was arguably better: free tastings of Spicer wine, a delicious panini, and pick-your-own fall raspberries.

Before heading out to the berry patch, we sampled some of the wines at Spicer Carriage House Cellars. Served by a knowledgeable hostess, Kristina Marks, we tried some zingy fruit wines like Cranberry &Red Currant and a Cabernet Franc that was surprisingly bold and dry. Of the whites, we liked the Pinot Grigio and the Traminette, which is similar to a Gewurtztraminer. We had to talk ourselves out of leaving with a case. Nice job, Michigan grapes!

While in the winery, we split a savory-sweet panini, which was filled with gooey white cheddar, tart green apples from the orchard and sautéed onions.

Fortified by many little “tastes” of wine and glasses of house-made hard cider, we tottered out to the berry patch.

The bounty:

Spicer Orchard | 10411 Clyde Rd Fenton, MI 48430 | 810-632-7682

Last week my friend S. invited me out swimming. In a quarry. On the East Coast swimming usually involves the ocean or pools, so I was excited to try something new. We drove to Centennial Quarry because it was close by.

The first thing I noticed was the smell of the water… fresh and scented like plants. The water was remarkably clear with visibility several feet down. And until I realized school was back in session, I was struck by how pleasantly empty the place was. Yet, there was something  unnerving about the stillness of the water and I kept expecting a mummified hand to grab my feet from below and pull me under. My imagination gets the best of me sometimes.

Afterwards, we met up with friends at Manhattan’s where Thursday’s happy hour boasts half price drinks and appetizers. No mummies.

Centennial Quarry | 5773 Centennial Road, Sylvania | (419) 885-7106

Manhattan’s | 1516 Adams Street, Uptown Toledo | (419) 243-6675

It was one great weekend. Favorite OWE fest ever, regardless of the weather. Above is some of the video D. shot during festival.

Toledo’s Historic Old West End Association

Meatloaf and vino? Last week we enjoyed sampling a mix of meatloaf from House of Meats (buffalo, pork, gyro, etc.) and “blends” from the vast wine section in the Talmadge Road Anderson’s. I discovered a very nice wine from Washington, Cascade Clifts Goat Head Red, and brought a bottle home.

The Talmadge store hosts these tastings on Thursdays from 6 to 8pm, but the other stores do these as well… I believe on other days so check the website for event information.

Coming up… “What is Malbec?” on April 15th (tomorrow); “What is Cote du Rhone?” on April 29th; “Seafood & Wine” (with House of Meats) on May 15th; and “Last Great Cabernet Tasting Before Summer” on June 10th.

The Anderson’s | 4701 Talmadge Road | (419) 473-3232

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, jalapenos, 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