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