Toledo Restaurant Reviews
Saturday, September 01, 2007
On HiatusDue to time constrains, I will be continuing the hiatus on this blog indefinitely.
I appreciate the high number of readers who continue to visit this blog for earlier reviews, and I promise to get back to restaurant reviews when my schedule permits.
Thanks for stopping by!
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
Returning Soon!Due to more pressing obligations, I have not been able to update this blog as much as I would have liked.
I have more time this summer, and I plan to return to a minimum of one review per month.
Thanks for visiting!
Sunday, July 30, 2006
New Toledo Fine Dining Site(Toledo, OH) TRR would like to extend a warm (and belated) welcome to another site dedicated all things culinary, The Glass City Gourmet
Karen bills her blog as a "chronicle of one woman's attempt to cook, eat, diet and entertain with both flair and whimsy," and the site more than lives up to its billing.
Visitors will find recipes, tips, and restaurant reviews on the site.
Here is her review of Bistro Wasabi, and this is a link to her review of Rosie's Italian Grille.
Good luck, Karen, in your quest to garner fame and fortune as "The Glass City Gournet."
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
Mancy’s Bluewater Grille -- 8.56/10.0
Review by contributing critic Hooda Thunkit”Tradition is our Inspiration!”
(Restaurant visited: Thursday, May 11, 2006)
Food: 8.5
For an appetizer, we (Mrs. Thunkit & I) ordered and shared the (four) Crabcakes ($ 9.00).
The crabcakes were, quite simply, “to die for.”
The menu also lists a large variety of “rawbar” choices and has an extensive spirits and wine list.
Mrs. T: ordered the Grilled Salmon ($ 16.00 w/small house salad ($ 2.50 up-charge), Iced Tea ($ 2.25), and the Key Lime Pie ($ 5.00). Mrs. Thunkit, as usual found all of her meal satisfying and tasty.
Although we were offered and specified raspberry vinaigrette dressing for our salads, a regular vinaigrette was presented instead, with no explanation…
I had the Black Grouper (grilled) ($ 21.00) w/small house salad ($ 2.50 up-charge), Coke ($ 1.95), and the Strawberry Rhubarb Cobbler ($ 6.00).
I was a little startled/surprised by my entrée, the Black Grouper; the taste was much stronger than I had anticipated, and the fish announced its arrival before I ever saw it coming. I found the “scent” rather distracting. Not being that familiar with salt-water “finned” cuisine, this could be normal though.
We both found the sauces on both the appetizers and entrees to be far from mundane. In fact, they took a little getting used to (okay, a LOT of getting used to.).
We didn’t see the traditional tartar or cocktail sauces being served with anything, no matter how much we would have hoped otherwise. But then, maybe it was our unsophisticated palates craving for well-executed, familiar tartar or shrimp sauce alternative. A choice though, would have been welcome with open mouths.
The portions were typical/adequate and the presentation was very well done, which is to be expected, at a Mancy’s property. Our dinner (for two) before tax and tip, was $ 66.20.
A note about prices and pricing:
As the Menu varies daily, depending on the catch of the day, the menu is priced and printed daily. Based on that day’s menu, I would characterize the prices as upscale, but in line with the other Mancy’s restaurants that we’ve patronized.
Ambience: 9.0
The outside of the former Hopp’s had been reworked, moving the entrance to the West side (from the South) and looks more upscale, less folksy. The interior appears more spacious, and the nautical (“bluewater”) theme carries through in the bar area with faux ice blocks stacked as shelves for the various libations, while elsewhere in the bar area (casual dining???) ice hanging from the ceiling was dripping as if melting.
Most or all of the faux ice doubled as accent/mood lighting; it was backlit with, what else, cobalt blue lights. Our table was appropriately appointed; Mancy’s uses real cloth napkins, as one would expect. The glassware was strikingly cobalt blue, a very nice touch.
The décor consisted of nautical touches, a few tasteful paintings and that blue ice theme. The lighting, retro and art deco reminiscent, seemed an odd choice. A few of the “cylinder within a cylinder” hanging table lights seemed poorly placed and were poorly done, IMHO.
Cleanliness: 9.0
The dining areas were spotless and each dining area was completely stripped and thoroughly cleaned before being reset for the next guests.
The restrooms were clean and well maintained
The food prep area was not viewable.
Service: 7.8
The wait staff, actually our waitperson, was a tad inattentive, table bussing was tardier than normal, and our waitperson was seen kibitzing a lot, with fellow waitstaffers.
Prices: 8.5
Entrees vary and are priced daily. Consult the day’s menu for more specifics.
Information/Location:
Mancy’s Bluewater Grille
461 W. Dussel Dr. Maumee, OH 43537-4209
Between Ford and Osage (in the former Hopp’s location)
Phone: (419) 724-BLUE
www.mancys.com
Hours:
Lunch: MON-FRI 11:00am - 4:00pm
Brunch: SUN 12:00pm - 3:00pm
Dinner: SUN-THU 4:00pm - 10:00pm
Dinner: FRI-SAT 4:00pm - 11:00pm
Accessibility:
The dining area and restrooms are fully equipped for all accessibility needs.
Smoking Accommodation:
This is a non-smoking restaurant.
Credit/Debit Cards:
Any and all major credit/debit cards are accepted.
Sunday, April 16, 2006
City Hall Grille & Drinks -- 7.42 / 10.0
You Can’t Beat City Hall Well, maybe…
City Hall was visited on Monday, February 6th, 2006
We pulled into the parking lot promptly at 6:00 p.m. and there was only one other car there, this should have been our first clue that something might not be quite right at City Hall…
Note:City Hall is in what was formerly Mac and Tong Rafati’s “Our Place” restaurant.
Food: 4.7
The menu, which touches on all of the usual entrees, chicken, steaks, fish, shrimp, also delves into ribs and kabobs.
The portions were as expected for the price, and were presented in a no-frills manner, as one would expect in this type of venue (bar & grill).
I just HAD to try City Hall’s Cup of Chili ($ 2.99) as an appetizer. I tried it, I finished it, and it was…, memorable, if nothing else. It reminded me of canned chili, the gloss, the sheen, the taste, especially the taste.
Much to my later regret, I ordered the Walleye & Shrimp (deep-fried) ($ 12.99), and my dinner companion (Mrs. Thunkit) ordered the Broiled Yellow Fin Tuna Steak ($9.99).
The chili was the high point of the evening. The Walleye & Shrimp (cutouts, I called them, at the time) was the (for me) low point.
I had never thought how bad overcooked fish and shrimp could be before this, now I will NEVER forget how bad it was.
The self proclaimed “chef” MUST have been new at this “cooking” thing, to have allowed both my shrimp and walleye to have fried until every molecule of moisture and flavor had had been vaporized, leaving behind wooden-like cutouts, that only resembled what I had requested in size and shape only.
Now, it wasn’t as if our “chef” was busy, only two other couples ventured in while we were dining…
Mrs. Thunkit, on the other hand, was having a little better luck with her Yellow Fin Tuna. It too, was very dry, but had retained some flavor. She graciously said that it was “fine,” when I could tell better (both by the look of her tuna and by trying it myself).
The quality of the food, IF it had been prepared properly, was estimated to have been excellent by us, unfortunately, this is only an estimate/guesstimate…
Note To counter our utterly forgettable experience, many of Mrs. Thunkit’s co-workers speak very highly of City Hall’s luncheon fare (sandwiches & salads).
We WILL do a follow-up visit, as is our practice after a questionable meal, in 10 - 20 years, after the memories have faded sufficiently. About half of the time, in our experience, the “bad” meal will turn out to have been a fluke, in which case we will return regularly.
Our meal tab with Iced Tea and Soda was $ 26.18, before tax and tip.
Ambience: 8.0
City Hall is set back a little from Reynolds Rd. and has a spacious, well-lit parking area.
Once inside, the restaurant appeared to have been minimally changed, however the North wall had been opened up with added windows and a door to a planned deck for outdoor dining, weather permitting.
The walls were tastefully appointed with black & white “Images in Time,” scenes of early Toledo, compliments of The Toledo Lucas County Library, and descriptions are provided on the back of each menu, for your perusal. The pictures were unobtrusively framed, to avoid distraction from the subject matter.
Cleanliness: 8.9
The dining area was neat and clean, and the food-prep area was not viewable, unlike the restrooms (more about this later). The overall appearance of the restaurant was very favorable and inviting.
Service: 7.5
The “staff” as near as we could tell, consisted of a bartender, a “chef” and a janitorial type person, enough considering the restaurant’s size and traffic.
The “chef” waited on us, explaining the details of the specials, taking our orders, setting the tables, apparently preparing our meal, serving the meal, bussing the table, and seeing to our check. He was attentive, prompt, and kept our table efficiently bussed.
Our “waiter/chef” was easy to understand and not overbearing.
The bartender, tended the bar area (both customers).
The evenings “entertainment” was provided by the gentleman assuming the janitorial duties, He wheeling the mop and bucket through the dining area and into the men’s restroom where he proceeded to empty the trash, carry it past us , (in a clear garbage bag) while we were dining, returning to finish swabbing the floor (open door) and generally cleaning up the facility.
One would have thought was that by 6:00 P.M., the restaurant would have been prepared to receive business…
Prices: 8.0
The entrée prices ranged from $ 9.59 for the Chicken Breast dinner to $ 15.59 for a NY Strip & Shrimp. Appetizers were $ 1.50 (French Fries) - $ 8.99 (½ Slab of Ribs, Chicken Drummies & Veggies for Eight), and sandwiches are
$ 5.49 - 8.99.
An “Ethnic” heading in the menu offered Hummus and Grape Leaves. City Hall also offers a limited Kids Menu, Desserts (as offered by your server), and a full bar selection, including bottled and draft beers and wines by the glass.
This is a moderately priced restaurant.
Location:
City Hall Grille & Drinks
315 S. Reynolds Rd. (S. of Hill Ave.)
Toledo, Oh 43615-5931
Phone: (419) 536-1166
Hours:
City Hall is open:
Mon.-Thu. 11:00 - 11:00
Fri., Sat. 11:00 - Midnight
Sun. 12:00 - 9:30
Accessibility:
Both trance and dining areas are negotiable via wheelchair, access to the restrooms are less so, requiring some close maneuvering, but the restrooms (once inside) are friendlier with the usual accommodations evident.
Smoking Accommodation
This is a “Toledo” non-smoking restaurant, but the new deck will undoubtedly be smoker friendly.
Credit/Debit Cards:
All major credit/debit cards are accepted.
Review by Hooda Thunkit
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
Tom's Bar-B-Q & Grill - 7.25/10.00
Food - 8.25
Ribs are the forte of this express restaurant, and Tom's has won numerous awards for their slabs. The slab I demolished had a tangy, smoky flavor, and was just slightly on the fatty side and very juicy.
I also tried the Italian sausage, which was delicious.
Note to people with food allergies: Tom's uses peanut oil, so avoid the fried foods if you have an allergic reaction to peanuts.
Ambience 6.00
Tom's lacks a dining room, but does have a few picnic tables from which you can watch the goings-on of Front Street. The emphasis is on takeout and drive-through.
Cleanliness 7.50
The restaurant is clean, well-maintained, and employees stay busy keeping it that way. The exterior is brightly-lit and clean.
Service 7.75
Not quite "fast food," as Tom's makes everything to order, but I received my food on both occasions in less than five minutes.
Prices
A 1/2-slab of ribs is $8.95, and a full slab is $16.99. Sandwiches are in the $3-$4 range.
Location
Tom's is located at 702 Front Street, just north of Main. If you take the Cherry Street bridge across the Maumee, you turn left on Front Street and the restaurant is on the corner of Platt and Front. Phone: 419.697.7400
Hours
MON-THU 11:00 am to 11:00 pm
FRI-SAT 11:00 am to 12:00 midnight
Closed on Sundays
Some major credit cards are accepted. The restaurant also offers carryout and catering services.
Accessibility
The carryout window is wheelchair-accessible.
Sunday, April 02, 2006
Happy Rose Buffet 7 / 10
(Toledo, OH) The word "buffet" usually causes me to cringe; it conjures up visions of portly dining guests, piles of greasy fried foods, and the feeling that I will be engaged in a process more akin to feeding pigs in a trough than "dining."However, I was pleasantly surprised when several of my children convinced me to try the Happy Rose Buffet. While the local four-star restaurants have nothing to fear, I have to admit that the food quality was as good as a person could possibly expect from a buffet-style restaurant.
Food - 7.5
While geared toward American-style Oriental fare (i.e., lots of fried chicken and beef dishes), there are enough choices to please diners who normally eschew "Oriental" restaurants. The food, in general, was hot, fresh, and of decent quality.
Of special note was the fresh sushi bar. There was a wide variety of choices, including ahi tuna, salmon, and eel, as well as more Americanized sushi items like California roll.
Ambience 6.50
Happy Rose is set up for large groups and big crowds, so you might want to dine at lunch if you would like a quieter, more intimate experience. There is nothing particularly striking about the decor, although the newness of the Monroe Street location means that the standard Chinese restaurant amenities are at least fresh-looking.
Cleanliness 7.50
The restaurant is clean, well-maintained, and employees stay busy keeping it that way. The glassware, plates, and silverware were spotless on both of our visits.
Service 7.25
Servers generally are attentive, and quick with refills and removing plates as you finish a trip to the buffet.
Prices
Lunch buffet runs $6.99 per person, while dinner is $9.99 on weekdays and $10.99 on Fridays and Saturdays. On Sundays and holidays the price is $9.99 all day. Prices do not include beverages.
Location
There are two Happy Rose Buffets in Toledo:
5335 Airport Hwy. (near Lowe's) Toledo, OH. (419) 385-8989
5221 Monroe St. (near Target) Toledo, OH. (419) 509-5942
Hours
Lunch: MON-SAT 11 AM to 3:30 pm
Dinner: MON-THU 3:30 pm to 10 pm
Dinner: FRI-SAT 3:30 pm to 11 pm
All major credit cards are accepted. The restaurant also offers carryout and catering services. There is no smoking in the facility.
Accessibility
The restaurant is wheelchair-accessible, and little maneuvering in the restrooms seemed to be necessary for larger chairs.
About This Blog
Name::historymike
From::Toledo, Ohio, United States
Michael is a historian, journalist, and geek who writes on many subjects.
View my complete profile
About Me
Name::historymike
From::Toledo, Ohio, United States
Michael is a historian, journalist, and geek who writes on many subjects.
View my complete profile
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