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Restaurant Week
Toledo Bring in your old, un-wanted jewelry for the HIGHEST PRICES available. Class R Cl Ri Rings i ♦ Charm Ch B Bracelets l t ♦ Wedding W ddi Rings Ri ♦ Bracelets B l t Engagement Rings ♦ Neck Chains ♦ Right Hand Finger Rings Earrings With or Without Stones ♦ Birthstone Rings ♦ Watches
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Your guide to the hottest food event of the year.
Schatzley’s Jewelers
www.schatzleys.com y
4029 W. Central Ave. Between Secor and Talmadge
Open: Tues. – Fri. 10am-6pm, Sat. 10am-2pm
419-535-8888 or 1-800-613-3878
Northwest Ohio’s Fastest Growing Gold and Diamond Buyers We Pay More … Period!
2 n JAN. 25, 2012 / TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM
”Food is an important part of a balanced diet.” — Fran Lebowitz
“American Bistro Fare with New Orleans Flair!” Levis Commons Perrysburg, OH
CALL T OD Limited AY! Seating
419-931-3474
Gift Certificates Available Online 24/7
www.fatfishblue.com om Make Your You ur Reservations Today
Open Tuesday for Valentine's Day
Doors Open at 3 p.m. Show Starts at 7:30 p.m.
To reserve your space or for additional information call 419-931-3474 or visit us at toledofunnybone.com
Premium Comedy, Great Food and the Best in Live Music L NT IAME EC E SP AG G EN
Levis Commons Perrysburg, OH
419-931-3474
GARY OWEN
BET, Def Comedy Jam, Comedy Central
Jan. 26-29
OWEN BENJAMIN
MTV’s Punked, Jay Leno E’s Chelsea Lately
Feb. 1-4
www.toledofunnybone.com
J.R. BROW
HBO, Comedy Central
Feb. 9-12
Jan. 29 –Feb. 4, 2012
PLATE 21
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Toledo Free Press Star restaurant Week Toledo photos by Joseph Herr
4 n JAN. 25, 2012 / TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM
”A dinner lubricates business.” — Lord William Stowell
Welcome to Restaurant Week Toledo 2012!
Bobby V’s
Special deals benefit Leadership Toledo, Jan. 29 to Feb. 4. By Sarah Ottney TOLEDO FREE PRESS SPECIAL SECTIONS EDITOR sottney@toledofreepress.com
With participating restaurants offering a wide range of cuisine, price points and geographical locations to choose from, organizers hope everyone who wants to will find a way to support Restaurant Week Toledo. Patrons who order off specially created menus at any of 18 area restaurants during the week of Jan. 29 to Feb. 4 will be doing more than enjoying a delicious meal and supporting a local business — they will also be supporting local nonprofit Leadership Toledo. Participating restaurants include Bar 145, The Blarney Irish Pub, Bobby V’s American Grill, Burger Bar 419, Caper’s Restaurant and Bar, Dégagé Jazz Café, Fifi’s Reprise Restaurant and Lounge, The Hungry I, ICE Restaurant and Bar, LaScola Italian Grill, Manhattan’s, Plate 21, Poco Piatti, Rockwell’s, Rosie’s Italian Grille, Spicy Tuna Sushi Bar and Grill, Tea Tree Asian
Bistro and Ventura’s Mexican Restaurant. Each of the restaurants — which include venues in Downtown Toledo, Holland, Maumee, Perrysburg, South Toledo, Sylvania and West Toledo — will feature a special menu priced at $10, $20 or $30. (Drinks, taxes and gratuities are not included unless specified.) A portion of the proceeds will benefit Leadership Toledo’s youth programs. Final preparations for the second annual event are coming together, said event cochair Margot Estes. “We are encouraged by the buzz we see increasing around town,” Estes said. “Our participating restaurants keep running out of save the date cards and fliers. In the next two weeks, it will be hard not to notice Restaurant Week Toledo. “There really is something for everyone,” Estes said. “Have a date night, meet some friends or take the kids out — it is all possible with the variety of restaurants supporting Restaurant Week Toledo.”
Leadership Toledo operates four programs: three for youth and one for adults. Dave Schlaudecker, executive director of Leadership Toledo, said funds raised by Restaurant Week Toledo will help support two of the nonprofit’s youth programs: Youth Leadership Toledo and Students in Action. Youth Leadership Toledo is a nine-month program that helps 50 sophomores from 34 regional high schools develop leadership skills, with an emphasis on exploring and resolving issues faced by their local communities. Students in Action, a component of the national Jefferson Awards organization, recognizes area students doing community volunteer work. The third youth program, Youth in Philanthropy Encouraging Excellence (YIPEE), is funded by the Toledo Community Foundation. “Restaurant Week Toledo means two things to us,” Schlaudecker said. “One, it gives us the opportunity for people to learn about Leadership Toledo and the way we are
changing lives in both our students and the community at large. “And two, without raising funds we can’t run the youth programs because we don’t charge the youth to participate in any programs and we do have to cover our costs.” Schlaudecker said he hopes area residents will consider supporting the cause. “Restaurant Week Toledo offers what we hope is a painless way for individuals to support us as well as help local restaurants,” Schlaudecker said. “It’s just a great way to get out of the winter doldrums; go out to eat a couple times and get some nice meals at a variety of restaurants. Have some fun at a place you wouldn’t normally go — or a place you regularly go. “And let those restaurant owners know you’re grateful they supported Leadership Toledo and moving the community forward. They are each making a sacrifice in this.” For more information, visit the web sites www.restaurant weektoledo.com and www. leadershiptoledo.org. O
“Food is our common ground, a universal experience.” — James Beard
Bar 145°
Special Menu
5305 Monroe St., Toledo; (419) 593-0073 bar145toledo.com
Lunch Menu ($10) Appetizer (choose from a cup of any daily soup, duck confit fries or potato pancake) and entrée (choose from mini burger, half-BLT with salad, marinated olives with toast or winter salad). Dinner Menu ($20) Appetizer (choose from duck confit fries, roasted bone marrow or bruschetta), entrée (choose from house-cured BLT, spiced turkey with potato/cranberry or balsamic bleu burger), and dessert (choose from sweet potato cake with cinnamon gelato or gelato sampler).
Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 2 a.m. Sunday-Saturday.
Specializing in “burgers, bands and bourbon,” Toledo’s first gastropub opened in May and features a menu full of gourmet burgers. Seize the opportunity to “stack your own” from a list of five patties, five buns, 13 cheeses, 22 sauces and 27 toppings, ranging from locally grown lettuce and vine-ripened tomatoes to bourbon-smoked bacon and sautéed wild mushrooms. With a 50-seat oval bar and live music six nights a week, Bar 145 is a lively culture clash of club, bar and upscale dining experience, said co-owner Jeremy Fitzgerald. Named after the temperature of a perfectly cooked medium-rare burger, Bar 145 features endless toppings on Mondays, dueling pianos and $5 martinis on Wednesdays, daily happy hours from 1:45 to 6 p.m. , and full bands Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. “The biggest thing that sets us apart from burger joints is that we’re a bar as well,” said Fitzgerald, whose family owns Mr. Ed’s Bar and Grille on Put-in-Bay. “It’s both a great restaurant and a great place to have a night life. People come early to have dinner and then stay and watch the bands. It’s very unique to the city of Toledo.” O
$10 $1100 OFF O OFFF Wino Wednesday s $5anyorbottle tl e off wine tle wiinne!
TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM / JAN. 25, 2012 n 5
The Blarney Irish Pub 601 Monroe St., Toledo; (419) 418-2339 theblarneyirishpub.com
Hours: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday-Wednesday (kitchen closes at 10 p.m.), 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Thursday (kitchen closes at 11 p.m.), 11 a.m. to 2:30 a.m. Friday-Saturday (kitchen closes at 11 p.m.), open Sunday on Downtown event nights.
Special Menu Dinner Menu ($10) Appetizer (choose from a cup of loaded baked potato soup, small loaded tater tots, small Irish black & bleu chips or small order of potato latkes), entrée (choose from banger and mashed potatoes, shepherd’s pie, two-piece fish ‘n’ chips or corned beef Reuben), and dessert (choose from Blarney’s famous bread pudding or homemade Focaccia’s chocolate cake).
Featuring 19 beers on tap, a full liquor selection and live music Thursday through Saturday, “you’re only a stranger once” at The Blarney. Owner Ed Beczynski said people can get a beer anywhere, so he wants The Blarney, a laid-back but lively Downtown pub featuring décor imported from Ireland, to stand out. “It’s a crowd that parties together and eats together, where everybody knows everybody, where everybody feels safe,” Beczynski said. “I just want people when they leave to say ‘I had a great time,’ dancing, drinking, eating, whatever they were doing.” Bar Manager Dennis Kennedy said the staff prides itself on inspiring repeat customers. “At the end of the day, people just want to be entertained and talked to,” Kennedy said. “We know a lot about our customers and we like to be their entertainment when they get off work.” O
BRINGING THE FLAVORS ORS O RS OF RS OF
Excluding i es • Di Dining l ing ng hhouse ouse use wines wine Dinii g room rooom only nly
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experience the Restaurant Week
Stop in January 29th-February 4th
News! Hour
Mon & Tues 11:30 a.m.–10 p.m. Wed & Thurs 11:30 a.m.–10 p.m. Open for lunch and dinner Fri 11:30 a.m.–11 p.m. For reservations call: Sat 12–11:30 p.m. Sun 4 –10 p.m. *Subject to change
All Day Bar Specials B ar Top Bar To Only.
419-866-5007
www.rosiesitaliangrille.com 606 North McCord Rd. Toledo, Ohio 43615
Sunday through Thursday – All Appetizers Half Price! Bar Top Only. Sunday through Thursday – All Gourmet Pizza Half Off! Bar Top Only.
Experience our Restaurant Week Special and help support Leadership Toledo.
THE ORIGINAL MEXICAN RESTAURANTE & CANTINA IN TOLEDO
Stop in for Restaurant Week January 29th – February 4th
419-841-7523 7742 W. Bancroft (1 Mi. West of McCord) Open Monday to Saturday 11 a.m.
CCasual asual D Dining in • ALL MAJOR CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED Experience our Restaurant Week Special and help support Leadership Toledo.
6 n JAN. 25, 2012 / TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM
”Sharing food with another human being is an intimate act that should not be indulged in lightly.” — M. F. K. Fisher
Special Menu Lunch & Dinner Menu ($10) Appetizer (batter-fried onion petals with tangy bleu cheese mustard sauce), entrée (select a burger from 15 options, including Short Stuff (smothered with braised short ribs and sauteed onions), Crunchy Buffalo (smothered with hot sauce, blue cheese sauce, bacon and hand-cut chips), Slamon Salmon (mixed with onion, pepper, ginger, lime, soy and sesame topped with spicy bok choy slaw and Thai ketchup), and The Heater (with pepper jack cheese, green chilis, grilled jalapenos and serranos)), and side (choose from sweet and tangy slaw, hot kim chee, granny apple slaw or hand-cut fries).
Bobby V’s American Grill 8165 Airport Hwy., Holland; (419) 491-1795 facebook.com/BobbyVsAmericanGrill
Burger Bar 419
4400 Heatherdowns Blvd., Toledo (419) 724-5844; burgerbar419.com Hours: Opens 11 a.m. Monday-Sunday. Taglined “good flippin’ burgers,” Burger Bar 419 offers “comfort food with style,” featuring its popular and unique layered burgers. Following a mantra of simple, fresh and delicious, co-owners Moussa Salloukh and Tony House strive to keep things local, displaying local artwork and offering homemade, handcrafted and locally grown menu items, including vegetarian options. Opened in May, the eatery offers big-city atmosphere that’s also casual, warm and inviting. “We’re just trying to keep everything here in Toledo,” said Salloukh, who also co-owns LaScola Italian Grill and The Hungry I. “We’re all about the food and the 419.” O
Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, noon to 10 p.m. Saturday. Normally closed Sundays but will be open noon to 9 p.m. Jan. 29 for Restaurant Week.
Special Menu
Since opening in June, Bobby V’s American Grill has been serving up American comfort food from its scratch kitchen — including Mama’s Chicken, dueling meatloaves, homemade mac ’n’ cheese, hand-cut fries, sliders, housemade desserts and more — in a refined casual atmosphere, said dining room manager Kyle Dumkow. Named after Bob Verbon, longtime Toledo restaurateur and grandfather of owner and chef Kevin Bowers, Bobby V’s features $4 burgers and $1.25 domestic bottles on Mondays starting at 5 p.m. and a 12-ounce prime rib for $15 on Saturdays starting at 5 p.m. The eatery also offers $1.50 margaritas, a full bar with six rotating beers on tap and a wine list. Bowers was previously head chef at Real Seafood Co. “We just hope people come in and enjoy themselves and relax, whether they’re having a glass of wine, dinner or an appetizer at the bar,” Dumkow said. “We want to be a local place where people are comfortable.” O
Lunch Menu (until 3 p.m.) ($10) Entrée (choose from petite mac ’n’ cheese with chicken, petite tuna melt, petite chicken bacon ranch panini, petite pulled pork sandwich or petite BLT), soup (choose from beef stew, chicken noodle or corn chowder), and dessert (choose from New York-style cheesecake with fresh berries, chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream or carrot cake with vanilla ice cream). Dinner Menu ($20) Includes bottomless nonalcoholic beverage (coffee, soda or tea). Appetizer (choose from onion rings, fried pickles, hay stack onions, chicken chunks, cup of corn chowder or soup of the day), entrée (choose from mac ’n’ cheese with chicken, Philly cheese steak, chop steak, turkey Reuben or fish ’n’ chips), and dessert (choose from New York-style cheesecake with fresh berries, chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream or carrot cake with vanilla ice cream).
Caper’s Restaurant and Bar 2038 S. Byrne Road, Toledo; (419) 389-9900 caperstoledo.com
Hours: 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Sunday. This family-owned South Toledo eatery features a menu full of traditional American and Italian dishes, but is especially known for its pasta, bread and specialty pizzas. Caper’s uses all fresh ingredients, and its sauces, breads and pizza dough are made from scratch, said manager Emily Meadows, daughter of owners Jim and Sue Meadows. Offering a fun, energetic and casual atmosphere, the venue features a rotating selection of 12 craft draft beers on tap. Daily specials include 25 percent off dine-in pizzas on Mondays, $1 off pasta dishes and $15 bottles of wine on Tuesdays and Saturdays, $8.50 burgers, fries and a shake and $2 drafts on Wednesdays, $3 small cheese pizzas and $2 margaritas on Thursdays, $2.50 import bottles on Fridays, and breakfast pizzas starting at $4.95 and kids eat free on Sundays. O
Award winning Continental cuisine cuisine Award winning cuisine Continental Award-winning continental Full dinner menu Full dinner menu Full dinner menu u Lighter fare menuavailable available the Lounge Lighter fare menu in in the Lounge Lighter fare menu available in the Lounge u u
Experience our Restaurant Week Special and help support Leadership Toledo.
Lunch Menu ($10) Appetizer (choose from small tossed salad, soup of the day, or nubbs and dipping sauce) and entrée (choose from Caper’s club sandwich, Italian house special sandwich or small three-item pizza). Dinner Menu ($10) Appetizer (choose from small tossed salad, garlic and cheese bread or nubbs with dipping sauce), entrée (choose from spaghetti with homemade pasta, sauce and meatballs, spaghetti with homemade pasta sauce, small chicken club pizza or small Sicilian pizza), and dessert (choose from Caper’s homemade bread pudding or vanilla ice cream sundae).
Serving fair-trade, r-traade, organic coffees offeess from from Higher Grounds oun nds Trading! Trad din ng!
Fifi’s &&Lounge Fifi’sRestaurant Restaurant Loung e Fifi’s Restaurant & Lounge 1423 Bernath Toledo 1423 Parkway, Bernath Toledo 43615 1423 Bernath Parkway,Parkway, Toledo43615 43615 www.fifisrestaurant.com www.fifisrestaurant.com www.fifisrestaurant.com 419.866.6777 419.866.6777 419.866.6777
Special Menu
3664 Rugby Dr.
Join us for Restaurant ura ant Week Jan. 29th-Feb. 29 9th-Feb. 4th
Try our traditionall eespresso sprresso drinks, brewed coffee, whole leaf teas, Hours Mon-Fri: 6:30a-5p. Sat: 7:30a-3p 100% fruit smoothies, breakfast, lunch Plate21.com and much more. Experience our Restaurant Week Special and help support Leadership Toledo. Toledo, Ohio
419-385-2121
“Never eat more than you can lift.” — Miss Piggy
TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM / JAN. 25, 2012 n 7
Fifi’s Reprise Restaurant and Lounge 1423 Bernath Parkway, Toledo; (419) 866-6777 www.fifisrestaurant.com
Dégagé Jazz Café 301 River Road, Maumee; (419) 794-8205 degagejazzcafe.com Hours: Hours: 5 p.m. to midnight TuesdayThursday, 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (brunch) Sunday.
Special Menu Dinner Menu ($20) Appetizer (choose from baconbraised meatloaf and aged cheddar tartine, buttermilk-fried turkey with wild honey jus on mini bisquit and sweet potato cake, or four-cheese mac & cheese bites with creamed herring and fresh chives), entrée (choose from freerange Salisbury steak, wild mushroom and heirloom garlic jus with caramelized onions, Ratatouille pot pie or pheasant and dumplings), and dessert (choose from Cap’n Crunch Malt, Bourbon bread pudding with bacon jam ice cream or chef’s choice Dessert of the Moment).
With a French name meaning “to feel free, easy and relaxed,” Dégagé is a perfect place to enjoy a meal with family and friends or a romantic dinner for two, said chef Joseph Jacobsen, a Toledo native trained at the prestigious French Culinary Institute in New York City. “We combine our trademark French-inspired refined rusticity with an unyielding passion for the best local, seasonal and fresh ingredients in our recipes,” Jacobsen said. “Our menu, which changes every month, utilizes whatever local and seasonal produce I can get my hands on, including housemade soup, salads, unique appetizers and entrees you won’t find anywhere else in town as well as a newly updated pizza menu. We also have a new children’s menu for the little foodies.” Located in a building listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Dégagé also features a new wine list, extensive martini list, four locally crafted beers on tap and live jazz five nights a week. O
Hours: 5 to 10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 5 to 11 p.m. Friday-Saturday, closed Sunday. Lounge opens at 2 p.m. Monday-Friday. Reservations suggested. Continental cuisine and a lengthy wine list coupled with an ambience that encourages intimate conversation have landed this 31-year-old establishment in listings like “America’s 200 Most Romantic Restaurants” and garnered three-star ratings from Forbes Travel Guide for nearly 20 years. Given its location, tucked in a plaza off Airport Highway, owner Fifi Berry said visitors are sometimes surprised to find such an upscale interior, featuring a cozy lounge, private dining room and pianist on weekends. “It’s very comfortable. It’s not a noisy restaurant, even when people are having a really good time,” Berry said. “It’s the perfect portion as far as I’m concerned, and very pretty food, nicely presented.” O
Special Menu Dinner Menu ($30) Includes chicken liver pâté and sorbet. Appetizer (choose from soup de jour, Ceasar salad or Fifi’s chopped salad tossed with bleu cheese and cognac dressing and garnished with pecans and sun-dried cranberries), entrée (choose from braised beef short ribs slowly braised in red wine and veal demi-glacé, accompanied by house potato and mixed julienne vegetables; glazed panseared airline chicken breast finished with chef’s apricot glacé and served with house potato and julienne vegetables; ruby trout baked in herbed butter, served over jasmine rice and finished with citrus beurre blanc sauce; or pork tenderloin topped with apple tarragon sauce and served with roasted sweet potato and vegetable du jour), and dessert (choose from crème brûlée or chocolate mousse).
Stop in for Restaurant Week January 29th- February 4th Open 7 days a week for dinner at 4 p.m. Happy Hour 7 days a week from 4-7 p.m. Party room available for business meetings, rehearsal dinners and private functions. Catering and carry out available!
5375 Airport Hwy. Toledo, OH 43615 (419) 381-2100
The Place for Italian Food
Gorgeous Lounge available for Happy Hour
Experience our Restaurant Week Special and help support Leadership Toledo. lascolaitaliangrill.com
8 n JAN. 25, 2012 / TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM
”Ask not what you can do for your country. Ask what’s for lunch.” — Orson Welles
Stop in for Restaurant Week January 29th-February 4th
The only Prime Steakhouse in Toledo.
Elegant excellence, for everyone.
27 Broadway Street, Toledo
419.243.1302
Experience our Restaurant Week Special and help support Leadership Toledo.
Special Menu
The Hungry I
6060 Renaissance Place, Toledo; (419) 517-5570 hungryitoledo.com Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday-Saturday, noon to 9 p.m. Sunday.
after work cocktails relaxed urban atmosphere toledo’s best jazz and blues music, thursday to sunday
Stop in for RESTAURANT WEEK Jan. 29th - Feb. 4th
M a n h a t t a n ’s
is the perfect place to kick back and relax. Join us for lunch or end your day with the perfect cocktail. Try our scrumptious appetizers or stay for dinner. Bring your friends. Meet some new ones. You are sure to have a good time.
The Hungry I’s warm, laid-back atmosphere and ample portions — including “the best corned beef Rueben in town and the biggest salads around” — keep area residents coming back for more, said Moussa Salloukh, who co-owns the eatery with Gus Nicolaidis. “We’re both ethnic guys. We believe in big portions and we don’t want you to leave hungry,” Salloukh said. “Whether you’re in the mood for a sandwich, steak, ribs, martinis or a great draft beer, there’s a little something for everybody at The Hungry I.” O
Lunch Menu ($10) Select one of our eight gourmet sandwiches, including Asian chicken sandwich (grilled chicken breast with spring mix, provolone cheese and sweet chili sauce), Jaws fish sandwich (breaded and deep-fried tilapia on a hoagie served with lettuce, tomato, American cheese and coleslaw), or roast beef and cheddar (roast beef, cheddar cheese, homemade horseradish mayo, lettuce and tomato served on herbed ciabatta). Each meal includes French fries and a nonalcoholic drink.
lunch dinner cocktails 1516 adams st., toledo U 419.243.6675 U free parking U www.manhattanstoledo.com
Experience our Restaurant Week Special and help support Leadership Toledo.
Full bar, sushi bar, Chinese entrees from former Fu Yi Menu, large party accommodations, carry-out & catering services. Fun, welcoming atmosphere for any occasion!
LUNCH » 11:30am-2:30pm daily DINNER NER » Mon, Tues & Thurs 2:30-10pm; Wed 2:30-11pm; Fri & Sat 2:30-11pm, Sushi & kitchen open until 1:30am; Sun 2:30-9pm 7130 Airport Hwy., Holland (corner of Airport & Holloway) 71 419.720.9333 www.spicytunasushi.com 4 Experience our Restaurant Week Special and help support Leadership Toledo.
Stop in for Restaurant Week January 29th - February 4th
4100 Chappel Drive Perrysburg Ohio, 43551
419-874-8828
www.TeaTreeAsianBistro.com
Hours Mon-Thurs 11:30 a.m.–10 p.m. Fri & Sat 11:30 a.m.–11 p.m. Sun 11:30 a.m.–9 p.m.
Experience our Restaurant Week Special and help support Leadership Toledo.
“There ain’t no such thing as wrong food.” — Sean Stewart
TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM / JAN. 25, 2012 n 9
LaScola Italian Grill
Special Menu
5375 Airport Highway, Toledo; (419) 381-2100 lascolaitaliangrill.com Hours: 4 to 10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 4 to 11 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 4 to 9 p.m. Sunday.
ICE Restaurant and Bar At the PNC Building, 405 Madison Ave., Toledo (419) 246-3339; icerestaurantandbar.com
Special Menu
Hours: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. TuesdayWednesday, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday, 10 a.m. to midnight Friday, 4 p.m. to midnight Saturday, closed Sunday. This Downtown venue offers an upscale restaurant experience priced to a moderate-income budget, said owner Donna Weiser. “A lot of people say it’s something you’d see in New York or Chicago. It’s a classy, contemporary look, but it has a casual feel,” Weiser said. “We only sell USDA choice steaks and we have wonderful seafood.” Homemade Maryland crab cakes and ICE Bites are among the most popular appetizers at the family-owned eatery, which is also known for its stemless martini glasses that stay cold resting in beds of ice. Located next to Huntington Center and two blocks from Fifth Third Field, ICE offers $2 draft beers and half-off appetizers with a ticket stub before and after Mud Hens and Walleye games. The eatery also features happy hour 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays as well as live jazz on Thursdays and live acoustic music on Fridays and Saturdays. O
Dinner Menu ($20) Appetizer (choose from ICE Bites (slow-cooked tenderloin in au jus topped with provolone), homemade Maryland crab cake, or walleye dippers (lightly breaded, deep-fried and served with homemade sauce), entrée (choose from grilled tenderloin kabob, USDA Choice beef served over a bed of rice pilaf; two grilled pork chops basted with our bourbon BBQ sauce; or lake perch, lightly breaded and fried, and dessert (choose from homemade deep-fried brownies a la mode, chocolate crème brûlée, or two-layered high carrot cake). All entrees served with salad and a choice of side dish.
Stop in for Restaurant Week
With its elegant, amber-lit interior, extensive wine list and gourmet Italian cuisine, LaScola is “a place to get away from it all,” said Moussa Salloukh, who co-owns the eatery with Gus Nicolaidis. A lounge area, perfect for appetizers, features leather couches and black-and-white photos depicting Toledo history. “I’ve had people come in from New York, from all over, and say it’s the best Italian they’ve ever had,” Salloukh said. “It’s big-city food and a bigcity atmosphere here in Toledo.” A second location, LaScola Tuscan Grill, is set to open this spring in Findlay. O
Join us for Restaurant Week Jan. 29th – Feb. 4th ENDLESS TOPPING
January 29th - February 4th
NOW ! OPEN Blarney Bullpen
www.theblarneybullpen.com
601 Monroe St.
Right Across from Fifth Third Field
For music listings, drink specials, & weekly dining specials, go to:
$8: A burger cooked to your favorite temperature with endless toppings ALL DAY & ALL NIGHT for a measly $8!
Voted BEST Irish Pub & Downtown Ba in Toledo! r
appy Hour » Mon-Fri 4-7 pm H Live Entertainment » Thurs - Fri - Sat
theblarneyirishpub.com
Experience our Restaurant Week Special and help support Leadership Toledo.
Dinner Menu ($30 for two) Bruschetta appetizer (thick ciabatta bread topped with tomatoes, pancetta, mozzarella, basil pesto and alfredo sauce), house salads (mixed greens, grape tomatoes, croutons and gorgonzola cheese tossed in sweet white balsamic), and entrees (choose two from our many dinner pastas, such as chicken cacciatore, portobella ravioli, capallini basil pesto, lasagna, eggplant parmigiana or seafood portofino).
5305 MONROE ST. TOLEDO, OHIO 43623 EVERYDAY (419) 593-0073 1:45 – 6:00 PM 1: HAPPY HOUR
KIDS EAT
FREE
TUESDAYS
BAR145 TOLEDO .COM
Experience our Restaurant Week Special and help support Leadership Toledo.
10 n JAN. 25, 2012 / TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM
”Food is the most primitive form of comfort.” — Sheila Graham
Rockwell’s
At the Oliver House, 27 Broadway St., Toledo (419) 243-1302; www.theoliverhousetoledo.com
Special Menu
Hours: 5 to 10 p.m. Monday-Saturday, closed Sunday.
Special Menu
Manhattan’s
1516 Adams St., Toledo; (419) 243-6675 manhattanstoledo.com Hours: 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Monday-Tuesday (kitchen closes 10 p.m.), 11 a.m. to midnight Wednesday-Thursday (kitchen closes 10 p.m.), 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday (kitchen closes 11 p.m.), 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. Saturday (kitchen closes 11 p.m.), 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday.
Lunch Menu ($10) Side (choose from garden salad or cup of soup) and entrée (choose from Broadway chicken salad, Christi’s Bouquet or Mad Anthony Reuben). Includes a nonalcoholic beverage. Dinner Menu ($30) Appetizer (choose from bruschetta or calamari), entrée (choose from New York strip steak or scampi orzo) and dessert (choose from rum cake, carrot cake, New York cheesecake, tiramisu or chocolate Chambord). Includes bread and a choice of soup or salad.
Dinner Menu ($30) Appetizer (choose from wild mushroom medley, Moroccan olives or duck confit pizza), entrée (choose from 7-ounce broiled prime sirloin steak, garlic mashed potatoes and fresh asparagus with hollandaise sauce; 8-ounce prosciutto and bursin stuffed fresh chicken with garlic mashed potatoes and fresh asparagus with hollandaise sauce; or 7-ounce seared fresh tuna steak with haricot verts and tomato rice pilaf) and dessert (choose from crème brûlée, cheesecake or housemade seven-layer chocolate cake).
Located in the historic Oliver House, this upscale steakhouse features classically prepared cuisine in a fine dining atmosphere and is the only steakhouse in the area that serves 100 percent USDA prime beef, said Neal Kovacik, general manager of Oliver House Operations. With seating available in the second-floor dining room or a classic downstairs lounge, Rockwell’s also offers fresh seafood, chops, chicken, pasta, custom-made desserts and more. “We have a great view of the city of Toledo and the river in the cozy historic Oliver House,” Kovacik said. “We offer excellent food, excellent service and a great dining experience.” O
Offering “a slice of the Big Apple in Downtown Toledo,” Manhattan’s offers a casual, eclectic atmosphere that’s popular for dining before or after shows, said owner Marty Lahey. Featuring dishes named after New York City landmarks, the family-run eatery serves steak, seafood, gourmet pizza, sandwiches, salads and more, and features live jazz and blues Monday through Saturday and a brunch buffet on Sunday. “It’s a real friendly place where everybody knows your name,” Lahey said. “The whole mood is just a very fun, relaxed place and the food is excellent. We make everything from scratch and we’re really proud of it.” O
Stop in for Restaurant Week Jan. 29th–Feb. 4th
®
Jazz Café & Fine Dining Restaurant aurant urra ant
Live Jazz Five Nights a Week Upcoming Schedule
This Fri & Sat, Jan. 27th & 28th
Ramona Collins Tuesday, Jan. 31st
Leo Darrington
Wednesday, Feb. 1st
Gene Parker & Friends
Now Open at 5 p.m. — No Cover Tues., Wed. & Thurs.
301 River Road at The Historic Commercial Building Maumee
419-794-8205
degagejazzcafe.com
Hours:
Tuesday-Thursday .................... 5 p.m.–12 a.m. Friday-Saturday ......................... 5 p.m.–1 a.m. Sunday ........................ 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Brunch
Experience our Restaurant Week Special and help support Leadership Toledo.
“The art of dining well is no slight art, the pleasure not a slight pleasure.” — Michel de Montaigne
Special Menu
Plate 21 3664 Rugby Drive, Toledo; (419) 385-2121 plate21.com Hours: 6:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, closed Sunday. Among the wholesome beverages featured at Plate 21 are beautifully crafted traditional Italian espresso drinks, fair trade organic coffee and whole leaf teas, 100 percent fruit smoothies, and signature matcha frappes and lattes sweetened naturally with agave, said owner Sandy Spang. The shop also offers a vegetarian-friendly menu that includes Panini, wraps, homemade soups, salads, breakfast sandwiches and more, but its main focus is drinks. “I like to think of us as a coffeehouse with food rather than a restaurant with coffee,” Spang said. “Beverages are always the star of the show.” The venue offers free WiFi and is a popular spot for business meetings, studying or just chatting, Spang said. A focal point of the brightly colored, minimalist shop is a fused glass installation by local artist Tracy Ladd. “We really try to foster a sense of community and this idea of a place where people can connect,” Spang said. “We know lots of people by name. I wanted to be the neighborhood’s living room. When you come into Plate 21, everybody belongs.” O
Special Menu Dinner Menu ($20) Appetizer (choose from Hot Mama Bread with cheese, bruschetta, bungalow shrimp or Italian sausage with red peppers and onions), entrée (choose from meatball sausage pasta, chicken Parmesan, chicken Marsala, lasagna bolognese or three-cheese manicotti) and dessert trio (key lime tartlet, carrot cake and panna cotta).
TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM / JAN. 25, 2012 n 11
Coffeehouse Menu ($5) Choose from a veggie or sausage breakfast wrap with havarti, scrambled egg, red pepper and spinach grilled and served with mango habanero sauce; organic steel-cut oats with your choice of a sweetener and two toppings, including mango, coconut, blueberries and craisins, pecans, walnuts and chocolate chips; or a freshly baked muffin (blueberry, cranberry walnut, butter rum, cinnamon coffee cake or our signature pistachio), paired with your choice of a traditionally crafted cappuccino or latte with organic fair-trade, shade-grown espresso from Higher Grounds Trading Co.; frappe featuring organic, fairtrade matcha, the green tea “superfood,” and sweetened with agave nectar; a 100 percent fruit smoothie with an antioxidant, vitamin and mineral blend; or any 12-ounce drink.
Rosie’s Italian Grille
606 N. McCord Road, Toledo; (419) 866-5007 rosiesitaliangrille.com Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 4 to 10 p.m. Sunday.
Rosie’s tweaks traditional century-old Italian family recipes with creative modern twists and serves them up in a romantically lit, Tuscan-themed atmosphere. “Authentic Italian — that’s what we’re known for, but our fresh seafood creations and Chicago Stock Yards steaks are just incomparable,” said pastry chef Betsy Barone. Rosie’s also features award-winning pizza, live music Wednesday through Friday and a private, four-season patio. Wine bottles are $5 or $10 off on Wednesdays. “We’re hoping everyone feels comfortable in our atmosphere, with the feel of a walk through the streets of Italy,” Barone said. “We want the visit to be outstanding, start to finish.” O
Manhattan’s
12 n JAN. 25, 2012 / TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM
“I am not a glutton — I am an explorer of food.” — Erma Bombeck
Menu, Map and Directions at www.pocopiatti.com
ean
rran Featuring the “small plates” of the Medite Large selection of Italian, Spanish, Middle East and Greek specialities.
Full Bar, Sangria, Imported & Domestic Beers & Wines
Wine Shop and Banquet Room Now Open!
3155 Chappel Drive Perrysburg, Ohio
(419) 931-0281
Stop in for Restaurant Week Januar y 29th-Februar
y 4th
HOURS: Mon.- Thurs. 11:30 a.m.- 10 p.m. Fri.- Sat. 11:30 a.m.- 11 p.m. Sunday 12 - 9 p.m.
Experience our Restaurant Week Special and help support Leadership Toledo.
GOOD FLIPPIN’ BURGERS!
Special Menu Poco Piatti At Levis Commons, 3155 Chappel Dr., Perrysburg; (419) 931-0281 pocopiatti.com Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday-Saturday; noon to 9 p.m. Sunday.
Dinner Menu ($20) Appetizer (choose from markouk chicken wrap, ara-yes halabi, or sauteed mushrooms), entrée (choose from a half order of beef kabob, a half order of chicken kabob or salmon primavera), and dessert (choose from crème brûlée, chocolate crème brûlée, brownie or baklava).
Area residents can take a journey through the Mediterranean without leaving Northwest Ohio at this warm, welcoming and upscale casual eatery featuring plenty of health-conscious and heart-healthy dishes, said owner Elias Hajjar. “It’s something very unique to Toledo. You get a nice mix of all the flavors of the Mediterranean — Lebanese, Italian, Greek — and they’re available to try all the different cuisines in one place,” said Hajjar, whose father owns The Beirut and Byblos. “Mediterranean food in general is very healthy. We tend to use a lot more olive oil than butter, lots of vegetables, lots of lean meat.” The eatery — Toledo’s only Mediterranean tapas bar — bakes fresh pitas daily in stone ovens and uses locally owned suppliers. The name means “small plates” in Italian and refers to the communal tradition of sharing dishes around the table with everyone trying a little of each one. O
Stop in for Restaurant Week Jan. 29-Feb. 4 Located just minutes from the Stranahan Theater 4400 HEATHERDOWNS
Now Open for Lunch & Dinner.
www.BURGERBAR419.com
419.724.5844
(CORNER OF KEY )
Open 11 a.m. Daily
Experience our Restaurant Week Special and help support Leadership Toledo.
Stop p in for Restaurant rant Week k Jan. 29thth- Feb. 4th
2038 S. Byrne • 419-389-9900 • www.caperspizzaandbar.com ww.caperspizzaandbar.com ww caperspizzaandbar db com om m
Nothing thing But the Best! Caper’s C ’ iis a ffamily il ownedd andd operated t d restaurant in South Toledo. We have a large menu consisting of specialty pizzas, pasta, sandwiches and salads. All of our sauces, breads and pizza dough are made from scratch.
Experience our Restaurant Week Special and help support Leadership Toledo.
Spicy Tuna Sushi
7130 Airport Hwy., Holland; (419) 720-9333 www.spicytunasushi.com Hours: Lunch specials served daily from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Dinner hours are 2:30 to 10 p.m. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 2:30 to 11 p.m. Wednesday, 2:30 p.m. to 1:30 a.m. Friday and Saturday (sushi until 11 p.m.), and 2:30 to 9 p.m. Sunday.
Special Menu Lunch Menu ($10) Available from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. during promotion period. Appetizer (choose from crab rangoon (4), fried pork dumplings (4) or edamame), soup (choose from hot and sour soup, egg drop soup or miso soup) and entrée (choose from almond boneless chicken, General Tzu’s chicken, chicken with vegetables, pineapple chicken, Mongolian chicken, pork or beef, Szechuan chicken, pork or beef, Garden Delight with white wine sauce or Hunan spicy and sweet sauce, Spicy Tuna roll, shrimp tempura roll or Philadelphia roll).
Spicy Tuna Sushi Bar and Grill features a full sushi bar as well as “Asian Fusion” and American cuisines that offer the best of both worlds, said owner Li Yu. Opened in December 2010 at the location of the former Fu Yi Chinese Restaurant by the son of the former owner, the eatery features more than 30 entrees from the former Fu Yi menu, a full bar, including sake and imported Asian beers, a game room, and carryout and catering services. Specials include happy hour from 2:30 to 6 p.m. daily, half-off select sushi and sake on Wednesday nights, live entertainment and half-price martinis on Thursdays, karaoke on Saturdays, discounts for veterans, police and firefighters, and more. “We wanted to create an atmosphere that’s more welcoming, relaxed and fun because sushi restaurants aren’t just traditional,” Yu said. “Our mission statement is to exceed guests’ expectations. We want people to have the most fun and the most value for the money they spend.” O
“In France, cooking is a serious art form and a national sport.” — Julia Child
Tea Tree Asian Bistro
At Levis Commons, 4100 Chappel Drive, Perrysburg; (419) 874-8828 teatreeasianbistro.com Hours: 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday. With a Pan-Asian menu featuring Japanese, Chinese, Thai and Korean dishes as well as Asianstyle steak, everyone should be able to find something they love at Tea Tree, said general manager Lynn Wang. “Not many restaurants in Toledo have a variety of choices like that,” Wang said. “It’s a good selection for a group or family with all types of eating habits.” Especially known for its sushi and Pad Thai, the family-run business owned by Wang’s in-laws, Fu and Mei Yu, has a sophisticated yet comfortable fine dining atmosphere, Wang said. “When you come in, the comfortable atmosphere will ease your hectic day. It’s a great place to meet with friends, host a family gathering or enjoy a romantic evening with someone special.” The eatery offers happy hour 3 to 7 p.m. Monday-Thursday and half-off sushi on Tuesdays starting at 5 p.m. At 7 p.m. Feb. 4, Tea Tree will host a customer appreciation vodka party in celebration of its five-year anniversary, featuring live music and the opportunity to make your own creative vodka concoctions. Cost is $27 plus tax and gratuity. Call to RSVP (21 and older). O
Special Menu Dinner Menu ($30) Appetizer (choose from the house Wakame salad, miso soup or signature hot and sour soup), entrée (choose from pangasius white fish encrusted, large panko white fish tempura style drizzled with sweet yet tangy sauce with vegetables; certified Angus Delmonico steak, 12-ounce USDA Choice grade ribeye marinated in our signature Asian BBQ sauce and served with a side of steamed vegetables; tuna festival, two pieces of big eye tuna nigiri, two pieces of super white tuna nigiri, teka maki and spicy tuna maki; or sizzling beef or chicken with zucchini, red peppers, mushrooms, bamboo shoots, baby corn, carrots and onions flamed tableside on a sizzling hot plate and topped with our special brown sauce, and dessert (choose from carrot cake, red velvet cake, Greatful cherry cheesecake, or Godiva chocolate cheesecake).
TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM / JAN. 25, 2012 n 13
Stop in for Restaurant Week: eek: Jan. Jan 29th-Feb. 29th Feb 4th
BOBBYVGRILL.COM
419-491-1795 • 8165 Airport Hwy • Holland, Ohio Hours: Mon-Fri: Mon-F Mon F 11:30am-9pm, Fri: 11:30am-10pm, Sat: 12-10pm, Sun:12-9pm for Restaurant Week! Experience our Restaurant Week Special and help support Leadership Toledo.
Stop in for Restaurant Week January 29th-February 4th. www.hungryitoledo.com
Special Menu Ventura’s
7742 W. Bancroft St., Toledo; (419) 841-7523 venturasmexican.com Hours: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m. to midnight Friday-Saturday, closed Sunday and all major holidays.
Dinner Menu ($10) Appetizer (choose from a cup of black bean soup, small refrito bean dip, tossed salad, pico with chips or con queso cheese dip), entrée (choose from deluxe chicken or ground beef burrito, chicken or ground beef enchilada with beans and rice, chicken fajita taco, beef fajita taco or Cajun chicken enchilada), and dessert (choose from cinnamon chips or fried ice cream).
Relax with family and friends in Ventura’s casual atmosphere and enjoy one of Toledo’s best-known secrets for the past 27 years, invites general manager Valerie Mundt-Scott. Serving some of the area’s finest Mexican and American cuisine, Ventura’s has something for everyone, Scott said. The eatery offers daily lunch specials from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., cocktail hour from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., and $2.60 margaritas in 10 flavors every Tuesday. Customer favorites include Cajun chicken nachos, fajitas, chimichangas, barbecue ribs, botana, bandito black bean dip, spicy fondito cheese dip and homemade burgers and soups. O
419-517-5570 | 6060 RENASSANCE PLACE TOLEDO Holland-Sylvania just North of Sylvania Avenue
Experience our Restaurant Week Special and help support Leadership Toledo.
SSteaks, Stea t Seafood, & Signature Sandwiches and Burgers.
Stop in for Restaurant Week January 29th-February 4th
LIVE MUSIC Every Friday & Saturday Night ICERESTAURANTANDBAR.COM ICERES ESTAU TA RANT
HAPPY HOUR: 4–7 P.M.
Great Food, Great Music and a Warm, Relaxing Atmosphere
405 MADISON, TOLEDO ~ PNC BANK BLDG. ~ 419.246.3339
Experience our Restaurant Week Special and help support Leadership Toledo.
14 n JAN. 25, 2012 / TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM
�Tomatoes and oregano make it Italian; wine and tarragon make it French. Sour cream makes it Russian; lemon
n and cinnamon make it Greek. Soy sauce makes it Chinese; garlic makes it good.” — Alice May Brock
TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM / JAN. 25, 2012 n 15
16 n JAN. 25, 2012 / TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM
Compiled by Whitney Meschke Events are subject to change.
”Health food makes me sick.” — Calvin Trillin
O Kyle White: Jan. 26. O Chris Shutters and friends: Jan. 27. O Jeff Stewart & the 25s: Jan. 28.
MUSIC
Blind Pig
This new venue features burgers, bands and bourbon, if its slogan is to be believed. 5304 Monroe St. (419) 593-0073 or bar145toledo.com. O Piano Wars: Jan. 25 and Feb. 1. O The Personnel: Jan. 26-27. O The Curve: Jan. 28.
A variety of rock, soul, pop and alternative acts perform at this bar. 208 S. First St., Ann Arbor. $3-$20 unless noted. (734) 996-8555 or blindpigmusic.com. O Karaoke: 9:30 p.m. Mondays, no cover. O Gardens, Bad Indians, Mexican Knives: 9:30 p.m. Jan. 25. O 3Lau: 9 p.m. Jan. 26. O Chris Bathgate, Samantha Crain, Nathan Kalish and the Wildfire: 9:30 p.m. Jan. 27. O XV, Gameboi, Ro Spit: 7 p.m. Jan. 28. O The Werks: 11 p.m. Jan. 28. O Folk the Police, Dragon Wagon, Nathan K., Good N Gangster, Appleseed Collective, Jamie Register, Lake Folk, Back Forty, Hana Malhas: 8 p.m. Jan. 29. O Augustana, Graffiti 6: 8 p.m. Jan. 30. O The Rushmores, Manja, the Other Colors: 9:30 p.m. Jan. 31.
Basin St. Grille
Bronze Boar
This Toledo standby has been revived with more than 20 different flavors of martinis and live, local music. 5201 Monroe St. (419) 843-5660. O Don Binkley: Jan. 25.
Be sure to check out this Warehouse District tavern’s namesake, overhead near the entrance. 20 S. Huron St. (419) 244-2627 or www.bronzeboar.com. O DJ Jerod: Wednesdays. O Open mic with Steve Kennedy: Thursdays. O Open mic night with Chris Knopp: Mondays. O Crucial 420: Jan. 27. O See Alice: Jan. 28. O Beg to Differ: Jan. 31.
The Ark This small venue offers a showcase for lesser-known acts. 316 S. Main St., Ann Arbor. (734) 761-1451, (734) 761-1800 or www.theark.org. O Peyton Tochterman: 8 p.m. Jan. 31, free. O Frontier Ruckus: 8 p.m. Feb. 2, $15.
Bar 145
BGSU performances The university’s ensembles, choirs, quartets and more — and their friends — will present the music they’ve been perfecting. Halls are located in Moore Musical Arts Center, Willard Drive and Ridge Street, Bowling Green. (419) 3728171, (800) 589-2224, (419) 372-8888 or www.bgsu.edu/ colleges/music. O Robert Shannon, piano: 8 p.m. Jan. 25, Bryan Recital Hall. O Praecepta: 8 p.m. Jan. 29, Bryan Recital Hall. O Jazz Lab Band I: 8 p.m. Jan. 31, Kobacker Hall.
Caesars Windsor If you have your passport, consider hopping the Detroit River for this casino’s entertainment offerings. Ticket prices, in Canadian dollars, are for the cheapest seats; attendees must be 19 or older. Caesars Windsor Colosseum, 377 Riverside Drive East, Windsor, Ontario. (800) 991-7777 or www.caesarswindsor.com. O Nitty Gritty Dirt Band: 9 p.m. Jan. 28, $20.
The Blarney Irish Pub
Cheers Sports Eatery
Catch local acts while taking in the pub’s modern Irish and American fare. 601 Monroe St. (419) 418-2339 or www. theblarneyirishpub.com.
This family-friendly eatery dishes up live performances … and Chicago-style pizza. 7131 Orchard Centre Drive, Holland. (419) 491-0990.
LIVE MUSIC THIS WEEK AT
O Mark Mikel: Jan. 27. O Chris Shutters: Jan. 28.
Cheetah’s Den A different band performs each week. 702 E. Broadway St. (419) 754-1903. O DJ Lamont: Tuesdays. O Devious: Thursdays (also open mic night)-Saturdays.
Clazel Theater This venue has been rocking BGSU students (and others) for years. 127 N. Main St., Bowling Green. (419) 353-5000 or www.clazel.net. O Konkrete Jungle: Jan. 26.
Dégagé Jazz Café Signature drinks, such as pumpkin martinis, plus live local jazz performers. 301 River Road, Maumee. $5 weekends for cafe seating. (419) 794-8205 or www.degagejazzcafe.com. O Gene Parker & Friends: 7-10 p.m. Jan. 25 and Feb. 1. O Leo Darrington: 7 p.m. Jan. 26 and 31. O Ramona Collins: 7:30 p.m. Jan. 27-28. O Gene Parker & Friends: 7-10 p.m. Feb. 1.
The Distillery Karaoke is offered Tuesdays, but paid entertainers rock out
This Thursday & Friday, Jan. 26th & 27th, 2012
The Personnel The Personnel are a ’90s R&B / Pop cover band from Chicago who recently released a self-titled EP.
OPEN SUNDAY-SATURDAY
11:30 AM – 2 AM
EVERYDAY HAPPY HOUR 1:45 – 6:00 PM
Wednesdays-Saturdays. 4311 Heatherdowns Blvd. (419) 382-1444 or www.thedistilleryonline.com. O DJ Mark EP: Thursdays. O Kyle White: Jan. 25. O The Bridges: Jan. 27-28.
Doc Watson’s Named in honor of the owners’ forefather, this bar and restaurant serves a variety of dishes and entertainment. 1515 S. Byrne Road. (419) 389-6003 or docwatsonstoledo.com. O Kyle White: 9:30 p.m. Jan. 27. O Andrew Ellis: 10 p.m. Jan. 28.
Duncan’s 938 W. Laskey Road (419) 720-4320. O Open stage with Buzz Anderson and Frostbite: Wednesdays. O Scotty Rock: Sundays. O Last Born Sons: Jan. 27. O Crossover: Jan. 28.
Fat Fish Blue Serving blues and similar sounds, as well as bayoustyle grub. Levis Commons, 6140 Levis Commons Blvd., Perrysburg. (419) 931-3474 or fatfishfunny bonetoledo.com. O Cont-Nuite Band: 9:30 p.m. Jan. 27 and 9 p.m. Jan. 28.
This Saturday, Jan. 28th, 2012
The Curve Brittney Lobas-Vocals Jimmy Mahler-Guitar Nathan Hedges-Bass Michael Gould-Drums
5305 MONROE ST. TOLEDO, OHIO 43623 (419) 593-0073
BAR145 TOLEDO .COM
“Preach not to others what they should eat, but eat as becomes you, and be silent.” — Epictetus O Berlin Brothers: 8 p.m. Feb. 3.
STAR @ the movies
LIVE MUSIC: THIS WEEK AT THE BLARNEY
JJ’s Pub
Friday, January 27th
Live music is on Saturday’s menu; the genre varies, along with the cover charge. Karaoke is on tap 9:30 p.m. Thursdays, and a DJ starts spinning at 9 p.m. Fridays. 26611 N. Dixie Hwy., Perrysburg. (419) 874-9058 or jjsperrysburg.com. O John Barile and Bobby May: 8 p.m. Jan. 31.
Kerrytown Concert House
‘The Artist’
This venue focuses on classical, jazz and opera artists and music. 415 N. Fourth Ave., Ann Arbor. $5-$30, unless noted. (734) 769-2999 or www.kerrytownconcerthouse.com. O EAR Duo, EMMI: 8 p.m. Feb. 2.
James A. Molnar, TFP Film Editor:
”This Oscar front-runner is a beautifully made silent film that hearkens back to a golden age of early cinema. Bérénice Bejo is the perfect supporting actress to Jean Dujardin. It’s a refreshing movie, but beware: you may have to do some lip reading.”
This “slice of the Big Apple” in the Glass City provides entertainment most weekends. 1516 Adams St. (419) 243-6675 or www.manhattanstoledo.com. O Open mic: 9 p.m. Monday nights. O Jam session hosted by Tom Turner & Slow Burn: 9 p.m. Tuesdays. O Steven Fenelli: 7 p.m. Jan. 25. O Estar Cohen: 6 p.m. Jan. 26. O Jeff Williams Group: 9 p.m. Jan. 28. O Rachel Richardson: 7 p.m. Feb. 1.
James A. Molnar, TFP Film Editor:
”A slow-building British spy thriller with the perfect cast, ‘Tinker’ falls short of the great movie viewers may expect. Gary Oldman provides one of the best performances of the year.”
NOW ! OPEN Blarney Bullpen
www.theblarneybullpen.com
601 Monroe St.
Chris Shutters & Friends Jeff Stewart & The 25’s Happy Hour Live Entertainment Mon-Fri 4-7 pm Thurs - Fri - Sat
For music listings, drink specials, & weekly dining specials, go to:
Hazzard County Bar &Grill
A variety of genres to wash your drinks down with. Open mic nights, 8 p.m. Wednesdays, no cover; $5-$7 cover other nights. 602 Lagrange St. (419) 246-3466 or www. mickeyfinnspub.com. O Open mic: 8 p.m. Wednesdays. O Rock the Stage, featuring local bands: 9 p.m. Thursdays, free. O Decent Folk: 9:30 p.m. Jan. 26, free. O Athens Wheeler: 9:30 p.m. Jan. 27. O Bathhouse Betty, Banned from EARTH: 9:30 p.m. Jan. 28.
2640 Laskey Road: Athens Wheeler: Jan. 26.
Omni
French Quarter J. Pat’s Pub Live entertainment after 9:30 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays. Holiday Inn French Quarter, 10630 Fremont Pike, Perrysburg. (419) 874-3111 or www.hifq.com. O The Late Show: Jan. 27-28.
Howard’s Club H Bowling Green comes alive at this venue for rock and more. Doors typically open at 9, with the show starting an hour later. 210 N. Main St., Bowling Green. (419) 352-3195 or www.howardsclubh.com. O Bethesda: Feb. 3.
ICE Restaurant & Bar This local, family-owned enterprise offers food, drinks and music in a sleek atmosphere. 405 Madison Ave. $5 cover. (419) 246-3339 or icerestaurantandbar.com. O Ivan Benning: 6 p.m. Jan. 26. O Mike Fisher: 8 p.m. Jan. 27. O Dan and Don: 8 p.m. Jan. 28.
This club is a venue for music (and music lovers) of all types. 2567 W. Bancroft St. (419) 535-6664 or omnimidwest.com. O Attack Attack! The Ghost Inside, Sleeping With Sirens, Chunk No Captain Chunk! Dream on Dreamer: 6 p.m. Jan. 27, $17-$20.
One2 Lounge at Treo Live music starts at 7:30 p.m. 5703 Main St., Sylvania. (419) 882-2266 or treosylvania.com. O New Orleans Party Asylum: Jan. 27. O MightHaveBen: Jan. 28.
Check out the expanded calendar at www.toledofreepress.com
Margarita in Toledo
Trivia
cation Monday Maumee Lo e. location Tuesday Sylvania Av
Ask about our Banquet Room and Catering Services
Toledo
2500 Sylvania Ave. (419) 472-0700
Carryout Available Oregon Maumee
WEDNESDAYS
$8
2076 Woodville Rd. (419) 693-6695
551 W. Dussel Dr. (419) 887-0700
Every Saturday & Sunday
BLOODY WEEKENDS
S ID T
MARTINIS S
at El C y Sk
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1:45 – 6:00 PM
TACOAYS TUESDamino
K EA EYS EDA FRUES
EVERYDAY
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EElCaminoRealOH.com lCaminoRealOH.com
$8: A burger cooked to your favorite temperature with endless toppings ALL DAY & ALL NIGHT for a measly $8!
$5
Voted BEST Irish Pu & Downtownb Ba in Toledo! r
Best
ENDLESS TOPPING
HAPPY HOUR
theblarneyirishpub.com
Mickey Finn’s
STAR is looking for movie reviews, 50 words or fewer. Send them to star@toledofreepress.com.
Saturday, January 28th
Go a W lleye!
Right Across from Fifth Third Field
Manhattan’s
‘Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy’
TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM / JAN. 25, 2012 n 17
11:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Piano Wars
Every Wed. | $5 Martinis
Two pianos … And a million minds blown!
ENDLESS TOPPING MONDAYS
We know you play hard on Fri/ Sat nights, so in the morning, come enjoy our Bloody Mary Bar with over 20 ingredients!
5305 MONROE ST. TOLEDO, OHIO 43623 (419) 593-0073
BAR145 TOLEDO .COM
18 n JAN. 25, 2012 / TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM
“All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt.” — Charles M. Schulz
Op en dai ly from a.m . to 9:30 p.m . Perrysburg, OH - Hwy 75 exit 193 11
at 27393 Helen Dr.
with Lunch Fajita Bar Buffet, Margaritas, Mojitos and more.
Try our Patron margarita and the Grilled Pineapple! Family owned and operated.
For more info call 419-872-0200
Visit our Facbook OK Patron Fajita Bar or join our fan club, e-mail okpatronclub@yahoo.com to receive coupons and information about us.
TOLEDO DENTAL ACADEMY PROOF In only a 12-week time timeframe, I continue to be amazed am at the huge amou amount of information and Dental Assistant training I Denta have received from the Toledo Dental Academy. With my training and education, I now have total confidence to pursue a position as a Dental Assistant.
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Rider on the storm Phil Barone channels the Lizard King at tribute show. By Brigitta Burks Toledo Free Press Star Staff Writer star@toledofreepress.com
Concertgoers can contribute to a good cause and get their fires lit at A Tribute to Jim Morrison on Jan. 28. “When I put the leather pants, snakeskin boots, the belt buckles and the poet’s shirt on, I go into the Lizard King world,” said Phil Barone, who will perform as Morrison. Barone and his backing group, The Maxx Band, are staples on the Put-inBARONE Bay music scene. “Everybody would say, ‘Why do you always play at Put-in-Bay, why don’t you play in Toledo?’” Barone said. He brought the show to the Glass City last year with a sold-out show benefiting the YMCA. The performance raised $7,000. This year’s proceeds will go toward the IBC, also known as the International Boxing Club. Harry Cummins started IBC in 1998 as a boxing club, but when he realized that 75 percent of the boxers were failing in school, he revamped the program. To box, participants must maintain good grades so Cummins provides tutoring via The Learning Center. About 15 IBC participants are enrolled at local universities. IBC also offers vocational training and community outreach. Cummins recently decided to add wrestling, girls’ softball and volleyball after talking to Toledo Public Schools about needed programs. He specifically wanted to help innercity girls with the new additions. “It hit me one night,” he said. “We keep thinking of the boys, and what about the girls?” To accommodate the additional programs, IBC moved into a larger space at 525 Earlwood Ave. on Jan. 23. “It means a lot. It’s very helpful. It’s helping us expand the program. It couldn’t come at a better time,” Cummins said of the tribute show.
“It’s a win-win situation. That’s a cool thing — we give the money to charity and we get to entertain people,” Barone said. He is also planning a June event to benefit the Boys & Girls Club. Barone has always had a passion for music. “I grew up with The Rolling Stones, The Allman Brothers, the Eagles and Iggy Pop,” he said. The co-owner of Rosie’s Italian Grille found he had a knack for impersonating The Doors’ frontman about eight years ago. “I just felt that I could hit the notes and sing a little bit like Jim. When I would practice, it just felt right. I love the music; I love the lyrics and I think it’s timeless,” Barone said, “There’s people that have seen him and say, ‘You have the same spirit as him’.” Barone doesn’t just use hair and clothes to transform into Morrison — he hits the books. “It takes some doing. I really get into the music; I study the lyrics; I read the books. Every song is very deep and it has a story,” he said. Being a musician while working in the busy restaurant industry has required some sacrifices from Barone. “It can get a little crazy at the restaurant. You always need to be there. I gave up golf and basketball just so I could pick up the microphone,” he said. George Leist, who opened for Lynyrd Skynyrd and Joel Hazzard, who himself played with jazz vocalist Jon Hendricks, will also perform with Barone and The Maxx Band. The tribute act has opened for Jefferson Starship, Thin Lizzy and Foghat. The two-set performance will include 22 songs, featuring “everybody’s favorites and a few that only real serious Doors fans will remember,” Barone said. VIP tickets are available for $65 and include a reception with hors d’oeuvres and drinks. General admission is $25 and tickets can be purchased at (419) 897-8902, Rosie’s Italian Grille and The Maumee Indoor Theatre. The show is at 8:30 p.m. Jan. 28 at the Maumee Indoor Theatre, 601 Conant St., Maumee. Visit www.ibcprograms.org/ to donate to IBC. O
“One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well.” — Virginia Woolf
TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM / JAN. 25, 2012 n 19
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“Your body is not a temple, it’s an amusement park. Enjoy the ride.” — Anthony Bourdain
UT to host California Proposition 8 play This fall, the University of Toledo will host “8,” a play about the challenges to California’s Proposition 8. “8” chronicles Perry v. Schwarzenegger (now Perry v. Brown) filed by the American Foundation for Equal Rights (AFER) in opposition to an amendment taking away Californians’ samesex marital rights. Jennifer Rockwood, assistant dean and director of the First Year Experience program and UT theater veteran, acquired rights to the play. “The trial was never publicized; people need to know what went on,” Rockwood said. ROCKWOOD In August 2010, the Federal District Court struck down Proposition 8, but proponents of the amendment have appealed the decision to the United States Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit. Same-sex marriage is still banned in Ohio. Rockwood received funding for the show from the President’s Lecture Series on Diversity. Equality Toledo will present a feedback session at the end of the performance. “Jennifer asked us if we wanted to participate and, of course, we did,” said Sherry Tripepi, executive director of Equality Toledo. “I hope we raise awareness and start dialogue about gay marriage.” Casting for the 22-person play is ongoing. “It’s not all settled yet. I’m hoping to get local
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celebrities and friends who are actors and give it a better splash,” Rockwood said, adding that students and activists are welcome to contact her. Larry Dean Harris, a Los Angeles playwright and actor, will also join the performance. “8” was written by Dustin Lance Black, who wrote screenplays for “Milk” and “J. Edgar.” AFER and Broadway Impact, a community-conscious theater group, decided to license the performance to 40 college and community theaters for free. “This play will continue to show Americans — one by one — that prejudice and fear cannot stand up to truth and justice,” said AFER Board President Chad Griffin in a news release. The process for getting the rights was intense, Rockwood said. “I had to send in a lot of info about how I would do it and my plans and the support I would get,” she said. “I’ve been working on this since August, I’ve been pounding the keyboard.” Rockwood, who taught theater for 29 years, estimated that she has directed 70 plays. “I live, breathe and eat all sides of the classroom and all sides of the stage,” Rockwood said. At present, UT and Ohio Wesleyan University are the only Ohio locations for the performance. The Los Angeles show in March will feature George Clooney. For more information, call Rockwood at (419) 530-2330. The performance is at 8 p.m. Oct. 6 at UT’s Doermann Theatre, 2801 Bancroft St. Admission is free, but Broadway Impact donations will be accepted. O — Brigitta Burks
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William McMillen is a man of many passions. As provost and executive vice president of academic affairs for the University of Toledo he is committed to higher education and in his downtime he is just as passionate about the written word. McMillen’s personal quest for creativity recently led him to pen a new play for the Glacity Theatre Collective. The play, “Exhibition,” is set to open in the University’s Center for Visual Arts at 8 p.m. Jan. 27. The production features Brian Purdue, Starr Chellsea Cutino, Ben Pryor, Jennifer Lake, Pamela Tomassetti and Dave DeChristopher (a Toledo Free Press contributor). Cornel Gabara is directing for the company. According to a news McMILLEN release, “The play is composed of three scenes that focus on a couple, Sharon and Raymond, at key points in their married life: their engagement, in the midst of raising children, and after the children have grown and gone. Each of the three couples is played by a different pair of actors, and, though the characters at the focus of each scene are not aware of it, their older/younger selves are also onstage, providing depth and nuance to each story as it unfolds in real time under the disinterested
eye of a security guard.” “The set for the piece is extremely simple, just a bench in front of a painting, yet I think this is a very challenging play for the audience, with all of the characters interacting at the same time,” McMillen said. McMillen, who is originally from Wisconsin, first got his start as a writer while in graduate school at Ohio University in Athens where he majored in English/creative writing and minored in theater. Exhibition marks his debut as a produced playwright. “One of the reasons why I wrote this particular play is that I’ve always been interested in family relations. I thought Glacity was a good fit for the play because I had been following their productions, and I really admire theater that goes outside the mainstream. This is a different theater experience in a different setting, but that’s a good thing. Theatre can be funny, it can be song and dance, it can be serious; that’s the beauty of it.” Additional performance dates are Jan. 28, 29 and Feb. 3, 4, 5. Sunday matinees will begin at 2 p.m., Friday and Saturday shows begin at 8 p.m. Tickets are $20 at the door and may be purchased at www.glacity.tix.org. Jan. 29 is a “Pay What You Can” matinee. The Center for Visual Arts is located at 620 Grove Place next to the Toledo Museum of Art. For more information, visit www.glacity.org. O — John Dorsey
“A good cook is like a sorceress who dispenses happiness.” — Elsa Schiaparelli
TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM / JAN. 25, 2012 n 21
Keeping it real in 2012 Show and prove you are willing to work until doors open.
A
ccording to Albert Einstein, “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” Take a look back at what you did in 2011 with your music career. If none of it worked or you failed to “blow up,” instead of New Year’s Resolutions, you may need to make some New Year’s Realizations. Your music career should be up for reevaluation every year. Perhaps you feel you have done everything right! Well ask yourself, “Did I really commit to my project? Did I cut corners while expecting to get the best results? Did I get out around the city and beyond to network with like talent in order to gain access to potential opportunities to perform and gain fans?” If not, a new realization would be as follows — complete a project, promote it, perform and network. Show and prove. When people see how hard you are willing to work, doors open because the hard work is the key that gives you access to the big boys. There are no guarantees that you will make it, and even if you work hard you might
not be among the stars you are shooting for. Asking yourself those questions can be difficult, but being realistic is the first step in resolving issues in your music career. Defining yourself as an artist requires growth that happens though time and it can be a frustrating as well as an eye-opening experience. If you feel like you are banging your head against a wall, you are not alone. Professional artists who have been in the game for some time have to stay relevant in order to continue a successful career. During a recent episode of VH1’s “Love and HipHop 2,” R&B singer Olivia and her exasperated manager pondered reasons why “O” can’t seem to win.
Through tears, he told her he’s done everything he can for her career and that her career needs more from her. This sends her into a defensive/sensitive artist rage where, instead of taking it in, she angrily said that she’s done everything possible and put the responsibility of her dream back on him. If Olivia has indeed done everything, then it is time for her to be realistic about her music career and whether it should exist. She should invest her time elsewhere because her dream begins and ends with her. Management and support teams can help you get there, but without the artist’s growth and desire to keep moving forward, there is nowhere for
Martini
ON THE
ROX
the team to go. After doing everything she thought she could do, there were still no labels willing to take a chance on an artist who had come out twice already and failed to make an impact. What Olivia should have done was take a step back to realize she has selfishly tapped her manager dry in every way (he has made nothing in return) and, perhaps, it is time for Olivia to do something different — like, listen. Criticism is hard to take, but doing a hard-core evaluation of oneself is needed when straightening up your stagnant career. When goals are made there should be a step-by-step plan of how you will reach them. Prepare for there to be more steps than you expected because this is a part of the process and do not be afraid to scrap the plan and start again. Deciding you want to be a star is the easy part. Becoming a star, now that is where your journey begins. The Mayan calendar says the end is near so make the best of your social network declaration that 2012 is your year! As we continue on ... O
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“Somebody get me a cheeseburger!” — Steve Miller Band
Celebrating slapdash success A
couple of weeks ago I observed, briefly, the first anniversary of becoming the lone adult in my household. It’s still a painful memory, but that event was the impetus for my cooking journey, and in marking it I realized that over the past year I’ve made some real progress in my new role in the kitchen. They’ve all been baby steps, but even baby steps get you somewhere eventually, right? At first I worked in the kitchen as my husband had AMy left it and did things the way he’d done them. But as I was pressed into regular service I started making discoveries about how I do things, and how I wanted my kitchen to work. Then I found, when I mentioned some of my techniques and timesavers to others, that no, not everyone had thought of that, and a number of people said they’d be adopting some of my ideas as their own.
So, although it seems a little absurd to me, the until-recently non-cook, here are some of the kitchen ideas and observations that have helped me get through the past year, offered with the hope that they might be helpful to some of you. O Prep for success: Chop, pour and measure every ingredient in your recipe before you touch a pan or turn on a burner. Some of this prep can be done hours in advance, and will pay off in a far less frantic cooking process. O Take inventory: Knowing what you already have to work with can save you time and money. If you no longer remember what all is in your freezer or pantry, take a few minutes to sort through, then make a list of what you find. I keep my list on the freezer door, and update it as I use or add items. You might be surprised by the number of complete meals you can put together with groceries you’d forgotten about.
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O Prioritize: Decide which ingredients or dishes are worth making from scratch, and which ones modern culinary technology can provide for you. If you enjoy focusing on entrées but have no interest in salads, pick up some coleslaw at the deli or a bag of Caesar salad in the produce department. Refrigerated dough products like pie crust allow you to get straight to the fun stuff, and are even sanctioned by celeb chefs like Guy Fieri and Paula Deen. O Freeze for speed: Precook recipe components, package them as single or family-sized servings and freeze them for use later. Cooked chicken is a staple in my freezer, as is cooked rice. When packaging meat for freezing — whether cooked or uncooked — individually wrap chicken breasts, pork chops and the like before throwing them all into a large freezer bag. This keeps the pieces from freezing into a clump of more meat than you need. O Stock up: As long you’re precooking that chicken for the freezer, buy it on the bone and make chicken stock at the same time. O You can’t have too many go-to tools: If you’re constantly reaching for your tongs, have three or four pairs on hand so you don’t have to stop what you’re doing to wash your only pair. Discount stores often sell serviceable kitchen
Knowing what you already have to work with can save you time and money. If you no longer remember what all is in your freezer or pantry, take a few minutes to sort through, then make a list of what you find.
’’
tools that are cheap enough to stock up on. O Cook on your countertop: Small countertop ovens — souped-up versions of toaster ovens — preheat quickly, can accommodate an 8-inch-by-8-inch pan and offer a variety of cooking functions including, in some cases, convection bake. These can be a real timesaver and are great for singles or small families. O Have fun: I’ve enjoyed my time in the kitchen a lot more since I stopped thinking of every meal as a life-or-death event. Stuff happens, but rarely is an entire meal ruined by one or two slip-ups. Start with a slapdash outlook, and more often than not you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the results. O
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“I don’t eat friggin’ lobster or anything like that. Because they’re alive when you kill it.” — Snooki
TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM / JAN. 25, 2012 n 23
DC cancels some new titles, adds others By Jim Beard Toledo Free Press Star Staff Writer star@toledofreepres.com
September of 2011 brought a massive line-wide change to DC Comics, promoted as the “New 52.” In subsequent months, the bold relaunch of the company’s entire portfolio of properties awarded DC the top position in industry sales and market share, but reality seems to be setting in with the recent announcement of cancellations among its 52 core comic series. “Men of War,” “Mister Terrific,” “OMAC,” “Hawk and Dove,” “Blackhawk” and “Static Shock” will all end after less than a year’s worth of issues. Some of the titles represent DC’s experiment in thematic and racial diversification in their output. “DC’s first round of cancellations of ‘New 52’ titles was not only not surprising, but planned in advance by DC,” said Ed Katschke of Monarch Cards & Comics. “Any company debuting 52 new titles in a single month is clearly utilizing a ‘throw mud at the wall and see what sticks’ strategy of publishing and would naturally assume that not everything would succeed. The cancellations have very little bearing on my store as they are naturally
the titles that are selling the least. Although, on a personal note, I am sorry to see both ‘OMAC’ and ‘Static Shock’ go the way of the dodo.” But with the note of endings comes the company’s news of six additions to its line: “Batman Incorporated,” “Earth 2,” “World’s Finest,” “Dial H,” “G.I. Combat” and “The Ravagers.” One of the titles, “Earth 2,” brings DC’s popular multiple-universes theme back into play, while “Dial H” brings the comics debut of novelist China Miéville. “I’m really excited about the replacement titles DC has lined up for April,” Katschke said. “I think ‘Earth 2’ and ‘World’s Finest’ will do particularly well, considering the popularity among comic fans of DC’s Golden Age characters who will be featured prominently in both titles. ‘Batman Incorporated,’ continuing writer Grant Morrison’s critically and commercially successful Batman story line, should continue its popularity as well. The other titles seem to fit the profile of some of the titles being canceled and I don’t expect for them to have quite as wide an audience, but you have to give DC credit for trying to produce alternatives to the same old style of superhero comics.” O
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Pat Dailey brings splash of summer Jan. 27 Singer-songwriter Pat Dailey was born in Nebraska and raised in St. Louis, but he fell in love with northern Ohio in 1979. The guitar player, who writes about fishing, boating and drinking, has played at Put-in-Bay for the past 32 summers. He’s also made a stop in Toledo for the past 16 years for his “Cure for the Winter Blues” tour. Jan. 27, Dailey will make his annual Toledo appearDAILEY ance at Toledo’s Premier Catering Center at 8:30 p.m. In years prior, he has played at The Valentine The-
atre but moved venues so that more fans could afford to see his gig, according to a news release. Dailey has recorded 15 albums. His latest album, released in 2009, is named “Langram Road” after one of the major roads on Put-inBay. The musician is also known for working with Shel Silverstein, the late children’s poet, songwriter, author and playwright. Dailey and Silverstein wrote children’s songs and other tunes about life around the Great Lakes. Tickets are $15 in advance if you call 419473-3003 and $20 at the door. The Premier Banquet Center, formerly known as Gladieux Meadows, is located at 4480 Heatherdowns Blvd. Doors open at 7 p.m. O — Staff Reports
Tecumseh Dance Theatre Company is ‘Necessary’ The Tecumseh Dance Theatre Company expects to dazzle audience members at its upcoming performance “Necessary Dance” at the Tecumseh Center for the Arts. The three-act show will feature part of “Le Corsaire,” a nearly 200-year-old pirate-themed ballet with Russian origins. “I wanted the kids to try to do something on a little bit of a higher level,” said ballet master Annamia Anderson Rumley. “When they first saw the video [of the performance], they were kinda a little taken aback and weren’t sure, but I’ve seen them dance better than some of the professionals I’ve seen.” The company will specifically perform part of the third act, “Le Jardin Anime,” where a man falls asleep and dreams of the women in his harem as dancing flowers. The company consists of 26 dancers, some of who have done preprofessional work at Joffrey Ballet, the American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet and Hubbard Street Dance. “Necessary Dance” also includes a performance of “Storm,” a modern piece and a modern jazz act set to Pink Floyd’s “The Dark Side of the Moon.” Rumley, Deena Bryan and Rhea O’Toole Kupisz choreographed the performances. Rumley’s mother, Helene Knierim, serves as the director of the company and the Tecumseh Dance Workshop, which teaches dance in a more relaxed setting than the company. Rumley began dancing later than most at age
14, but found she was “very adept” at it. She attended the University of Michigan and studied under Peter Starling, Martha Graham’s protégé. The Tecumseh Center for the Arts hosts the company’s annual performance every year in addition to a performance by the workshop in May. “It’s always a treat to have them dance here,” said Rebecca Peach, sales and marketing director, adding that every spot in the 572-seat theater will provide a great view of the show. “[The company] has worked with the Center for the Arts for quite a while, and they always put on a nice production,” said Shelley Lim, cultural and leisure director. The center prides itself on giving local acts like the company a great place to perform. “A smaller theater, especially in our community, is able to offer our homegrown season to the public, which consists of local performers — our friends and neighbors right here in the community — in addition to the national tours,” Lim said. “It’s a wonderful place to perform. We’ve worked with them ever since they opened the doors. It’s just been a fantastic performance opportunity,” Rumley said of the center, which was established in 1981. The performance is Jan. 28 at 7:30 p.m. and tickets are $10. The center is at 400 N. Maumee St., Tecumseh. Call (517) 423-6617 for more information. O — Brigitta Burks
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26 n JAN. 25, 2012 / TOLEDOFREEPRESS.COM
Catch “Jedi of Pop Culture” Jeff McGinnis on Tuesday mornings on 92.5 KISS-FM.
Coming home — sort of C A publication of Toledo Free Press, LLC, Vol.3, No. 4 Established 2010. Thomas F. Pounds, President/Publisher tpounds@toledofreepress.com Michael S. Miller, Editor in Chief mmiller@toledofreepress.com EDITORIAL
Mary Ann Stearns, Design Editor mastearns@toledofreepress.com James A. Molnar, Lead Designer jmolnar@toledofreepress.com Sarah Ottney, Special Sections Editor sottney@toledofreepress.com Jeff McGinnis, Pop Culture Editor PopGoesJeff@gmail.com Whitney Meschke, Web Editor news@toledofreepress.com ADMINISTRATION
Pam Burson, Business Manager pburson@toledofreepress.com CONTRIBUTORS star@toledofreepress.com Jim Beard • Amy Campbell • Zach Davis John Dorsey • Matt Feher • Jerry Gray Dustin Hostetler • Stacy Jurich Vicki L. Kroll • lilD • Martini • Jason Mack Rachel Richardson Julie Webster • Don Zellers
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Toledo Free Press Star is published every Wednesday by Toledo Free Press, LLC, 605 Monroe St., Toledo, OH 43604 • (419) 241-1700 Fax: (419) 241-8828 www.toledofreepress.com. Subscription rate: $100 /year. Reproduction or use of editorial or graphic content in any manner without permission is strictly prohibited. Copyright 2012 with all rights reserved. Publication of ads does not imply endorsement of goods or services.
omedian Gary Owen tried to describe what being on stage is like for him: “It’s like, I’ve never done crack, but I think if I did, from what I hear from crackheads, it’s real similar to the first time you do crack,” Owen said in an interview with Toledo Free Press Star. “’Cause that makes you think you wanna do it again. And again, and JEFF again. And that’s how it is with stand-up, when you get that first laugh. You want to do it again and again. I’ve never done any drugs, but from what I hear from drug addicts, that’s what it’s like. You try to get that first high. It’s like my drug, basically. My drug of choice is laughter.” Starting Jan. 26, Owen will get his “fix” near the Glass City, as he begins a four-night stint at The Funny Bone at Fat Fish Blue in Perrysburg. Though Owen was raised in Ohio, this is his first appearance in the area. “I’ve probably never even stopped in Toledo, I’ve just drove through it,” Owen said. “It’s exciting. For one, you get to see how your fanbase is there, and then also, all your jokes are gonna seem so fresh, because you’ve never been in that market before.” Owen grew up in Hamilton, a stone’s throw away from both the Indiana border and Cincinnati. His aspirations quickly outgrew his surroundings, as the young comic-to-be strived to escape his meager homestead. “I grew up in a trailer park. And I didn’t know where I wanted to go, I didn’t know what I wanted to be. I didn’t wanna be stuck,” Owen said. “I knew if I didn’t get out of there, if I didn’t get as far away from there as possible, I’d probably be stuck there.” The opportunity to strike out from the park came knocking one day — almost literally, as he was woken up by a friend who told him he was enlisting in the U.S. Navy. “And I went down and joined, like, the next day. And it was more just to get out. I didn’t really know what direction my life was going, I just didn’t want to be stuck in a rut. And that’s how I’m headed. And that’s really the only reason that I joined when I did join.” Owen discovered his true calling while in the service, as he began developing his stand-up act. He even began to make headway in television before he had technically completed his service. “I actually got on BET, and they called me and said, ‘Hey, you got the hosting job!’ And I said, ‘Yo, I’m still in the Navy!’ I had about nine months left of my duty time, but they let me out a little early just so I could do it.” It’s very appropriate that Owen made such headway on BET in his early days, as his act has become well-known for its broad appeal and a huge African-American fanbase. His website bio
even notes that he was named “Funniest Black Comedian in San Diego,” a surprising accolade given that Owen is, well, not black. “What it is is, I’m married to a black woman. We have mixed kids. So that’s what I talk about in my act,” Owen said, explaining his appeal. “It’s weird, in my act I come across as a fish out of water. But it’s really not — I’m very comfortable in my own skin, I’m very comfortable in my life. But I do — there are things that I don’t know, and there’s new things that I notice. It’s not a racial thing, it’s more of a cultural thing. “Where I’m at now is, I can be in front of a black audience, or an all-white audience, or an over-50 audience, or a college crowd, and deliver the same jokes the same way and everyone will get them. And that’s just being seasoned onstage. It’s not so much that you’re trying to appease the audience, you want the audience to feel like, ‘Oh, I get this guy, I know what he’s talking about.’”
Ohio comic Gary Owen to play at Fat Fish Blue.
mCGINNIS
POP GOES THE
CULTURE
OWEN His mass appeal has led to a wide variety of opportunities in movies and on television, including roles in Tyler Perry’s “House of Payne” and the film “Think Like a Man,” which opens March 9. But Owen insisted that as much as he loves working onscreen, it all comes back to his “drug” — stand-up. “It’s a natural progression. It feeds each other — one of them feeds the next. In the end, I’m always gonna be a stand up. That’s without question. All these movies and TV shows, [they’re] just to help me on the road, build my numbers up. Because that’s always gonna be my first love.” O Email Toledo Free Press Star Pop Culture Editor Jeff McGinnis at PopGoesJeff@gmail.com.
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