PEACH WEEKENDER
Recently reviewed restaurants: 8-28
8/28/2014Summaries of recently reviewed area restaurants, in the order in which they were reviewed, with the most recent at the top. To see previous Bill of Fare reviews on the Web, go to toledoblade.com and type "Bill of Fare" into the search box and click enter.
● Clara J’s Tea Room, 219 W. Wayne St., Maumee, offers a selection of sandwiches, savories, and sweets with a variety of teas; the Proper Tea is a specialty, ordered in advance. The food we sampled, from tea sandwiches to quinoa salad to a tasty soup and desserts, was delicious and satisfying. $$, 3½ stars.
● Governor Croswell Tea Room, 125 E. Maumee St., Adrian, next door to the historic Croswell Opera House, is a delectable step into a gracious past, with floral tablecloths, fresh flowers, china cups and plates, and Gibson Girl-style art on the walls. The high tea of quiche; scone with Devonshire cream, homemade lemon curd, or preserves; finger sandwiches, mini tarts, and a pot of tea was delightful. $$, 3 stars.
● Melt Shoppe, 145 N. Main St., Bowling Green, is a tribute to the days of prohibition. It features a variety of alcohol spiked milkshakes, cheese-filled sandwiches, and macaroni and cheese dishes. The concept is admirable, but the plates fall short of lively. $$, 2½ stars.
● El Nuevo Vallarta, 4709 Douglas Rd. Three months after opening in its new location on Douglas Road, El Nuevo Vallarta is back to serving Mexican food that delivers good (if not great) bang for the buck. Highlights are the Tacos Carne Asada, Shrimp al Moja, and any number of reasonably priced combination plates. The desserts are a bit offbeat (sopapilla as a cinammon-covered disc?), and the salsas lack a kick. Still, the eatery's “home style” approach to Mexican delivers on taste and value. $$, 3 1/2 stars.
● Decades of perfecting Greek favorites by Joanne Arvanitis (at the former Theos Taverna & Greek Restaurant) and now with daughter Jami Arvanitis, result in scrumptious fare. Theos Mediterranean Cafe (840 N. Summit St.) a cute re-do of an old gas station, sets the standard for a little joint that’s primarily carry out. $, 4 stars.
● Kathy’s Confections, 4441 N. Summit St. (Lighthouse Landing), is a bakery/sandwich shop at the southern end of Point Place. Tucked behind a strip of stores, it’s a half-dozen tables and a little kitchen in one end of a hall that’s used for a Thursday afternoon farmers’/flea market. Breakfast and OK sandwiches are served, as are delish baked goods made off-site by the owner. $, 2 stars.
● On Tuesdays and Thursdays, food trucks rev up downtown's variety of lunch options, with everything from Cuban and Italian, to international sandwiches and some soul food inspired fare. On average, there are anywhere from four to six trucks each day, not including an ice cream truck and food tents with dessert and Chick-fil-a. No matter your preference, there’s something for almost everyone.
The Displaced Chef boasts a menu full of Cuban inspired meals, with dishes featuring ethnic spices, plantains, black beans, and yellow rice. We enjoyed the Cuban sandwich ($7), ham, pork, swiss cheese, mayo, and pickles tucked inside a Cuban bread and grilled. 3 stars, $.
Jo Jo’s Famous Chili Dog, Butter Burger, and Wings offers the most variety, with chili dogs, chicken wings, fried fish, salads and burgers, to name a few. We were pleased with the butter burger ($3.79 for a single) and the chicken philly cheese steak ($5.99). Accepts cash only. 3 stars, $.