Hendel: Al fresco dining season continues in northwest Ohio

9/22/2022
BY BARBARA HENDEL / THE BLADE
  • SOC-patios2022

    Holland residents Ralph and Linda Wooddell at dinner on Aug. 9, at Ye Olde Dirty Bird in downtown Toledo.

    THE BLADE/ISAAC RITCHEY
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    • SUMMER is over, and fall arrives on Thursday, but there's still time for al fresco dining before the snow flies.

    Among the downtown Toledo area patios are The Heights, the Chop House, the Blarney Irish Pub, Ye Olde Durty Bird, Manhattan's Pub 'n Cheer, Souk Mediterranean Kitchen & Bar, and more. Across the Maumee River is the Docks, with several restaurants where guests can watch the bridge go up and boaters and scullers pass by.

    Shorty's True American Roadhouse, Nick and Jimmy's Bar & Grill, and Bar 145 on Monroe Street, and Rosie's Italian Grille on McCord Road in Toledo; Dale's Bar & Grill, Charlie's Taverna, and Mancy's Bluewater Grille in Maumee; Element 112 in Sylvania; Shawn's Irish Tavern in Waterville, and Majestic Oak Winery in Grand Rapids all have outdoor dining.

    Area Mexican restaurants also have patios including Loma Linda, Ventura's, El Camino Real, El Vaquero, and the new Lupita's in Perrysburg. The latter joins several new uptown places with patios including Rosaria’s and Inside the Five.

    Webber's Waterfront Restaurant in Erie is a destination for dining outdoors on the water, as is Chez Francois and Touche in Vermilion.

    So enjoy sipping and supping and breathe in the fresh air while the weather permits.

    THE PRESS Club of Toledo is celebrating its 50th anniversary during its 2022 Touchstone Awards.

    The Touchstone Awards have been held virtually due the pandemic, and are now back in person on Oct. 4 at the Valentine Theatre. That's a significant location for the Press Club, which was established in the basement of the Willard Hotel, now the adjoining Renaissance Senior Apartments, back in 1972.

    Cocktails and gourmet grazing from Georgio's Cafe International start at 5:30 p.m. followed by the program at 7:15 p.m.

    Emcee Shaun Hegarty of WTVG-TV, Channel 13 will introduce club president Candice Harrison, who is the director of diversity, equity, and inclusion at SSOE Group, and the remaining charter member Larry Boyer, co-founder and executive vice president of Waterford Bank, N.A., who will provide a few fun facts from yesteryear.

    Awards for excellence in journalism will be presented to working professionals and students.

    There will also be community awards. 

    Community philanthropist Mary Fedderke, vice president of development at the United Way of Greater Toledo, will be recognized for her lifetime achievement. Will Lucas, founder and CEO at Creadio and TolHouse private social club, and community supporter Moussa Salloukh, the chef and owner at Souk, will be recognized as contributors. 

    The Norm Cartwright Award, named after a founding club member, honors outstanding efforts to promote the Press Club’s principles. It will go to Kurt Franck, president, general manager, and executive editor at The Blade.

    Proceeds support the club's scholarships for journalism students at the University of Toledo and Bowling Green State University. 

    RSVP by Sept. 30. Tickets are $65 for members, $75 for non-members, and $45 for students. Parking is complimentary.

    Purchase tickets online at toledopressclub.com or email pressclub@bex.net. 

    Barbara Hendel is The Blade's society editor. Contact her at bhendel@theblade.com or call 419-724-7126.