So very many events have sadly been forced to cancel in the past 12 months.
But happily, the 11th annual Restaurant Week Toledo is not one of them. It starts on Monday and continues in all its deliciousness through Sunday.
“Last year, when Restaurant Week was wrapping up, everything was falling to pieces,” said Anna Toney, executive director of Leadership Toledo which hosts the event.
And, “to be honest, we weren’t sure if [it] would happen” this time, she said.
But the organization took a survey of area restaurants and “we had a resounding” response, she reported: A whopping 35 locally owned establishments are participating in one of the Glass City’s favorite food fests.
It’s like “a beacon of light of normalcy,” Ms. Toney said with relief.
Restaurant Week Toledo (RWT) is one of the easiest fund-raisers around: Simply enjoy a meal at one of the designated spots, and a portion of the proceeds will benefit Leadership Toledo’s youth programs. Youth Leadership Toledo trains teens to become effective stewards; YIPEE (Youth in Philanthropy Encouraging Excellence) gives high school juniors and seniors opportunities to learn about the community’s needs; and a partnership with Multiplying Good (formerly the Jefferson Awards) recognizes student-led community service.
Over 30 schools participate in these programs, which has a significant impact upon the community: There are “one to two kids from every school in the Toledo area,” Ms. Toney said proudly.
These programs have continued this past year, albeit “with minor changes and with COVID protocols in place,” she continued.
“The students want something normal in their life,” she said. So they are still holding meetings – masked and socially distanced, of course – and use this unique time as yet another teaching moment.
“What am I going to learn from this time?” the students ask themselves. And, moving forward, how will they use what they learn?
“It allows them to think beyond the pandemic,” Ms. Toney continued – addressing issues such as health care and climate change that are important to their generation and to the larger community – and have opportunities to envision leadership in a “life after COVID-19.”
So it’s especially important to invest in area youth at this time. And that’s where Restaurant Week comes in.
With a variety of cuisines and price points, and locations spread out from downtown Toledo to Whitehouse, as well as to Holland, Maumee, Oregon, Perrysburg, Rossford, and Sylvania, there is something for everyone. (Check here for the full list of participants.)
“We’re really excited to have them,” Ms. Toney said enthusiastically of the group. “We always want to showcase and push local restaurants.”
Some places are offering dine-in service, others carry-out, and some a mix. It’s best to with your chosen establishments to maximize your experience.
Now, it may not be fair to offer tempting teasers to whet everyone’s appetites for the big event this week. But nonetheless, here is just a taste of what you can enjoy.
Tiger Bakery, celebrating its 50th anniversary this year and participating in RWT for the first time, will let you pick any four items from its immense deli/hot bar for $10. Fellow newcomer Rayoka has a prix fixe $49.99 dinner for two; choose among appetizers and hibachi entrées (four of each), with mochi ice cream for dessert. Another first-timer, Bombay Kitchen, has appetizers such as samosas ($4.99/two pieces) and substantial biryani, naan pizza, and curry meals.
Rosie’s $10 lunch menu offers five choices, including the legendary classic lasagna. Local Roots features numerous vegan items, from a $7.50 Beauty Smoothie to an $11 açai bowl. And barbecue mavens Deet’s has plates and platters; the $34.99 Family Sampler provides two meats, two sides, four corn muffins, and much more.
The Heights is offering a unique spin: Date Night with a Steak Knife. It’s a complete meal kit for two or four, including Angus steaks, house seasoning, potato gratin, charred lemon asparagus, and a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon; prices range from $49 to $210.
If that’s a bit out of your price range, though, you can even participate in Restaurant Week for as little as $1 with the Americano at BREW Coffee Bar.
Every dollar counts, and they all add up to support Leadership Toledo’s work.
Before you get started on your week of feasting, don’t forget to pick up your Restaurant Week passport at any of the participating restaurants. Ms. Toney said that if you get at least four stamps (one for each visit to a place), you’ll be entered into a drawing with the chance to win $250 worth of gift cards from a selection of RWT participants.
And be sure to take pictures of your food, because you’ll want to post them on social media tagging @leadershiptoledo and using #RWT2021. One winner will be chosen each day from posts on Facebook and Instagram, and could also win restaurant gift cards.
Restaurant Week raised “just over $83,000” in 2020, Ms. Toney said, right before the pandemic forced us all to socially isolate and dining in was forbidden for two months. Although it was a “weird year,” she said, “we were actually really pleased.”
Because restaurants were enduring such difficult circumstances immediately after the event, the organization offered extensions to participants and granted them more time to submit the funds raised. Ms. Toney said very graciously that, if necessary, the establishments would even have been able to cancel their RWT obligations.
But “the cool thing is that every restaurant last year stood to their commitment to Leadership Toledo,” she said happily.
“We’re so grateful,” she emphasized, to be working with these places which have endured such a difficult year since the last Restaurant Week Toledo.
Despite everything, she continued, they “believe in Leadership Toledo’s mission” and told her emphatically, for 2021, “We will show up for you.”
“It’s definitely great to see them support the community,” Ms. Toney said.
And, especially, to be doing so in a way that lets all of us support so many great local restaurants in return.
First Published February 28, 2021, 12:00 p.m.
