The development of the Glass City Metropark brought Toledo The Ribbon, where folks can ice skate with a river view. Adjacent to The Ribbon, The Garden by Poco Piatti, is the brainchild of owner Elias Hajjar and Chef Rob Campbell, both of whom have been a part in other area eateries. Hajjar, owner of the Poco Piatti local restaurant chain, created The Garden as a casual setting with delicious eats and a unique location.
The wooden beamed ceilings, minimalist lighting, live plants and walls of windows invite guests to relax and enjoy. An area of the space showcases the food: pizzas, build your own mediterranean bowls and other Mediterranean sides. There is also a full-service bar for guests to enjoy a drink with their meal or paired after their skating experience.
Big ideas at a smaller scale
Poco Piatti diners can attest to the restaurant’s fresh food and impressive variety. The Garden, though smaller than the other Poco Piatti restaurants, has a menu that comprises two categories: pizza and Mediterranean bowls. Pizzas are prepared in a gorgeous wood fire oven that serves as a functional, yet artistic focal point of the restaurant’s decor.
The bowls are also quite filling, with the option of buying from the “Favorites” menu with preselected menu, or a “Build Your Own” option, choose two bases, a protein, three toppings and a sauce to tie it all together. Each bowl can also be prepared as a wrap, for something hand-held.
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We ordered a classic pepperoni pizza and a “Build Your Own” bowl with spinach, chicken tawook tips, hummus, roasted garlic feta dip, pickled turnip & beets and the green goddess sauce, for a nice finish. Each dish is reasonably priced, with pizzas ranging from $12 to $17 and the bowls/wraps ranging from $10 to $15.
The Garden also has smaller bites with classic sides like hummus & pita, roasted garlic feta dip & pita, sumac fries and fatoosh (a chopped vegetable salad with crispy pita chips), and desserts like brown butter chocolate chip cookies, brownies and baklava. For those looking to “Grab N’ Go,” The Garden has you covered with inexpensive quick eats like pretzel bites, popcorn, granola bars, Barry Bagels and pizza by the slice, priced from $2 to $6.
Full service, full stomach
The Garden’s full service bar has a variety to choose from, including non alcoholic drinks with seasonally flavored refreshers, hot chocolate and soft drinks. There’s also a coffee menu featuring beans from Perrysburg’s BrickHouse Roastery, including americano, chai, mocha and hot teas.
All in all, The Garden by Poco Piatti is a lovely setting to grab a drink or snack, eat a full meal with friends, or take a break from adventures in the Glass City Metropark.
The Garden by Poco Piatti
1521 Front St., Toledo
419-931-0281
Open every day from 11 am to 8 pm
Lighting: Well-lit
Parking: Plenty
Kid Friendly: Yes
Noise: Loud, depending on how busy
Price: Low
