Maumee Wines

As far as I can figure out, Maumee Wines has a long history. For nearly 22 years they’ve been selling a great assortment of wines, and over the years they’ve also offered dining and catering services. From the sounds of it, even recently over the past year they’ve opened and closed the kitchen.
Four weeks ago, they re-​opened with a new menu and a new chef and boy-​oh-​boy is it dynamite! New chef Bill Kolhoff really has a terrific menu on his hands. Expertly paired with wines from the shop, you’re in for a delicious time.
The restaurant is small and long. The wine shop takes up about a third of the space in front, with seating in the back for around 50. The decorations and atmosphere are somewhat generically perfect for a wine inspired joint. Framed prints on the wall from decade’s past wine brand promotions including a somewhat dated framed painting of Robert Mondavi.
The service is quite possibly the best I’ve ever experienced in the Toledo area. Not only was the waiter aware of all of the goings-​on at our table, he did things like serve the women first at the table. We had a large group, bordering on 10 people and he did not bat an eyelash on any of our requests.
Our table ordered a nice spread for our appetizer course. I grabbed a Escargot Wellington for myself, and it was weirdly good. It’s not really to be shared, as each delectable bite of this single serving puff pastry was packed with mushrooms, Gruyère and some sort of truffled number. The sherry reduction was a bit brighter in flavor than I expected, but I liked it… a lot.
The highlight of the Smoked Seafood Assortment was the OH MY GOD tasty Bluefish Pâté‘. And speaking of Pâté‘, the Antipasto Plate‘ included a perfectly prepared liver Pâté‘. Some of the best I’ve ever had.
The included house salad served before our entrees was yummy. Greens, Pickled Beets and a Roasted Pepper Balsamic Vinaigrette. Really good!
Our table ordered several of the featured entrees. Everyone loved everything! My Alsatian Steamed Clams were great, with a nice broth that was perfect for sopping up with the house made focaccia bread.
The Scottish Salmon Berbere was aggressively seasoned, and served with a lovely light and fruity Israeli Couscous Pilaf. The Pork Tenderloin au Poivre my wife ordered looked and smelled delicious. I was told both the BBQ Cornish Hen Cerise and the Seared Duck Breast with Chestnut Risotto were delicious. My dad really liked his Osso Bucco.
After we enjoyed our main courses, we tried an order of «one of each» off the available dessert menus. The pumpkin pie was GREAT, the cheese cake was GREAT, the cheese and fruit plate was GREAT and the out of this world chocolate number of the night killed us. The whipped cream was made with rum. Good lord.
For a new chef and new menu, these guys are KILLING IT. I really liked that even the richest of rich dishes wasn’t too rich! You won’t find too much cream or butter in your dishes. Everything is bright and lovely.
I can’t wait to come back and try everything else. I really hope people support Maumee Wines and help make this a permanent institution. Toledo is READY for more food culture and Maumee Wines are bringing a solid serving to the North West Ohio food culture table.

We have been buying wine here retail since my fiancée moved to Maumee last year. Located in a half occupied mall, that gets very little walk through traffic, Maumee Wines is a find. How excited were we to come in the store in January and see construction for a new bistro in the back. We were early customers and have made this one of our local favorites. Justin is an amazing chef who learned his trade by doing. He has done amazing things with halibut, salmon, scallops making it hard for me to venture further on the menu. The wine menu is obviously extensive. You can pick a bottle from the rack, or Jeff the owner will recommend one for you, and you pay a nominal cork fee. Much better than the usual restaurant mark up. Parking is plentiful. Atmosphere intimate.