Organic Bliss Deli and Bakery, Toledo, OH by Karen

Sunday, September 2. The crew on the Eat Well Guided Tour were able to catch a few extra hours of sleep this morning in Yipsilanti Michigan before we boarded our big green bus and rambled off at 10:00 am towards Ohio. A few days ago, Organic Bliss Bakery of Toledo, Ohio contacted us after reading our daily blogs and graciously invited us for brunch at their brand new Organic Deli and Bakery. We were passing through the Toledo area on September 2, so we took a small detour to have a meet and greet with the owners. The timing was, well as you say perfect for us and we stopped by for a terrific brunch and had a chance to make new friends.

Organic Bliss’ opened in late spring of 2007 and is owned and operated by Denise and Nazih Yaghnam and Dave and Lisa Thomas. Denise’s husband Nazih is an experienced deli owner and decided to change to a more sustainable style of restaurant marketing, Nazih’s parents once owned a Brazilian grocery store so Nazih is well versed in the sales of food to consumers in the area. Denise’s sister and brother in law Darlene and Mike Snyder serve as assistant idea makers to the foursome who own the eatery. Mike is often selected as the “taste tester” for new recipes and beers and wine varieties, while Darlene uses her talents for decorating, advertising and promotion. Combined, they are a team of young, energized individuals who really make this place work.

Upon entering the restaurant we were greeted by a coordination of dark sage green walls complemented by earthy brown tile flooring. Graceful pendant lighting in various glass colors grace the dining area and add to the serene atmosphere. Along one wall is a large area for WI FI setup and customers often settle in for a while with reading material after eating. Photographs of wildlife and nature taken during Darlene Snyder’s world travels brighten up the walls. It is clear that the relaxed cozy ambience encourages one to linger and savor the flavors of their meal.
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The serving counter area is jazzed up with up with colorful glossy tiles and shining crystal clear glass holding areas which showcase the variety of food they offer. The selection of organic wines is artfully displayed along the center of the room. Because it is important and interesting to know the origins of the wines they offer, a customer regarding reference book on the offered wines is available for customers to peruse as they make their wine selections. The owners have plans in the works to offer wine tasting events in the near future.

Organic Bliss serves traditional American sandwiches and Middle Eastern fare. They offer freshly prepared to order deli sandwiches such as roasted free range chicken pita wraps, spicy roast beef and grilled burgers. A wide variety of entrée salads are available as well as hummus, tabouli, Greek spinach pie, rolled grape leaves, and falafel. Homemade soups, vegetarian fare, and pizza round out the menu as well as fruit smoothies and veggie juice combos.

Organic Bliss now offers their own house baked breads which include whole grain wheat with unbleached white flour, cinnamon raisin, rye, and Italian style crispy crust ciabatta. The breakfast menu (served Mon. thru Sat. 7:00 am to 11:00 am Mon. thru Sat., and Sunday 11:00 to Noon features all- you can-eat flapjacks.

The dessert counter is yet another gleaming case featuring homemade goodies such as cheesecake, vegan chocolate cake, molasses cookies, apple pie, granola bars, fruit muffins and large pans of thick bread pudding.

Toledo is historically hails as “the fast food capitol” of the nation and studies have shown the town to have the second highest obesity rate in the county. The city has long been a test market for food so the opportunity is and timing is right that this young foursome venture into the growing arena of sustainable food eateries. The owners of Bliss explain they are making every effort to buy locally and support local farmers in the Ohio area. They are excited to be a part of part of a growing core of people who are changing our food system for the better.

According to the owners, Toledo is “a bit behind in the pack” of local and sustainable food choices so there is an increasing customer base growing every day support of their business. When Toledo residents sample Bliss’ freshly baked bread and foods made without preservatives, pesticides, and hormones they can taste the difference. Many folks are now repeat customers and are returning simply for the great taste offered at Organic Bliss. Organic Bliss is excited to be collaborating on the Mayor’s initiative aptly named Get Fit Toledo which ties in healthy eating, exercise and fitness.

We “Blissfully feasted” on a variety of entrée salads and finished up with a to go bag of mousse stuffed chocolate zucchini cake, molasses, pumpkin cookies with carrot juice icing, peanut butter cookies, and their special carrot cake with cream cheese frosting. We have enough goodies on board the Eat Well Guided Tour Bus to last us the next several days as we trek our way eastward towards State College Pennsylvania, our next stop on the Eat Well Guided Tour.

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