Whether you're a first time guest, a distinguished regular, or it's date night out... Bistro on Main can handle your culinary cravings. From their hand-tossed pizza, fresh seafood, juicy burgers and handcrafted cocktails, it’s safe to say they have the dinner and drinks routine down pat. Chef/partner Aaron L. Ruggles and crew bring years of hospitality expertise together to create an experience you'll want to relive time and time again. You'll also find an extensive bar with a deep selection of small batch bourbon, scotch and tequila, an eclectic wine list, and a variety of craft and draft beers. Make your selection, then sit back and relax on their covered patio.
Bistro on Main 1313 W. Main St. Kent, Ohio 44240 • (330) 673-9900 • website
Ray's Place is straight up iconic! It has been featured on the Food Network's "The Best Thing I Ever Ate" and has been busting out amazing burgers, fries, sandwiches, and dinners for the last 80 years. Ray's has a great atmosphere and beer selection. The second floor boasts a number of TVs and pool tables and is always a go-to bar during the local music festivals. 135 Franklin Avenue, Kent, OH 44240 • (330) 673-2233 • website
Nineteen10 offers a boutique dining experience in its intimate and elegant dining room. Featuring a menu inspired by the Slow Food movement, using local, sustainable ingredients such as certified angus beef steaks, fire-grilled pizzas, soups, salads, and sandwiches. Grab a drink and appetizer after work at the upscale bar or enjoy a sophisticated date night with dinner for two. nineteen 10 website
Kent Cheesemonger is a specialty shop offering artisanal cheese and all its pairings like wine, beer, crackers, dips, sauces, cured meats, olives, and more. They’ve even gone to the trouble of tasting over 200 unique vintage wines for your shopping pleasure. Located at 155 E. #201 Erie Ave., Kent OH 44240 (Acorn Alley Plaza) • (330) 593-5619 • website
The Haymaker Farmers’ Market (HFM) prides itself on being a producers-only market. So what is a producers-only market? In the simplest terms, it is a market at which vendors are permitted to only sell products that they have themselves produced. This means you can be sure that the tomato you are buying was grown by the farmer selling it and the eggs came from hens the farmer is raising. It also means vendors take great pride in what they are producing and are happy to chat about their products and answer your questions.
This season, the HFM is welcoming over 40 vendors offering a wide selection of locally grown and produced products. If you are a market regular, you will find many of your long-time favorites in addition to several new vendors with a variety of items not previously offered at market. If you’ve never attended Portage County’s longest-running farmers’ market, we encourage you come downtown and have a look for yourself!
In addition to providing a shopping venue for locally grown and produced items, the market also hosts a local musical act from 10am – noon. These performances are free, open to the public, and enhanced by the stunning mural depicting scenes from Kent painted on the abutments of the Haymaker overpass, under which the market sits.
For more info on the market visit aroundKent Magazine Vol 17!