Dayton937

Things to do in Dayton | Restaurants, Theatre, Music and More

Brian Sharp

Brian Sharp’s First Visit to The Twist Indian Grill

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On a chilly day we were looking for something fun and new for lunch. I suggested the Twist Indian Grill – only to be told “you know I don’t like Indian food” – I said, “I’ve heard great things we are going”

I am so glad we did!
Twist is where Chipotle meets Indian. In fact, if you’re like my sidekick it’s the perfect way to introduce yourself to great Indian street food. There are extensive menu options like curry bowls, salad bowls, naan tacos and even naandillas (think quesadillas made with naan).
The process is much like you’re used to at chipotle. Choose your entree, choose your rice (there are multiple options), choose your curry, choose your protein, and choose your toppings.
I opted for the Tandoori chicken and Mark opted for a naandilla with masala pulled chicken. We also enjoyed some street food – samosa (potatos and peas mixed and put in a pastry and fried served with sauce. They also have seasoned and nacho fries.

My tandoori chicken bowl was full of flavor and spice. I added some masala rice and even some jalapeños and cilantro. This was a taste sensation. Different from traditional Indian with a twist toward street food. Mark’s naandilla was served with a side of ranch and the naysayer had to admit that it was delicious and that he would definitely be back!
The restaurant located on Smithville just south of Watervliet was busy…and service was swift and friendly.
We definitely want to go back and try some other items and maybe even Paani Puri they looked spectacular!

Jollity Still Winning After 1 Year

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Opening a restaurant post pandemic may have seemed ridiculous to some, but after one year they are still going strong! Situated in the Fire Blocks district is this big city shotgun style restaurant with a small bar in front, seating at the platform kitchen and tables along one wall.

The three owners (2 chefs and 1 front of house manager) are present and involved. The menu changes regularly so you need to visit regularly!

We stopped in tonight after a reception downtown. We shared a couple appetizers to start. Curry cream corn (a vegetarian option) served warm with tarragon pickled tomatoes, Thai basil oil and rice cracklings. Smooth flavor with a hint of curry at first taste and a little kick at the end. Fried brussel sprouts (a gluten free option) served with fermented barbecue sauce, mustard aioli and Koji salt.

For dinner we chose Chicken Fried Duck and Swordfish. The Chicken Fried Duck fall off the bone served with Izakaya Japanese potato salad – DELICIOUS – bacon pickled mustard seed and house hot sauce. The swordfish(another gluten free option) is served seed crusted with edamame purée, roasted radish, eggplant, asparagus and chili crunch. The entrees seemed to disappear from our plates.

In spite of being fully satisfied – we still needed to consider desserts. We chose a perfectly sized Pineapple Upside Down Pot De Creme (yet another gluten free option). This taste sensation served in layers starts with pineapple jam, cherry cake crumble and whipped topping. In true pot de crème style you must take the spoon all the way to the bottom to experience all of the layers of this perfectly flavored (not too sweet) dessert.

If you’ve not been to Jollity, you need to visit…and go back often. The menu changes often and I know I cannot wait to experience more. I love all of the options we have in downtown Dayton and this is certainly one of the best!

Jollity

127 E. 3rd Street
Dayton, Ohio 45402

937-938-9089

Tues-Thurs 5:00-9:00 PM
Fri-Sat 5:00-10:00 PM

Gifting Santa’s Strike Again!

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Blessings come to us in many ways. Today I experienced one of those blessings.

For the past few years I have been lucky enough to be part of a group called Breakfast Santa’s. The mission of the group is to spread some surprise joy during the holiday season.

I want to be clear about this – our way is NOT the only way! My hope would be that someone reading this says maybe I can find a group of friends and do this on a scale that works for us. The point is spreading the blessings!

Our group has some of the most amazing, giving people in it. Typically, we try to visit a few restaurants and spread the joy. Last year was tough with the pandemic and this year has still had its limitations. However, today a group assembled at a restaurant in Greene County for lunch (I know it’s not breakfast). Some members of our group couldn’t make it but sent contributions to the organizers through Venmo, check or other payment apps.


Those funds were collected, and placed in a gift bag. After our group ordered, enjoyed lunch and paid – the server was called over and given the gift bag – and told this group wanted to share a tip. The bag contained roughly $3000. The server, wearing a Santa tshirt that said “Believe” opened the bag and teared up. She said that this came at a perfect time.

It’s moments like this that remind you of the joys of the season! We have an amazing group of friends that are Breakfast Santa’s and you and your friends can do this too – in your own way!

Spread the joy!

Sueño Doesn’t Disappoint

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Free valet parking as you pull up on Third Street in the Webster Station area of downtown Dayton and enter the doors of the newly opened Sueño. Once inside you immediately feel like you’ve left Dayton and arrived in a hip dining establishment in a large city! The atmosphere is impressive as soon as you enter.

Greeted by a lovely staff and escorted to our table we pass a busy bar. Across the dining room from our table is a platform kitchen with wood fired open flame oven.
We are greeted by Jade our informed server and her assistant Marie. Jade took us on a tour of the menu with answers to all of our questions and fabulous suggestions.
From the Botonas (snacks for sharing) menu we chose guacamole and sikil p’ak (pumpkin seed hummus) both served with house made chips topped with a little cumin and acid(lime juice). Both were amazing and delicious!
Then it came time to choose entrees – Jade was careful to suggest just how to place the order so that everyone’s food arrived at the same time. From the platos pequeños (small plates) menu my friend chose Taco de Cochinita – three tacos with Adobe marinated pork, salsa tamulado and pickled red onion.
From the Hearth menu another friend selected Carne Asada. Beautifully seasoned steak bavette with chimichuri and frijoles charros. I chose the pork al pastor with grilled pineapple, caramelized onion and morita salsa. These dinners are large enough to share – but we didn’t! Two of us also ordered from the Verduras (vegetables) menu a dish of charred corn mixed with cascabel spice, cilantro, queso fresco and crema mixed together and served cold. This was a great balance to the dishes that were a taste explosion.
As if that wasn’t enough…we had to have something from the Postres (dessert) menu – there are two options so we chose one of each. A scoop of Mexican chocolate (house made) ice cream topped with pieces of spicy pepita (pumpkin seed) brittle and arroz con leche – rice pudding with roasted summer peaches and marscapone.
This is a dining experience and one that lends itself to a fabulous date, celebration or just a Wednesday night dinner – in a place that takes you away!
Do yourself a favor and make reservations now!

Sueño

607 E 3rd St.
Dayton, OH 45402

(937) 453-0008

Click for online reservations

Breakfast Santa’s

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Some days rolling through Facebook can be unnerving.  Then there are the days where something catches your eye.  You open the post, read the story and think – what a great idea!  Someone should do that. Well, recently there was a story just like that.  One of those stories that touch the heart.  It was the story about a group of friends that get together and go out to breakfast.  On the surface that may not sound so touching or special.  However, this group was different.  In this group each person was willing to make a $100.00 investment.  But an investment or breakfast?  Both! 

In this group once they arrive at the selected location – they each put their $100.00 in a gift bag or envelope.  They each order breakfast (everything on one check) – and then pay the bill out of that bag.  What is left is roughly $1500.00 which this group of Breakfast Santa’s gives to the server, as a tip. 

I read this and thought what an amazing idea in the true spirit of giving. 

So, unbeknownst to me, my friend Vicki had read the same article and posted the story with the message…” who’s in?” – I just had to be a part!  And so, the planning begins.  Where to go, how many will respond?  In our community, where we have suffered this year, there are plenty of places to go to make an impact where tornadoes have had a devastating effect.

Today was the day.  Seventeen Facebook acquaintances and friends converged on a local restaurant and made it happen.  There were two servers (one who was called in to cover a shift) and another.  Both gave excellent service.  Taking great care of us without ever knowing what was in store.  At the end of breakfast, the bill was paid, and the servers called over to the table.  They were presented with “the bag”.  Through teary eyes they realized this wasn’t a joke, but a gift. 

While our group set out to touch the lives of a server or two, and we did.  It was our lives that were touched.  We have been blessed and were able to be a blessing.  Through our tear-filled eyes, we hugged our servers wishing them a very Merry Christmas…and then we hugged each other, grateful for being a part of such amazing holiday fun.  Thanks for posting Vicki, and for being the kind of person that always finds ways to give back and help others.  Thanks for including all of us!