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Five Rivers MetroParks Celebrates Golden Anniversary

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Five Rivers MetroParks and local artists collaborated to create unique "hidden nature" pieces. Check out the full exhibit, including Marsha Pippenger's "Ode to King Billy," featured here, at the kickoff celebration on Wednesday, April 10, at the Schuster Center.

Five Rivers MetroParks and local artists collaborated to create unique “hidden nature” pieces. Check out the full exhibit, including Marsha Pippenger’s “Ode to King Billy,” featured here, at the kickoff celebration on Wednesday, April 10, at the Schuster Center.

On April 8, 1963, then-Probate Judge Neal Zimmers approved a petition to start a new park district in Dayton. Thanks to the efforts of a group of forward-thinking citizens concerned with quickly disappearing green space, efforts to protect the region’s natural heritage created what we know today as Five Rivers MetroParks.

For the past 50 years, Five Rivers MetroParks has provided outdoor experiences that inspire a personal connection with nature. These experiences are unique for each visitor — some come to the parks for their offerings in exciting outdoor adventure. Others visit as a get-away from harried urban life. Still others enjoy the reactions from their children or grandchildren watching them experience nature for the first time (or as if it were the first time). Echoing the individualized experience the parks offer, Five Rivers MetroParks has launched a “Hidden Nature” campaign, showcasing “secret” areas of the parks and glimpses into the history of the organization.

The activities kick off on Wednesday, April 10, with a public event at the Schuster Center in downtown Dayton. The event is from 5:30-7:30 p.m. and is free and open to the public; complimentary parking is available at the adjacent Arts Garage. MetroParks VIPs from the past and present will be on hand to share stories, and select archive materials also will be on display.

One component of the “Hidden Nature” campaign is an art exhibit. Local artists Amy Kollar Anderson, Bing Davis, Gretchen Durst Jacobs, Marsha Pippenger, and Ron Rollins all contributed nature-inspired artwork. To illustrate the spirit of the campaign, QR codes and telephone extensions have been hidden throughout each piece of the collection. Scan the QR code and enter the four-digit extension to receive a secret message about the parks and their history.

Another way to celebrate MetroParks’ golden anniversary is by trying to find all 50 Things to See and Do. Some items on the list may already be a family favorite, but the MetroParks staff is willing to bet that you can find several cool things you never knew about your parks.

Visit metroparks.org/history and take a peek back into the archives. Staff has been searching through boxes and boxes of photos, scrapbooks, old brochures, and more, in pursuit of some really cool relics from our past.

We hope the community has enjoyed helping us preserve and enhance our regional green spaces as much as we love providing these facilities every day. See you at the Schuster!

Love art. People watch. Buy art.

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Deal

“Think No More” by Amy Deal, Mixed Media on wood 24×24  In her most recent series of work, Amy Deal explores layering typography to create visual texture and pattern. She appreciates typography as an art form that lends itself to affecting imagery and enjoys the balance that can be achieved between visual and verbal designs. Deal is a national award-winning, professional visual communicator living in Oakwood, Ohio. She took a break from fine art to raise a family for the past 18 years, but is now reuniting with her love of painting.

 That’s the word on the street about DVAC’s annual gala Art Auction, which will be held April 26th at the Ponitz Center at Sinclair, silent auctions starting at 6:30pm, live auction begins at 8 pm.

For the 19th year, the Dayton Visual Arts Center is calling on members of the community to help celebrate the vibrant art and artists of the Dayton region. Gear up for an evening of exciting silent and live auctions, good friends— new and old— abundant hors d’oeuvres, wines, and lively music by Puzzle of Light.  And above all: a night of making a big difference to DVAC’s ability to provide programs and exhibitions that support area artists. Of all the fundraising events in town, DVAC’s Art Auction is the only one that features art and only art. It’s the biggest art buying party of the year and DVAC’s most important fund raiser.

This year, 118 DVAC member artists have generously donated work for the auction. This adds up to a genuine feast for the eyes and soul: paintings, photographs, sculptural pieces, and works in ceramic, glass, metal and mixed media. Simply viewing everything in this exhibition is a treat; but it’s even more fun to bid and win a piece or two to grace the walls of your home or office, give as a gift, or wear with style.

If you haven’t already purchased your tickets to the best art party of the year, call DVAC at 937.224.3822 or visit dvacartauction.com to get in on the excitement. See you there!

The Food Adventures Crew Peek Into Yellow Springs Brewery!

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PSSST!! Come here….  wanna peek?  Even though the tasting room doesn’t open until April 13th, Food Adventures got a sneak peek of the new Yellow Springs Brewery on 305 N. Walnut Street.  We think you’re gonna like what you see.  The brewmasters have been busy.  Their beer has been in production for a few months.  Various brews bearing the Yellow Springs Brewery label are already being served in local restaurants.

We sampled a few craft beers and they were delicious.  Our favorite was a beer called the   “Little Bike Brown.”  It is a stout beer with a full bodied, rich taste.  All of the beers are brewed using local Yellow Springs water.    The brewery tries to use other local ingredients in the brewing process whenever possible.

Good pints. Beer model not included!

The tasting room is decorated with a local flair.   The bar is made of an old bowling lane, once used in an alley in Yellow Springs.   How is that for original and unique?  They plan to continue the local theme by adorning the walls with local artwork.  The tasting room grand opening is scheduled for Sat, April 13th from 1-9pm.

Other future plans for Yellow Springs Brewery include an outside patio.  This would be wonderful spot for a Food Adventure in the summer months and suitable stop for thirsty cyclists using the bike path.

This place is going to be a hit.  What’s not to love?  Good local brews, and a tasting room that has a lot of character just like the beer.    Upon opening, Yellow Springs Brewery will sell pints of beer and growlers.   Their motto is “crafting truth to power.”  Make sure you stop in and grab this powerful taste of Yellow Springs, sample some local brewmaster’s works, and pick a favorite of your own.  This brewery is yet another reason to make Yellow Springs your destination for a little getaway.

Comment below if you are excited to try Yellow Springs Brewery !!

For more FOOD ADVENTURES  “like” us on FACEBOOK HERE !!

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Manet + Evil Dead + Jurassic Park 3D at Rave Cinemas Dayton South

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Hello Dayton!   There are plenty of options for everyone to have the perfect movie weekend this week.  Lots of things happening at your local Rave Cinemas!

Opening This Week

EXHIBITION: MANET:PORTRAYING LIFE – 04/11/13 @ 730pm!

The eagerly awaited exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts, London, Manet: Portraying Life will be captured for cinema screens worldwide. This is the first ever major exhibition in the UK devoted to the portraiture of Édouard Manet, spanning his entire career. The exhibition will bring together great works from across Europe, Asia and the USA. Cinemagoers will see exclusive behind-the-scenes moments of the Royal Academy’s exhibition preparation — moments usually hidden from view — and experience a detailed, superbly crafted biography of Manet and 19th century Paris. Host Tim Marlow along with expert guests examines the work of one of the all-time great artists.

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EVIL DEAD – OPENS 04/04/13 @ 10pm!

In the much anticipated remake of the 1981 cult-hit horror film, five twenty-something friends become holed up in a remote cabin. When they discover a Book of the Dead, they unwittingly summon up dormant demons living in the nearby woods, which possess the youngsters in succession until only one is left intact to fight for survival.

 

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JURASSIC PARK 3D – OPENS 04/04/13 @ 10pm!

Universal Pictures will release Steven Spielberg’s groundbreaking masterpiece “Jurassic Park” in 3D on April 5, 2013. With his remastering of the epic into a state-of-the-art 3D format, Spielberg introduces the three-time Academy Award-winning blockbuster to a new generation of moviegoers and allows longtime fans to experience the world he envisioned in a way that was unimaginable during the film’s original release.

 

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jH9iAHSKds’]

 

RAVE CINEMA CLASSICS – $3 + FREE popcorn & drink! @ Dayton South

04/08/13 @ 1pm brings us…

HARVEY, 1950, 105min

Elwood P. Dowd is a mild-mannered, pleasant man, who just happens (he says) to have an invisible friend resembling a 6-foot rabbit.   James Stewart, Josephine Hull, Peggy Dow

 

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvfXvW2wsuQ’]

 

For showtimes…CLICK HERE!

 

First Friday to Feature Walking Tour, Craft Battle, Beer Tasting, Art Shows, More

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G - 3 DVAC• The Collaboratory (formerly Blue Sky Gallery), 8 N. Main St.: Featuring “Best Time Ever,” a visual collaboration between photographer Glenna Jennings and mixed-media artist Issa Randall. They use Facebook as a stock image bank to create collages that speak to the transient nature of “good times.” 732-5123.

• CADC, 35 S. St. Clair St.: Presenting “Mexican Reflections;” Sandra Picciano and David Brand will demonstrate their jewelry-making techniques and exhibit their rings inspired by a jewelry workshop in Mexico. 313-9883.

• Dayton Society of Painters and Sculptors, 48 High St.: Opening reception for art exhibit “Intuition,” featuring work by Betsy Molinsky, Marvin Olinsky and Beth Duke. The exhibit features mixed-media art, sculpture and painting. 228-4532.

• Dayton Visual Arts Center, 118 N. Jefferson St.: (Open 5 to 8 p.m.) The opening of “Art Auction Preview,” featuring works in all types of media. 224-3822.

• Don Crawford Plaza in front of Fifth Third Field, 220 N. Patterson Blvd.: The monthly Courteous Mass Ride will meet at 5:30 p.m. for a ride through the city.

• Clash Consignments, 521 E. Fifth St.: Hosting “Aries de la femme,” an art show highlighting local women artisans. This girl-themed art show promotes girl art by girl artists. Categories include visual, audio and fine arts. Call 241-9434.

• Fifth Third Center, 1 S. Main St.: Local artisans Gina Duncan and Judy Riesser will host an opening reception for their artwork, displayed in the lobby, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. 228-2224.

• Gallery 510 Fine Art, 510 E. Fifth St.: Presents a new collection of hand-beaded pendants and pins by Gallery 510 artist Cathy Helmers. Mention First Friday and receive $5 off winter scarves. 672-6717.

• Grass Roots Enrichment and Wellness Center, 400 E. Fifth St., Suite C: Art opening with paintings by artist-of-the -month Jed Helmers. 723-6747.

• Great Dayton Flood Walk: View vintage photos of the great flood, visit buildings that made it through the flood, see high-water marks from 1913 and much more. Walk starts at 7 p.m. and is $10 per person. Call 274-4749 or email grantsguru501c3@yahoo.com for required reservations and meeting location.

• K12 Gallery for Young People/TEJAS, 510 E. Third St.: The opening reception of the second annual juried exhibit featuring 2D black-and-white art; 16 artists have been selected to participate in the exhibit, which includes photographs, drawings, paintings and collages. 461-5149.

G - 32 510• Olive, an urban dive, 416 E. Third St.: Displaying photographs by Gary Kunze, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2004; 10 percent of all the sales of Gary’s photographs and cards will go toward Parkinson’s disease research. From 6 to 8 p.m., visitors can get a sneak peak at the new The Barrel House, which is being renovated across the street from Olive.

• Requarth Co. Supply One Showroom, 447 E. Monument Ave.: (open 6 to 8:30 p.m.) Join the Fifth Street Brewpub for a beer tasting. Learn about the Fifth Street Brewpub Co-op and enjoy performances by local musicians David Baugham, composer/slap-style guitarist and winner of the Teen Music Slam 2012 (6 to 6:40 p.m.) and Pam Baugham of the folk/Americana group Sweet Betsy (6:40 to 8 p.m.). The tasting will feature six craft beers from a variety of breweries for  $2 per taste or six tastes for $10. Proceeds will help the brewpub renovate its historical space and open its doors this spring. Also, Harvest Mobile Cuisine will be on site with local food for sale.

• Sew Dayton, 16 Brown St.: Hosting a “spring cleaning” sale; fill up an entire bag of scraps of fabric for $1. Artwork by featured artist-of-the-month Cherry Fullam will be on display. 234-7398.

• The Yellow Cab Building, 700 E. Fourth St.: Hosting the second “Dayton Crafty-Con,” showcasing local crafters. Starting at 5 p.m., more than 25 vendors will be giving demos on how to create the crafts they are selling. At 7 p.m.,“Battle of the Crafters” will take place on the main stage. Each team will be presented with a box of unknown supplies and will be judged on its ability to make a craft within the parameters of the specified theme. Zombie Dog food truck will be selling gourmet hot dogs. 203-8175.

First Friday is presented by the Downtown Dayton Partnership with support from the Oregon District Business Association, the Ohio Arts Council and WYSO-FM 91.3. The Downtown Dayton Partnership’s website has a complete list of downtown’s arts and cultural amenities, as well as a dining guide, parking map and much more. Download the Find It Downtown mobile search tool for smartphones at http://mobile.downtowndayton.org

 

 

 

Walking Dead Food Adventure & Zombie Dogz at Horror Hound Weekend

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‘Juan of the Dead’ Zombie Dog

Here is something you will not see anywhere else.  The Big Ragu and Crew had a VIP experience at last weekend’s Horror Hound convention in Sharonville.  We had a Food Adventure with Merle & Daryl Dixon from The Walking Dead (Norman Reedus and Michael Rooker)!  Featured along with the Cast of the Walking Dead and many celebrities was a Dayton’s own,  Zombie Dogz.  Typically a food truck, it was a little different this time for the gourmet hot dog masters.   They operated out of a catering booth inside the convention center.     Owners of  Zombie Dogz,  Lee and David VanArtsdalen and Horror Hound Magazine’s Eric Crowley personally invited us to the event and set us up for an unforgettable Food Adventure.

The Big Ragu and Crew shared some iconic Dayton foods with the celebrities:

We had a Zombie Dog with a Reservoir Dog.  That’s right, we dined and joked with Michael Madsen.  Michael was a great sport, and he didn’t carve our ear off.   He shared some good Hollywood stories and laughs with us.  We also learned he was telling other celebrities about his time with us and the Zombie Dogz.

Legendary horror film director John Carpenter also enjoyed one of Dayton’s Zombie Dogz with us, while he was wearing some pretty sweet black velvet sweat pants.  It was almost as scary as his film “Halloween.”   Meeting this giant of the film industry was priceless.

We gave a hungry Twisted Sister Frontman Dee Snider some Mikesell’s Good n Hot Potato chips.  In fact, the whole cast of his show “Holliston” shared the bag.  What does Dee wanna do with his chips?  ‘He wants them hot, HOT !’   This Celebrity Apprentice star loved the taste of Mikesells, and we were not ‘fired’ in the boardroom.

Dee Snider from Twisted Sister & Celeb Apprentice loves Mikesells Chips

The star of the scary Candyman movies Tony Todd, loved the box of Esther Price Candies we gave him.   He enjoyed them so much, he gave us a high five the next day.   Even movie stars like the Candyman love Esther Price Candies !

Remember the classic 60’s TV show The Munsters?  Well, we ate Muenster cheese with Eddie Munster, thanks to Murray’s Cheese from Kroger in Centerville.  Eddie, played by Butch Patrick, appreciated it so much, he signed a photo for us!

The  Big Ragu and Crew ate lunch with Bengals Defensive Tackle Domata Peko .  We enjoyed some LaRosa’s Pizza while sitting with his family.  Domata is one of the nicest guys you will ever meet.  He is also a horror movie fan like us,  and was excited to meet the various celebs.

Where else can you see this kind of stuff?  Only here, only Food Adventures and Dayton Most Metro.  Often imitated, never duplicated.

The Big Ragu also shared French Bread and Perrier Sparkling Mineral Water with 80’s babe Diane Franklin from the movie “Better Off Dead.”  If you saw the movie, you get the significance of the food items, ‘and to drink…. Peru’ .  These days Diane is promoting her new book “Diane Franklin: The Excellent Adventures of the Last American, French-Exchange Babe of the 80s.”  You can buy the book here on Amazon.com.

We hung out with other famous horror actors including Lew Temple, Sid Haig, Tom Savini,  Irwin Keyes, Robert Mukes and many other costumed monsters.  The original car from the movie Christine was there, we wanted to take it to the Root Beer Stande Drive in but she turned us down.  Special mention to our friends at S.T.A.R.S Cincinnati, a costumed fan group of the movie “Resident Evil.”  They do charity appearances and their slogan is “We kill zombies for charity.”  Speaking of Zombies….

The “Calling in Dead” Zombie Dog has Mac N Cheese on top

About Zombie Dogz:

Have you tried a Zombie Dog?  These hot dogs are so big, that they almost look like kielbasa sausages.  The menu at Zombie Dogz is pretty simple.  It all starts with large, juicy all beef hot dog.    The hot dog is placed into a wonderful sandwich roll, strong enough to hold the hot dog and ingredients intact.  What makes a zombie dog special is the choice of toppings.  Each Zombie Dog has a creative name based on those toppings.  The menu is constantly evolving with new creations, but The Big Ragu and Hungry Jax ate these hot dogs all weekend and want to share our favorites.

Zombe’ Grande – The all beef hot dog is topped with cheese queso sauce, lettuce, cilantro sour cream, jalapeno bacon bits and crushed corn chips.  The mix of the cheese sauce and crushed corn chips are a gooey, tasty combination that won us over.  This was definitely one of our favorites

Juan of the Dead – An all beef frank topped with Swiss cheese, homemade bbq pulled pork, sweet and tangy mustard and pickles.  The pulled pork and pickles really make this gourmet hot dog.  The Big Ragu say this is a must eat!

The Nibbler – This time they wrap the hot dog in bacon, then smother it in spicy chili.  The zombie dog is then topped off with diced red onion, sweet & tangy mustard, and shredded muenster cheese.  This one really woke up our taste buds and is a Food Adventure in your mouth.

Owners Dave and Lee VanArtsdalen of Zombie Dogz, with Co-founder/Marketer Michael Whitaker

Calling in Dead  – This over the top creation tops the hot dog with homemade mac n cheese.  The creamy mac n cheese is cooked in truffle oil for a magnificent flavor.  The final touch in this hot dog is a sprinkle of truffle salt and cracker crumbs.  This hot dog was so rich, we could hardly finish it.  It packed a powerful punch on our appetites, but we couldn’t stop eating it.

Brain Daddy – This was the most Caribbean style hot dog that we tried.  The all beef dog is topped with slow roasted mango habanero pulled pork.  It was also topped with pineapple-cherry salsa.  The final dash of white and black sesame seeds finishes this masterpiece.  This gourmet dog promises to have your taste buds dancing the mambo.

The Horror Hound Weekend was incredible. We got to meet Dayton horror film makers like our pals from Concept Media Films.  We even bought a couple of their Dayton-made DVD’s!  Meanwhile The Big Ragu was distracted by the Jersey girls over at GorgeousAndGory.com.  Supporting local people and making new Food Adventure fans seemed to sum up this fantastic experience.

This Zombie Dog is called “The Nibbler”

Miami Valley foodies should keep their eye open for events featuring the Zombie Dogz Food Truck and their unique creations.  The hot dogs will satisfy your hunger at the not so bad price of $6.50 per dog.  There are even have veggie dog options.  Want to catch Zombie Dogz Food Truck’s next event?  Then visit Dayton’s Crafty-Con on April 5th.  The event will be held from 5pm to 11pm at the Yellow Cab Building on 700 East 4th St.   Tell the zombies that The Big Ragu sent you !

 

Feel free to comment on the Zombie Dogz Food Truck below.  Also share any thoughts about Horror Hound Weekend as well.

“Like” Food Adventures on Facebook by clicking here, unless you are scared of zombies and good times.

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It’s Munch Madness at Vinny’s Bar & Grill

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Reuben, with Corned Beef Baked in Guinness Stout for Flavor

Going to the March Madness games at UD arena?  We have found THE pre-party place, Vinny’s Bar & Grille, just minutes from campus.  They are having a big bash on Friday starting at 11am and will be grilling in the parking lots! Grab a hot polish weiner then go root for your winner.   Don’t have a ticket to the NCAA games?  Don’t fret, stay and eat!  Vinny’s will have the action on various TV’s, so it will feel like you are there.

The Food Adventures Crew are sports fans, and a while ago we found a locally owned place to have a little ‘Munch Madness’ of our own.  Vinny’s features an in-house menu with many homemade variations depending on the day.  Sometimes you can even catch the bearded catering sensation Rick from “Rick’s Tropical Delight Catering” and his ‘Big Green Egg Cooker.’

Lamb Chops cooked by Rick from ‘Ricks Tropical Delight Catering’

Vinny’s Bar & Grille is on 2229 Dryden Rd in Moraine just a couple of miles from UD Arena.  The bar & grill is active in the community, supporting charities and trumpeting Dayton athletics.  What Daytonian wouldn’t love that?  It is a hometown bar with a unique menu.. well, three menus, actually.  There is a weekday menu, nightime bar menu and a special ‘tailgate buffet’ menu during men’s home basketball games.   The prices are cheap too!! Oh, but that’s not all folks.   Add to the mix their special guest from time to time, Rick with “Rick’s Tropical Delight.”  He cooks out back and sips beers with patrons.  This bearded wonder could be a long lost member of ZZ top.  He has style, he has skills, and long beard that amazingly avoids being singed on the grill.   Rick has a 6 ceramic cookers called the ‘Big Green Egg.’  What is the Big Green Egg? It is a hardwood, lump charcoal ceramic grill.  You can find Rick cooking anything from Hot Polish Sausages and Bratwurst, to Beef Brisket and Chateaubriand Steak depending on his mood.  Last night, we were lucky enough to enjoy his Grilled Lamb Chops and Shrimp on the Barbie.  The lamb chops were lean, delicious and perfectly cooked.  The shrimp also had an unforgettable flavor of infused smokiness from the hardwood grill.  Rick knows his craft, and is a true grill master.

We were first introduced to Vinny (who’s 50th birthday is today) when we tried his Voodoo Chili at the AMBUCS chili cookoff.   Now having visited Vinny’s a few times, we can tell you that the menu choices are constantly changing.  But with the variety, comes some pretty fantastic food.  The waitress told us all of the entrees and sides were homemade except the cottage cheese.   you gotta love that.  Energetic owner, Vinny Nyhan invited us to the ‘First Four’ Pre-Party at Vinny’s Bar & Grill last night to kick off March Madness.  His wife Jane and kitchen cook Cindy were preparing some amazing dishes.  What ensued was a full blown Food Adventure.

The Glazed Carrots are the best we have ever eaten

First on our list of things we want to tell local foodies about is a regular menu item at Vinny’s, the Wright Way Reuben.   It is a slow-roasted Corned Beef Brisket baked in Guinness Stout.  Sauteed in sauerkraut, the beef is topped with Swiss cheese and Thousand Island dressing, then placed on grilled rye bread.  We thought it was a damn good reuben, especially at the price of $6.50.   It was loaded with flavor.  We liked the fact that it was filled with chopped, not stringy, corned beef.  You can’t go wrong with this homemade sandwich.   If you do not order one, you should be charged with a technical foul.

Speaking of foul, another specialty at Vinny’s is Broasted Wings.  Tasty sauces like BBQ and Hot are hugely popular with wing fans.  We prefer the Medium Garlic Wings and the Orange Chipotle Wings.   The wing size are some of the biggest in Dayton, yet they are  cooked all the way through.  Does anyone else have broasted wings in Dayton?  We would put them up against any wing in the area.  If you love wings, make sure you check out  50 cent wing night every Thursday.

We would do anything for love, including eat Vinny’s Meatloaf.   This is not some trendy apricot chutney meatloaf.  This is the kind of meatloaf your mom would make.  It is a slab of meat with perfectly hardened edges and just the right amount of baked ketchup on the top.  Bring your mom out to try some, it is just that good.  It will give you a chance to say MOM, THE MEATLOAF!

Broasted Chicken Wings – Orange Chipotle Flavored and Huge

May we also suggest the Wednesday night special, the Pulled Pork Sandwich.  Tossed in sauce, this sandwich was huge, but we devoured a couple of them in no time. They were delicious.  We would suggest the straight BBQ Sauce as opposed to the hot bbq on the rebound.

Rarely do you find a place with excellent homemade side dishes.  We cant believe we are writing this but the Glazed Carrots are to die for!  Yes we said it, and we aren’t ashamed to admit it!  Perfectly glazed and tossed in rosemary spices, they were the best carrots we have ever eaten.  It would shame some of the best fine dining establishments.   The Homemade Potato salad was so fresh, and the Macaroni Salad deserves honorable mention.  Just like us, accept no substitutions or weak imitations here.

There is so much more to Vinny’s that we have yet to explore.   They have a full breakfast menu, burgers, sausages and an attached carryout store.   Also, Vinny’s  has a great spread before each home UD Basketball game called the “Tailgate Buffet” or “Fast Break Buffet.”  It features all you can eat wings, sausages, side items, soup and a specialty item.  The specialty item on our trip to Vinny’s last month was Sloppy Joes.   The sloppy joe recipe is a good one.  It is a sweet meat recipe and also includes some green peppers.  Again, some of the best we have ever eaten.  Make sure you check out the buffet before the basketball games, it feels just like sinking a 3 point shot.

Vinny and Rick out back with the ‘Big Green Egg’ Ceramic Grill

Vinny’s  daily specials are: Monday Meatloaf, Tuesday Broasted Chicken, Wednesday Pulled Pork, Thursday Sloppy Joe night and 50 cent Wing Night, and Fried Alaskan Pollock Fish Friday.  There is one catch with Vinny’s, they are only open Monday-Friday.  In an area once populated by NCR and GM, Vinny’s still continues to crank out good food from scratch.  They are open on Saturdays and Sundays only during special events like UD home basketball games or private parties.   The atmosphere is a clean, casual family sports bar.  The servers are very personable and many of the patrons seem to know each other.  We even had a chance to meet Vinny’s Mom and Dad, who used to own East Dayton Sausage company.

Chef House, Hungry Jax and The Big Ragu continue to be  charmed by the home cooked recipes at Vinny’s.  Listen, we are not food critics, we are Food Adventurers.  Every good meal we attend is an event.  We are just two guys that love to eat.    Vinny’s Bar & Grill is just the place for people who love good food.   They have a basic menu and daily specials.  Just come in and look on the board, you will always be in for a treat.   There is no place like it in Dayton.  The prices are inexpensive and some of the best prices for quality food in the Miami Valley.  We promise that if you come in here and try some of these in-house creations, you will be hooked like us.   All of the specialty items on Vinny’s menu are slam dunks !

Have you tried the home cooking at Vinny’s Bar & Grill?  Please comment below about your experiences !

DONT FORGET TO VISIT VINNY’S ON FRIDAY (Tomorrow) FOR THE MARCH MADNESS PARTY STARTING AT 11AM, FEATURING THE BIG GREEN EGG COOKER and RICK’s TROPICAL DELIGHT CATERING !

Also – For more FOOD ADVENTURES , dribble on over to our Facebook Page and “like” us by clicking HERE.

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The Food Adventures Crew Discover Great Italian Tastes at Arthur’s

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Delicious Shrimp Scampi Dinner at Arthur’s

Good pasta, pizza and more is what ‘wowed’ us at Arthur’s Restaurant.   This Italian eatery is located in a spot that has housed many restaurants,   Heck, we remember when this building  at 5900 Bigger Road was a Pizza Hut in the 70’s.   We hope it breaks the trend and becomes a mainstay.  Arthur’s came with glowing recommendations from many friends, so we knew this locally owned restaurant deserved a spot on our Food Adventure hit list.  We checked it out over and over, and we have never had a bad meal.  Maybe that is because the chef, Louie, has been cooking for 33 years.  He even spent 2 years in Italy, and 8 years in New York City honing his skills in various kitchens.   The waitress we typically have for dinner is experienced, friendly and couldn’t be more helpful.   She is a star.  The lunch staff is attentive and always has some suggestions.

Manicotti, Baked to Perfection

So, you gotta try their food, but where to start?  How about the Calamari appetizer?  It is lightly fried and full of great seafood flavor.  Share it with a friend and you will devour it in no time like we did.  May we also suggest the Mussels in garlic wine sauce?  We are talking Italian old school here.   Another appetizer that you do not see many places in Ohio is Steamed Clams.  Catch them if they are in season!

Many of the entrees come with a salad, and the house Italian dressing is our favorite.  Then there are the rolls.  These lovehandle causing little bites are irresistible.  They are a cross between bread and a crescent roll, and are lightly dusted with butter and Parmesan cheese on top.  Try and use your willpower, but it is futile, you will ask for more rolls.  Let the battle of the bread begin.

Let’s talk pasta.  If you love  gourmet flavors and pasta dishes.  At Arthur’s, he would suggest a winning entree of Shrimp Scampi.  Large, garlic infused shrimp are perfectly sauteed and placed over linguini.  The sauce is delicate with hints of butter, lemon, Parmesan cheese, basil and oregano.  This dish is more than a few forkfulls, and may have you taking a to-go container.

Arthur’s Pizza: Magnifico !

The Big Ragu prefers the more traditional, tomato based or marinara sauce dishes.  He found a favorite as well.  It is the Manicotti dinner, which is simply exquisite.  The entree is filling, yet one of the lighter tasting manicotti recipes that we have experienced.  Served piping hot, these ricotta stuffed shells were baked and sauced with a light marinara.   The finishing touch is covering in the manicotti with mozzarella cheese.

Two other specialties that we enjoy at Arthur’s are their Pizza and their Stuffed Rolls.   Filling and cheesy on both counts.  From the homemade crust, to the fresh ingredients, they have these menu items down pat.  The pizzas are plentiful and they aren’t stingy on toppings.  The same goes for the magnificent and large stuffed  rolls.  These picture perfect delights were eye-opening good.

Don’t forget their sandwiches!  Arthur’s has one of the best Eggplant Parmesan Subs that we have ever eaten.  The combination of the fresh bread, sauce, eggplant and cheese is a wonderland of taste.  The sub will put a dent in your hunger, but not your wallet at $7.99.  It even comes with a side salad or potato.

Want more to “mangia” (that means eat for you non-Italians)?  There is a dessert at Arthur’s that is an absolute ‘must mangia.’  It is the homemade Tiramisu.  Sliced like a pie, the taste is exceptional.  The ladyfingers soaked in coffee liqueur matches the silky, whipped pudding foundation perfectly.   If you miss getting a piece of this, we will have to call Tony Soprano on you.

Again, we share with you another little known jewel of the Miami Valley food scene.  Locally owned with pride, Arthur’s is yet another place that keeps us “Foodies in our Forties.”   On a side note, the same people who own Arthur’s own Palermo’s Restaurant on S. Dixie Drive.  We only touched on the menu here, but other signature dishes include soups, open-faced seafood sandwiches and calzones.  Arthur’s will also cater any event at 10% off the menu pricing.

If you have not yet visited Arthur’s, swing by for a $6.99 lunch deal.  For that price you can keep coming back and trying various menu items.   The dinner prices are reasonable, especially compared to other restaurants.   Take advantage of their early bird special of buy one get one 1/2 off when you eat from 2pm-5:30pm.   The dining room is casual, yet a perfect place to take a date for a romantic dinner.  We were very impressed with what Arthur’s had to offer, and plan to come back many times.   They do not have a website or Facebook page, so you will have to check them out in person.  Take your own little private Food Adventure  to Arthur’s and give this place a try.  You just may see us in the dining room, eating like kings and practicing some off-color, Italian hand gestures !

Have you been to Arthur’s?  If so, what were your thoughts on their menu?  Please comment below and browse our photos from our Food Adventures to Arthur’s.

Are you a Facebook Foodie?  Then”like” Food Adventures Facebook by clicking HERE !

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Introducing The Dayton Emerging Fashion Incubator (DE-FI)

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defi

A little over a year ago, I had the honor of serving as the Director of Operations for the first ever Fashion Week in the City of Dayton; like Cincinnati, Columbus, and Cleveland have been doing for years…it was now the Gem City’s turn to take its position in the International Fashion Spotlight.  From day one it was an uphill battle getting Dayton Fashion Week off of the ground, the Founder and owner of DFW Junda Morris-Kennedy of JMK Production was new to the area,  she didn’t have any local connections, and the idea of a fashion week was a completely new concept to the Miami Valley area.

As someone who was familiar with the fashion industry from a modeling perspective and a cheerleader for the City of Dayton, I immediately jumped at the opportunity to be a part of this ground breaking and I reached out to the founder and after a brief meeting with her, I jumped in with both feet and started spreading the word within my various community based circles that fashion finally had a platform in Dayton. And soon after an entire new community emerged, the area in general began to recognize the talent that was here, and individual success stories began to surface.

However, in the days and weeks leading up to and immediately following the first DFW, questions started being raised and cracks began to show all surrounding DFW’s Founder.   I along with others associated with DFW attempted to address our concerns with the owner and seek out answers from her as well but our concerns were ignored and our questions went unanswered.  Never one to compromise my ethics, in September I resigned as the Director of Operations for Dayton Fashion Week–and soon after, so did others.  I initially kept my departure quiet not wanting to cast any dark clouds over the local fashion community; but as sponsors, media, models, photographers, and designers continued to reach out to me for answers regarding DFW  and  sought my support it became apparent that not only did I need to make my departure public but it was also clear that the demand for a fashion outlet and venue in the area was still present.

After meeting with others who were associated with DFW last year, I was urged to create a new fashion based organization and soon the Dayton Emerging Fashion Incubator (DE-FI) was born!  Consisting of over 30 local and national media personalities, business owners, fashion experts, and those who just want to be a part of a positive, transparent, and professional organization; and we’re excited about the opportunity to bring a new fashion outlet to the city of Dayton!!!  The Dayton Emerging Fashion Incubator also known as (DE-FI)’s main goal is to build a solid foundation for the fashion industry to grow on building a viable and economically successful market in the Miami Valley.  Modeled after the Fashion Incubators in Chicago, Philadelphia, and San Francisco, (DE-FI) is partnering with TIME Magazine recognized Midwest Fashion Week, Dayton Most Metro, Joli Boutique, Sew Dayton, Shuttereye Photography, Studio Dayton, and UnZip the Runway Designer Competition.

(DE-FI) launched in February 2013 and is planning to host 2 intimate fashion events this year starting with an Official Launch Party July 13, 2013 at SunWatch Indian Village.  This event will serve as an opportunity to mix, mingle, and network with some of the area’s top professionals, community leaders, and fashion lovers from all over.  Complete with an official introduction of the DE-FI team and designers that have been selected into the Incubator; the Launch Party will also feature a fashion show featuring local and nationally known established designers who will be prepared to take special orders on all of their designs.

In preparation for the Launch Party, the Dayton Emerging Fashion Incubator (DE-FI) will be hosting 2 Casting Calls for models on Saturday March 23 and April 20 from 2p-4p at Studio Dayton located at 1001 E. 2nd St., Dayton, OH 45402 in Bldg 100, Entrance B-C in Suite 3220.   The Casting Call is open to male and female models ages 4 and up. (NOTE: Models under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.)  All applicants must bring (2) images (1) Head shot and (1) full body shot; photos DO NOT need to be professional.  All models must bring with them an application which can be found on the website Adult models should come dressed in fitted attire flattering for your body type. Female models must bring a pair of 3″ heels to walk the runway in.  Models under the age of 18 should wear age appropriate attire.  There will also be scouts from UnZip the Runway in attendance as well.  For more information on (DE-FI)  and to download your application please visit our website.

 

The Call + Wonderstone + MET Opera + Big Bang Theory

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Hello Dayton!   You came out in droves to see “Oz” – THANK YOU!  There are plenty of options for everyone to have the perfect movie weekend this week.  Lots of things happening at your local Rave Cinemas!

 

Opening This Week

PALEYFEST: THE BIG BANG THEORY – 03/13/13 @ 10pm!

Bazinga! On March 13th, the stars of TV’s hit comedy series “The Big Bang Theory” are coming to select movie theaters nationwide for a LIVE interactive experience as part of the ultimate ♥TV fan festival – PaleyFest. In addition to experiencing exclusive never-before-seen footage, this one-night event will also provide the unique ability to interact with the star-studded cast, who will be taking questions LIVE from the studio audience in Los Angeles as well as movie theatre audiences across the country.

 

 

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THE INCREDIBLE BURT WONDERSTONE – OPENS 03/14/13 @ 10pm!

Superstar magicians Burt Wonderstone (Steve Carell)  and Anton Marvelton (Steve Buscemi) have ruled the Las Vegas strip for years,  raking in millions with illusions as big as Burt’s growing ego. But lately the  duo’s greatest deception is their public friendship, while secretly they’ve  grown to loathe each other. Facing cutthroat competition from guerilla street  magician Steve Gray (Jim Carrey), whose cult following surges with each  outrageous stunt, even their show looks stale. But there’s still a chance Burt  and Anton can save the act both onstage and off if Burt can get back in touch  with what made him love magic in the first place.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QphnhqVXEek’]

 

THE CALL – OPENS 03/14/13 @ 10pm!

When veteran 911 operator, Jordan (Halle Berry),  takes a life-altering call from a teenage girl (Abigail Breslin) who has just  been abducted, she realizes that she must confront a killer from her past in  order to save the girl’s life.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzesOOwEl14′]

 

THE POWER OF FEW – OPENS 03/15/13!

Spies, cops, holy fools and well-armed children  cross paths on a day of danger, mystery and possible transformation. “The Power  of Few” unfolds through the lives of five unusual characters who unknowingly are  connected to an extraordinary smuggling operation on a day when religious  conspiracy and urban crime collide.  Starring; Christopher Walken, Christian Slater and Moon Bloodgood.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJuovcCmL9k’]

 

METROPOLITAN OPERA: FRANCESCA da RIMINI – 03/16/13 @ Noon

Experience the seventh season of the Metropolitan Opera’s Peabody and Emmy Award-winning series The Met: Live in HD in movie theaters nationwide. The broadcast of Zandonai’s Francesca da Rimini will be presented live for only one day on Saturday, March 16, 2013 at 12:00 PM ET in select movie theaters.

Zandonai’s compelling opera, inspired by an episode from Dante’s Inferno, returns in the Met’s ravishingly beautiful production, last seen in 1986. Dramatic soprano Eva-Maria Westbroek and tenor Marcello Giordani are the doomed lovers. Marco Armiliato conducts.

 

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Pdjza56pdM’]

 

RAVE CINEMA CLASSICS – $3 + FREE popcorn & drink! @ Dayton South

03/18/13 @ 1pm brings us…

CHARLEY’S AUNT, 1941, 80min

In 1890, two students at Oxford force their rascally friend and fellow student to pose as an aunt from Brazil–where the nuts come from.  Jack Benny, Kay Francis

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DJX3Q-Jka78]

For showtimes…CLICK HERE!

Meet Our Gal, ‘Juicy Lucy,’ at Romer’s Bar & Grill

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Romer’s – Much More than Beer-thirty

Food Adventures found another locally owned place, you gotta try.  It is watering hole called Romer’s Bar and Grill, located at 4439 East Franklin Street in Bellbrook, near Wilmington Pike.  When you think of bars, you don’t normally think of homemade food.   That is where Romer’s beats the stereotype, because most things here are homemade.  The atmosphere is hopping and usually loud.  We have been to Romer’s for happy hour drinks, benefit concerts, and Thursday trivia nights.  But, our favorite is visiting during non-peak hours and just having some good food.  During our latest visit, owner Greg Romer came out from the kitchen to tell us he is a Food Adventure fan!  He also explained that many of the dressings, food items and sauces are made in the kitchen from scratch.  Greg grinds the hamburger meat himself and personally shaves thin slices from roasted beef to make their specialty sandwiches.  So which homemade items make us smile?  Here is a breakdown of Romer’s best from your favorite Dayton Foodies.

Romer’s Bar and Grill first made an impact on us at the Chicken Wing Festival at Fraze Pavillion, two years ago.   If you like wings, you gotta try Romer’s.  We would suggest the “Asian Persuasion” wing flavor.   Appropriately named, the sauce is made in-house and delivers a sweet thai pepper taste with a light touch of heat.  The wings here are crunchy and cooked just right.  We also recommend the hot bbq sauce and the dry rub option.  The wings are available breaded, but we prefer them naked… who doesn’t?

Hand Breaded Jalapeno Poppers

We digress into another inappropriate topic when we talk about Turkey Balls.  They are not what you think.  Food Adventurers recognize this interesting name as a homemade appetizer at Romer’s.  We tried these delicious appetizers which are pretty much “Thanksgiving dinner rolled into a ball.”   The turkey balls are made with dressing, mashed potatoes and of course turkey.  The mixture is rolled into a ball the size of a large meatball, and is coated with panko crumbs.  The turkey balls are then pan fried, and covered with a light brown turkey gravy.   As we sliced the turkey balls, steam rose and we fought over the turkey gravy for dipping rights.  These heavy appetizers are perfect for sharing, and are as addicting as Saturday Night Live’s “Schweddie” skit brand name.

Looking for something a little more spicy?  Romer’s  hand breads their own Homemade Jalepeno Poppers.  What other restaurant in the Dayton area does that?  The heavy breading and spicy insides make this a good choice if you are hungry and want to heat things up.  Another fantastic appetizer that is the Big Ragu’s favorite is the Memphis Fried Pickles.  Hand cut into chip like slices, then hand breaded, these pickles are served with a dipping sauce.  They are a very addicting, yet very filling appetizer that you have to try.

The Beef N Cheddar – Slow Roasted Beef, Sliced in-house

There is no doubt of what the specialty is at Romer’s.   It is homemade, slow-roasted, beef sandwiches.  There are three of these special sandwiches, and they are “must eats.”   Chef House is our resident expert on shaved beef , and her favorite is the Beef N Cheddar.    This sandwich is made sliced to order, so it is fresh and delicious.  Romer’s also does it right.  They top it with cheddar cheese sauce.  The experts in Philadelphia do it this way, and so does Romer’s Bar and Grill.   The sandwich is served on Sour Dough bread and is simply magnificent.  The beef is delicate and moist.  The sandwich will fill you up and is a great meal deal at under 8 bucks.  Most get a side of saratoga chips, but we suggest the waffle fries with these sandwiches.  You won’t be disappointed.

Inside a ‘Juicy Lucy’ Burger

Continuing with our favorite things at Romer’s, we dive into the topic of  Burgers.  All the burgers are ground in-house to ensure great taste.  What burger is best?  Sure, you can build your own burger or chicken breast sandwich with toppings, cheese and sauce.  But wouldn’t you rather  step it up to the big leagues?  Then order a burger at Romer’s that will knock your socks off,  the Minnesota Juicy Lucy.  Owner Greg Romer developed this after seeing a similar sandwich on a food show.  The Juicy Lucy is a 1/2 pound burger stuffed with provolone, pepperoni and jalapenos.  The result is a tasty burger that oozes cheese with every bite from inside the burger.  This is a true Food Adventure item for taste and uniqueness, which is what Hungry Jax, Chef House and the Big Ragu are all about.   Make sure you grab a Juicy Lucy.

We do have one tip on what not to grab.  Don’t grab a seat by the door to the smoking patio.  Since Romer’s gets busy, many people come in and out of that door to smoke.   Take advantage of their selection of beers on draught, but don’t sit by the patio door unless you want a wind draft.   Be forewarned the place gets noisy during peak hours.  It is a fun atmosphere, but if you want quiet conversation, hit this place during slow times like early lunch hours.

There are many other good menu items we like at Romer’s that are worth mentioning.  The Reuben is good, how could it not be with the slow roasted touch?  They also have good thin crust pizzas.  They are a popular with kids and a good value at $11 for a large cheese pizza.  Even with our many trips to Romer’s we have not completely tapped the constantly evolving menu.   Currently they are featuring a Lenten menu insert and feature a fish fry on Friday’s with thick, pub style battered fish.  Romer’s Bar and Grill is yet another locally owned  gem, that many people may not have heard about.  Take the time to stop in, and visit the friendly staff like Lanette, who is our favorite server.  Next time you are hungry, tell your friends you want to grab some turkey balls and see your friends Reuben and Juicy Lucy!

Have you been to Romer’s Bar and Grill?  Please comment below on your experiences with their unique menu.

The Food Adventure Crew says “like” us on Facebook, but love us in your hearts by clicking here !

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OZ + Dead Man Down + Walking Dead

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Hello Dayton!   There are plenty of options for everyone to have the perfect movie weekend this week.  Lots of things happening at your local Rave Cinemas!

 

Opening This Week

 

PALEYFEST: THE WALKING DEAD – 03/07/13 @ 8pm!

On March 7th, the stars of TV’s edge-of-your-seat drama “The Walking Dead” are coming to select movie theaters nationwide to kick off the ultimate ♥TV fan festival – PaleyFest. Captured live from the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills, CA on Friday, March 1, this one-night event provides the unique opportunity to join the incredible cast as they screen exclusive never-before-seen footage and take part in a no-holds-barred Q&A.

 

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OZ: THE GREAT AND POWERFUL – OPENS 03/07/13 @ 9pm!

Disney’s fantastical adventure “Oz The Great and  Powerful,” directed by Sam Raimi, imagines the origins of L. Frank Baum’s  beloved character, the Wizard of Oz. When Oscar Diggs (James Franco), a  small-time circus magician with dubious ethics, is hurled away from dusty Kansas  to the vibrant Land of Oz, he thinks he’s hit the jackpot–fame and fortune are  his for the taking–that is until he meets three witches, Theodora (Mila Kunis),  Evanora (Rachel Weisz) and Glinda (Michelle Williams), who are not convinced he  is the great wizard everyone’s been expecting. Reluctantly drawn into the epic  problems facing the Land of Oz and its inhabitants, Oscar must find out who is  good and who is evil before it is too late. Putting his magical arts to use  through illusion, ingenuity–and even a bit of wizardry–Oscar transforms  himself not only into the great and powerful Wizard of Oz but into a better man  as well.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dk9Tg2dXKFg’]

 

DEAD MAN DOWN – OPENS 03/07/13 @ 10pm!

“Dead Man Down” is an action thriller that stars  Colin Farrell and Noomi Rapace as two strangers whose mutual desire for revenge  draws them together and triggers an escalating trail of mayhem. The film, which  also stars Academy Award-nominee Terrence Howard and Dominic Cooper, marks the  American theatrical debut of director Niels Arden Oplev (the original “The Girl  with the Dragon Tattoo”).

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yq3rls47cNE’]

 

RAVE CINEMA CLASSICS – $3 + FREE popcorn & drink! @ Dayton South

03/11/13 @ 1pm brings us…

TARAS BULBA, 1962, 122min

A “Romeo and Juliet” story that takes place in the late 16c. Ukraine. Taras has settled into comfortable farm life after years of adventures and swashbuckling with his cossack companions. Though not wealthy, he is able to send his son An-drei away to a Polish school. At this time the Poles are overlords of Ukraine and the origin of the cossacks is struggle of the Ukrainian serfs to free themselves and their land of Polish domination. Toward this end Taras hopes that his son will be educated in the ways of the enemy. Instead, Andrei falls in love with the daughter of a Polish nobleman, setting the stage for a clash between love, family honor, and a struggle for national identity. Tony Curtis, Yul Brynner

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foapI_Wqe40′]

For showtimes…CLICK HERE!

Want a chance to win a pair of movie passes to Rave Cinema Dayton South?

Just share our Oz: The Great and Powerful Facebook picture for a chance to win – we’ll announce a winner on 3/8 at noon – good luck!

Secrets: Why Movie Theater Popcorn Tastes So Good

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Buttery Popcorn from Rave Cinemas

Buttery Popcorn from Rave Cinemas

A night at the movies can become a Food Adventure.  Envision your buttery fingers reaching again and again into a bag of addicting theater popcorn.  They charge outrageous prices for it, yet still will buy it.  The Big Ragu and Crew took a moment from munching on kernels and reaching for the giant soft drink, to ask : “Why is movie theater popcorn so good?”

We never do things half-baked, so we scoured the 4 major cinemas in the Dayton area to get to the bottom of this mystery.  Our investigation took us to the popcorn making experts at The Neon Movies, Danbarry Dollar Saver, Regal Cinemas and Rave Cinemas.  Our findings lead us to some differing opinions.

Let’s start with a local icon, The Neon Movies’ explanation of why their popcorn is so good.  They say the secret is in the canola oil.   Popping in canola oil allows for a clean taste and it is a healthier alternative to other oils.  Also, The Neon Movies pops their popcorn right before showtimes.  They feel this gives them a freshness advantage over other theaters and produces a tastier treat.  The prices are cheaper too !  The popcorn here is delicious, and served in round cups or buckets.  There is more here than just popcorn.   This Food Adventure minded theater, also serves beer, Esther Price chocolates, and specialty coffees.  If you have not visited the locally owned Neon Movies, get downtown to the corner of 5th and Stone streets, grab some corn and watch an award-winning movie.

 

Neon Movies Food Adventure

Neon Movies Food Adventure

Danbarry Cinemas also pops their popcorn in canola oil.  But Danbarry’s management feels the secret is in the buttery topping.  The staff uses these buttery topping machines to shower a glistening coating onto moviegoers’ popcorn.  Definitely something you don’t have at home.  This dollar saver theater near the Dayton Mall has great popcorn and even better movie prices.  Their “Bargain Tuesdays” offer tickets at the insane low price of $1.75.  Any other day, admission is $3.  Sure the movies are a few weeks old, but what a deal!  Also, don’t forget to take advantage of free refills of any large popcorn or soft drink.

Regal Cinemas had another take on the mystery.  Their local management said the secret is the use of coconut/canola popping oil.   No other cinemas use this combination.  They claim this mix of oil gives a base flavor that is unmatched anywhere else.  They also say their particular brand of buttery topping is key.  It is different from anything one would use at home or in any other cinema for that matter.  Regal’s employees also felt the “butter salt” adds a great finish to the masterpiece in a bag.  These cinemas, located near the Fairfield Commons Mall, feature tiered stadium seating in a 20 theater complex.  What a great way to enjoy a huge bag of popped goodness.  Again, go large and get free refills!

Rave Cinemas on Mall Woods Drive and at The Greene would tell you the secret is how they cook the popcorn.  Rave actually cooks their popcorn in an oil and butter salt mixture.  This unique method is what they claim gives their popcorn a tremendous flavor.   The reasoning is, that by adding the buttery salt to the oil before popping, the seasoning ends up perfect.  so at Rave, it is all in the preparation.  Rave is yet another cinema that offers free refills for any large popcorn or large drink purchase.  So make sure you share as it helps keep the cost down.   Also worth mentioning is the “self serve” flavored salt station.  There is also a “self serve” buttery topping machine at Rave Cinemas.  The Big Ragu practically uses this as a drinking fountain.

The Big Ragu abusing the self serve butter machine

The Big Ragu abusing the self serve butter machine

In conclusion, we were surprised to find that the secret is not the type of popcorn cinemas use.  We were also surprised that the secret is not the popping machine itself.  Why does movie theater popcorn taste so good?  It seems the style of preparation, particularly oil and seasonings is the answer to this mystery.   Each theater not only had an answer for why theater popcorn was so good, but they also answered why their particular product was better than other cinemas.  So next time you you are at a movie, grabbing a handful of buttery popcorn dashed with salt, share the mystery with your seated friend.   Smile as you reach for a swig of soda to wash it all down.   You may not know the ending of the movie, but you know the origins of that great popcorn taste.

Post a comment below to weigh-in on which theater popcorn is your favorite and why you think it is so good.  Follow Food Adventures on TWITTER HERE

Also, “like”  Food Adventures on Facebook by clicking HERE !

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Downtown Dayton’s First Friday Features Derby & Dresses, Tiki Show, Arts Potluck & Demos, Flood Walk

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SAMSUNG CSCBrim is hosting a fashion show featuring Kentucky Derby hats and one-of-a-kind dresses by Tracy McElfresh of Sew Dayton. The models will walk at 6 and 8 p.m. and coffee will be provided by Ghostlight Coffee. Clash Consignments is hosting a Tiki Show that will feature Liz Dearth of Artifact Pottery as artist of the month, along with work by Greg Dearth, Scott Kustowski, Skull 13 and others. Eric Heilman and Rob Hale will provide rockabilly, surf, psychobilly and punk music throughout the evening.

Several art galleries and other venues will host special events this month. Blue Sky Gallery will host a closing reception for “Your Turn,” a collaborative exhibit, by Francis Schanberger and his wife, Bridgette Bogle, who have organized an arts potluck. Instead of bringing food, bring an example of something that inspires you — such as music, video, magazine clippings or books — to share. Dayton Visual Arts Center is opening new exhibit, “The Cline Show.” In memory of Barbara C. Cline and her dedication to student artists, this exhibit features works in all media produced by local students from Wright State University, the University of Dayton, Central State University and Sinclair Community College. Grass Roots Enrichment and Wellness Center will feature paintings by artist of the month Annica Damico. Hands-on activities for children and a free introduction to Reiki and chair massage also will be offered. Bring your favorite wine bottle to “Functional Art “at the CADC. Christy Jennewein will demo wine bottle painting.  The Yellow Cab Building is hosting Dollar Holler, a free event to sell and buy — for only $1 —handmade, vintage, and arts and crafts supplies. Items at past events include vintage home décor and fabric, beads, and original art and prints. Donations will be accepted to support the 2013 Dayton Sideshow arts event.

Urban Nights(2)This First Friday also offers outdoor events. The Courteous Mass Ride will host its monthly cycling expedition throughout the city.  Bikers meet at 5:30 p.m. in front of Fifth Third Field. The Great Dayton Flood Walk starts at 7p.m. and is $10 per person. The tour allows guests to view vintage photos of the great flood, visit buildings that made it through the flood, see high-water marks from 1913 and much more. Call 274-4749 or email grantsguru501c3@yahoo.com for required reservation and meeting location.

First Friday includes sales and special event at retail shops, discounts at restaurants, special events, live music, and more. A complete list of what downtown businesses have on tap for First Friday is available on the DDP website.  First Friday is presented by the Downtown Dayton Partnership with support from the Oregon District Business Association, the Ohio Arts Council and WYSO-FM 91.3.

The Downtown Dayton Partnership’s website has a complete list of downtown’s arts and cultural amenities, as well as a dining guide, parking map and much more. Download the Find It Downtown mobile search tool for smartphones at http://mobile.downtowndayton.org.

 

Rivertown Brewery Wins the “Thrilla in Waynesvilla” at Stone House Tavern

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Patrick Clark from Mt Carmel vs Jason Roper from Rivertown: Who has the best brewery ?

A packed house Wednesday night at Stone House Tavern  saw Rivertown Brewing Company beat Mt. Carmel Brewing Company by majority decision, 3 rounds to 2.   TO SEE THE SCORECARD RESULTS CLICK HERE ! The “Thrilla in Waynesvilla” Food Adventure event was a beer tasting, menu pairing and one of a kind evening.   Attendees tasted beers from the two breweries and voted for their favorites as Mt. Carmel and Rivertown slugged it out for the championship and bragging rights.

The breweries went head to head, beer to beer for 5 rounds in front of a crowd of over 60 thirsty judges.  The excitement for the “Thrilla in Waynesvilla” had been building for weeks and the event sold out in a few days.  The throwdown took place at Stone House Tavern in Waynesville.  The night was sponsored by Dayton Most Metro.com and The Food Adventure Crew who are originals, so you know this event was going to be out of the ordinary.  “Ring Announcer” Dan Apolito, part owner of  Stone House Tavern and Archers Tavern, hosted the event as the emcee.

As the bell rang, the anxious crowd drew to a hush as introductions were made.  In this corner, Patrick Clark, manager and marketing guru from Cincinnati’s Mt. Carmel Brewery was ready to present his beers!   In the opposing corner, Jason Roeper, owner and brewmaster of Rivertown Brewery in Cincinnati.  Hungry Jax was the cornergirl/cutman for Mt. Carmel Brewery, while The Big Ragu with sweat towel in hand, tended to Rivertown’s corner.  The action promised to be fast and furious with gulps, sips, hops and barley flying in all directions.  Each brewer took time to explain to the crowd why they felt their beer was the best.  It was a once in a lifetime chance to taste beer brewed hours ago, by the people who made them.   But talk can be cheap, and the judges decisions were made on taste.

Special Guest Ring Girl Aja, kicked off each round

Here is a round by round, blow by blow recap of the THRILLA IN WAYNESVILLA:

ROUND 1 – StoneHouse Tavern delivered a crisp and delicious Salmon Ceasar Salad to the judges and the pouring began.  Mt Carmel drew first blood when their Springtime Ale beat Rivertown’s Stonehouse Tavern Hefeweizen.  The Springtime Ale was rich and malty, and brewed in the tradition of a Scottish Ale.  The Stonehouse Hefeweizen was a worthy opponent brewed with Canadian pale malt and Pacific northwest hops.  WINNER : MT.CARMEL

ROUND 2 – The menu sampling continued with Stone House Tavern serving up some Cheddar Burger Sliders.  These little delights were topped with bacon, and were a perfect lead-in to the beer tasting.  Mt. Carmel took a commanding lead and landed a big blow when their Amber Ale grabbed a victory over Rivertown’s Hop Bomber Pale Ale.  The winning brew was deep in color with a smooth, complex flavor.  Rivertown’s beer, named after a b-24 bomber had a malty flavor, but fell short in a close vote. WINNER: MT. CARMEL

ROUND 3 – Sweet BBQ Boneless Wings were the food pairing this round from Stone House Tavern’s menu.  The tangy bites were served with ranch dipping sauce and satisfied everyone’s alert taste buds.  Rivertown scored its first victory of the night in round 3, when the caramel tasting, Munich style, Dunkel Lager won the judges vote.  Mt. Carmel’s Nut Brown Ale showed strong promise with hazelnut and maple flavors, but was edged out by the Dunkel. WINNER: RIVERTOWN

ROUND 4 – This round began with one of our favorites, the Blackened Fish Tacos from Stone House Tavern.  Flour tortillas,  filled with perfectly baked tilapia, cilantro, corn salsa and a spicy baja sauce were paired with 2 IPA’s in this round.  Rivertown’s Hop Baron Double Down IPA won the round and evened things up.  This impressive beer takes 2 hours to brew and uses four types of hops.  It narrowly defeated Mt. Carmel’s India Pale Ale.  Mt. Carmel’s entry offered a spicy, pine hop aroma with a beautiful orange color.  WINNER: RIVERTOWN

The event featured 5 rounds of beer face-offs paired with 5 menu items like these blackened fish tacos

ROUND 5 – Unbeknownst to the crowd, the score was tied leading into the final round of this throwdown.  Each brewing company had won 2 rounds, and the “Thrilla in Waynesvilla” was coming down to the wire!  The final menu sampling was a moist, delicious Chocolate Brownie, topped with Raspberry Sauce.  It was a perfect complement to the final beers of the night.  Mt Carmel offered their Stout beer.  It had a slight fruit aroma, with hints of  coffee and the color was pitch black.  It was toppled, however by Rivertown’s Roebling beer.  This beer, brewed with vanilla beans and Peruvian coffee, is named for the Roebling Bridge that connects Cincinnati to Covington, KY.   Roebling won the final round for Rivertown thereby securing a victory.  WINNER: RIVERTOWN

FINAL DECISION:  THE WINNER OF “THE THRILLA IN WAYNESVILLA” by majority decision, is RIVERTOWN BREWING COMPANY !!

When the beer brawl ended, Jason Roeper of Rivertown Brewing Company held the championship belt high above his head.  It was a tough battle, and Patrick Clark of Mt. Carmel Brewing Company, was gracious in defeat.  The competitors posed for post-fight pictures, and shook hands with the crowd.  It was a great night with a unique opportunity to hear from some experts who know their craft.  It was also a reminder to buy local and see what Ohio has to offer.

If you missed this event, you missed a lot.  The “Thrilla in Waynesvilla” was a huge success.    Each attendee received souvenir pint glasses from both Mt Carmel and from Rivertown Brewery.  Door prizes included gift certificates to Archer’s Tavern, Olive and Stone House Tavern.  Other giveaways were 6 packs of Rivertown Beer, 6 packs of Mt Carmel Beer, t-shirts and hats.

The final round included Rivertown’s Roebling and Mt Carmel’s Stout paired with dessert

The brew battle was heated, and a great time was had by all.  Great local beer and delicious menu samples capped a wonderful,  SOLD OUT Food Adventure!  Again, congratulations to Jason Roeper, owner and brewmaster of Rivertown Brewery.   Special thanks to Patrick Clark from Mt. Carmel Brewery, who presented some fantastic beers in the main event.  Dan Apolito and Mike Fullenkamp of  Stone House Tavern deserve special recognition for hosting the epic showdown with their stellar staff.   Even Lisa Grigsby with Dayton Dining was in attendance!  We also want to give a  shout out to Aja Delaney, our lovely ring girl.

The Big Ragu would like to thank the attendees who judged the contest.  We appreciate all of the positive feedback and comments.  Food Adventures has been setting the trends for 5 years now, so stay tuned to DaytonMostMetro.com for more original Food Adventures like this in the future.  As for the “Thrilla in Waynesvilla,” this tremendous event was a knockout !!

For more Food Adventures, “like” us on Facebook by clicking HERE !

Did you attend the event?  Are you a beer connoisseur?  Tell us your thoughts on who has the better brews, Mt. Carmel or Rivertown ??  PLEASE COMMENT BELOW !

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Academy Awards (Oscars) + Snitch + Dark Skies

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Hello Dayton!  We will be having a Academy Awards watch party where you can come watch the ABC broadcast on the BIG movie screen…FREE!  See below for details.  There are still plenty of options for everyone to have the perfect movie weekend this week.  Lots of things happening at your local Rave Cinemas!

WATCH THE ACADEMY AWARDS LIVE ON THE BIG SCREEN! 02/24/13 @ 8pm

You saw the films on the movie screen, now come watch the awards on it!

This is the show that salutes the movies over the last year and awards them with little gold statues.  Seth MacFarlene hosts this year and there will be a James Bond 50th Retrospective in the show as well.  All on a LARGE movie screen!  You could win a night out on us by competing in our show contest!  We will have a host on hand doing trivia and other fun things as well!

Get your FREE tickets now…they are going fast!

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ACADEMY AWARD NOMINATIONS STILL PLAYING AT RAVE CINEMAS

Django Unchained—Nominated for Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor (Christoph Waltz), Best Original Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Sound Editing

Lincoln—Nominated for Best Picture, Best Actor (Daniel Day Lewis), Best Supporting Actor (Tommy Lee Jones), Best Supporting Actress (Sally Field), Best Director (Steven Spielberg), Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Costume Design, Best Film Editing, Best Music—Original Score, Best Production Design, Best Sound Mixing

Zero Dark Thirty—Nominated for Best Picture, Best Actress (Jessica Chastain), Best Original Screenplay, Best Film Editing, Best Sound Editing

Silver Linings Playbook—Nominated for Best Picture, Best Actor (Bradley Cooper), Best Actress (Jennifer Lawrence), Best Supporting Actor (Robert De Niro), Best Supporting Actress (Jacki Weaver), Best Directing (David O. Russell), Best Film Editing (Jay Cassidy and Crispin Struthers), Best Writing—Adapted Screenplay (David O. Russell)

 

Opening This Week

 

SNITCH – OPENS 02/21/13 @ 10pm!

Inspired by true events, the fast-paced action  thriller “Snitch” stars Dwayne Johnson as a father whose teenage son is wrongly  accused of a drug distribution crime and is looking at a mandatory minimum  prison sentence of 10 years. Desperate and determined to rescue his son at all  costs, he makes a deal with the U.S. Attorney to work as an undercover informant  and infiltrate a drug cartel on a dangerous mission- risking everything,  including his family and his own life. The ensemble cast includes Susan  Sarandon, Benjamin Bratt and Barry Pepper.

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DARK SKIES – OPENS 02/22/13

From the producer of “Paranormal Activity,”  “Insidious,” and “Sinister” comes “Dark Skies”: a supernatural thriller that  follows a young family living in the suburbs. As husband and wife Daniel and  Lacey Barret witness an escalating series of disturbing events involving their  family, their safe and peaceful home quickly unravels.  When it becomes clear  that the Barret family is being targeted by and unimaginably terrifying and  deadly force, Daniel and Lacey take matters in their own hands to solve the  mystery of what is after their family.

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RAVE CINEMA CLASSICS – $3 + FREE popcorn & drink! @ Dayton South

02/25/13 @ 1pm brings us a DOUBLE FEATURE…all for one price!

SHERLOCK HOLMES FACES DEATH, 1943, 68min

During WWII several murders occur at a convalescent home where Dr. Watson has volunteered his services. He summons Holmes for help and the master detective proceeds to solve the crime from a long list of suspects including the owners of the home, the staff and the patients recovering there.  Basil Rathbone, Nigel Bruce

SHERLOCK HOLMES THE PEARL OF DEATH, 1944, 69min

When a valuable pearl with a sinister reputation is stolen, Sherlock Holmes must investigate its link to a series of brutal murders.   Basil Rathbone, Nigel Bruce

 

For showtimes…CLICK HERE!