Dayton937

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

March 7, 2013 By Dayton937 2 Comments

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

March 7, 2013 By Dayton937 Leave a Comment

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.

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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”).

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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

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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

February 28, 2013 By Dayton937 1 Comment

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

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

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

February 28, 2013 By Dayton937 Leave a Comment

Brim 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.

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 [email protected] 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

February 22, 2013 By Dayton937 1 Comment

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

February 21, 2013 By Dayton937 Leave a Comment

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!

Rivertown Edges Mt. Carmel Brewery in the “Thrilla in Waynesvilla”

February 21, 2013 By Dayton937 Leave a Comment

Jason Roeper, Owner of Rivertown Brewery, Celebrates his Victory

A packed house Wednesday night at Stone House Tavern in Waynesville saw Rivertown Brewery beat Mt. Carmel Brewery by majority decision, 3 rounds to 2. The “Thrilla in Waynesvilla” Food Adventure event was a beer tasting, menu pairing and one of a kind event. Attendees tasted beers and voted for their favorites as Mt. Carmel and Rivertown slugged it out for the championship and bragging rights. The brew battle was heated, and a great time was had by all. 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 throwdown. Dan Apolito and Mike Fullenkamp of Stone House Tavern hosted the epic showdown with their stellar staff. Special shout out to Aja Delaney, our lovely ring girl. Great local beer and delicious menu samples capped a wonderful, SOLD OUT Food Adventure! Food Adventures will have the full story and many more photos in a Friday feature on DaytonMostMetro.com ! STAY TUNED TOMORROW FOR THE BIG STORY AND MORE DETAILS !

Follow the best food action in Dayton on Food Adventures’ Twiter Account !

Saying Goodbye to an Old Friend

February 14, 2013 By Dayton937 5 Comments

End of an Era: The Grub Steak

All good things must come to an end. In this week’s Food Adventure installment, our crew bids farewell to a Dayton institution, the Grub Steak. On Saturday, Feb 23rd the restaurant on Alex Rd in West Carrollton will serve its last meal. Started by Joe Bissett 50 years ago, steaks, seafood and ribs have been a hallmark of this classic supper club, whose original location was on North Main Street in Dayton. Food Adventures had to say goodbye to this old friend of the Miami Valley and visit the legendary menu one last time. In the 70’s we ate there as kids in our “toughskin” pants and wide collared shirts. In the 80’s we impressed high school dance dates with the Grub Steak’s elegant dinners. In the 90’s and beyond we visited the restaurant through its changes and moves to State Route 35 and West Carrollton. It is now down to the final plate. But before it ends, lets remember how it started.

Grub Steak founder, Joe Bissett in the 1980’s

MEMORIES ON MAIN STREET

In 1963 Joe Bissett opened up a small restaurant and bar at 1410 N. Main St. With his chef Ray, Joe soon invented a new way to eat ribs, called “Royal Ribs.” They are small slabs of boneless pork loin on wooden skewers. Originally, in the 1960’s The Grub Steak charged $1.50 for a complete Royal Rib Dinner. Soon they were the largest pork tenderloin user in Ohio. Of course, The Grub Steak was also known for steaks, which were hand cut by the kitchen staff. Various favorite steaks included the NY Strip, Prime Rib, Filet Mignon, T-Bone, The Hotel Steak (sirloin), and the huge Kansas City Sirloin. In the 80’s things were changing and the Royal Ribs Dinner now cost $4.95. The restaurant needed more seating so an addition was built onto the restaurant. The construction also included a courtyard and business was booming. Over the years, Joe Bissett became a local legend. He was an avid golfer, and manged the restaurant until his passing in 1994.

Former owner and Joe’s daughter, Dawn Bissett, sat down with The Big Ragu this week to reminisce about her experiences at this iconic restaurant. She recalls customers celebrating countless birthday parties, anniversaries and engagements inside the doors of the Grub Steak. Dawn started working at the coat check room, and eventually worked her way up through the ranks to managing the restaurant at North Main St. and on The Grub Steak II on State Route 35. She recalls the North Main Street bar constantly bustling with regulars and restaurant staff preparing drinks. Dawn explained, “My fondest memories are the wonderful customers and the many staff members I met over the decades.” She said loyal customers and lifetime employees became family to her. We were lucky enough that Dawn shared some of her private family Grub Steak photos with us for this Food Adventure article. Please browse the photo album below to see these true blasts from the past. In 1998, Fred and Sheila Fieberger took ownership of the Grub Steak, and eventually moved the restaurant south to West Carrollton in 2008.

The Creamy Peppercorn Dressing is homemade

GRUB STEAK LOCATION IN WEST CARROLLTON
For the past few years, Fred and Sheila have brought Grub Steak specialties to a whole new generation. From homemade bread, to the incredible salad dressings, they stayed true to the original menu. Today the Grub Steak is managed by Heather Wimberly, their daughter who has been dealing with huge crowds in the closing days of the restaurant. Heather and her wonderful staff took the time to host The Food Adventure Crew this week, and for that we are very appreciative. Make sure you get to the West Carrollton location by Sat Feb 23rd, for one last memorable dinner.

LAST CHANCE TO GET SOME GRUB – WHAT ARE YOU GONNA ORDER?

You have a few more days to get your last bite at the Grub Steak, and if you do we recommend these classic trademark dishes and sides. Looking for an appetizer? Go traditional with the cocktail shrimp, served chilled. Nothing beats these succulent bites in a classic setting. Also, realize that you are in a restaurant that makes their own salad dressings. In fact, they are so popular, they are for sale in pints. We recommend you get a salad with the creamy peppercorn dressing. It is simply fantastic, and our favorite. Big Ragu has loved this dressing since his childhood, and even more today. He has not tasted anything remotely close to this unchanged recipe. One of the highlights of our meal was the homemade dinner rolls served piping hot and with a side of butter that would make Paula Deen proud.

For an entree you can’t go wrong with any steak on the menu, but we would suggest the Hotel Steak & Royal Ribs Combo. The Hotel Steak has virtually no fat on it and we would suggest you get it butterflied. The flavor of the steak is amazing and will bring a smile to your face. The accompanying pork loin with four skewers was a familiar sight. These “royal ribs” were brushed in Grub Steak’s tangy, special barbecue sauce. The royal ribs were incredible and had us craving more.

The famous “Royal Ribs”

Grub Steak has some great side dishes like the golden fried hash browns. We would also recommend the stewed tomatoes as a traditional choice that is filling and sweet. And what about the corn fritters served with maple syrup? They are excellent! For dessert, fend for yourself because The Food Adventures Crew is about to go into a food coma!

FOOD ADVENTURE MEMORIES

Our childhood memories of The Grub Steak are mainly at the Main Street location which was also near the Upper Crust. The Big Ragu remembers the dimly lit dining room had a great steakhouse vibe to it. The place seemed to always be packed. We recall waiting at the bar with oour parents sipping a kiddie cocktail until a table was available. It was a fun experience as a child going to this fine dining restaurant, the staff made it seem like a big deal. The waitresses were from a past era when being a server was a long term career.

On any given night you could see local Dayton Celebrities such as WHIO TV’s Don Wayne, or none other than Emmet Royer from BHA. Unfortunately Toby the Dog was not with him. But still, The Grub Steak was the place to be.

The “Hotel Steak” – served butterflied as we ordered

Summed up, our memories include good food, reasonable prices, and with great service. It is tough to see The Grub Steak closing. We saw servers with tears in their eyes, showing appreciation to long time customers. It was an emotional night. When places like this disappear, we seem to be left with chains serving similar food. In Dayton’s tough economic times, unfortunately we are seeing see a lot of struggling mom and pop restaurants. The Miami Valley needs these establishments for their personality and tie to the community. Food Adventures exists to share our favorite locally owned restaurants with our fans. We seek not only to promote our Dayton favorites, but actually spend our dollars there. But enough of our soapbox.

Thank you to the Fieberger family for being such gracious hosts. We loved the food, but the dinner was bittersweet, as we know this the end of an era. And so it goes, with heavy hearts, we say to this classic local eatery.. “Goodbye Old Friend.”

SHARE YOUR MEMORIES OF THE GRUB STEAK BY LEAVING A COMMENT BELOW !

For more Food Adventures to local restaurants visit the often imitated, never duplicated Food Adventures on Facebook and “like” us HERE !

*Please note the Grub Steak is for sale. Call the restaurant at (937) 276.4193 to discuss further*

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Sharks + FREE Candy + Die Hard + Safe Haven

February 12, 2013 By Dayton937 Leave a Comment

GREAT DEALS!

First, if you plan on attending the 10pm Die Hard show at Rave Cinemas Dayton South on Wed, 02/13/13, the first 400 people who by a ticket will get a FREE Sharks ticket for opening night on 02/15/13! The Sharks are YOUR Arena football team and their season kicks off this Friday! More at Dayton Sharks.

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Second, a VALENTINE‘s deal! From 02/14/13 thru 02/17/13, buy any LARGE candy and get a LARGE candy FREE! A coupon is needed and can be found here Rave Cinemas.

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

Les Miserables (Last Day 02/12/13)—Nominated for Best Picture, Best Supporting Actress (Anne Hathaway), Best Actor (Hugh Jackman), Best Costume Design, Best Makeup and Hairstyling, Best Production Design, Best Sound Mixing, Best Music—Original Song (“Suddenly”)

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

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (Last Day 02/12/13)—Nominated for Makeup/Hair Styling, Production Design, Visual Effects

Opening This Week

A GOOD DAY TO DIE HARD – OPENS 02/13/13 @ 10pm!

Since the first “Die Hard” in 1988, John McClane has found himself in the wrong place at the wrong time, with the skills and attitude to always be the last man standing, making him enemy #1 for terrorists the world over. Now, McClane faces his greatest challenge ever, this time on an international stage, when his estranged son Jack is caught up in the daring prison escape of a rogue Russian leader, and father and son McClane must work together to keep each other alive and keep the world safe for democracy.

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SAFE HAVEN – OPENS 02/13/13 @ 10pm!

An affirming and suspenseful story about a young woman’s struggle to love again, “Safe Haven” is based on the novel from Nicholas Sparks, the best-selling author behind the hit films “The Notebook” and “Dear John.” When a mysterious young woman arrives in a small North Carolina town, her reluctance to join the tight knit community raises questions about her past. Slowly, she begins putting down roots, and gains the courage to start a relationship with Alex, a widowed store owner with two young children. But dark secrets intrude on her new life with such terror that she is forced to rediscover the meaning of sacrifice and rely on the power of love in this deeply moving romantic thriller.
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BEAUTIFUL CREATURES – OPENS 02/13/13 @ 10pm!

A supernatural love story set in the South, “Beautiful Creatures” tells the tale of two star-crossed lovers: Ethan (Alden Ehrenreich), a young man longing to escape his small town, and Lena (Alice Englert), a mysterious new girl. Together, they uncover dark secrets about their respective families, their history and their town.
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ESCAPE FROM PLANET EARTH – OPENS 02/14/13 @ 1159pm!

The 3D animated family comedy catapults movie goers to planet Baab where admired astronaut Scorch Supernova (Brendan Fraser) is a national hero to the blue alien population. A master of daring rescues, Scorch pulls off astonishing feats with the quiet aid of his nerdy, by-the-rules brother, Gary (Rob Corddry), head of mission control at BASA. When BASA’s no-nonsense chief Lena (Jessica Alba) informs the brothers of an SOS from a notoriously dangerous planet, Scorch rejects Gary’s warnings and bounds off for yet another exciting mission. But when Scorch finds himself caught in a fiendish trap set by the evil Shanker (James Gandolfini), it’s up to scrawny, risk-adverse Gary to do the real rescuing. As the interplanetary stakes rise to new heights, Gary is left to save his brother, his planet, his beloved wife Kira (Sarah Jessica Parker) and their adventure hungry son Kip.

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For showtimes…CLICK HERE!

Free Spirits: From the Mountain Top to the Jazz Hall + TICKET CONTEST

February 8, 2013 By Dayton937 3 Comments

Edison Eagles 2013

Every year, I become reinvigorated by the scope of Dr. Martin Luther King’s work. The profound nature of his spoken word and the intensity of his action bring clarity to what we as Americans can do to promote justice and engage peace. Dayton does a wonderful job with the holiday celebration! This year, Cityfolk is proud to be among the community organizations celebrating Black History Month and Dr. King’s legacy.

In partnership with Sinclair Community College’s Theatre and Dance Department, Cityfolk’s Culture Builds Community program is proud to present FREE SPIRITS: From the Mountain Top to the Jazz Hall, February 15 & 16 at Blair Theatre, Building 2, 8pm.

The performance runs just over an hour and is great for a family audience! Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for students! Tickets are available at the door , through the Cityfolk website or by calling the Cityfolk box office at 496-3863

Cityfolk has always been known for jazz programs, especially those that educate audiences. We’ve merged our jazz initiative with CBC this winter, giving focus to one of the great jazz pianists and composers of her time, Mary Lou Williams. Duke Ellington described her work as “soul on soul.” Her distinctive style swings with both lush and spare instrumentation: a testament to the composer’s skill. The Free Spirits project is proud to feature young musicians from the jazz bands at Centerville high school and Stivers School for the Arts. This ensemble of 10 will provide live music for the program: a series of dances that bring beautiful expression to Dr. King’s deeply felt wisdom.

The project involves young dancers from Edison School, Omega Baptist Church, South Dayton Dance Theatre and Sinclair’s dance department. Also from Omega Baptist: an intergenerational group of singers are giving shape to some well-loved Gospel tunes that mark history as well. All of these aspects together bring a depth to this black history celebration.

Guest artists LaFrae Sci from Jazz at Lincoln Center and Jakari Sherman from Step Afrika are in town this final week, working with performers to sharpen skills and affirm the four-week residency commitment by 75 or so young artists. Kent Brooks, director of the Gospel choir at Wittenberg University, has prepared the singers for the project. He will also play the piano for selected dances during the performance. Erica Harvey of Stivers School for the Arts and David O’Connell of Centerville High School have led an outstanding group of teen musicians in preparation for Ms. Sci’s arrival. Jordan Daughtery of DCDC 2 has set Mr. Sherman’s choreography with the Edison students.

DeShona Pepper Robertson, Dance Magnet Director at Stivers, has choreographed a beautiful piece of liturgical dance with some of Mary Lou Williams’ sacred music, secured for us by LaFrae Sci. Interestingly, it is the priest and friend of Mary Lou Williams who holds the rights to her sacred music. Ms. Williams went through a spiritual crisis in the middle of her career, converting to Catholicism and bonding with the priest who later became her dear friend and spiritual guide. Choreographers also featured are Erin Robbins of South Dayton Dance Theatre and Denise Miller from Sinclair. Ceora and Cyrah Ward, student dancers from Stivers, are assisting Miss DeShona.

Rodney Veal, Artistic Director for the project, is thrilled with all the collaborative aspects of this project. “I am amazed at how the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr and the music of Mary Lou Williams intersect and weave a compelling narrative for our times,” Veal says. “The young performers in the concert have embraced the theme of the show, celebrating tolerance and the beauty of community coming together. I’m hoping that people will gain an appreciation for the musical genius of Mary Lou Williams. This performance will showcase some amazing interpretations of her music.”

The One and the Many

Teaching tolerance and modeling peace through creativity, this robust group of artists are honoring the wisdom of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, hoping that all who witness the performance will resonate with the themes! Photographer, Glenna Jennings will show a number of photographs in the Blair Theatre lobby on the theme of Free Spirits. The piece included here (left) – The One and the Many – is a gorgeous example of Ms Jenning’s work with archival images from NCR, bringing Dayton history to new life!

Sponsors for this event include City of Dayton’s Human Relations Council, MetLife, DP & L Foundation, Dayton Foundation and Sinclair Community College.

Dayton Most Metro Ticket Contest

We have TWO PAIRS of tickets to give away for this concert! Simply fill out the form below and leave a comment saying that YOU want to win tickets from Dayton Most Metro to see FREE SPIRITS, and we’ll pick two random winners on Sunday 2/10 – GOOD LUCK!

CONTEST CLOSED

Congratulations to our winners!

Janie Hummel

Paul Fleitz

What About Kabab?

February 7, 2013 By Dayton937 1 Comment

Tabbouleh at House of Kabab

Looking for a unique bite out? Tired of the same old, same old? The House of Kabab may be just be the solution! It is a casual, local eatery that is a change of pace from the norm, and a true Food Adventure. This mom and pop establishment is owned by a Lebanese family who has brought their menu of Mediterranean food to the Miami Valley. Located at 298 N. Main St. in Centerville, this restaurant has a menu with some personality. Also a great place to eat healthy, House of Kabab even has a decent selection of vegetarian options. There are many exotic choices, but don’t fear! The staff is very accommodating when explaining the menu and house specialties. Their recommendations are very helpful.

Lamb Shwarma, like a Lebanese Burrito

Through our various visits to House of Kabab, we have some “must eats” of our own. We have always enjoyed the Hoummos (as they spell it on the menu). Many of your are familiar with this popular appetizer paste made from chickpeas, lemon juice, herbs and olive oil. Served with pita triangles, it is the perfect taste bud awakening for the fresh meal to come. House of Kabab also serves Baba-Ghanoush, which is more than the nickname used in the movie “Wedding Crashers.” Baba-Ganoush is a puree of eggplant, garlic, and lemon juice and we would say an acquired taste. It is topped with olive oil and fresh herbs. Served cold, the flavor is bold with a slightly bitter finish. Try this if you are a true Food Adventurer.

Two more items that are fantastic choices at House of Kabab are the Lamb Shwarma and Chicken Shwarma. These are pita roll sandwiches stuffed with grilled meats. Think of them as Lebanese burritos. These tasty treats are also filled with lettuce, parsley, tomatoes, onion and creamy sauces. The Big Ragu will go on record saying the Chicken Shwarma is his favorite menu item at House of Kabab.

One of the healthy, fresh and terrific side dishes at House of Kabab is the Tabbouleh. This salad is made with finely chopped parsley, onions, and tomatoes. The mixture is combined with olive oil and mint. It is an explosion of flavor in your mouth and each bite releases a hint of lemon juice. Hungry Jax would recommend this as her favorite menu item. We really enjoyed this choice.

The Falafel Dinner

Looking for a vegetarian meal? Food Adventures would recommend the Falafel, served as a sandwich or a dinner. As some foodies know, falafel is a hush puppy like ball made from a mixture of chick peas and fava beans. Whether you order it as a sandwich, or as a dinner, the falafel is topped with an amazing creamy, garlic sauce.

One of the hidden gems on the menu is the Tilapia Dinner. This was a “special of the day” on a couple of our visits, so we took advantage. This dinner features filets of baked tilapia in creamy garlic sauce and each morsel is absolutely delicious. This dish is served with white, long grain rice sprinkled with aromatic Lebanese spices. Is your mouth watering yet? Do not forget about three dishes that are name sakes of the house. They are the Shisk Taouk, Lamb Meshwie and Beef Kafta. These dinners are served as skewers of meat and vegetables, or as we in Ohio call them, shish kabobs. The slightly differently named Shisk Taouk is the chicken skewer and the Lamb Meshwie is, of course, the lamb option. The skewered tubes of beef are called Kafta. You know you can’t go wrong eating skewers of meat and vegetable in a place called House of Kabab. Another menu highlight is the “Tastes of the Mediterranean Dinner for Two.” This meal is under $22 and features a tour of the menu, including shwarma, lamb meshwie, taouk, makanek (sausages), sojouk (spicy sausage), and kafta.

Tilapia Dinner served with hoummos, rice and salad

The restaurant also offers a dessert menu with some traditional American cake, mousse and cheesecake choices. The friendly server will present a dessert tray after your meal, so you can see the desserts up close. Looking for something a little different for dessert? Try the Black Forest Gateau. It is a chocolate cake filled with pineapple mousse. When is the last time you had some pineapple mousse? Topped with chocolate whip cream, the Black Forest Gateau tastes great, and is good for sharing.

As Food Adventurers, our niche has always been checking out those unique, family owned places. House of Kabab is another perfect fit. It is affordable, fresh and not your everyday, run of the mill menu. Give this quaint Centerville restaurant a try when you are in the mood for something new or different. Ask yourself, “What about Kabab?” Explore what the Mediterranean and Lebanese menu has to offer. It is more than just a cultural experience, it is simply good food !

Hey Foodie ! Do us a favor and “like” Food Adventures on Facebook for more photos of Dayton’s best.

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Top Gun IMAX + Identity Thief + Side Effects

February 6, 2013 By Dayton937 Leave a Comment

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

Les Miserables—Nominated for Best Picture, Best Supporting Actress (Anne Hathaway), Best Actor (Hugh Jackman), Best Costume Design, Best Makeup and Hairstyling, Best Production Design, Best Sound Mixing, Best Music—Original Song (“Suddenly”)

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

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey—Nominated for Makeup/Hair Styling, Production Design, Visual Effects

Opening This Week

TOP GUN IMAX – OPENS 02/08/13 @ The Greene!

I feel the need, the need for speed…

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IDENTITY THIEF – OPENS 02/07/13 @ 10pm!

“Horrible Bosses'” Jason Bateman and “Bridesmaids'” Melissa McCarthy lead the cast of “Identity Thief,” an all-star comedy in which a regular guy is forced to extreme measures to clear his name. With everything to lose after his identity is stolen, he’ll find out how crazed you can get trying to settle a bad credit score.

Unlimited funds have allowed Diana (McCarthy) to live it up on the outskirts of Miami, where the queen of retail buys whatever strikes her fancy. There’s only one glitch: The ID she’s using to finance these sprees reads “Sandy Bigelow Patterson”… and it belongs to an accounts rep (Bateman) who lives halfway across the U.S.

With only one week to hunt down the con artist before his world implodes, the real Sandy Bigelow Patterson heads south to confront the woman with an all-access pass to his life. And as he attempts to bribe, coax and wrangle her the 2,000 miles to Denver, one easy target will discover just how tough it is to get your name back.

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SIDE EFFECTS – OPENS 02/07/13 @ 10pm!

“Side Effects” is a provocative thriller about Emily and Martin (Rooney Mara and Channing Tatum), a successful New York couple whose world unravels when a new drug prescribed by Emily’s psychiatrist (Jude Law) intended to treat anxiety has unexpected side effects.

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MIRCHI – OPENS 02/07/13 @ 9pm DAYTON SOUTH!

Mirchi Is a Forthcoming Movie Starring Young Rebel Star Prabhas , Anushka, Richa Gangopadhyay , Satyaraj , Nadhiya, Brahmanandam, Raghu babu, Satyam Rajesh, Srinivas Reddy Directed By Koratala Shiva Produced By Vamsi, Krishna Reddy, Pramod Uppalapati And Music by Devi Sri Prasad

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RAVE CINEMA CLASSICS – $3 plus FREE popcorn and drink! @ Dayton South

02/11/13 @ 1pm brings us “Cyrano De Bergenac”, 1950.

The charismatic swordsman-poet helps another woo the woman he loves in this straightforward version of the play. Jose Ferrer, Mala Powers, William Prince. Won an Academy Award that year for Best Actor.

For showtimes…http://ravecinemas.com/theater.aspx?id=47

The Human Race Theatre Company Presents LOMBARDI + TICKET CONTEST

February 4, 2013 By Dayton937 8 Comments

Edward Furs as Coach Vince Lombardi in Lombardi (photo by Scott J. Kimmins)

Football fans and novices alike will discover a new side of the beloved national icon Vince Lombardi as The Human Race Theatre Company presents Eric Simonson’s bio-play, Lombardi. The legend of the gridiron comes to life on stage. The year is 1965, and cub reporter Michael McCormick has been assigned to follow the Green Bay Packers’ winning coach. Hoping to discover what makes Vince Lombardi so successful, he uncovers Lombardi the man—husband, father, bully and friend—full of passion and drive without equal. As McCormick explores Lombardi’s relationships with his wife and players, he finds the coach to be a perfectionist whose every breath is football, and a source of inspiration with a few surprises of his own. Based on the novel When Pride Still Mattered: A Life of Vince Lombardi by Pulitzer-Prize winning author David Maraniss, Lombardi has enjoyed a successful run on Broadway and been a hit with audiences and critics alike at its numerous regional theatre productions.

The Human Race Theatre’s production of Lombardi is directed by Resident Artist Tim Lile. The set design is by Tamara L. Honesty, costume design by Ayn Wood, lighting design by Resident Artist John Rensel, sound design by Matthew P. Benjamin and video design by Shaunn Baker. Kay Carver is the production stage manager. Tara Lail is the producer. Lombardi runs February 7 through 24, 2013. Opening night is Friday, February 8 with special guest Paul Hornung who will be on hand to sign autographs and copies of his book prior to the performance. Mr. Hornung is a member of the College and Professional Football Halls of Fame, a Heisman Trophy recipient and one of three real-life Green Bay Packers portrayed in Lombardi.

The 6-member cast of Lombardi includes: Edward Furs as Vince Lombardi, Jarred Baugh as Michael McCormick, Marcy McGuigan as Marie Lombardi, Gabriel Lawrence as Dave Robinson, Brandon Dahlquist as Paul Hornung and Ryan Imhoff as Jim Taylor.

Edward Furs as Coach Vince Lombardi in Lombardi (photo by Scott J. Kimmins)

In celebration of The Human Race’s production, Sinclair Community College Athletic Director and former football coach Jack Giambrone is lending the theatre company selected items from his personal 400+-piece collection of Vince Lombardi-related memorabilia to display in The Loft Theatre Lobby during the run of the play. Mr. Giambrone will be the speaker during the free “While We’re on the Subject” talk-back discussion following the Sunday, February 17 matinee performance where he will talk about the life and career of Coach Lombardi.

Tickets for the preview performance of Lombardi on February 7 are $31 for adults, $29 for seniors and $15.50 for students. For all performances February 8 – 24, single ticket prices are $36 and $40 for adults, $34 and $38 for seniors and $17.50 and $19.50 for students. Prices vary depending on the day of the week desired. Group discounts are available. The Human Race Theatre is offering several discount ticket opportunities. Twenty-five special $25 tickets are available at most performances, on sale two weeks prior to that performance. The Sunday, February 10 7:00 p.m. performance is “Sawbuck Sunday”, when a limited number of available seats can be purchased in person for just $10 at The Loft Theatre box office two hours prior to the show. The Tuesday, February 19 7:00 p.m. performance is “Team Jersey Tuesday”, when patrons can purchase an available ticket at The Loft Theatre box office for $20 if they arrive at the performance wearing any football team jersey. Discounts are subject to availability and some restrictions apply.

Tickets and performance information on Lombardi are available online at Ticket Center Stage, by phone at (937) 228-3630, and at the Schuster Center box office. Check the DMM Event Calendar for show dates and times.

Dayton Most Metro Ticket Contest

We have TWO PAIRS OF TICKETS to give away to see LOMBARDI – simply fill out the form below AND leave a FB comment telling us that YOU want to win tickets from Dayton Most Metro (please check the “Post to Facebook” box). We’ll announce winners on Wednesday 2/6 – GOOD LUCK!

CONTEST CLOSED

Congratulations to our winners!

Steven Leigh

Renee Reed

The Thrilla in Waynesvilla !! EXCLUSIVE Food Adventure Event at Stone House Tavern

January 31, 2013 By Dayton937 Leave a Comment

First there was Muhammad Ali vs Joe Frazier. Now, there is Mt. Carmel Brewery vs. Rivertown Brewery, being billed as the “Thrilla in Waynesvilla.” These two brewers will go head to head, toe to toe in an all out Beer Brawl! This event is PRE-PAY ONLY and will sell out quickly, so get your tickets now !! This epic beer throwdown, is scheduled for 6pm on Wednesday night February 20th, 2013 at the only venue able to contain the excitement, Stone House Tavern in Waynesville !

Food Adventures along with DaytonMostMetro.com are proud to present this EXCLUSIVE, one of a kind Food Adventure event that promises to be a knockout. Only 50 tickets will be sold, and they are only available online.

Here is how it all will go down…

Attendees will be treated to 5 rounds of beer vs. beer and will vote on their favorites. Each round they will get a taste of 2 beers, one from Mt. Carmel Brewery and one from Rivertown Brewery. The beers will have a food pairing each round from the Stone House Tavern menu. The brewery that wins the most rounds will be declared CHAMPION of the “Thrilla in Waynesvilla.” The price to this EXCLUSIVE Food Adventure is $25 and that includes gratuity! This is a one time only main event, and after 50 tickets are sold, they are all gone! **Note: PRE-PAY ONLY, NO REFUNDS !

Get your tickets for this one time only, exclusive FOOD ADVENTURE event!

“The Thrilla in Waynesvilla” is a fantastic opportunity to learn from expert brewmasters Patrick Clark and Jason Roeper. Also, visit with local restaurateur Dan Apolito who is part owner of Stone House Tavern and Archers Tavern.

And who could forget, The Food Adventures Crew will be cornermen for the different breweries! This throwdown and brew battle promises top be a night of great beers and good food !

So, without further delay, get your tickets here and “LLLeetts get ready to rumble !”

Dessert Alert! Sweet Treats Festival Recap

January 30, 2013 By Dayton937 1 Comment

A Beautiful Cake from Kinder’s Kupcakes

It was a dessert lovers playground and a chocoholics dream. We give you Dayton’s first ever “Sweet Treats Festival.” Held at The Commander Aero Building in Springboro on Sunday January 27th, the event drew a nice crowd on this winter afternoon. There were confectioners, bakers, chefs and restaurateurs. In fact over 30 vendors participated in the Sweet Treats Festival. Every vendor booth had samples set out of various “sweet treat” specialties. Festival goers could browse each display and sample to their heart’s content. What a surprise, the “foodies in their forties,” The Food Adventures Crew tasted treats from each and every booth. A few days later, the Food Adventurers are out of their sugar comas and here with a recap of the day’s festivities!

You know the old saying “Like a kid in a candy store?” Well, here you had us BIG kids in a sweets festival which is a dangerous combination. Sponsored in part by Dayton Most Metro, the festival featured some amazing displays that would have impressed Willy Wonka.

Junebug’s Cupcakes- deliciously decorated treats

Each vendor booth was set up in a circular setting to allow easy flow of the hungry crowd. There were some many sweets and such talented people. Below are the festival vendors and our impressions of each company.

3 Leees Cupcakery – Incredible tasting desserts. Some choices were vegan and gluten free. Some of the best tasting cupcakes we tried.
Aim To Please Home Cooking – Specializing in various unique flavors of delicious rock candy and more.
Amy Cakes & Cookies– Some of the tastiest “cake pops” you will have and delicious cupcakes.
Baked – The friendly staff served up some very complex cupcake flavors that blew us away.
Cake, Hope & Love – Wonderful “chocolate mustaches” were a hit with the kids. We loved the gorgeous cupcake display with beautiful toppings.
Cheryl & Co. – Turning sugar cookies into works of art. The staff could not have been nicer.
Dee Dee’s Gourmet Peanut Brittle – Generous samples of delicious peanut brittle that seemed to melt in your mouth
Edible Arrangments – About as healthy as you can get at this festival. The chocolate covered apples were a nice twist.
ele Cake Co – A Dayton Icon whose chocolate covered cake bites are a perfect gift to get your Valentine drooling.
“Over The Top Productions” had some inventive displays
Homemade by Heather– Amazing mini-pies, made just for this festival. Full sizes on sale for full blown taste!
JuneBug’s Cupcakes– Icing decor on these cupcakes were matched by a rich tasting cake.
Kilwins – Located at the Greene, this vendor had a huge variety of top notch items including hand dipped caramel/chocolate apples.
Kinders Cupcakes – Not only did they have fantastic cupcakes, but their two display cakes were the most gorgeous in the house.
LongHorn Steakhouse– Local kitchen chefs have kicked up this restaurant. They Key Lime cheesecake, apple strudel and chocolate brownies were homemade and not “chain” like.
Maria’s Buckeyes– The richest buckeyes ever. Good eats, nice owner !
Moore Dessert Please – Local celebs from “Cupcake Wars” didn’t dissapoint with some mouthwatering cupcake treat.
Over The Top Productions– Arguably the best display of the event. The decor was unique as they specialize in weddings and party events.
Sweet By Kristy– Cupcakes with ice cream in the middle. Genius! One of the most popular items at the event and created a lot of buzz like birthday cake and ice cream all in one.
Sweet Eats Bake Shop – Intricately topped cupcakes led to creamy tastes across the board with this baker!
Sweet Nothings– Hands down, the best toffee we have ever eaten. All flavors of the sea salt toffee are addicting!
The Rustic Loaf & Patisserie– From the chocolate crunch cake pops, to the cupcakes that looked like royalty. These bites were eye pleasers and mouth pleasers!

Cupcake Display from “Cake, Hope & Love”
Signature Confections– What can you say about chocolate that sometimes takes 3 days to make? Unique flavors such as Crown Royal, Khalua, Raspberry Guiness, Chai Tea, and Earl Grey Tea. The painted pieces of chocolate belong in an art museum if they weren’t so tasty.
Two Bears Chocolates – They featured homemade caramels dipped in Boston Stoker’s Highlander Grogg Coffee. the Big Ragu said it was the best flavored caramel he has ever eaten. We loved the local twist on taste!
Winans Fine Chocolate– Some of the best turtle bark in the world. We found ourselves overstaying our welcome at the sample dish.

Special thanks to The new Austin Landing Kroger for sponsoring the event. Other sponsors included Tim Horton’s who provided coffee, while Aquafina supplied free bottled water.

All of the desserts were scrumptious, and with each vendor having numerous desserts. There were over 100 sweet treats to choose from, and we got our taste buds on almost every delicacy. Your Food Adventurers had some favorites that stood out from the pack.

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The handpainted Candies from “Signature Confections” were nothing short of amazing

In our humble opinion, here were our picks:

Food Adventure’s Top 5 Favorite Items:

1) The Hazelnut Pistachio Cupcakes from Baked. We ate way too many of these !

2) White Chocolate Ginger Pistachio Sea Salt Toffee from Sweet Nothings. This incredible treat may be purchased at 2nd Street Market and Ghostlight Coffee

3) The Ice Cream Cupcakes from Sweet by Kristy

4) The Hand Painted Chocolates from Signature Confections

5) Red Velvet Pops from RSVP Sweet Treats

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The Big Ragu’s Top 5 Favorite Items:

1) Highlander Grogg Coffee Caramels from Two Bears Chocolates

2) The Baked Apple Strudel with carmel sauce from Longhorn Steakhouse and Chef Bob Medlin

3) Chocolate Carmel Nut Bars from Sweet Eats Bake Shop

4) The Mini-Pecan Pies from Homemade by Heather

5) Hand Pulled Peanut Brittle from Dee Dee’s

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Highlander Grogg Caramels from “Two Bears Chocolates”

As the festival ended, we were stuffed with confections. We had starved ourselves the whole day in anticipation for the event, and now we were going to sleep well. From meeting local culinary masters to tasting their masterpieces, The Sweet Treats Festival was a full blown Food Adventure. From the rich tastes to the sugar rush, the 3 hour event gave everyone more than enough time to get a feel for the desserts of the Dayton area.

In the end, sweet tooths were satisfied and blood glucose levels were raised. The festival attendees were introduced to many local bakers and chefs for the first time. From Hazelnut Pistachio Cupcakes to Chocolate Covered Fruit, this first ever Sweet Treats Festival seems to have a promising future for years to come.

Did you get a chance to visit the Sweet Treats Festival ? If so, please comment below and tell us your favorite treats! Also, make sure you browse through the nearly 50 photos below. The view is simply divine…

Visit Food Adventures on Facebook and “like” us HERE !

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Academy Awards + Josh Groban + Warm Bodies + Bullet Head + Stand Up Guys + TICKET CONTEST

January 29, 2013 By Dayton937 1 Comment

ACADEMY AWARD NOMINATIONS STILL PLAYING AT RAVE DAYTON SOUTH

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

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

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey—Nominated for Makeup/Hair Styling, Production Design, Visual Effects

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!

Get your FREE tickets now!

THE BEST OF RIFFTRAX LIVE: PLAN 9 FROM OUTER SPACE – 01/31/13 @ 730pm!

Marvel at cheap sets, inept aliens and side-splitting dialogue when “the worst movie ever made” comes back to movie theaters across the country on Thursday, January 31 for The Best of RiffTrax Live: Plan 9 From Outer Space! Fathom Events, .START and RiffTrax.com are proud to present a re-broadcast of the legendary 2009 event featuring the stars of Mystery Science Theater 3000 riffing on Ed Wood’s cult classic. This one-night event will be your last chance to relive Michael J. Nelson, Kevin Murphy and Bill Corbett’s comical take on the gold standard of awesomely bad cinema on the big screen! Special Fathom Features: In addition to the main feature, the event includes a short, as well as a musical performance by Jonathan Coulton.

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JOSH GROBAN LIVE: ALL THAT ECHOES – 02/04/13 @ 7pm!

Showcasing one of the most powerful and unique voices in popular music, Fathom Events and Warner Music Group are pleased to bring Josh Groban Live: All That Echoes to select movie theaters nationwide on Monday, February 4.This special one-night event features hits from Josh’s 12-year career, highlighted by exclusive selections from his new album, All That Echoes. During this special event, fans will get unparalleled access, as Josh answers YOUR questions during a special LIVE interactive Q&A session!

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BULLET TO THE HEAD – OPENS 01/31/13 @ 10pm!

Based on a graphic novel, “Bullet to the Head” tells the story of a New Orleans hitman (Stallone) and a DC cop (Kang) who form an alliance to bring down the killers of their respective partners.

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WARM BODIES – OPENS 01/31/13 @ 10pm!

A funny new twist on a classic love story, “Warm Bodies” is a poignant tale about the power of human connection. After a zombie epidemic, R (a highly unusual zombie) encounters Julie (a human survivor), and rescues her from a zombie attack. Julie sees that R is different from the other zombies, and as the two form a special relationship in their struggle for survival, R becomes increasingly more human setting off an exciting, romantic, and often comical chain of events that begins to transform the other zombies and maybe even the whole lifeless world.

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STAND UP GUYS– OPENS 02/01/13

“Stand Up Guys” stars Academy Award winners Al Pacino, Christopher Walken and Alan Arkin in a tough but touching action comedy as retired gangsters who reunite for one epic last night. Val (Al Pacino) is released from prison after serving twenty-eight years for refusing to give up one of his close criminal associates. His best friend Doc (Christopher Walken) is there to pick him up, and the two soon re-team with another old pal, Hirsch (Alan Arkin). Their bond is as strong as ever, and the three reflect on freedom lost and gained, loyalties ebbed and flowed, and days of glory gone by. And despite their age, their capacity for mayhem is still very much alive and well – bullets fly as they make a hilariously valiant effort to compensate for the decades of crime, drugs and sex they’ve missed. But one of the friends is keeping a dangerous secret- he’s been put in an impossible quandary by a former mob boss, and his time to find an acceptable alternative is running out. As the sun rises on the guys’ legendary reunion, their position becomes more and more desperate and they finally confront their past once and for all.

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RAVE CINEMA CLASSICS – $3 plus FREE popcorn and drink!

02/04/13 @ 1pm brings us “Pride of the Yankees”.

The story of the life and career of the famed baseball player, Lou Gehrig. Starring Gary Cooper, Babe Ruth and Teresa Wright.

For showtimes…http://ravecinemas.com/theater.aspx?id=47

ENTER TO WIN TWO MOVIE PASSES!

Fill out the form below and leave a Facebook comment telling us you want to WIN MOVIE PASSES from RAVE CINEMAS DAYTON SOUTH, we will randomly draw a winner and notify same. Contest closes later this week. Passes awarded will be valid for 30 days from close date at Rave Cinemas Dayton South only and must be used by then or will be forfeited. Valid for any showing, except special events. Please bring ID to verify your name and just ask for a manager when attending informing them you won the Dayton Most Metro contest.

CONTEST CLOSED

Congratulations to our winner this week: Julie Westwood