Dayton937

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

Dayton937

THROWDOWN ! June 9th: Voltzy’s vs. The Hamburger Wagon

By Leave a Comment

Legend vs. Legend… Icon vs Icon .. At the Rock N Green Tomato Festival in Miamisburg on Saturday, June 9th, their will be a battle of epic proportions.  Two Dayton burger favorites will battle it out in an Old Fashioned Throwdown, and Dayton will never be the same.   The match up is VOLTZY’s vs THE HAMBURGER WAGON !  They will go toe to toe in a brawl to settle it all, and each burger joint is depending on your vote!

To vote in this clash of the burger titans, you have to go the Rock N’ Green Tomato Festival, which is in downtown Miamisburg, near Ron’s Pizza.  The contest begins June 9th at 1pm.  Buy a burger from both places and cast your vote.  The winner will be announced sometime around 8pm.

The first three votes cast will be Hungry Jax, Chef House and The Big Ragu, here they are….

HUNGRY JAX VOTE:    THE HAMBURGER WAGON is the best !  “The Hamburger Wagon” is a great display of simplicity in its finest form.  It doesn’t need to be masqueraded in sauces.  This crispy little burger is topped with pepper, a pickle, and an onion slice the size of a car’s hubcap.  The Hamburger Wagon has been serving up the best burgers for almost 100 years.  The Hamburger Wagon gets my vote !”  —Jax

THE BIG RAGU’S VOTE:   VOLTZY’S is the best !  “Voltzy’s melts in your mouth.  I love a burger that has good condiments and cooked onions.  Voltzy’s burgers are ground fresh everyday and never frozen, so it is a great tasting burger.  In fact, Voltzy’s is the best burger I have ever eaten!  Plus, you have to love the fact that each burger is cooked by the master himself, Voltzy!  I love them both, but VOLTZY’S gets my vote !!”— The Big Ragu

 

CAST YOUR VOTE  at the Rock  N Green Tomato Festival on Saturday, June 9th and be there when Voltzy’s and The Hamburger Wagon collide .

For more details on the festival, please visit rockngreentomato.com.

Feel free to leave your comments and thoughts below about this THROWDOWN!!

Become an official fan of CHEF HOUSE, HUNGRY JAX and THE BIG RAGU by visiting our FOOD ADVENTURES page on FACEBOOK and  “liking” us !!! Click HERE to do so !!

[album: http://www.daytonmostmetro.com/wp-content/plugins/dm-albums/dm-albums.php?currdir=/wp-content/uploads/dm-albums/throwdown/]

 

Downtown Dayton’s River Run Project About To Become Reality

By 3 Comments

Low dam removal

Less than one year after fundraising efforts began, the RiverScape River Run Project is almost fully funded.

The public and private sectors ― including businesses, foundations and individuals ― have contributed a combined $3.8 million to date to support the $4 million project, the next phase of development at RiverScape MetroPark.

“After a huge community input process, RiverScape River Run emerged as one of the priorities of the Greater Downtown Dayton Plan, and this project will create a long list of benefits for downtown Dayton and the region,” said Dr. Michael Ervin, co-chair of the Greater Downtown Dayton Plan and Downtown Dayton Partnership. “Downtown Dayton’s economic development strategy is focused on strengthening the core of our entire region. This strategy hinges on creating an exciting downtown environment that will attract and retain the young, talented workforce needed to build Dayton’s new economy.”

Now, the community can be part of River Run. The public portion of the River Run fundraising campaign began June 1. To make a tax-deductible contribution in any amount, click here or call the Downtown Dayton Partnership at 937-224-1518 to receive a contribution form.

View from RiverScape

“Rivers always have been the lifeblood of great cities,” Ervin said. “RiverScape MetroPark has been so successful in bringing people to the river. Now, River Run will get people into the river. And it is only the first step in a comprehensive plan for future river development in our community. After we finish this project, we plan to look at further development of the entire length of our downtown river.”

Many cities across the country have invested in their waterfronts as a fundamental revitalization strategy and have seen a significant return on that investment. Those cities include ones that resemble Dayton, such as Oklahoma City, Okla.; Chattanooga, Tenn.; and Hartford, Conn. For example, Oklahoma City invested $54 million along the Oklahoma River and, according to city officials, has received a $700 million return on that investment. In Dayton, $38 million already has been invested in the riverfront since 1999. RiverScape River Run is the next step in Dayton’s investment.

RiverScape River Run includes the removal of a dangerous low dam and construction of two boulder-like structures spanning the Great Miami River. Each structure will have two passageways: one still water passageway for canoes and one whitewater passageway for kayaks. The project will create a regional recreation destination that also will allow people to fish, sunbathe and enjoy the river downtown. Construction on River Run is expected to begin in 2013, with completion in 2014. The remainder of this year will be spent finalizing designs, engineering and the permitting process.

Fundraising for RiverScape River Run began last summer with a $1 million challenge grant from the James M. Cox Foundation. Contributors to RiverScape River Run to date are: The CareSource Foundation, The Connor Group, Cox Media Group Ohio, The Dayton Foundation, Dr. Michael Ervin, Greater Dayton RTA, Heidelberg Distributing Company, Jacob G. Schmidlapp Trust ― Fifth Third Bank Trustee, Kettering Health Network, KeyBank, Mrs. Judy Lumby, The Meadwestvaco Foundation, Miami Conservancy District, Montgomery County, PNC, Premier Health Partners, The Schiewetz Foundation, Sinclair Community College, Thompson Hine, The Vectren Foundation and The Virginia W. Kettering Foundation.

Proposed Improvements (click to view full size)

The Greater Downtown Dayton Plan is a multipronged economic development initiative and strategic blueprint for Dayton’s center city launched in May 2010. Greater Downtown is one of two regional centers of economic activity for the Dayton region, with approximately $5 billion a year in regional economic impact. A vibrant, thriving center city is crucial to the prosperity of the City of Dayton and Dayton region. The Greater Downtown Dayton Plan calls for building on downtown’s strengths to create the type of vibrant, bustling city increasingly in demand today.

Food Adventures visits The Market on Wilmington Pike

By Leave a Comment

The Market on Wilmington Pike

Summer is a great time to have a cold beer or glass of wine on a deck or patio.  It is also a time of enjoying a good cigar while outside golfing with friends or just relaxing.  We found a nice little Food Adventure spot where you can get wine, beer, cigars, Greek specialties and more.  It is called The Market and is a family owned and operated shop on Wilmington Pike in Kettering, not far from Rahn Rd.  The place is not huge, but it is packed with a wide variety of beer, wine and cigar selections.
Owner George Karras says the best way to check out their special offers is to visit their website here.  We saw some interesting things that were “off the beaten path.”  We also discovered that this Mom and Pop place can help place special orders for  “hard to find items!”

Beer at The Market: Too many brands to choose from?  The Market has mix and match specials.  Certain unique beers this month are $4.99 for each 6-pack and $3.99 for each 6-pack if you order a case.  There are beers in almost every nook and cranny of this store.  There is also a walk-in “Beer Vault” keeping brews ice cold at 33 degrees.   The Big Ragu picked up a rare treat in a 32 ounce Sol Beer Bottle from Mexico for only $1.99.

Wine at The Market:  Through buying various close-out specials, The Market is able to offer good wines at good prices.  Again, it is all about selection here.  The staff is knowledgeable and can help sort out the various offerings.

Cigars at The Market:  Want variety? There are 400+ cigar choices in the walk-in humidor.  There are also close-out bundles, and specials that made us do a double take.  We even found a few good stogey choices for under $2 each!  Any of your cigar questions are easily answered by longtime employee Russell, who will bend your ear about his favorites and steer you towards some good “sticks.”

Greek Specialties at The Market:  The Karras family is very involved in the Dayton Greek Festival, and you may recognize George from the festival band.  The Market gives George a chance to showcase some Greek Specialties that are rare finds in the Dayton area.  First off, there are Gyro Kits for under $10.  The Market also has homemade tzadziki sauce for sale that is  made with goat’s milk-yogurt.  Other Greek goodies include Mytzithra, Kefalotiri, Kefalograviera, and Kasseri which are all cheeses made with sheep or goat’s milk.  This  is definitely Food Adventure material.

The Market is a great place to run in and out, or to take a half hour and explore.   It is a unique place with unique offerings.   Grab a gallon of milk, or a Hefeweizen beer.  There is no other place like it in Dayton.  What impresses us most about The Market is the affordable selection.  Good deals on good products throughout the store.  This Market is definitely one worth checking out.

Become an OFFICIAL FAN of FOOD ADVENTURES by “liking” us on FACEBOOK here !

[album: http://www.daytonmostmetro.com/wp-content/plugins/dm-albums/dm-albums.php?currdir=/wp-content/uploads/dm-albums/TheMarket/]

Have you been to The Market?  Tell us about your experience by commenting below!

 

“Oz-some” Downtown Deals for Wicked Patrons

By 2 Comments

Follow the yellow brick road to Wicked Deals in downtown Dayton!

Broadway blockbuster Wicked flies into the Benjamin and Marian Schuster Performing Arts Center May 30 through June 24, and downtown Dayton is getting into the Emerald City spirit. Many downtown businesses are planning special deals, promotions and activities for the estimated 73,600 people heading downtown for the show.

The Downtown Dayton Partnership’s Wicked Deals Web page has a complete listing of promotions for those off to see the musical, as well as parking information and more. This year’s deals are:

Dining and Nightlife
• Blind Bob’s: 430 E. Fifth St., 937-938-6405 ― Receive 10 percent off food when you present your Wicked ticket and enjoy a special Wicked-themed appetizer.

• Boston Stoker: 34 W. Second St., 937-223-1224 ― Try special Wicked-themed desserts and coffee drinks.

• Boulevard Haus: 329 E. Fifth St., 937-824-2722 ― Get 10 percent off food when you present your Wicked ticket.

• Citilites: 109 N. Main St., Schuster Center Wintergarden, 937-222-0623 ― Enjoy wickedly refreshing Melon Mojitos and chef specials, including tempura fried soft shell crabs with Glinda’s roasted green tomato buerre blanc.

• Coco’s Bistro: 515 Wayne Ave., 937-228-2626 ―Featuring $5 Wicked-themed cocktails and appetizers, along with 15 percent off food when you present your Wicked ticket.

• Crowne Plaza Hotel Rooftop Restaurant: 33 E. Fifth St., 937-224-0800 ― Featuring half-price light meals, snacks and desserts nightly starting at 10 p.m. for the “10 O’clock Cast Party.” Bar service continues through midnight on weekdays and until 2:30 a.m. on weekends. The restaurant also will premiere two Wicked-themed cocktails: the “Good Witch” and the “Bad Witch.”

• Dayton Racquet Club: 40 N. Main St., 29th floor, 937-224-4381 ― A three-course dinner will be offered starting at 5:30 p.m. for $35 per person plus tax and gratuity. Wicked ticket holders who are not members of the Dayton Racquet Club will be extended a “Member for a Day” pass. The club is open for dinner Tuesday through Saturday and is closed on Sunday and Monday. Reservations are required.

• De’Lish: 139 N. Main St., 937-461-2233 ― Featuring three specialty themed drinks (the Oz-Mopolitan, Wicked Tea and Emerald City Martini), along with themed menu items, no cover for Friday and Saturday night entertainment and 10 percent off food, including the Sunday brunch buffet, when you present your Wicked ticket.

•The Dublin Pub: 300 Wayne Ave., 937-224-7822 ― Try a spooky Wicked martini made with Absolut lemon vodka, Midori melon liqueur, lemonade and a cube of dry ice. Additionally, enjoy 20 percent off food when you present your Wicked ticket.

• Jay’s Seafood Restaurant: 225 E. Sixth St., 937-222-2892 ― Offering 10 percent off all food.

• Lucky’s Taproom & Eatery: 520 E. Fifth St., 937-222-6800 ― Get 10 percent off food when you present your Wicked ticket for the same day’s performance.

• Olive, an urban dive: 416 E. Third St., 937-222-3483 ― Featuring extended hours throughout the month of June. Open 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday; 5 to 10 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. Also open for brunch Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.; weekdays for lunch 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

• Sa-Bai: 200 S. Jefferson St., 937-535-2900 ― Enjoy a special Wicked-themed cocktail for $4.95 and 20 percent off food.

• SideBar: 410 E. Fifth St., 937-723-9415 ― Offering 15 percent off food.

• Thai 9: 11 Brown St., 937-222-3227 ― Get 15 percent off food when you present your Wicked ticket.

• Uno Chicago Grill: 126 N. Main St., 937-910-8000 ― Featuring two special Wicked-themed drinks for $4.99 each, in addition to a special menu for Wicked patrons.

Other Deals
• Basho Apparel: 521 E. Fifth St., 937-767-9006 ― Get 20 percent off one item per day when you show your ticket.

• Beaute Box: 116 W. Fifth St., 937-903-3165 ― Offering 25 percent off any service.

• Dayton Art Institute: 456 Belmonte Park North, 937-223-5277 ― Enjoy $9 admission to one of three special exhibits when you present a Wicked ticket: “Changing Landscapes: Contemporary Fiber Art,” or “Maya Lin: Flow,” on display through June 17, or “Stephen Knapp: Light Paintings,” from Oct. 6 through Jan. 6, 2013. The DAI also will display its own wicked witch for a limited period of time. Stay tuned to www.daytonartinstitute.org for details and dates.

• Human Race Theatre Company: 138 N. Main St., 937-228-3630 ― Present a Wicked ticket for 20 percent off adult tickets to the new musical Band Geeks! at the Loft Theatre, May 31 through June 17. Purchase tickets at the Schuster Center box office or order online at www.ticketcenterstage.com and use the special price code “geeks” at checkout. Limit four tickets per order.

• Jimmy Modern: 605 E. Fifth St., 937-520-3782 ― Take 10 percent off your purchase with a Wicked ticket.

• My Father’s House Childcare and Learning Center: 35 S. Jefferson St., 937-297-0477 ― Offering drop-off childcare during Wicked performances, with discounts available to parents who enroll in a weekly childcare program. Drop off will begin at 6:15 p.m. and end at 11:15 p.m., with registration from 6:15 to 7:15 p.m. Services available from May 30 to June 2, June 5 to 8, June 12 to 15 and June 19 to 23.

• Peace on Fifth: 519 E. Fifth St., 937-367-7215 ― Get 10 percent off your purchase when you present your Wicked ticket, day of the performance only. Peace on Fifth Facebook fans will receive 15 percent off their purchase when they present a Wicked ticket the day of the performance, as well as up to two days afterward.

Tickets still are available for Wicked, the “untold story of the witches of Oz.” To purchase tickets and for more information on the show, visit the Victoria Theatre Association’s website.

The Downtown Dayton Partnership’s Web site, www.downtowndayton.org, has a complete list of downtown’s arts and cultural amenities, as well as a calendar of events, complete dining guide, parking map and much more.

BW3 Introduces Breaded Chicken Wings to Dayton Area

By Leave a Comment

NEW ! Breaded Wings at BW3

Hey Food Adventure fans, we have a tip for you!  For a limited time only, in the Dayton area, Buffalo Wild Wings (formerly BW3) has added a breaded wing option to their menu.  Chef House, Hungry Jax and The Big Ragu took a moment to try them, and we think they are great !  They are a cross between KFC’s hots wings, and BW’3 boneless wings.  Curiously, these wings have only one bone, not only the “drums” but the “flappers” too!  This makes for easy eating.

Breaded wings may be ordered in any sauce, or ordered dry with a side to dip.  Any way you fry them up, we think they are pretty good.   According to Buffalo Wild Wing’s Website, the breaded wings will not be a permanent menu item, and are only available in a few select cities.  Try them out for yourself, and let us know what you think.   May we suggest a large draft beer to help tune up your taste buds, or put out that spicy fire on your tongue.  Are you unfamiliar with Buffalo Wild Wing’s sauces?  Food Adventures recommend the Spicy Garlic, Sweet BBQ or Asian Zing sauces as our three favorites.

If you have tried the breaded wings option at BW3, please comment below and tell us your opinion.

Visit FOOD ADVENTURES on FACEBOOK here and “like” our page !!!

[album: http://www.daytonmostmetro.com/wp-content/plugins/dm-albums/dm-albums.php?currdir=/wp-content/uploads/dm-albums/bw3breaded/]

Kabuki: Colorful Plates, IncredibleTastes

By Leave a Comment

Sushi is probably one of the most beautiful foods that you will ever eat.  Whether cooked or raw, nothing beats the taste of freshly made sushi.  Chef House, Hungry Jax, The Big Ragu know two types of people, those who love Kabuki Korean & Japanese Restaurant in Centerville, and those who have not been there.  In a small, stand alone building on 848 S. Main St, Kabuki offers up Korean and Japanese specialties with an extensive and inventive menu.  They make great fresh food, and they do it right.

The Rock n Roll Sushi Roll, beautiful and delicious

Jax loves to indulge in the “Rock n Roll” sushi roll.  This colorful display consists of flying fish roe, shrimp tempura, crab, & cream cheese deep fried then topped with three kinds of sauce.  Definitely one of the most flamboyant and tasty dishes you will ever have.  Chef House enjoys the “Boston Roll.”  This is a simple sushi roll combining the tastes of cooked shrimp, lettuce, avocado and cucumber with Japanese mayo sauce.

The Spider Roll at Kabuki Korean and Japanese Restaurant

The Big Ragu would recommend you try the “Spider Roll”, which is made with Soft Shell Crab for an extremely delicate and a rare tasty treat.  Is fresh raw sushi your gig?  If so the Big Ragu would recommend the salmon, tuna or any sashimi listed on their menu.

This restaurant serves miso soup or spicy noodle soup with entrees and sushi dinners.

Kabuki has much more than just sushi or soup. They offer a Japanese Dinner menu with Teriyaki dishes and many more entrees.  Kabuki also features a Korean Menu with noodle specialties and other dinners like Hue Dup Bop.   Sounds like a Hanson song, but instead it is mixed raw fish and vegetables over steamed rice served with Korean sweet & spicy sauce.

The common denominator of the menu items is that they are fresh, tasty, and presented well on your plate.  Every time we have been to Kabuki, the servers were friendly and attentive.  Check out this family owned restaurant for a romantic date, or a fun culinary experience.   It may be a small place in size, but Kabuki delivers big on flavor.  We cannot think of a better place for a true  FOOD ADVENTURE!

“Like” Food Adventures on FACEBOOK by clicking here !!

[album: http://www.daytonmostmetro.com/wp-content/plugins/dm-albums/dm-albums.php?currdir=/wp-content/uploads/dm-albums/kabuki/]

Have  you been  to Kabuki?  Please  share your opinions below !!

 

Dayton Fashion Week’s Salute To The Troops!

By Leave a Comment

Dayton Fashion Week will be debuting a fashion/lifestyle magazine magazine in July–though it will be geared and promoted towards a national audience the first edition will be dedicated to the people of Dayton because we wouldn’t be where we are today without you all!! We will be highlighting, local models, designers, artist, entertainers, business owners, community leaders, and etc.
For those of you who don’t know Junda Morris-Kennedy, the Founder of Dayton Fashion Week  recently relocated to the Dayton Area when her husband who is in the U.S. Air Force received new orders to be stationed at Wright-Patt Air Force Base, we have several models who have served our country including William Willet who was in the Marine Corp., Nakiesha Maroney who is currently stationed at WPAFB, our  makeup artist ShaTerra Mills served in the Army, and I personally come from a military family as well, my dad was a Drill Sergeant in the Marines, my oldest brother was in the Army and served in the first Gulf War, my oldest sister was in the Navy, and my older brother is currently a Master Sergeant in the Marines and is serving in Afghanistan. So as you can see we have nothing but love and respect for our service men and women.
One of the highlights of the  first edition of Dayton Fashion Weeks magazine(whose name will be revealed in June) will be a salute to our troops and a feature story on how WPAFB has played a vital role to the Miami Valley’s growth!  We are looking to profile several active duty members of the U.S. Air Force who are currently stationed at WPAFB along with other local service men and women! If you or someone you know would like to be a part of DFW’s Salute To The Troops feature story please send an email to [email protected]. Please include your contact information and a brief bio.  We look forward to hearing from you!!

Homemade Goodness at Sunrise Cafe

By Leave a Comment

In order to retain our sanity, Food Adventures must leave the “bubble” of the suburbs and get back to food basics.  The village of Yellow Springs, Ohio is the perfect destination to achieve this feat.  Yellow Springs has scenic parks to hike, eclectic shops to explore, and some of the tastiest eateries to fill a belly.  One of our favorite places to eat is the Sunrise Cafe.  Located at 259 Xenia Avenue, Sunrise Cafe offers a full service menu which also includes a kid’s menu.  The quality of food is exceptional due to the fact that they use local produce and don’t own a deep fryer or microwave.  The small dining room is usually pretty packed, so the virtue of patience might have to be drawn up.  Keep in mind…….homemade food takes time to prepare and it’s worth it!

 

We decided to try the Huevos Rancheros which can be ordered in a half or full size portion.  Corn tortillas, black beans, two eggs (with the yolks intact!), salsa, and sour cream.  There is nothing better than breaking the yolk and opening the flood gates onto the black beans for a tasty combination.  The other dish  we tried was the breakfast sandwich which contained local eggs, cheese, and sausage on a homemade english muffin.  No fast food restaurant’s breakfast sandwich can compare!  Higher quality produce and your hands are not dripping with grease!  The sandwich also came with a side of breakfast potatoes which complimented it perfectly.

 

 

Breakfast Sandwich with local Eggs, Cheese, & Sausage on a homemade English Muffin

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Try the Sunrise Cafe the next time you venture to Yellow Springs, Ohio and taste the difference of good, local produce!

Click here if you would like to become a fan of Food Adventures on Facebook!

Check out the full menu and weekly specials from Sunrise Cafe by clicking here![album: http://www.daytonmostmetro.com/wp-content/plugins/dm-albums/dm-albums.php?currdir=/wp-content/uploads/dm-albums/SunriseCafe/]

 

Treasure Island Supper Club: It’s Like a 70’s Food Adventure

By Leave a Comment

Not a Restaurant, This is a Supper Club

A dimly lit dining room, 1970’s furniture, hustling staff and bustling patrons.  This is not a restaurant, this is a Supper Club.  Treasure Island is everything you could ask for in an old school eatery.  Located in the heart of Moraine, Ohio, it has great service, great food and classic ambiance.  This place is like a scene out of  the movies “Saturday Night Fever” or “Looking for Mr Goodbar.”  When you enter Treasure Island Supper Club, the carpeted lobby has a metal railing staircase that  leads to bathrooms and a party room on the second level.  What other place has that?  But it doesn’t end there, we are just getting started.  As you pass from the lobby into the eating area, you notice a room with lighting so low that you cannot tell if it is noon or midnight.  The bar area is a low seat bar with the bartender working in a “pit” even lower than the bar patrons.  The bar is adjacent to a walkway that leads to the dining room.  The walkway is lined with wooden spindles that were hand carved by the restaurant owner.  In fact his woodwork is throughout the supper club.   We were expecting to hear “bow chicka wow wow” music, but that did not happen.

Baskets of Butter and Lance Crackers at Every Table

 

A hostess greets you near the walkway and puts you on the waiting list, or seats you promptly.   You will be seated in a leather 70’s style booth or some old school table and chairs.    Even the water glasses are old school, and we love it ! On the table in a wicker basket, are various types of Lance crackers and butter packets.  We ate  a lot of melba toasts, crackers and captain’s wafers leaving our table strewn with Lance cracker wrappers.    Our Food Adventure Crew lives for unique places like this.  Our server who waited on us was fantastic.  She was a throwback to the days when waitresses were career waitresses for decades at the same restaurant.   She brought our salads and a basket of poppy seed bread that was still warm, so we put the butter packets to good use.

We were then served a shrimp cocktail appetizer that stayed in theme with the 70’s nostalgia.  The huge shrimp were served in a silver goblet lined with green decorative lettuce.  the shrimp were already partially dipped in the cocktail sauce inside the goblet.  These were some of the largest and best tasting shrimp we have ever eaten.   Make sure you don’t miss out on this old school shrimp cocktail or you will be squirming in your  red leather chair.

The Best Shrimp Cocktail Ever

We saw a customer being served a large corn fritter that looked good, so we decided to order one too… good move.  The homemade, handmade corn fritter is served with maple syrup packets and simply melt in your mouth.  We sat their enjoying the appetizer feeling like we were in an episode of “Starsky and Hutch.”   The fritter was cooked perfectly, nice and moist on the inside and golden brown on the outside.  In the restaurant lighting it looked like a brick of gold from Fort  Knox.

After stuffing ourselves with crackers, bread, butter, salad and appetizers, our main entrees arrived.  One of us had ordered the baked halibut dinner.  It was served old school style with dunking butter!  It also came with a baked potato, decorative parsley, and large sides of butter and sour cream.  Again 70’s additude toward cholesterol and fat!  The fish was firm yet fluffy and  absolutely delicious.  The baked potato was perfectly cooked as well.  The Big Ragu’s entree was the seafood platter.  How old school is the name of  that dish?  The dinner was served with frog legs, fried shrimp, crab cakes, fried scallops, and fried oysters.  The dinner was very rich, but tasted incredible.  It was served with a side of hash browns that didn’t disappoint.  After finishing  our meal, we thanked our waitress and  the assertive busboys.

Perfectly Baked Halibut

 

As we walked out of the restaurant we joked about coming back for a picture outside the restaurant dressed in 7o’s Afro wig, terrycloth shorts, and pulled up white socks with stripes.  It was  another successful Food Adventure!     Our visit here was fantastic, truly enjoy Treasure Island Supper Club and had one of our better Food Adventures here.  If you have not been here to try the great food you are missing out on a taste bud experience!  It is a fun place to dine with some of the tables hollowed out with golf or Vegas decor behind tabletop glass.   The Big Ragu and Crew highly recommend that you visit Treasure Island because they do things right, and have not changed their successful formula.     The simplicity of good food and good service is timeless, no matter what the decade.   If you visit this supper club and you see a couple of guys with cheesy 70’s mustaches, or Dirk Diggler haircuts, it just may be your Food Adventures Crew and the Big Ragu, incognito!

“Like”Food Adventures  on Facebook by clicking here!

Have you been to Treasure Island Supper Club?  If  so, did you get your 70’s groove on at this phenomenal spot?  Please leave your comments below !

Treasure Island’s menus for  lunch and dinner may be viewed  by clicking HERE.

[album: http://www.daytonmostmetro.com/wp-content/plugins/dm-albums/dm-albums.php?currdir=/wp-content/uploads/dm-albums/TreasureIsland/]

 

Pedals 4 Pancakes: How bicycle commuting can change your life

By Leave a Comment

Join Five Rivers MetroParks for the annual Bike to Work Day Pancake Breakfast, 6-9 a.m. Friday, May 18, at RiverScape MetroPark. Details at www.metroparks.org/biketowork

Who’s got two thumbs and can help save the world while saving some dough and burning calories? This girl! And that guy, and that girl, and that girl, and especially that polydactyl guy. That’s right, anyone can accomplish this earth-friendly laundry list simply by biking to work. Celebrate your two-wheeled liberation on Friday, May 18, with a free pancake breakfast at RiverScape MetroPark, compliments of your outdoorsy pals at Five Rivers MetroParks.

Since gaining status as a bronze-level bike-friendly berg, Dayton’s cycling population has grown. New initiatives include the City of Dayton’s program that will place 100 new bike racks in strategic downtown locations. Following in the footsteps of other cities that have proven the “if-you-build-it-they-will-come” strategy is effective, the bike racks should provide ample parking to some of downtown’s coolest spots. Bonus—no more circling the block like a parking space vulture or endless see-sawing as you attempt to squeeze your four-door sedan into a parallel spot that could barely accommodate the recently vacated Geo Metro.

Besides ample parking right next to your destination, swapping your car for the bike has myriad benefits. Let’s talk economics. Let’s say you fill your 14-gallon tank once every two weeks. If gas prices were to stay at a reasonable $3.50 per gallon (maybe there’s no turmoil in the Middle East because everyone went on vacation?), you spend about $1,274 a year on gas. Reduce that cost by putting your foot to the pedal instead of the pedal to the metal. Studies show us that 25 percent of all trips are made within a mile of the home, 40 percent of all trips are within 2 miles of the home, and 50 percent of the working population commutes 5 miles or less to work—yet 82 percent of these trips made that are 5 miles or less are made by motor vehicle!

Photo by Elzora.com Photography

What if you used a bike for those short trips? Even if you start small—one trip 2 miles away or less once a week for a year—you can still save some money. In my beautiful hypothetical world where gas prices hover at $3.50, you could save about $50 a year! If this doesn’t seem like a lot of money to you, please send all your extra cash my way because I’d love an extra $50 a year. I’d stop in the middle of the street to pick up a quarter!

If the wallet surplus isn’t enough motivation, how about the health aspect? Steady cycling burns approximately 300 calories per hour. If you cycle for 30 minutes every day you would burn 11 pounds of fat in a year. (This solves the mystery of how those bike commuters pack away thousands of flapjacks at our bike to work event every year and manage to avoid stretching out their spandex.) Bad knees you say? Pish posh! The Mayo Clinic suggests adding exercise like cycling to increase your mobility if you suffer from arthritis or other types of joint pain. Any way you slice it, using your bike is beneficial.

What? Being rich and fit don’t rank high on your personal goals? What if I told you cycling could make the world a better place? Recent studies reveal big payouts for bike-friendly cities. Researchers reviewed the effects of using a bike instead of a car in 11 different cities around the upper Midwest. Combining data on air quality, medical costs, mortality rates, car accidents and physical fitness, the research team discovered that if residents of the sample cities used bikes for just half of their short trips (less than 5 miles), they’d create a net societal health benefit of $3.5 billion annually from reduced air pollution, and net $3.8 billion in health care savings from those Midwest denizens being so trim.

Find a bikeway near you: www.metroparks.org/cycling

Of course because this is a Five Rivers MetroParks initiative, there is another ecological angle here. Those who drive 5 miles to work daily produce roughly 1860 pounds of greenhouse gases (CO2) into the atmosphere each year. It would take 133 fully matured trees per year to absorb those yearly emissions. Think about that for a second. Imagine planting 133 trees for your car alone. Now think about how many of your fellow commuters you see each day. We need another 133 trees to off-set the carbon from all those vehicles, and unless we’re willing to grow trees on a Cambrian-era level, we’re going to have to find ways to reduce our pollution.

If you think you have what it takes to start bike commuting but you’re not confident enough in your skills to make it to this Friday’s pancake breakfast, try taking the bike commuting class from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 23. This program will include bike terminology, commuting equipment and trip and bike preparation. You’ll also get an overview of traffic laws, potential hazards, safe-riding skills and proper route planning.

Use the bike instead of the car. Start small—commute one short trip once a week and see how you like it. Uneasy about traffic rules? Check out the monthly Courteous Mass rides. This group-led ride will orient you to the rules of the road (Rule #1: Bikes are recognized as “vehicles” in the eyes of the law, so not only is it your right to ride on the road, it’s your legal obligation) in a safe environment. The group meets around 5:30 p.m. at Fifth Third Field on the first Friday of each month. Get in gear for your health, your finances and the environment!

Dayton Fashion Week Gives Back

By Leave a Comment

When you think of the Fashion Industry as a whole, the first thoughts that probably come to mind are the vain egotistical plots and twist of the hit movie The Devil Wears Prada. Though bits and pieces of that movie may be true for some but in actuality behind that thin veneer of superficiality is one of the most philanthropically known industries in this country.  Whether it’s Ralph Lauren’s Pink Pony Fund to fight breast cancer, to Ken Coles AmFar Foundation for AIDS Research, to Gucci’s partnership with UNIECF, giving back has always been a key component of the Fashion Industry.

If you’ve ever visited the Facebook page of Dayton Fashion Week you’ll notice that we are listed as a Community Organization.  When I first came on board at DFW in October 2011, Junda and I both emphasized the importance of not just giving back but reaching out to the people of the Miami Valley.  For me it was second nature to be active in the community, I’ve been a volunteer since the age of 12, volunteering for such organizations as The Buckeye Trails Girl Scout Council as a Camp Aide, to the Anpo O Project which delivers school supplies the Standing Rock Reservation in S.Dakota where the dropout rate for students is 85%, to The Action Youth Outreach Program which teaches entrepreneurial skills for inner city and “at-risk” youth using STEM Curriculum, to being a Guest Speaker for the My Beauty is Priceless Seminars which teaches young girls tools of empowerment from spirituality, cooking,  education, and personal appearance,  not to mention I sign up to volunteer for almost every event that takes place in the City of Dayton!

For Junda, who is new to the area this would serve as her opportunity to see just how great the people of the City of Dayton and surrounding areas are.  Since word of Dayton Fashion Week broke Junda has been blown away by all of the hospitality, support, and encouragement that everyone has shown towards our Inaugural event!  During our first two casting calls, we collected can goods for the Dayton Food Pantry and doesn’t stop there–we are very happy to present Dayton Fashion Week Gives Back!   On Saturday May 19 we will be launching the first of many outings geared towards giving back to the community and raising awareness for important causes starting with our models and staff taking part in a build for Habitat for Humanity http://www.daytonhabitat.org.

Dayton Fashion Week Models pose for pictures during Urban Nights

As a producer for 91.3 FM WYSO’s Community Voices, I’ve been working on a story about The Vision Keepers and The Circle of Courage  re-entry and recovery program which is a local non-profit organization that provides clothing, bus tokens, emergency toiletries and support groups.  Founded by the late Dr. Robin Herman, the organization is now headed up by the 2011 Justice Award recipient Khadijah Ali and falls under the 2011 Dayton’s Ten Top Women Award recipient MaryAnn Angel’s Two Tree organization, http://www.twotreesinc.org/vision_keepers.shtml.  Dayton Fashion Week will host a fundraiser for this organization in August of 2012. More details will be announced soon.

Anyone who knows me knows that I’m very cautious of the company that I keep and I apply those same life rules to DFW and I’m honored to be amongst such good company.  I’ve heard several models refer to Dayton Fashion Week as a family and I can honestly say that we probably have the most amazing team filled with positive, caring and supportive people who aside from our love for fashion we are also into building each other up and building lasting bonds and friendships.

Since our Pre-Launch Party in March the models have been asking us to get together for a fun outing sp that we can spend more time getting to know each other and it was suggested that we form a team and be a part of the Mud Volley for Epilepsy.  So when I called the Epilepsy Foundation of Western Ohio to inquire about what was needed to form a team I was a surprised when the Director asked us to do more than just form a team she wanted us to form a partnership–after all we’re both very small organizations, and both heavily dependent on volunteers so we came up with a couple of ideas about how we can help each other out we will be providing more details soon but in the meantime be sure to sign your team up at http://www.daytonmud.com.  We hope to see you all on July 14!!

July 24 will mark the official start of Dayton Fashion Week and we will be kicking things off with Fashion for a Cause!  This event will consist of a silent auction, live entertainment, and a local celebrity fashion show.  Proceeds from this event will go to our charitable partners Clothes That Work http://www.clothesthatwork.org and Hospice of Dayton http://www.hospiceofdayton.org .  This event will take place from 6pm-9pm at the Dayton Masonic Temple located at 525 W. Riverview Ave., Dayton OH 45405.

July 28 does not mark the end of Dayton Fashion Week’s activities for 2012.  We are 100% committed to being a part of the revitalization of Dayton and the entire Miami Valley year round. For more details about how you can help out with these worthy causes please click on the links provided and for more information on Dayton Fashion Week Gives Back please “Like” our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/daytonfashion.

 

 

 

 

 

A Limitless View at DVAC

By Leave a Comment

"Distance In Itself Invisible" - by Stefan Chinov

Selected from over 100 exhibiton proposals received from our its 2010 Biennial Call for Exhibitons, DVAC brings it close to home for it’s fourth and final exhibiton of the season. The two-person exhibition features painting, photography, sculpture and painting by Dayton-based artist Stefan Chinov and Cincinnati painter Craig Lloyd.

Titled Limitless View, artists Chinov and Lloyd explore different methods of understanding and re-thinking limitless landscapes—both real and imagined.

Primarily a sculptor and draftsman, Stefan Chinov’s new work was inspired by his recent residency on the Bulgarian, Chilean, Spanish and Russian bases of Antarctica. Chinov imprints the Antarctic landscapes with sculptural installations in ice and volcanic ash and documents its untouched vastness in photographs and video that underscore its mythic presence. Additionally, Chinov plays with the lines of landscape in his geometric studies rendered in three-dimensions in two large floor sculptures; and in two-dimensions in three large scale drawings. Chinov, born in Bulgaria, lives in Dayton and is currently an Assistant Professor at Wright State University.

Craig Lloyd

Craig Lloyd’s paintings of landscapes in central and southern Ohio and northern Kentucky capture the sensation of stopping to take in a more careful and contemplative view. Working in the field or developing images further in the studio, Lloyd optimizes light, atmosphere and seasonal changes to create an idealized version of contemporary frontiers where open space has become a commodity. His fine brushwork captures a clear summer day’s perfect puffy clouds as they perch above a vast expanse of rolling hills, densely-leaved trees, and storybook curves in the road. Lloyd lives in Cincinnati and is an Associate Professor at the College of Mount St. Joseph.

Together, these artists make for a remarkable exhibiton.

“Limitless View”
May 11 – June 16 at DVAC
118 N. Jefferson – Dayton, OH 45402
Opening Reception: May 11 5-10pm
Gallery Talk: May 17 6:15pm
 

 

Getting Fresh and Organic with The Food Adventures Crew

By Leave a Comment

Green B.E.A.N Delivers Fresh Fruit and Vegetables to Your Door

Farmer’s Markets are more popular than ever in a time when our country has an increasing desire for organic food products. People are more aware now than ever of the food they put into their bodies and are striving to improve their dietary habits.  Food Adventures is always trying new things.

You have seen the word “organic” placed on food labels, but what does it mean? Conventional foods can carry harmful pesticides and are fertilized with synthetic chemicals. Organic foods use natural fertilizers, devoid of synthetic pesticides. If you buy organic, you are decreasing your families’ risk of exposure to harmful chemicals. Organic foods also help reduce the amount of agricultural chemicals that affect wildlife and water quality, and organic produce also protect one of our nation’s most valuable resources — top soil. It’s something to keep in mind the next time you are buying produce, and a reason why Farmer’s Markets have been so successful over the years.
Unfortunately, not everyone has access to them.  Food Adventures is grateful for the farm markets in Dayton.

We would like to introduce you to Green B.E.A.N. Delivery.  Sort of a “Farmer’s Market on wheels.” Green B.E.A.N. was started up by three college
friends from Indiana University in 2007, Matt Ewer, Beth Blessing, and John Freeland.  Their common goal is to provide healthy, local food and make it more convenient, accessible, and affordable. B.E.A.N. stands for: Biodynamic, Education, Agriculture, Nutrition(Try saying that fast three times fast!).  Green B.E.A.N. is a grassroots effort; a network of farmers and artisans providing customers with organic and locally made products. John Freeland is the Vice President of Green B.E.A.N. Delivery and contacted us to try out what they have to offer.

Orders are Delivered in Green B.E.A.N Coolers

We went to the Green B.E.A.N. Delivery website and set up our accounts. We found the website to be easy to navigate and place orders.  They have various
produce bins ranging in price from $35 to $49. They also have a ‘break-room bin’ which helps encourage healthy eating in the office.  You can also customize your order by choosing from forty different items that are in season. We decided to let Green B.E.A.N. send us whatever they wanted…..mystery is always more fun!

When the time came for our delivery, we were greeted at the door by a big green bin.  Food Adventure time !!!  This was exciting — like having a farmer’s market delivered right to the front door.  We both opened our bins like kids open up presents on Christmas Day.  Inside sits a cooler with an ice pack so your produce remains cool if you have to work a long day.  We ordered the $35 bin and were impressed with the amount of produce received.  Some of the produce we received included: broccoli, carrots, celery, mangos, avocado, grapefruit, apples, tomatoes, asparagus, potatoes, lemons, spinach, green beans, onions, and pears all fresh and ready to eat! Green B.E.A.N. Delivery also has an option to add groceries to the bins.  Some of the items offered include: dairy, meats, eggs, cupcakes, bulk foods, and beverages.

Lots of Fresh, Organic and Healthy Items to Choose From

When you sign up for Green B.E.A.N, you can choose to receive your bins either weekly or bi-weekly and you can cancel your membership at any time. The bins can either be delivered or you may choose to pick them up. Delivery areas include: Ft. Wayne, Indianapolis, Louisville, Dayton, Cincinnati, and Columbus. If you don’t see your location on the delivery map, give them a call at (513) 761-BEAN (Cincinnati-Dayton) or (614) 352-2845 (Columbus). Check out the website for membership information, recipes, and the online store.

We were very impressed with the quality of produce that we received and highly recommend Green B.E.A.N. Delivery. We would like to thank John Freeland of Green B.E.A.N. for allowing us to take part in a delectable delivery.  We received some incredibly fresh produce delivered right to our front doors without a glitch! Give Green B.E.A.N. Delivery a try by contacting them at www.greenbeandelivery.com or by phone.  Try going organic to improve your health and buy local to help out our communities!

Have you used Green B.E.A.N. yet?  If  so,  please comment below.

Dont forget to visit FOOD ADVENTURES on FACEBOOK and “like” our page by clicking HERE ![album: http://www.daytonmostmetro.com/wp-content/plugins/dm-albums/dm-albums.php?currdir=/wp-content/uploads/dm-albums/greenBean/]

 

Dayton Fashion Week and Urban Nights Presents: Ambush Makeover!!

By Leave a Comment

Dayton Fashion Week will be participating in Urban Nights This Friday

Dayton Fashion Week will be making its Urban Nights Debut this Friday and of course it’s going to be one of the most fashionable events of the evening!  Our sponsors at The Downtown Dayton Partnership have asked the DFW Team to give the patrons of Urban Nights a unique and fun experience– and of course we don’t want to disappoint!!  So with that being said, DFW staff, along with our models, team of makeup artist, hair stylist, and photographers will be out and about at various locations downtown during Urban Nights scouting for individuals to be a part of our first ever Ambush Makeover!

That’s right, the lucky individuals will receive super model treatment during Urban Nights, they will have their hair and makeup done, treated to a professional photo shoot by our amazing photographers, and will receive lessons on how to rip the runway by DFW models right there on the spot!  The individuals selected by our scouts will also be appearing in Dayton Fashion Week’s fashion and lifestyle print magazine which will be debuting in July—just in time for our big event!

The Makeovers will be taking place from 6p-9p at our table located in Court House Square!  Though we are finished holding Casting Calls for this year’s event—I’ve been known to approach random strangers and do some scouting!  So make sure you stop by and say hi because you never know you just may get discovered!

Get Out & Give Back Day Improves Community, Engages YPs

By Leave a Comment

Thanks to Carly Short Photography for covering last year's event!

They’re coming. On Friday, May 4, a sea of blue shirts will roll through downtown Dayton, leaving a wake of good karma in its path. That’s right, the annual Get Out & Give Back Dayton day has returned! The event is hosted by Generation Dayton but young professionals from all walks of life and varying professional organizations are participating. More than 100 volunteers will take up their shovels, hammers, dust mops, work gloves and other tools of do-goodery to spruce up the area. This event is important because it not only connects young professionals directly to the Dayton area, it reminds local residents of the positive attributes young professionals have and the amazing contributions we make to the city. In other words, us whipper-snappers do more than prop up the economy via beer and taco sales.

This is my second year participating in Get Out & Give Back Dayton day, and the aspect I enjoy most about this event is the opportunity to meet other YPs in a non-professional setting. How many networking events have you attended where you sit through one lame, Internet-template elevator speech after another? I like to loosen the ol’ corporate necktie every now and then and get to know someone on a more intimate basis. You find out a lot about someone when you have to trouble-shoot trash hauling or develop a synchronized mulch distribution strategy! OK, the happy hour at the end also helps meet new people, but we earned it, gosh darn it!

Volunteers will be mulching, planting, scrubbing, wiping, sweeping and digging their way across nearly 30 locations in the greater Dayton area. The event kicks off with lunch at the Excelsior Building (off Sixth Street in the Oregon District behind Jay’s Seafood), and later the mottled motley crew will convene at The Vault for well-deserved refreshments and regaling the day’s events.

***Updated with new rain date: Can’t make it to Get Out & Give Back Dayton day? You can participate in another cool project, this one by updayton’s Unifying the Divide bridge painting project taking place this Sunday, May 6. This service group is working to connect two adjacent neighborhoods—South Park and the Oregon District—via a pedestrian bridge that goes over U.S. 35. Sign up online for a shift.

Get Out & Give Back Dayton day is about more than donating a few hours of your time to a worthy cause. For lots of YPs, this is an introduction to many of these organizations and for some, their first foray into downtown Dayton. Engaging this group of people is an investment in Dayton’s future. Retaining young talent isn’t about members of any single professional organization—it’s everyone’s prerogative. What better way to help retain people than giving them a reason to care about their community? Now each time they walk past that landscaping (or drive past that overpass), they’ll remember the personal investment they made in Dayton. They’ll tell their friends about this cool place they visited for the first time (“yeah, it’s called the Dayton Visual Arts Center and they have some really cool exhibits right now. Want to check it out tonight?”). Most importantly, they’ve got one more reason to stay.

I can’t wait for Get Out & Give Back Dayton day; it’s a reminder for me that, even though I feel inundated with bad news about terrible people, I can and will make a difference in my little corner of the universe. I can fix something, I can make it better, and it feels great to know I have a couple hundred people who are on my team.

The Big Ragu Gears up for the 2012 “A World A’Fair”

By Leave a Comment

Mark your calendars, local foodies !!! May 18th -20th, 2012 at the Dayton Convention Center is the “World A’Fair.”  For those who don’t know, this International Festival has been a Dayton tradition for over 40 years.   “A World A’Fair.”  features food, dancing, music, costumes, and cultural exhibits that represent the ethnic backgrounds and cultures of the residents of the Dayton area.  What better way to sample cuisine from around the world all by taking a few steps?

According to the World a’Fair Website,“Folklore Around the World” will be this year’s cultural theme.  All of the participating countries will present folk traditions at their booths.  Native American singing and dancing will be the Featured Entertainment. Spanish Flamenco dancers will be new entertainment for this year.

But you know your Food Adventurers visit this International Festival for one thing… FOOD !! In between hugging accordion players, and dancing with exotic women in traditional garb, we like to hit the booths for some international tastes.

 

The Food Adventures Crew would like to share some of our annual food favorites found at the “World A’Fair.”

The Creme Puffs at the South Slavic Booth are Incredibly Good

South Slavic Booth: The Creme Puffs here are to die for.  They have traditional choices as well as chocolate ones.

Germany Booth:  Everyone enjoys the Bratwurst here.   We prefer loading it up with sauerkraut and mustard for that perfect bite.  The soft pretzels are not bad either !

Scotland Booth:  Daring Food Adventurers should try the Haggis .. it is a traditional Scottish dish.  This version is ground liver meat served with crackers.  Can you handle the real deal?  Not your style?  Then try their “Bridie” meat pie for a more tame dish.

Ireland Booth: The Beer here is the main attraction, but kids love the Irish Pub Fries.

Dutch Booth:  Try the Appelflappen (fritters), and enjoy the women cooking in traditional outfits.

Greek Booth:  The Gyros are fantastic here.  They are the same group that makes the gyros and chicken gyros for the Greek Festival.  The onions on the gyros make it fun to breathe on your friends afterwards.

Mexican Booth:  The tacos and empanadas are made to order at this booth.  The prices are cheaper than most other booths.

The Italian Wedding Cake is a Must

Italy Booth:  Sure you can grab a freshly grilled Italian sausage with peppers and onions, but may we suggest their fabulous desserts?  The Italian Wedding Cake is phenomenal and filled with strawberries and whipped cream.  The Tiramisu and Cannoli are also top notch.

Korea Booth:  The Veggie Dumplings were incredible.  The dumplings

are huge and have a great, fresh taste.

Lebanon Booth: The Falafel is our favorite offering!  This veggie patty is served in a pita for a great tasting sandwich.

This festival is close to The Big Ragu’s heart.  We have some great childhood memories of coming to the World a’Fair with our parents and grandparents.  You may even see The Big Ragu volunteering at the Italy food booths!  This event is a true Dayton tradition, and May 18-20th is your chance to leave your mark on the legacy.

Veggie Dumplings from the Korean Booth

The secret to this festival is to visit many booths and try different food offerings.  You never know what you are going to discover.  A World A’Fair is a perfect excuse to take an afternoon, or an evening and escape everyday life for a couple of hours. and immerse yourself into different cultures and different foods.

All of the information can be found on  www.worldafair.org.   Tickets are $5 in advance, or $3 for children at any Kroger location.  Tickets are also sold at the door for a couple of dollars more.  You can also check out the website and find opportunities to volunteer for a country’s booth.  However you decide to participate, make sure you visit this festival, bring friends, or kids and create some memories.

Have some memories to share about A WORLD A’FAIR ???  Are you coming to the 2012 event??  Please comment below!

“Like” Food Adventures on Facebook by clicking HERE !!

[album: http://www.daytonmostmetro.com/wp-content/plugins/dm-albums/dm-albums.php?currdir=/wp-content/uploads/dm-albums/worldaFair2012/]