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Food Adventures Get Their Gameday On !!

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Homemade Reuben Rolls

Good sports, and good food go hand in hand, so if you need a spot to cheer or jeer your favorite team, have we got a place for you.  On the corner of 73 and 48 near the Springboro/Waynesville border lies Gameday Grille and Patio.  Local owners Todd Barrett and Tom Rentz studied other local menus and have tried to bring the “best of the best” to their sports bar.

Food Adventures would recommend one of their signature items, the Homemade Reuben Rolls.  These fresh bites resemble egg rolls but are filled with corned beef and cheese that would please any sports fan.  Trust us, they will melt in your mouth. 

The Big Ragu’s favorite menu item at Gameday is their wings.  He says try the “sweet heat sauce” and you can’t go wrong.  Lip smackin’ and finger lickin’ good, these non-breaded wings are the real deal.

Gameday Wings with “Sweet Heat” sauce

With summer fast approaching, the huge outdoor patio is a great spot to grab a day or evening beverage.  Other favorites of ours include the pizza, reuben sandwich, and their hamburgers.  Their prices are reasonable too with burger platters costing around $7.25.   Catch their happy hour and drink specials, as this bar does not disappoint.  Signed memorabilia by various athletes, hang on the walls, making the atmosphere fun and inviting.   HD TV’s around the restaurant make it easy to view sports from any seat in the house.  With the NFL Draft coming up, Gameday could be the perfect spot to see your favorite team “on the clock.”   Make sure your check out this cool Food Adventure spot with good sports grub !!

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Have you been to GAMEDAY GRILLE AND PATIO?  Tell us what you think and comment below !!!!

Got Soul?

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Step Afrika

Got talent? Got pride? Got commitment? Got compassion? I am pleased to report that the answer is YES, to each and every one of those questions, as they apply to the 80 or so members of the Soul Rhythms Team!! Culture Builds Community: yes, yes, yes, yes, yes!

It’s a feel-good process! And the list could go on! Got imagination? Got fun? Got friends? Got community? YES! That is our goal with education and outreach – getting to YES!

One of the things I learned early on in theatre training was the unspoken commandment of the YES. Particularly in improvisation, the play forward requires that you say YES to your scene partner. If not, there is no scene. It’s similar in music. While watching LaFrae Sci work with the young Stivers musicians, I was struck by the importance of invitation, making the YES an opportunity to accept. Each of those musicians say YES by the way they follow the “conduction” process: thematic cues, symbols for dynamics and the gesture I will call “invitation” to solo. As LaFrae extends her arm from elbow to fingertips in the direction of a player, he or she is invited to bring their unique skill and interpretation to the moment. It’s an invigorating process!

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We’re held to account in the creative process. Our response to invitation is action. YES does mean work. For sure, you are on the line when you accept such an invitation. You must produce. The invigorating part is when you realize that what you’re producing is yourself. Nobody else. Your talents, your choices, your deepest ideas; even the things you question become part of the product, deserving of your time and exploration. As human beings, we are always “becoming.” The choice, then, is what we become.

LaFrae Sci

As community builders, working through arts and culture, we have a distinct opportunity to invite every Dayton dweller to say YES to the growth of our community, to the tremendous assets, by getting involved, taking action. Yes is an action!!! One thing we strive to teach with Culture Builds Community is that commitment is positive. It is an active response, a YES! Involvement invites each voice in this Dayton portion of our human family to be heard! This Sunday afternoon at 3:00pm at the Masonic Center, Soul Rhythms will unveil a series of remarkable choices made by a troupe that has said YES to commitment, creativity, hard work and big fun! On that stage, YES is the star whose glimmer is powered by the 75 or so performers that accepted the invitation. Youth and adults alike, working in collaboration, making art, sharing traditions, establishing friendships: the YES is working!

Soul Rhythms is a tour de force of percussive dance, multicultural musical form, spoken word, history and tradition. The theme of migration is visual, on stage and screen, with filmed sequences affirming the texture and movement of the dance, and audible in the array of instruments beings played throughout the show. Truly, this is a feast for the eyes and ears. And then, there’s the soul! The rhythms of the soul are well nourished in this performance, as they have been for the past 6 weeks in residency. Seeing young people take on challenges and meet them, artists working with youth as peers, so many diverse traditions sharing in one beautiful effort: it is surely a model to embrace. This is Dayton! We are saying YES to who we are, individually and together.

Got soul? Darn right!

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Food Adventures Crew Thai One on at Tik’s Thai Grille

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Our best Food Adventures often come when we least expect it, and some of these impromptu meals, end up being the most fun.  A perfect example of this was our visit to Tik’s Thai Grille which is located in a strip shopping mall on the Bellbrook-Centerville border.  The owner, Tik has been a successful restaurateur  for years.  Big Ragu stumbled upon this place on his way home and decided this was a spot that he and the Food Adventures Crew would have to try.  All he had to do was mention the words “Thai Food” and “Close to home” and our foodies were on their way.

Once inside the restaurant, we were instanty struck by the stunning interior.  The restaurant was spotless and beautiful artwork adorned the walls.  This would make a perfect date place.  We were greeted by Tik who showed us to our nice, “Romantic” table.  It was a late weeknight, so we had the rare opportunity to talk to Tik and the staff.

Before you can understand Tik’s Thai Grille on 725, you have to know what makes it tick.. whoops, we mean Tik.  Who is Tik?  She is a very animated person who is originally from Thailand.  Since her arrival in America, Tik has become a self taught chef who used to own a few restaurants including Yummy Burger and what is now House of Thai in Beavercreek.  An unlikely career for someone who as a child in Thailand, could not stand the chore of cooking.  Well, look at her now.  She currently owns and helps operate two Thai restaurants, Tik’s Thai Grille in Bellbrook and Tik’s Thai Express across the street from Wright State University.

The Spicy Tom Yum Soup was.. well, YUM !

Very proud of her menu, Tik was eager to share many dishes with us.  The kitchen offers traditional Thai food and lots of options for carnivores and vegetarians alike.    We decided to grab an appetizer and went with the Mango Fresh Rolls.  Tik brought out our appetizer, but also decided to accompany the mango fresh rolls with Tom Yum Soup, Fried Butterfly Shrimp, and Crispy Thai Spring Rolls.   We instantly noticed how beautifully the food was presented.  The Big Ragu immediately went for the fried Butterfly Shrimp and munched on the Mango Fresh Rolls.  This food was not only gorgeous, but delicious as well.  The Mango Fresh Rolls were incredible!  They are loaded with Avocado, Mango, Vermicelli Noodles, Carrots, Mint and rolled into Rice Paper.  The Big Ragu who is the “King of Fried Foods,” thinks that the Fried Butterfly Shrimp was one of the best appetizers that he has ever tasted.   This could be because of the spectacular Sweet Chili Dipping Sauce which accompanied the shrimp.  We enjoyed the Thai Cripsy Spring Rolls as well and our sinuses were pretty much drained because of the Tom Yum Soup.  We are still sweating from this flavorful soup!

Your Food Adventurers will admit that we were starting to feel a little full from the arsenal of appetizers, but out comes Tik with our entrees.  We decided to go with is usual staple of Chicken Pad Thai and also decided to try the Bourbon Chicken Noodles.  The Pad Thai was excellent…..full of big chunks of chicken, soft egg noodles, eggs, carrots, cabbage, and that wonderful Thai Peanut Sauce.  This dish did not disappoint!  The Big Ragu was equally impressed with his selection of Bourbon Chicken Noodles which contained Egg Noodles, Chicken, a mix of vegetables, egg, and the housemade Bourbon Sauce.  Our pants really started to feel quite a bit tighter due to all the food.  We moved slowly so we would not split any seams.

The Flavorful Bourbon Chicken Noodles

Thai people are known for their excellent hospitality and Tik is a perfect example of this.  When we were about finished with our entrees, she came into the dining room carrying a Tin Foil Statue that resembled a stork or bird of some sort.  We didn’t know what to expect.  If this was a film, this would the be the grand finale. Tik suddenly pulled out a giant butcher knife and carved into the tin foil.  She made this into an event and inside housed a wonderful Seafood, vegetable, and Jasmine Rice combination.  We would find out that this was called the Seafood Bouquet.  It was loaded with shrimp, scallops, mussels, pieces of fish, and squid.  We were so full that we wanted to take a nap, but we couldn’t let our graciuos host down.  We dug into the Seafood Bouquet and finished it off.  Surely we were finally done with the parade of tasty food, right?…Wrong..

At this point, the spirited Tik decided that we needed dessert.  We asked her “Do either one of us look like we need dessert?”  She brought out a sliced Mango on a bed of Sweet Sticky Rice and she wrote the words “Thank You, Tik” in Chocolate Sauce.  We decided to climb over the “Food Wall” we had hit and finish this dessert off.  It was absolutely amazing!  It was a wonderful way to top an excellent meal.

Tik sat down with us and explained to us how it took her a year to create this beautiful restaurant.  She wanted to get it just right and she succeeded!  Tik was especially proud of the beautiful artwork that hangs on the restaraunt walls that was created by her son.  Before we exited the restaurant, Tik brought out a framed article from the Dayton Business Journal showcasing her newest establishment.  This Food Adventure summed up why we love dining and supporting local restaurants……the owners take pride in what they do. 

Amazing Mango Dessert Served on Top of Sweet Sticky Rice

 

 

The restaurant also has a bar inside where you can use the line, “your pad(thai) or mine?”(groan).  Tik’s also has a drive-up carryout window!  Does it get much better than that?  The wonderful thing about this restaurant is that it can be a nice, casual place or a romantic, “Date Night” place.  The prices are reasonable, the decor is beautiful, the food is artfully created, and the owner is a pretty special person as well.  We highly recommend that you use your noodle and give Tik’s Thai Grille a chance.  Tell them the Food Adventure Crew sent you!

Have you been to Tik’s Restaurants?  Feel free to leave a comment below!

Tik’s Thai Grille

4459 W Franklin St
Bellbrook, Ohio 45305
(937) 310-1049
Mon- Thurs: 11am – 3pm, 4:30-9:30pm
Fri: 11am – 3pm, 4:30-10pm
Sat: noon – 10pm
Sun: noon – 9pm

Urban Arts Showcase Takes the Stage This Friday

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HBO Def Poet Black Ice will headline this Friday's "The Signature: A Poetic Medley Show."

HBO Def Poet Black Ice will headline this Friday's "The Signature: A Poetic Medley Show."

Oral Funk Poetry Productions will launch its fifth season of “The Signature: A Poetic Medley Show” at The Loft Theatre, 126 N. Main St., from 9 to 11 p.m. this Friday, April 20.

The season-opening performance will be a celebration of National Poetry Month. The theme will be Jamaican and Caribbean culture through spoken word, dramatizations, live music, vocalists, visual arts and more.

Featured performers include Tony Award-winning HBO Def Poet Black Ice, who appeared on six seasons of the popular show and starred in Def Poetry on Broadway. He’s lent his voice to hip-hop projects by such artists at Method Man and opened for Mary J. Blige on her 2006 world tour. Black Ice also has appeared on BET’s Live 8 Concert Special, Rap City the Basement and 106th & Park, as well as on NBC’s Showtime at the Apollo.

Joining Black Ice will be singer and poet Scorpio Blues, who also has appeared on HBO’s Def Poetry. Her recent CD, Scorpio Rising, features her soul music and some poetry, while her first CD, Blue Blushin’, was an acclaimed poetry work. In 2006, Scorpio Rising became the first female and the first African-American to win the Ill List Poets championship. She also has her own spoken word and music entertainment, management and promotions company called Hot Water Cornbread.

The Flex Crew Reggae Band, a popular group from Columbus, will perform live music. Its seven members hail from a variety of musical backgrounds, resulting in a versatile and high-energy band with an array of musical styles, including funk, R&B, soul, hip hop and roots reggae. In addition, local spoken word poet I Witness Life will emcee.

Tickets cost $20 and can be purhcased at www.ticketcenterstage.com, by calling 937-228-3830 or at the door.

Poet Scorpio Blues also will perform during The Signature.

Poet Scorpio Blues also will perform during The Signature.

Oral Funk Poetry Productions has partnered with De’Lish Café, 139 N. Main St., for the event. The restaurant, located across the street from the theater, will offer special Jamaican and Caribbean menu items and drinks.

During its first four seasons, “The Signature: A Poetic Medley Show” featured local and national poets, musicians, actors, vocalists, dancers and visual artists presenting numerous forms of self-expression ― often to sold-out crowds.

“We’re so excited to continue producing our show at The Loft Theatre after moving the production to this great venue last year,” said Sierra Leone of Oral Funk Poetry Productions. “This location has more seating for our shows, which often sell out, and has allowed us to kick up the performance a notch thanks to access to more professional production equipment and capabilities in the theater. We also have appreciated the opportunity to work with and learn from the professionals at The Human Race Theatre Company.”

Dayton Fashion Week Seeks Volunteers

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Recently it seems like no matter where I go and no matter what I do, I run into somebody who expresses their excitement or has questions about Dayton Fashion Week– from my close friends to random strangers who recognize me from my picture on this blog.  The word has gotten out and I’m pretty comfortable saying that the City of Dayton is ready to take its place as the Fashion Capital of the Midwest!!

When I first heard about Dayton Fashion Week in September and signed up to help last year, I naively thought this was just going to be a fun little fashion show that will give people something to do–BOY WAS I WRONG!!  Dayton Fashion Week has become a week long International Production that has grown beyond words in the past couple of weeks!  From Fashion Politque Magazine out of London, England naming us a “must see” Fashion Event of 2012, to our Cover Model Contest gaining national attention by Fashion Faces Magazine out of Phoenix, AZ.  We’ve had Fashion Bloggers from New York to L.A. seek out information and request press passes, and we’ve even had the head of several International Modeling Agencies reach out to support us and we are in talks of offering a few local models affiliated with DFW contracts.  More importantly on the local front the Downtown Dayton Partnership and Dayton Most Metro have played major roles in helping us get the word out, we’ve appeared on FOX 45 In The Morning twice, this Wednesday we will be appearing on Living Dayton on Channel 2 at noon, and Wednesday evening we will be featured on WYSO 91.3 FM Kaleidoscope Hosted By Juliet Fromholt and we CAN NOT THANK YOU ALL ENOUGH FOR ALL OF YOUR SUPPORT!

So to say that Dayton Fashion Week is just a “fashion show” would be an understatement because we have gone beyond just an event it’s officially a movement!!  Dayton Fashion Week has grown and like every great movement, we are looking for a few good leaders, supporting staff, and volunteers to add to our already talented team.  In July Dayton Fashion Week will be launching a quarterly print Fashion and Lifestyle Magazine; we are looking for writers, editors, and a sales and marketing team.

This event represents what the cutting edge fashion industry is all about and will be a great experience for anyone interested in a career in events, fashion, media, or marketing. There is a volunteer job for everyone and their roles will include:

  • Runway Venue Preparation
  • Designer and Guest Ushers
  • Backstage Assistance and Set Up
  • Assemble Gift Bags and Press Kits
  • Help maintain the main event Information Desk
  • Assist in the Volunteer Center
  • Various other tasks for the Dayton Fashion Week Staff

For the opportunity to be involved with the Volunteer Program, please RSVP and email your resume and cover letter to: [email protected].  We will have a Volunteer Meeting on Thursday April 19 from 6p-8p at the Kettering Library located at 3496 Far Hills Ave. Dayton, Ohio 45429.

 

Food Adventures Get Hooked at JJ’s Fish and Chicken

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Fried Tilapia and Perch Meal

You may have seen billboard signs in Dayton for JJ’s Fish and Chicken, calling fried food lovers like the “bat signal.”  As you know Deep Fried Foods have always had a special place in our heart.  Our fascination with such calorie busting meals took us on a little Food Adventure in North Dayton.  The destination was an old converted Taco Bell building which is the North Main Street location of JJ’s Fish and Chicken Drive Thru.  This place was brought back to life by a couple of brothers of Mediterranean decent.  Most of their business is drive thru or carryout, but we wanted the dine in experience to mingle with the staff and customers.  There isn’t much mingling as you are separated by plexiglass and an intricate spinning device where you pay and receive your food.  Let the Food Adventure begin…

JJ’s Fish and Chicken, North Main St, Dayton

We noted right away that they had some pretty good prices and a huge variety of fried seafood offerings.  Sure, they might offer some baked fish, but we were on mission of breaded pleasure.  They had some great specials for under $5, but we decided to go for a couple of the fish dinner offerings and a “pick 2 combo” of fried shrimp and chicken wings.  Your Food Adventure Crew also noticed a display case with dozens of containers of side dishes.  If there is ever a shortage of side dishes in the world, this case would feed North America for a week.  We ordered a personalMac n Cheese.  They nuked it and it was served so piping hot that we scorched our mouths and even after 5 minutes, we could still hardly take a bite of the mac n cheese.

Our eyes turned to a drink case that housed a bunch of Faygo pop, the pride of Detroit.  That’s all they have to drink, no water, no ice tea, just regular Faygo pop, the large 24 ounce bottles.  Your Food Adventurers dove in head first and grabbed 2 of them.  Already in a comical mood, a scalded and galded Big Ragu looked to take a seat.  With some of booths mysteriously missing, we decided to squeeze our petite frames into a front row seat on a couple of stools.  This allowed us to watch the cooks and customers interact like a breaded ballet.

Shrimp and Chicken Wing Combo

A bell rang and the plexiglass swivel device turned like a set of The Price is Right, to reveal a large brown bag.  Our feast had arrived.  We were fascinated with the glass separating the workers from the customers.  This is where all the action takes place.   There was a tender moment when we picked up our food, when the cook placed his palm against the bulletproof glass, and we put our hand directly against his, just like a prison scene….the walls cannot keep the man down!  The touching scene was halted when we smelled the aroma of freshly fried fish in the bags we were holding and realized we needed to eat now.

Inside the bag were 2 HEAPING white containers overstuffed with food.  The weight of each dinner alone required the use of a “spotter” to lift.  We heard angels singing as we opened styrofoam vessels of joy.  We noticed they served each meal with coleslaw, fries and a couple of slices of white bread.  We are talking old school stuff here.  Our meals were good, with the highlight being the fish.  The fried tilapia and fried perch were incredible.  We would also recommend fried walleye and the fried orange roughy.  We enjoyed the fish selections very much.  Meanwhile, The Big Ragu even downed some fried oysters which were fresh and juicy.    The Big Ragu did one of his patented “fat kid tricks”in which he made a po’ boy sandwich by putting perch, coleslaw, fries and hot sauce on the included bread slice.

The Mac N Cheese that scalded our mouth

We thanked the staff and left JJ’s stuffed to the gills.

If you love fried fish, you have to check this place out.  With such a huge variety of different fish and seafood choices, you cannot go wrong.  We had to chuckle at the menu saying zero grams of trans fat.  JJ’s Fish and Chicken is a national chain, with 2 other Dayton locations on N. Gettysburg and Salem Ave.  We noticed they do a brisk business.  Many hungry customers were in and out during our visit getting their “fried food on.”  So, we ask you, do you want a mountainous pile of fried food at a stunningly low price?  Then visit JJ’s Fish and Chicken Drive Thru and get hooked like us.

Food Adventures: Small Bites for 4/5/2012

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Food Adventures with the Big Ragu and Crew: Another installation of  “Small Bites.”

Here in “Small Bites,” we feature some of our favorite food items across the Dayton area.  We are not food critics, we love to eat.  Often imitated never duplicated, we set out to let you know about some of the better eats around the area that you may not know about !

Owners Rick “Voltzy” & Jack Sperry Want Your Vote to Decide!

THROWDOWN: VOLTZY’S vs. THE HAMBURGER WAGON, on  Saturday June 9, 2012

Our first small bite is actually a coming attraction.  Two of the most popular burger joints in the Dayton area are going to have an old fashioned “Throwdown!” at the Rock n’ Green Tomato Festival in Miamisburg, Ohio.  The Hamburger Wagon of Miamisburg will go toe to toe with Voltzy’s Rootbeer Stand of Moraine.  Get to this festival and cast your vote on Saturday June 9th.  Who will win this burger brawl to settle it all ??  We visited with Voltzy’s owner Rick Volz and the Hamburger Wagon owner Jack Sperry, and they both think they are going to win !  The Throwdown  is in the early stages, so there will be more details in the coming weeks.  Look for a follow up feature story from the Big Ragu in May right here on DaytonMostMetro, when we will cast our votes for the best burger!

 

THE SANDWICHES at JIMMIES LADDER 11:

The Ladder 11 Sandwich

Are you looking for a great, casual bar and grill that serves up top notch sandwiches?  Food Adventures recommends that you try Jimmie’s Ladder 11 on Brown Street.  Jimmie’s ladder 11 resides in an old renovated 1892 firehouse and is full of atmosphere.  They also make some amazing sandwiches.  One of our favorite sandwiches is the Ladder 11 which consists of Romanian Style Pastrami, Corned Beef, Hand Cut Cole Slaw, and House Russian Dressing on Rye.  The menu has a large variety of sandwiches, pastas, and some incredible appetizers.  Try the creole cheesecake…… you will not be sorry.  Jimmies Ladder 11 is located at 936 Brown Street across from Miami Valley Hospital.  For more information, check out jladder11.com.

 

 THE CREPES at CREPE BOHEME at the 2nd Street Market:

Veggie Crepe

From the crepes in Paris, France to a Chocolate Crepe from a street vendor.  We have been fans ever since!  Fortunately for us, we have Crepe Boheme located at the 2nd Street Market in Downtown Dayton. Today we even opt for for a Vegetarian Crepe rather than the crepes made with Nutella.  The Crepe-Master Sabine skillfully pours the thin layer of batter on the hot plate and the magic begins.  We suggest you try a create your own crepe you with:  Spinach, Tomatoes, Mushrooms, Brie and an incredible Red Pepper Sauce.  For the carnivores out there, you can always try the Black Forest Ham Crepe.  This crepe is packed with Black Forest Ham, Brie, and topped with Mushrooms.  Give Crepe Boheme a try and you will be hooked!

 

 

THE 2 FISH OR CHICKEN SANDWICHES FOR 2 BUCKS at RALLY’s:

Rally’s: 2 Nice Sized Fish Sandwiches for 2 Bucks

Two dolla to make you holla!  We don’t usually write about fast food chains, but every once in a great while, we will see something worth mentioning.  Such is the case with the current deal at Rally’s Hamburgers, the infamous double drive-thru place.  The Big Ragu’s obsession with fast food had him doing a double take.  Rally’s has a deal of 2 fish or chicken sandwiches for 2 bucks total.  The sandwiches aren’t tiny either.  The bang for your buck is great.  Satisfy your hunger for 2 dollars?  When is the last time that happened?  Other monster chains are charging around 4 bucks for the same thing, so make sure you stop in at Rally’s for this fantastic deal during the Lenten season.

 

 

 Look for our FOOD ADVENTURES every THURSDAY on DaytonMostMetro.com!

 

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Inside Couture – Looking for hosts to cover Dayton Fashion Week

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On Saturday April 7, 2012 from 10a-1p Miami FL and the Miami Valley will be partnering up when Dayton Fashion Week holds a casting call looking for four hosts to cover DFW for Miami, FL based fashion series Inside Couture—the casting call will be held at Sun Watch Indian Village located at 2301 W. River Rd, Dayton, OH 45418.  You will need to bring a recent head and full body shot, with your name, phone number, and email address the back.

When I first heard that Inside Couture would be coming to cover Dayton Fashion Week and would need four hosts, I immediately grabbed one of those spots—when you are the Director of Operations you can do things like that!   However, as I started to learn the ins and outs of my position I began to question whether or not I would have the time to run around doing interviews for Inside Couture AND make sure that everything is in order and running smoothly during Dayton Fashion Week.  A question that was answered this past Saturday at our Pre Launch Soirée which was a HUGE SUCCESS, everyone really enjoyed themselves and we reached capacity—but at the same time, I found myself running around like a chicken with its head cut off and that was just a one day event that lasted a couple of  hours.  So with that being said I made the decision to give up my spot as a host and to focus on making sure DFW is a success. To see more photo’s from the Pre Launch please “Like” our page.

Dayton Fashion Week's Pre Launch Soiree

Junda (The Founder of DFW) first introduced me to McKinley Pierre, the owner and Executive Producer of Inside Couture a couple of months ago and he has been  a strong supporter of DFW and the  go to person for both Junda and I for advice on how to handle the stress and pressure that comes along with planning an event of this magnitude. We find ourselves calling him almost on a weekly basis and the conversations normally last a couple of hours.  So when I called McKinley this week, he was out on his boat fishing but he made the time for a quick interview to introduce himself  and his show to the people of Dayton, OH and we talked about a little surprise for a couple of the host selected from our casting call this Saturday.

Dayton Fashion Week: Can you introduce yourself and your show to the people from Dayton, OH?

McKinley Pierre:  Hello, my name is McKinley Pierre and I’m one of the owners for Inside Couture, and I’m the Executive Producer, and basically our show Inside Couture is about fashion– started on the concept of me and my friends who are in the business but you never hear about the people behind the scenes. The stylist, hair and makeup artist, designers the models, the PR– So we are bringing the people from the back to the front!

DFW: What are you looking for in a host for Inside Couture?

MP: What I wanted to do with the show is give people the opportunities who ordinarily wouldn’t have the chance and introduce them to the fashion world, so that they can learn the behind the scenes happenings.  I want them to learn how to act, how to present themselves, and better themselves because it might introduce them to other things, they might become an assistant, or get into production and etc–it’s all about having fun with it.

Basically, I want somebody excited to be there, somebody who likes to have fun, and somebody who commands attention—yet knows how to talk to people.  You don’t have to have experience but I want you to know how to bring it!

DFW:  Had you ever heard of Dayton, Ohio before we had Dayton Fashion Week?

MP: Oh I definitely have heard of Dayton, OH–everyone has heard of Dayton, OH but not in the Fashion World. When Junda called me and said that she was thinking about putting together a Fashion Week in Dayton, honestly I started to laugh because when you think fashion it’s in Europe, Miami, New York, and L.A. and I didn’t think there was fashion in Dayton, OH!! So, I told her if you’re serious about it I will help you do whatever it is you’re wanting to do in Dayton—you can use our show to promote DFW because we have the big names from Roberto Cavali, Custo Barcelona, Nicole Miller, photographer Mike Ruiz who shot the Beckhams and the Kardashians, and anyone that you can think of in the Industry, we have the stylist James Santiago from Sex and The City and Burn Notice, we have access to all of the behind the scenes happenings in the fashion industry.

Editor and Chief of Elle Magazine - Robbie Myers talks to Inside Couture about the first Elle Spa in the world. Photo by Inside Couture

DFW: So what are you looking forward to the most with Dayton Fashion week?

MP:   Aside from the great fishing I hear Dayton has, I want to  bring a couple of the hosts that you selected down to Miami and let them do some interviews here in South Beach, so we are going to work some things out for that too!  I want to bring you guys down here to have some fun, get some experience and you never know where this could go and what other opportunities that this might lead to, you never know who’s going to see you, and you never know who’s watching!

We had Miami Fashion Week here a couple of weeks ago and I actually had the chance to meet a couple of hair stylist and makeup artist from Dayton and they were so excited that they were finally having something right there in their own back yard!  So I look forward to seeing the people in Dayton having fun if you can’t have fun don’t even show up!

DFW:  What makes a great Fashion Week?

MP:  Fashion Weeks are only as good as your models!  if you have a good model they’ll make a trash bag look good!  It’s the model, it’s the hair, it’s the makeup, a lot of people don’t realize that it takes a whole team to make somebody up, it’s not just one person.  It’s the people behind the scenes that determine the success of a show–they’re the ones that are running everything.

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DFW:  You have been getting bombarded with emails from people in Dayton who have questions about how to prepare for Saturday, what advice to do you have for the people coming out to the audition?

MP: Oh yeah,  we’ve had a lot of people contact us via our Inside Couture website, they’ve been sending their reels, they’re trying to get a head start on the competition.  In any type of business you have to hustle and have a step up on people.  So show up, act like you want to do something and dress the part. YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE SKINNY TO BE A HOST FOR INSIDE COUTURE!!!  We want to see diversity, we want somebody who knows how to talk and have fun.  A lot of people want to exclude people for certain things and people sit at home wanting to do this but they don’t think that they’ll be chosen, how will you know if you don’t get off of the couch and try?

Don’t come in sounding like a Newscaster, we don’t want that, we don’t like that.  Don’t come in acting like you know everything, if you know everything, I’m not going to be able to work with you because if you know everything, you can’t grow.

I look at it like this—you either got it or you don’t!  Don’t be fake people can see right through that talk to them like you’re talking to your cousin or your friends, if you get star struck and start asking to take pictures with them they aren’t going to want to do other interviews with, they’re not going to invite you their parties.

I want to show people the lives of celebrities and let people know that you don’t have to sell your souls or lay down on the casting couch to make it in the industry.  These young models need to learn that everyone is not their friend, people lie, there’s always that person outside of the club telling you to do something that won’t get you into the club.

DFW:  What else do you want to share with Dayton about what you have going on?

MP:  We also have a music show that we are going to be casting for and I plan on doing some stuff there it’s called IA Live, it’s music, fashion, and art.  We’ve had interviews with Akon, Lady Gaga, to David Getta, and Justin Beiber.  One of the alst interviews I had was with Flo Rida and Lil Wayne who is my neighbor

DFW:  When we spoke a couple of weeks ago, you talked about knowing your Host weakness and you mentioned that you were friends with Lenny Kravitz and I freaked out because I love Lenny Kravitz and you said ok you are going to keep me away from Lenny, why is it important to know your Host weakness?

MP:  Yeah, I live down the street from Lenny, one of my host Lechelle won’t do any interviews with Trey Songz, she melts if you talk about him.  So I like to know who their weakness is, so when you said Lenny Kravitz is your weakness, when I bring you down here for some interviews, I’m keeping you away from Lenny(me and my big mouth Insert sad face and tear drops here).  I like to know the weakness and the genre of music people listen to.  Some people prefer to only interview the celebs that they aren’t fans of to make things easier—it’s all about having fun!

For more information check out the Inside Couture website.

 

 

Cityfolk: Culture Builds Community – Soul Rhythms

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Collaboration is an amazing gift! When you experience it, those moments of joined efforts and creative kinship are downright life changing. This is true in both cultural arts and community building. Collaboration means working together, engaging in common goals and welcoming folks from all traditions to share a common journey. That is Culture Builds Community!

Cityfolk engages in this process throughout the year, through the concert series, the summer festival and CBC. As Dayton’s traditional arts organization, we are grounded in the traditional arts – this generation’s “original,” knowing that it all trickles down to the next citizens/family members/artists to translate anew. Relationship patterns are horizontal and vertical; they thrive at a multitude of levels. Carried at each level are tangible takeaways: dance, cooking, music, poems, jewelry, quilts, paintings, puppets and more. We create it and hand it down. There’s a ladder of love in the abstract, a full life of expression in the real stories. That is Culture Builds Community!

When Cityfolk works in the schools, the effort is in sharing those art forms that represent an aspect of tradition that elementary aged children in 2012 may or may not know from family or educational experience. In some cases, families nourish their ethnic heritage through yearly celebrations or cherished belongings. Plenty of other folks may not know their ancestry, where their people came from. Many of us see ourselves as a fusion of cultures, a mix of many, and we bond with various traditions that move us or bring us joy. Whatever the case, Culture Builds Community celebrates the knowns and the unknowns. Every human being has a back story, a history with connections. CBC helps to both bring unique identity and common experience to the fore. The Welcome Dayton initiative celebrates the immigrant-friendly nature of the city. This inclusive approach fits beautifully with Cityfolk’s mission and CBC’s action.

For the past seven years, Culture Builds Community has lived into its identity by sharing arts-based cultural activities in Dayton’s urban neighborhoods. We’ve been building relationships with neighbors and area youth, through community events and the summer festival activities. Our signature piece is a residency project, bringing Visiting Artists together with Local Artists, Site Coordinators,Neighborhood School Centers and students to collaborate on a theme, through music and dance. This year is the most expansive program yet, involving all five NSC schools, five nationally acclaimed artists and a bevy of local talents and organizers to bring five cultural strands through an educational migration to a dynamic destination, the culminating performance. This year, Cityfolk presents CBC 2012 – Soul Rhythms: Traveling land and heart Through Music and Dance.

Soul Rhythms is engaged with the following schools:Fairview, Ruskin,Edison,Cleveland and Kiser. Each school is hosting a particular cultural expression, blending a team of intergenerational, multicultural folks together to make dances. These dances will be combined with works by visiting artists, local artists and collaborations between them, culminating in a dynamic performance!! While this project is one large collaborative effort, aspects of the whole are being realized in smaller pieces, to afford the most productive use of time and talent. Artists are working together, developing big ideas and sounds, swapping ideas with students; site coordinators are keeping the logistics tight, the attendance strong. It’s a well-oiled machine. Soul Rhythms is unfolding over seven weeks, taking us March through April. During week 1, the following artistic teams came together.

LaFrae Sci

LaFrae Sci

Fairview PreK-8 School welcomed percussionist and composer LaFrae Sci, nationally known artist, actively involved in Jazz atLincolnCenter, international teaching tours and her band, The Thirteenth Amendment. Ms. Sci is a native Daytonian! She is thrilled to be teaching in her hometown. She is working actively with Stivers Jazz band members, Renee McClendon (McClendon Institute) and Sierra Leone (Oral Funk Poetry), creating performance art with a group of 5th – 8th  graders.

Hasan Isakkut

Hasan Isakkut

Ruskin PreK-8, together with East End Community Services, is hosting Turkish kanun player, Hasan Isakkut, who is working closely with community dancers from theTwinTowers neighborhood. These young dancers from the Ahiska tradition will share their folk dance tradition with students from Ruskin. Mr. Isakkut will bring his beautiful music to the dancers, collaborating with LaFrae Sci to include the signature folk dance rhythms for the group.

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Step Afrika

Step Africa

Edison PreK-8 welcomed Step Afrika, nationally acclaimed dance troupe, specializing in the African American fraternity step tradition. They have partnered withCentral State’s Alpha Phi Alpha chapter, to teach advanced step routines to the young people of the Wright Dunbar neighborhood. CSU worked with young people atEdison in February as part of Black History Month.

Hammerstep

Hammerstep

Cleveland PreK-8 is proud to showcase the innovative work of Hammerstep, a dance company blending Irish step and Hip Hop, among other forms, bringing a whole new genre of dance to Daytonians. Founding member Garrett Coleman graduated from U.D, so this is a homecoming of sorts for him. Hammerstep is working closely with Beth Wright, formerly of Rhythm in Shoes, and The Corndrinkers, a long-established, local band, playing old time traditional country music.

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Sones de Mexico

Sones de Mexico

Kiser PreK-8 hosts Sones de Mexico from Chicago, bringing Mexican traditional music and dance to Old North Dayton. They are collaborating with local artist, Imelda Ayala and her local dancers, Orgullo Mexicano, along with Kiser students. The two artist teams bring dance from two different parts of Mexico!

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Artistic Director, Rodney Veal is pulling together the dances and collaborations into a beautiful dynamic sequence, a performance that will keep the audience riveted for an hour and fifteen minutes, packed with the pride of homelands, including our collective home,Dayton Ohio! The dances reflect a rich collaboration on the theme of migration. The performance features the live music of each tradition, film work to augment the various expressions and a masterful sense of the journey. All artists and participants will perform!

The big day is April 22nd, 2012!!! You won’t want to miss this performance!!! There is only one!! Tickets are on sale now – $12 per seat -through the Cityfolk website or in our office,126 N. Main St,. Suite 220. Follow the project on Facebook. Check out videos of CBC artists and previous CBC projects on our YouTube channel. Next year’s plans are already cookin’! CBC will be more places, with more folks involved! We would like YOU to be among them!!! Call 223-3655×3008 for more information.

Food Adventures visits Local Personality: Henrique Couto

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“Uncle Henny’s” Homemade Ginger Ale

Sometimes when we go on a Food Adventure, we meet someone that makes a big impression.  It is fair to say local talent Henrique Couto did just that.   About a year ago,  the Big Ragu randomly saw Henrique at a Chinese Buffet.  He was dressed in his trademark colorful pajama pants and a unique Hawaiian shirt.  His handlebar moustache was perfectly curled and he had rubber bands holding his beard tight.  Immediately, we knew we had to meet this interesting character.  After a couple of photos at the buffet, we went on our merry way, not even knowing his name.  Then, a few months later, we saw Henrique’s music CD’s at a local store and got in touch with him.

But who is Henrique Couto?  He is a filmmaker, musician and self described “raconteur” who finds any and all ways to express himself.  How does he fit into our Food Adventures? Well, he also makes some “Softened Drinks” which are available at unclehennys.com .  Being curious. we decided to check out these beverages.

We met Henrique at his home where he brews these special batches.  Couto shared with us how he got started in the beverage making business.  He told us that he had tried some incredible Ginger Ales from all over the country, yet there was nothing like this available in Dayton, Ohio.  Henrique decided to develop his own tasty sodas by cooking them himself in his kitchen, and people quickly took notice.  Henrique says, “I hope people to enjoy it, I hope they love the way it tastes, and I hope they buy lots more.  I like that level of validation!”

We each decided to buy a 6 pack of soda from Henrique.  We chose regular Ginger Ale, and the diet version.  The ginger ales are unique.  You have never tasted something quite like this.  They are made with pure cane sugar and real grated ginger root.  He shies away from using peppercorns and cayenne pepper, and instead adds habanero for a subtle heat.  Definitely a very individual taste.  Not for everyone, but we know he is going after the eclectic and adventurous soda seekers.

But, Couto does not only make beverages.  Henrique is a man of many talents.  He records music and has some of those videos online.  He plays an electric ukulele.  How cool is that?  He even has a website called UkeOrDie.com.  He also hosts a local game show on Wednesday nights at Milano’s Restaurant near University of Dayton called “Drink n Think.”   He is of Portuguese decent, and shares our love for food, like a good Pad Thai.

After swapping foodie stories, Henrique asked us if we would like to see his mausoleum.  That’s right, this horror film buff had set up a mini studio in his garage using his experience from his days in the film industry.  We also love horror movies, growing up with Dr. Creep and Shock Theater.  The 3 of us shared some laughs about our favorite creepy movie actors, then ended the visit with a few photos.

What is next for Henrique Couto?  He is currently developing a fruity root beer beverage that he intends to call “Froot Beer.”  We can’t wait to taste this, but it will not be available for a few weeks.

Henrique was very kind to take the time to invite The Big Ragu into his home for our Food Adventure.  We found out there is much more to him than the unforgettable outfits.   He is very witty with a great sense of humor. We will be seeing him around town and wish him much success in his “Softened Drink” endeavors, which you can check out HERE.  Whether being Dayton’s favorite electric ukulele player, game show hosting, or brewing his own beverages, we think Henrique Couto is an example of when nice guys finish first.

Have you met Henrique?  Have you tried one of  Uncle Henny’s Softened Drinks?  Have you seen his game show or been to one of his ukulele shows?  Then post you comment below !

Also, please visit FOOD ADVENTURES on FACEBOOK by clicking HERE and “like” us to become an official fan!!

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Dayton Fashion Week Lands Major Endorsements

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The Gucci Fiat will be arriving in Dayton just in time for Dayton Fashion Week

Things just keep getting bigger AND better for Dayton Fashion Week so much so that I don’t even know where to start!! Wait–Scratch that– I do know where to start! I am VERY EXCITED to announce that luxury car brand Bob Ross Fiat has come on board as the Presenting Sponsor! “We welcome the Fiat Brand into the Dayton fashion world. As an elegant, sophisticated brand, it is the perfect fit with Dayton Fashion Week in terms of leveraging the profile of Dayton designer’s internationally.” says Junda Morris-Kennedy the founder of Dayton Fashion Week. The Fiat brand is regarded as the pre-eminent brand associated with international fashion events – including New York and Milan Fashion Weeks and the attendees of Dayton Fashion Week will have the opportunity to preview the most fashionable style of the Fiat Brand the 500C by Italian Fashion Label Gucci which is currently being endorsed by Jennifer Lopez! Special thanks to Janelle Ross of Bob Ross Fiat of Centerville for all of her hard work and dedication to the Miami Valley area and her support of Dayton Fashion Week.

Though Dayton Fashion Week isn’t taking place until July, we are officially kicking off our celebration on March 31 with a Pre-Launch Party and Soiree taking place at the Twin Base Golf Club at Wright Patterson Air Force Base located at Bldg 893 Area A Wright Patterson Afb, OH 45433. This event will be hosted by journalist, 2011 CW Star Contestant, business woman, and Queen of Dayton’s Social Scene Maha Kashani and 2011 CW Star Contestant, singer/song writer, and celebrity party host Donald Stamper. The Pre-Launch Party will also feature DJ Adam Spangler and performances by Spoken Word Artist Miss Purity and singer Erin Manderchied. Those in attendance will have the exclusive opportunity to meet the models of Dayton Fashion Week! Along with some great door prizes from our sponsors Milani Cosmetics and Coins 4 Me, there will be light hors d’oeuvres served, and a cash prize for the person wearing the most Fashionable outfit! Buy your tickets today.

Of course we already know that Inside Couture Television based out of Miami, FL is looking for 4 Host to Cover DFW, the Casting Call for this is April 7 from 10a-1p at SunWatch Indian Village/Archaeological Park located at 2301 West River Rd, Dayton, OH 45418. But did you know that Dayton Fashion Week also made international headlines a couple of weeks ago when London based Fashion Magazine Fashion Politique named us one of the must see fashion events of the year and listed us as a partner! We also have the national media all a buzz and we welcome Atlanta, New York, and Miami based radio station 106.5 FM COLLABO who will be broadcasting live from Dayton Fashion Week. Last but certainly not least New York City based fashion magazine Just Off 7th Ave. will also be in town to cover DFW!
We’re 2 weeks into our Cover Model Contest and the competition has been stiff since day one! There have been over 5,000 votes cast so far and daily changes in the Top 5! If you haven’t voted yet you can do so by visiting our fan page at http://www.facebook.com/daytonfashion click on “photos” then go to the album labeled 2012 Cover Model Competition, “Like” your favorite photo(s) and it counts as a vote! The winner of this contest will grace the cover of the first Dayton Fashion Week Magazine. Now of course with all of this going on with DFW we are growing our staff as well! We are looking for photographers, makeup artist, and wardrobe stylist to add to our team! If you would like to join our team please contact us at [email protected].

Food Adventures: Making History at Culp’s Cafe

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Culp’s Amazing Pot Roast

One of Dayton’s best kept secrets is Culp’s Cafe located at the Carillon Historical Park.  The original Culp’s Cafe was started in the kitchen of Charlotte Gilbert Culp who sold breads and baked good out of her West Third Street home.  When downtown Dayton boomed in the 1940’s, The Culps opened a cafe by the Arcade building serving homemade food to about 5,000 customers per day.  During the 1960’s, people began moving to the suburbs forcing the Culp’s to sell their beloved cafe due to declining sales.  Culp’s Cafe is alive again thanks in part to Carillon Park and Chef Jose Calzada who puts his modern touches on nostalgic home cooking.  If you are looking for good, homemade food set in a beautiful atmosphere, then Culp’s Cafe is the place to be.

Culp’s Cafe celebrated St. Patrick’s day offering a menu consisting of traditional Irish favorites.  As soon as we heard about this, we knew we had to attend as guest of Chef Jose and the Dayton Historical Society.  The menu included a three-course lunch for $11.75.  The entrees were Irish classics: Fish and Chips, Sheperd’s Pie, and Corned Beef with Cabbage.  The desserts were just as festive including such tasty treats as Irish Cream Chocolate Mousse Cake, Chocolate Guiness Goodness, and a White and Dark Chocolate Bread Pudding with Irish Cream Sauce.

Corned Beef with Cabbage

Our appetizers were brought to the table by a server decked out in a traditional 1940’s waitress uniform.  (Imagine a gray version of the uniform worn by Flo at Mel’s Diner.)  This really brings a nostalgic vibe to Culp’s Cafe!  We were served a simple, refreshing salad and a cup of hearty potato soup.  The soup was the tasty kind your mom used to make, but Chef Jose throws in a little bacon and cheese for added flavor.  We loved our appetizers and waited eagerly for our entrees to arrive!

Our friendly server, Carol, brought out our Fish and Chips and Corned Beef with Cabbage.  The Big Ragu is the known as the “King of Fried Foods” and naturally ordered the Fish and Chips served with a side of house-made Cole Slaw made with pineapple and poppy seeds.  We ordered the Corned Beef with Cabbage.  The dish consisted of three large pieces of Corned Beef that resembled the tongue of Kiss’ Gene Simmons.  (If you don’t understand that reference, we suggest that you Google ‘Gene Simmons Tongue.’)  The cabbage was tender and the Corned Beef was flavorful.  The Big Ragu even took a bite of the Corned Beef — an amazing feat if you’re familiar with the issues Ragu has with certain meat textures.  Too bad we didn’t photograph this part of our dinner…the facial expression was classic.  The Corned Beef with Cabbage was also served with boiled red potatoes leaving little room for dessert!

The Chicken Basil Sandwich is Mouthwatering

As we were waiting for our desserts, we thought we would entertain our fellow diners with our interpretation of “River Dancing”.  Fortunately, we left our tights and curly-haired wigs at home.  As the desserts arrived, our eyes got about as big as our bellies!  The Big Ragu ordered the Irish Cream Mousse Cake — a nice, light way to end the meal.  We ordered the Bread Pudding which we quickly devoured.  The Big Ragu makes pretty good bread puddings, but Culp’s Bread Pudding puts ours to shame.  Chef Jose took it to a whole new level by adding Dark and White Chocolate!  After all of this food, we were feeling “extra heavy”.  We feared the only way we could leave the cafe would be for someone to kindly roll us out to our car!

Incredible Bread Pudding

The Irish Feast was amazing and we appreciate Chef Jose and Elise Hafenbrack from Dayton Historical Society for inviting us to be a part of this great event.  Culp’s Cafe is open seven days a week from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.  Some of the other dishes we highly recommend are the Reuben, Grilled Basil Chicken Sandwich, Original Culp’s Cake, and that amazing Pot Roast.  Culp’s Cafe takes you back to the long lost era of good, homemade comfort food set in one of the most scenic dining rooms in Dayton.  We encourage you to visit Carillon Historical Park and take pride in Dayton History and enjoy a great meal at Culp’s Cafe.

Have you had a chance to visit Culp’s Cafe in Historic Carillon Park?  Please leave your comments below !

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Food Adventure’s Small Bites for 3/16/2012

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Behold another Food Adventure’s  “Small Bites” article.  Here we feature some of our favorite food items in the Dayton area.  We are not food critics, we are just a couple of guys who love to eat.

With no further delay, let’s dive into Small Bites for 3/15/2012.

The HOT DOGS at UNIVERSITY OF DAYTON SPORTING EVENTS:

Best Sporting Event Hot Dog…EVER

Nothing goes with good sports better than good hot dogs.   In our opinion, the University of Dayton has the best hot dogs of any sports related venue.  Whether at Welcome Stadium watching football, or at University of Dayton Arena watching basketball, these dogs always hit the spot.  President Barack Obama even downed a U.D. hot dog in record time this week with British Prime Minister David Cameron on their visit to Dayton for the 2012 NCAA Basketball First Four games.  So you see, these hot dogs are world class.  Since we were kids, we have enjoyed these hot dogs which are wrapped in a Heiner brand “sunny” bun.  They cost about $3 at sporting events.  What kind of hot dogs are they?  They are Cincinnati’s own, Kahn’s hot dogs, made with turkey and pork.  They are regular sized hot dogs, not the huge sausage dogs that The Big Ragu hates.  We told you where the best sports hot dog is, all you need to do is choose your toppings: mustard or ketchup… or both.

 

THE GYROS at GYRO PALACE :

The Supreme Gyro at Gyro Palace

Let’s face it, it is hard to find a good gyro in Dayton, Ohio.   Some people wait for the annual Greek Festival to get their fix.  But The Big Ragu knows where you can get a fantastic Gyro, year round.  In a small shopping center near the corner of State Routes 725 and 741 in Miamisburg, lies the Gyro Palace.  For more than 10 years this family run business has served up heaping handfuls of giant gyros to happy customers.  The kitchen workers slice the gyro meat, place it in a pita, then top it with fresh tomatoes, sliced onions and Tzatziki sauce.  The regular gyro sandwich is $5, while a chicken gyro is $5.50.  Trust us, this sandwich will fill you up and is worth every penny.  Whether you eat in or carry it out, you will enjoy a Mediterranean Food Adventure here!

 

THE DEEP DISH PIZZA WITH TURBO CRUST at JETS PIZZA:

Deep Dish Pizza at Jets

Want a pizza that packs a hunger busting punch?  Then you have to try the Deep Dish Pizza at Jet’s.  Started in Sterling Heights, Michigan, this thick square deep dish pizza is loaded with tomato sauce and sliced into rectangles.  Strangely reminiscent (we would say almost identical) to the Noble Roman’s Siclian Style Pizza of the 70’s and 80’s, this pie is a blast from the past.  It is also one of most filling pizzas we have ever eaten.  The thick crust is topped as you wish, then finished with a mound of cheese.  We suggest to also ask for the Turbo Crust which means the crust is brushed with butter, garlic and romano cheese.  A great value for the size and taste, make sure you fly on over to the location near Whipp Road in Centerville.  From this point forward, we are no longer responsible for your addiction to Jet’s Pizza.

 

THE FIREHOUSE 5-WAY at GOLD STAR CHILI:

Gold Star Chili’s “Firehouse 5-way”

In 1965, Gold Star Chili entered into the Cincinnati chili wars, and has been heating things up ever since.  Your Food Adventurers also like to spice things up.  Gold Star’s “Firehouse Way” option of ordering any Cincinnati style chili classic allows anyone to do just that.
What makes up a Firehouse 5-way?  The dish starts with the standard spaghetti, chili, onions, beans and cheese.  Then the magic happens, as a roasted red pepper hot sauce is added around the dish.  The creation is then generously sprinkled with a unique 5-pepper spice mix.  The meal is a great twist on a regional dish.  The Big Ragu like to visit the Monroe store, or the restaurant in Lebanon.  No matter which location you are at, if you want to share in the hotness, then order the Firehouse 5-Way at Gold Star Chili. When it comes to heat, they just dont sing it, they bring it.

 

Have you had one of our favorite Dayton food dishes?  If so, please comment below !

Expect an article from FOOD ADVENTURES every Thursday on DaytonMostMetro.com

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Dayton Fashion Week Introduces Makeup Artist ShaTerra Mills!

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Makeup Artist ShaTerra Mills of Priceless Beauty Makeup Photographer: CocoJane

My interest in modeling is wavering but a couple of months ago my interest once again peaked and I decided to test the waters and submitted my photos online to a couple of agencies in larger markets. Mind you, I’m 32 years old and let’s face it in this industry I’m no spring chicken, so I knew my chances of getting signed were slim especially since the majority of the agencies that I applied to made it very clear of their age restrictions and let’s just say I’m about 9 years past that age but I’ve always been a bit rebellious and submitted my photos anyway—and to my surprise a couple of weeks later I was contacted by one of the top modeling agencies in the world Factor Women which was formerly Elite out of Chicago—reminder in 2001 I was a Regional Semi-Finalist in the International Elite Model Look Competition so not only was this a little boost to my ego but I also felt the pressure to prove to people that you can teach an “old” dog new tricks!

The Before Shot...Don't Judge Me! lol

The most recent photo’s I had were almost 2 years old so I started looking for the perfect photographer and long story short I found ARC Light Photography who provided the hair stylist Chelsea Berry and the makeup artist and I just happened to be familiar with his makeup artist ShaTerra Mills of Priceless Beauty Makeup because she is on Dayton Fashion Weeks makeup team! Though I have yet to make that trip to Chicago to visit Factor Women I decided to make this photo shoot kind of an introductory to the DFW Team and set up a Q and A session with ShaTerra who is a former member of the U.S. Army, who recently received her first publication in Ellements Magazine based out of New York, and will be doing makeup for Project Runway’s Althea Harper’s fashion show this weekend.

The Transformation Begins

DFW – When did you know that you wanted to be a makeup artist?

ShaTerra – I knew I wanted to be a makeup artist after I seemed to have exhausted all ends of the spectrum of modeling that I could take. My passion had moved elsewhere. I knew I still wanted to be in the industry and I started off as an artist at an early age by freehand drawing so it only made sense to go back to what I truly knew which was showing my artistic abilities.

DFW – What work goes into planning a photo shoot?

ShaTerra – Planning for a shoot is a process. It means taking the time to clean my kit to make sure I have all of the proper tools needed for that particular project. Whether it’s restocking on disposables, new lip colors, hand sanitizer, etc. I always double, triple, and quadruple check my makeup kit the week before, the day before, and sometimes even a few hours before. I am very anal about making sure I am prepared.

Also, I love to know what’s going on so there is no confusion whatsoever. I am all for knowing the concept weeks in advance and keeping in constant contact with the involved team so that everyone is on the same page.

DFW – Describe what you did for my makeup during this photo shoot.

I'm ready for my close up Mr. Seville! Model: Caressa Brown Hair Chelsea Berry Photographer: ARC Light Makeup Artist ShaTerra Mills

ShaTerra – I viewed your outfit changes beforehand to visualize a look that went with the concept and vision you were trying to portray. From there, I added a slight touch of golden metallic to your eyes to give off a light sparkle and made sure your lips popped since the style spoke of fierce elegance to me.

Lights, Cameras...Action! Model: Caressa Brown Hair Chelsea Berry Photographer: ARC Light Makeup Artist: ShaTerra Mills

DFW –  What are some myths and mistakes regarding makeup application?

ShaTerra –  People tend to believe that caking on eyeliner makes your eyes bigger and that the more expensive makeup is, the better the quality. Caking on eyeliner to the point of raccoon eyes can cause your eyes to appear smaller or even as though you have a black eye instead.

Expensive makeup brands are not always the best for you or your skin type. People not knowing their skin types and how to color match foundations is another key problem–it’s all about experimenting with what looks great on you and what works best for each individual person! The biggest mistakes people make when it comes to makeup is thinking they know it all or that YouTube has all of the answers.

It’s important to cleanse and moisturize daily and let your skin breathe. Too much makeup can be harsh on the skin especially those with sensitivities.  Proper cleansing techniques will allow you to keep your skin hydrated and remaining flawless.

DFW – What are the hottest looks for Spring?

ShaTerra –  I am VERY excited about the upcoming Spring looks. Pastels and mattes are definitely going to be in for shadows for daytime looks. Peach and rose flushed cheeks will never seem to die. Different hues of reds for the lips are also popular as well as light metallic and shimmers for evening wear. The bare faced look and flesh toned lip color is becoming a very popular look on the runways.

DFW – What are your future goals?

ShaTerra –  I have very extensive goals for the future but I am taking things one step at a time. I am surely gearing up to travel more with my craft and networking! I do have several projects underway right now that I’m very excited about and I’m hoping to get a few more publications under my belt by summer. Maybe even get picked up by an agency or two. The sky’s the limit!

DFW –  What is the best part about being on the Dayton Fashion Week Team?

ShaTerra – The best part of Dayton Fashion Week–that’s a hard one! So far, I’ve loved everything about being a part of the Dayton Fashion Week team. Dayton has so much potential and seeing the talent first hand is amazing! We have so much in store and it is blooming by the minute! I cannot wait for July to get here. Everyone is so supportive of each other and they’re hard workers. It’s just great to be a part of history in the making!

For more information on ShaTerra Mills and Priceless Beauty Makeup please check out PricelessBeautyMakeup.com.

Grand Opening of Second Location for Thai Restaurant

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First thing’s first.  Go to your calendar and clear any plans you may have for dinner next Monday, March 19.  ‘Why?’ you ask.  Because House of Thai in Miamisburg is having their Grand Opening!

House of Thai is a wonderful little venue located right off of South Springboro Park, owned and operated by Hemant Wiratsorn and his wife, Chuthamat Phornpiriyanon. This is the restaurant’s second location, as the other House of Thai is located in Beavercreek.  Actually, the Beavercreek venue helped get the ball rolling on opening a second location.  A loyal customer, who loved House of Thai’s cuisine, owned a vacancy within a building in Miamisburg, where he suggested Wiratsorn open a second restaurant.  This new location has the same delicious menu, with the scrumptious addition of sushi.

Business at this new location in Miamisburg has been steadily picking up, but more importantly to

Panang Curry

Hemant is the opportunity to develop a relationship with his new customers through this House of Thai Grand Opening on Monday.  It’s very important to him that his customers don’t feel rushed to eat and that they stay as long as they would like.  “I want people to come here for relaxation. That’s why we are the ‘House’ of Thai,” explained Hemant.  When I visited with my boyfriend, George, we definitely felt at home.  The dining environment was very casual and easy-going, and I especially enjoyed getting to know House of Thai’s friendly staff.  They made me feel like a long-lost family member, even though we had just met each other for the first time.  Hemant and his staff’s warm hospitality is surely what will bring me back to House of Thai many more times; at this little restaurant I have found a home—a house full of family and delicious food.

Bakery Rolls

Speaking of food, I have never tasted such delicious Thai cuisine before, nor have I seen such a gorgeous presentation of ANY type of cuisine.  I am, by no means, a food expert, but I would surely deem this food tasty.  To put it simply, House of Thai’s eats were spectacular. George and I felt like royalty on our visit.  I could tell Hemant and his staff were genuinely nice people simply through our conversation, but when it came to sampling some of the dishes, they went above and beyond for this interview.  When George and I were presented with seven different exquisite Thai dishes and two specialty drinks, we were awestruck.  For a few minutes, we said nothing but “thank you,” over and over again.  I honestly thought I was dreaming, but taking my first bite, I soon realized that I actually was living out this dream-come-true.  I still don’t think I can ever fully express my gratitude no matter how many times I thank them.

Pla Samors (three flavored fish)

While we were there, we had the great privilege of trying a number of delicious dishes.  George and I enjoyed every single dish, and we can honestly say there were no plates left unclean (embarrassing picture to follow).  As an appetizer, we dined on Chicken Satay, which is chicken marinated in coconut milk and herbs, accompanied with a peanut sauce that complements the chicken beautifully. From the seafood portion of their menu, Pla Samros is a scrumptious three-flavored fish, topped with bell pepper and a special three-flavored sauce.  I love fried fish, and the chef has perfected this fish dish.

Panang Curry was another great dish, which includes chicken, bell pepper, fresh basil, and kaffir leaves in a peanut curry sauce.  My person favorite was the Bakery Rolls, which were only being offered as a special for the night, but are definitely what I recommend ordering if they are on the menu Monday.  I also absolutely love sushi, so the three rolls the kitchen staff brought out were also

King Dragon Roll

plates of which I couldn’t get enough.  The first, the House-of-Thai Special Roll, was spicy tuna topped with salmon and crunchy flake (my absolute favorite of the three!).  The second, the King Dragon Roll, was a sushi roll made of barbecue eel on top of shrimp tempura.  And the last, the Rainbow Roll, was a rainbow of fish and avocado on top of a California Roll.  We were also presented with two wonderfully unique specialty drinks—Thai Iced Coffee and Thai Iced Tea.

Now, you can’t honestly tell me your mouth isn’t watering from reading about this pure scrumptiousness.  And all these pictures included in the article?  They were taken on that very day we were presented this feast (thank you again, Hemant!), and as this picture below can attest to, every dish was finger-licking good.

According to Hemant, House of Thai’s signature dish and favorite among customers is their Chicken Pad Thai, which I actually was able to try this last Saturday, when I visited again. It’s definitely worthy of its “signature” label.  All in all, if you asked me, I couldn’t pick a favorite dish on House of Thai’s menu. It is all that good!  Not to mention, House of Thai receives all of their produce locally, so all of the food is fresh, too! And I know some of you may be skeptical about trying Thai food, but if the spiciness is your concern, be rest assured that when you order, you will be able to determine the level of spice on a scale from one to ten.

It’s good for the soul to try something new every once and a while.  Meet that quota by attending the House of Thai Grand Opening in Miamisburg on Monday, March 19!  Come hungry, and you’ll leave with a family of new friends and a very happy tummy.

Nom nom nom.  Yum!

 

House of Thai in Miamisburg

59 Fiesta Lane   Miamisburg, OH 45342

(937) 938-9437

House of Thai Miamisburg Facebook

Check out their mobile site, too!

Lunch

Mon-Fri 11:00AM – 2:30PM

Dinner

Mon-Thu 4:20PM – 9:00PM

Fri 4:30PM – 9:30PM

Sat 12:00PM – 9:30PM

Food Adventures Get Lucky at Dunaway’s Beef and Ale

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Summer Shandy and a Brooklyn Lager

With St. Patrick’s Day right around the corner, Dunaway’s Beef and Ale in Troy, Ohio is gearing up for their annual event.   With huge crowds and outdoor tents, Dunaway’s  hosts one of the biggest St. Patty’s Day parties in the Dayton area.   Big Ragu and the Food Adventures Crew visited the pub recently and was impressed with the menu and drink offerings.  Since 1991 owners Brenda and Sandy have offered good food and spirits to the Troy faithful.   Known for their roast beef, the friendly staff is always eager to share the daily specials and 11 draft beer choices.  Dunaway’s is a mom and pop place.  It is in an old house facing main street, and is big on personality.

We were seated at our table and promptly ordered a couple of pints.  The Big Ragu grabbed a Brooklyn Lager, which is brewed in Utica, NY, then we went for a Wisconsin favorite, Leinenkugel’s Summer Shandy.   We decided to order some cheese and crackers to match our beers.   We grabbed a jalapeno stuffed hot pretzel, because pretzels go well with beer.. right??

Our favorite appetizer of the day was the peel and eat shrimp.  The shrimp were like our own personal pot of leprechaun gold at the end of the rainbow.  Served cold and with Cajun spice on the shells, they were downright addicting and to die for.  The fresh shrimp sparked our taste buds, and paved the way to try some more specialties.

Dunaway’s Pastrami Sandwich

Dunaway’s menu is heavy on sandwiches and pizza.  We ordered an incredible looking pastrami sandwich which was enormous!  This huge, flavorful sandwich was pure heaven.  The Big Ragu ordered a burger with everything on it.  Plenty of toppings adorned the perfectly cooked hamburger, which was more than a handful.

Your Food Adventurers sampled other items like fish, and the very tasty pizza.  The pizza sauce has just the right amount of kick and will satisfy your cravings for a decent pie.  One special item offered on the menu is the “Garbage Truck Pizza.”  This pizza is loaded with toppings including fresh mushrooms, garlic, onions, tomatoes, sausage, pepperoni, ham, meatballs, black olives, green olives, ricotta cheese, banana peppers, and you can request jalapenos!  How is that for a deluxe pizza?

Another menu item worth mentioning is their “6-Pound Sandy-wich.”   They tout this challenge as “1 person, 45 minutes to eat it and it is free.”  This mountain of a sandwich is filled with beef, ham, turkey, corned beef, pastrami, cole slaw, American cheese, mayo, lettuce, tomato, onion, mustard, horseradish and fries.  It is probably easier to find a 4 leaf clover than beat this monster.

The Hamburger at Dunaways

Dunaway’s  also offers soups, salads and has a full catering service for your next party.  They pride themselves on using local meat markets and vegetable farms including Caven’s Meats, Bowman Landis, Fulton Farms, and Troy Meat Shop.

This place has everything you need for a fun, casual dining spot.  Locally owned, with good food, good drink in a unique atmosphere, it is everything we look for in a Food Adventure.  Just a couple of minutes off of Interstate 75 in Troy, put this place on your radar for good eats.  Don’t forget to grab a pint and toast to St Patty’s day, no matter what day it is!

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Have you been to Dunaway’s Beef and Ale?  Please comment below!

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