Dayton937

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

Lisa Grigsby

Chili Cook Off and Casino Night at the Fair Grounds

By 1 Comment

If you’re a chili fan, there will be no better place to be than the Colesium at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds tonight as Chili Chefs from all over the Dayton region will be competing in the 26th Annual Ambucs Chili Cook Off & Casino Night. For just $18 you’ll have a chance to try over 20 chili entries as well as hot dogs, beer, wine, coffee and soft drinks.  All proceeds benefit area children & adults with disabilities,a s well as The Therapist Scholarship Fund. There will even be door prizes, including $500 cash! If you’re thinking this event used to be held at Polen Farms, it was, but according to event organizer Peggy Quinn, “we moved the event to the Fairgrounds so we aren’t dependent on the weather.  This is a big fundraiser for us and if it was cold or rainy we’d get killed.”

Dayton MostMetro’s own SuperFry and The Big Ragu will be judging the chili and will select a critic’s choice winner and there will also be a people’s choice, voted on by the participants.  The event starts at 6pm and after you’ve had your fill of chili there will be plenty of casino games to try your luck.

The following have all donated a minimum of 5 gallon s of Chili for tonight’s festivities:

AMELIA’S      ATRIUM GRILLE      BUCKIN’ DONKEY     BULLWINKLE’S
CAFE MEXICO      CHAPPY’S GRILL     CHEF DADDY’S FIREHOUSE CHILI
CHRISTOPHER’S     CHUCK EASTMAN’S DEER SLAYER CHILI      ELSA’S @ WILMINGTON AVE.
FLANNIGAN’S PUB      HARRIGAN’S TAVERN      JIMMY’S LADDER 11      LONGHORN STEAKHOUSE
ST. ANNE’S HILL CHILI COOK-OFF CHAMPION      SCRATCH CATERING      SLYDERS      SMOKIN’ BAR B Q
THE MIAMI VALLEY GOLF CLUB      THE TROPICS AT LINCOLN PARK      UNO’S CHICAGO STYLE PIZZERIA
The South Dayton Chapter of National AMBUCS is a charitable (501c3) service club.

  • They are one of the 4 chapters located in the Dayton Area and are among the 6000 AMBUCS members nationwide, helping people with disabilities
  • They provide free-of-charge special built tricycles called AmTrykes to facilitate therapy of disabled children and adults
  • They also sponsor scholarships for therapist.

For more information on Ambucs programs check these links out:
Every Kid Needs a Bike

Pictures of Recent AmTrykes in Action
Helping Disabled Vets
What is an AmTryke Rodeo

 

Bad Boy Chef Anthony Bourdain Brings His Opinions To Dayton

By 48 Comments

When Anthony Bourdain brings his Guts & Glory tour to the Schuster Center on Sunday, it will be his first visit to Dayton.  It’s also his first solo tour, and Bourdain describes it as ” a rant, a talk, even some kind of imitation of stand-up,” with video clips and a lot of Q-and-A.  He said he’s been secretly doing 5 -10 minutes sets, practicing in comedy clubs around New York City.  “The audiences are incredibly honest,” he says, “and what better way to you find out right away in a brutally painful fashion whether something is amusing or not.”

The notoriously  opinionated Chef, who gained fame as an author of  Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly, launched the tour just three days after the final episode of his eighth season of “No Reservations” on Travel Channel. His second/final  season of The Layover launches on The Travel Channel the night after his live show here in Dayton.  He says there are 10 episodes of  action-packed, food-filled travel layovers filmed in Chicago, Atlanta, Dublin, New Orleans, Paris, Philadelphia, Sa Paolo, Seattle, Taipei and Toronto. Each episode will have him telling  stories about a place, it’s people and their food.

After that, Bourdain will move over to CNN to launch a new travel docu-series, to launch in early 2013.  The show will be shot on location and examine cultures from around the world through their food and dining and travel rituals.  “I’m really looking forward to coming over to CNN. I think the world is going to get a whole lot bigger for me,” said Bourdain, “traveling with producers that understand shooting in places that are difficult.  I should be able to make smarter tv, but it will still be a travel based show”

In a group interview for the tour, I had a chance to ask a couple of questions and here’s how it went:

DD: This tour has you making eight stops in under two weeks. How does a travel expert pack for such an excursion?
AB: I pack for security, and it’s all carry-on—shoes that slip on and off quickly, jackets that I can beat into submission, shirts that don’t require pressing. I pack light. I’ve always got my iPad with a lot of entertaining apps and books I’ve downloaded to keep me busy when I’m hanging out in the airport.

DD: What can your audience expect from the show?
AB:  I’ll talk about food and travel, whatever’s pissing me off that day, whatever’s exciting me that day, travel tips. Of course I’m going to be talking about people, GuyFieri just opened a 500 seat restaurant in my hometown, that’s very much on my mind.  I worry for Adam Richman’s health,( the host of Man vs Food) I expect he’ll die of a heart attack soon. . I’ll come out and talk for an hour or so and answer questions. It could go in any direction, depending on how good or how bad the questions are.

DD: You’ve just finished The Taste, ABC’s new cooking competition show, how was that experience?
AB:   It’s a network reality show, it’s completely different from what I’ve done on No Reservations- there  I had complete control, where we went, what we did, I really didn’t care if people like it.  This was a really tight show and I had a really enjoyable time doing it.  I coached a team of cooks, we judged them and one wins.

DD: If you had to choose 5 ingredients to put in a basket for a Chopped style competition, what would you include?

AB: I’d keep it really basic, a chicken, egg, salt, butter and an onion – keep it simple – you can learn every thing you need to know about a cook by what they do with these ingredients.
DD: What’s on your rider? What do you have stocked in your dressing room before the show? 
AB:  I never eat before a show.  I’m really simple, I just want a six pack of some local beer and Red Bull.

As much as Bourdain has a reputation for being a hard ass, I have to say, I found him charming and real.  I think the audience for the show will get exactly what they’ll expect from the celebrity chef, world traveler and hater of most Food Network Chefs.  He’s got an opinion, he’s happy to share it, and  he’s entertaining as hell.  Of course, this show is not for the easily offended, Bourdain does not censor his thoughts or his words. If you’re brave enough to ask a question, be ready for whatever might come out of his mouth. And don’t ask him about Dayton restaurants- he’s never been here, he won’t know about them!

Tickets are still available for the Sunday, Nov 18th show and are available at Tickets CenterStage for $52-$122, plus service charges.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0bND8u6OsY#!’]

ENTER TO WIN TICKETS TO BOURDAIN!

One of our lucky Dayton Most Metro readers, is going to the show. Fill out the form below and leave a Facebook comment telling us you want to see the Guts & Glory Tour, and we will randomly draw a winner and notify them Wed evening, 11/14.  Good luck!

CONTEST CLOSED

Congratulations to our winner: Shaun Cartwright

Restaurants Honor Military with Deals for Veterans Day

By Leave a Comment

A number of restaurants are saluting veterans, military service men and women this Veterans Day by offering local discounts, specials and promotions.  Here’s a quick guide to many of these great deals to be found on Veterans Day throughout the Dayton area:

 

Applebee’s – Free entree from selected menu  to active duty military and veterans on Sun, Nov 11th 

BD Mongolian Grill –  Show your military identification, and get half off stir-fry on regular priced bowls on Sun, Nov. 11

Chili’s – Free Veterans Day Meal from special Menu

Champp’s – Veterans and active duty military can enjoy a free champps cheeseburger and fries all day on Mon, Nov 12th with military ID

Fazoli’s – Servicemen and women in uniform or with valid military ID will receive a FREE pasta entree, Valid thru Nov 12

Giovanni’s Pizzeria –  free spaghetti dinner for Veterans on Sun, Nov 11th

Golden Corral – Any person who has served in the US Military gets a free dinner from 4-9pm Mon, Nov 12th

Hooters – Veterans and active duty military members get 10 free boneless wings with a drink purchase, Sun, Nov. 11th.

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts – Active duty, retirees and veterans get a free doughnut and small coffee, Sun, Nov. 11th.

McCormick & Shcmick’s – Enjoy a free meal from their special menu on Nov 11th with valid ID

McDonald’s – On Nov 12th, buy one Quarter Pounder with Cheese or Big Mac at regular price, get one more of the same for just 12 cents.

O’Charley’s –  Veterans and active-duty military personnel get a complimentary meal from the “$9.99er” menu, Mon, Nov 12th and

Oinkadoodlemoo BBQ – FREE SAMMICH, SIDE, and BEVERAGE, Mon, Nov 12th  and they will be offering our Military a 10% OFF discount each and everyday starting November 13th.

Olive Garden – Veterans and active-duty military members can choose from one of six free entrees, Sun, Nov 11th.

Smashburger – Active-duty military members and veterans receive a free entree of their choice on Monday, Nov 12th
Texas Roadhouse -join us for lunch from 11AM-3PM on Mon, Nov 12th. If you are a Veteran or Active Military Personnel, bring your military ID, Veterans Affairs Card, or discharge papers to select a free entree and soft drink/tea from our Veterans lunch* menu

TGI Friday’s- Free lunch on Mon, Nov 12th for for all US Military personnel and veterans. Must wear uniform (if permitted by your service) or present military ID or other proof of service.

 

The Pub at The Greene– all active duty and retired members of the military  will receive a 50% discount on Sun, Nov 11th off of food.
 TJ Chumps –  Veterans eat free on Nov 12th with military ID

 

If you know of other deals, please feel free to add them in the comments below.

Arrow Wine Centerville Adds Growlers

By 1 Comment

Arrow Wine & Spirits Centerville store  has always hosted a Friday night beer tasting, but now they’ve taken it one step further by adding a Growler Station, with 6 rotating taps for draft beer.  For $5 you can buy the actual reusable 64 ounce Growler, then get it  filled up straight from the tap with your choice of brew, then it gets sealed with a twist on cap.  With proper refrigeration, your beer will last about a week. Cost of a fill up will depend on your beer choice, but run about $14-$18. Your growler is a little more than a 6 pack of beer, if you’re trying to compare prices.

According to wikapedia, the modern day growler states was introduced in 1989, Charlie Otto and his father were discussing the dilemma facing the Otto Brothers Brewery. They wanted to offer “beer-to-go” for their local customers, but they were not yet in a position to bottle. Father Otto suggested the use of “growlers,” which were used in his younger days, but Charlie recognized the need for an updated package type. He purchased a small silkscreen machine, and set it up on his patio. Soon he was silk-screening his logo on half-gallon glass bottles that resembled moonshine jugs. The modern-day “growler” was introduced.

The Growler menu at Arrow this week

George Bulvas III, brewmaster at Water Street Lake County Brewery, WI, suggests that growlers are named for the buckets of beer once given to factory workers before their stomachs began to “growl” from hunger. Regardless of its true origin, the growler is a great way to take home some fresh brew from a local bar or restaurant.

Locally you can pick up growlers at several bars downtown that are part of the  Growler C0-0p, which we wrote about in 2010, and was  started by Blind Bobʼs, South Park Tavern, Thai 9 and the Trolley Stop. The South Dayton  Growler programs was created by Doubleday’s, The Culinary Company,  Buffalo Wings & Rings and Archer’s Tavern in the summer of 2011.

Dayton Beer Company, Boston’s Bistro and The Liquor & Wine Warehouse on York Commons  all have Growler programs as well.

 

 

Dayton Bartenders Compete For Jagermeister Title

By Leave a Comment

The Winner’s Trophy

While most of Dayton were watching election results, the Dayton Racquet Club was packed with some of the region’s most creative bartenders.  Jägermeister Herbal Liqueur hosted an exclusive event for 25 area bartenders, who had submitted their best Jager recipes to earn a “Seat at the Table” for for the first ever Jagermeister Mix Off.

Tony Dea, State of Ohio Manager for  Sydney Frank Importing Company, explained “that each bartenders recipes were  sent to our New York headquarters where the brand team chose the top 10 to compete in the regionals. A similar event was held last night in Cincinnati and next week Columbus and Cleveland  bartenders will compete in their regionals, and in January the finalists from all 4 cities will compete for the state title.”

The  finalists from Dayton  included Colleen Mescher from Taggarts Pub, Jonna Thompson of G & J’s Highspot, Nicole Hitte from Good Time Charilie’s, Tim Brant from MJ’s Cafe, Cheri Simmons of Brixx, Dave Thomas from Ned Peppers, Dave from Jimmie’s Ladder 11 and Seth Browning of Carvers Steakhouse.

Bartender Dave from Jimmie’s Ladder 11

Bartenders were introduced by DJ Fish, who shared their  drink recipes while they had 5 minutes to mix 18 drinks, which were then served to 17 judges, 15 of them being the bartenders that did not make it to the top 10.  Other judges included representatives from Southern Wine, the local distributor for Jagermeister.  A caricature artist was on hand to make sure each guest left with a souvenir,  and Connie from Tuty’s in Fairborn won a Jager Tap machine in the door prize drawing.

While the judges were tabulating the votes, guests where treated to a Flair Bartending demonstration by Scott Christian, the raining Bistro Franchise Champion.  Just like Tom Cruise from Cocktails, Christian juggled up to 4 liquor bottles, while mixing drinks to the cheers of the crowd.  He heads next week to Pittsburgh, where he claims “he’ll win and head on to the Top 10” and continue his touring with the Flair Bartending Associations World Tour.

The 3 finalists, surrounded by the Jager Girls, will head to the state finals in Jan.

The 3rd place winner, Marissa Todd from Bargos Grill and Tap (2nd from the left above) won a $100 with her Jager Mocha Mudslide:  In a blender mix 1oz of Jager, 1oz of Van Gough double expresso, chocolate syrup, 1 scoop of Ben & Jerry’s phish food ice cream and half and half.  Serve in a chilled 16oz glass.

In 2nd place Seth Browning (2nd from the right)  took home $150 and will be happy to serve you a Chocolate Jager Mint at Carvers:  1 1/2 oz Jager, 1/2 oz dark creme de menthe, 1 1/2 oz Godiva White Chocolate served in a chocolate drizzled martini glass.

Winner Jamie Gaulding

Taking home the Dayton regional trophy as well as  $250, Jamie Gaulding, from PC’s Lounge on Gettysburg,  winning nameless recipe is:

1 part Jager to 2 parts Italian sweet cream (aka coffee mate), half a teaspoon of cinnamon, and a pinch of nutmeg.  Blend with ice and serve in a rocks glass, top with whip cream and a sprinkle of nutmeg.

“All three of the top finalist will head to the State finals in Columbus, held in January according to represent Dayton,” according to Heather Taggart Robinson, the Ohio Sales Representative for Sidney Frank Importing Company.

Your Vote Earns You Deals at Area Eateries

By 4 Comments

Doing your civic duty can be your ticket to discounts around town today:

  • Rue Dumaine is offering 10% off your meal today with your sticker.
  • Buy one cupcake, get one free at Cake, Hope  & Love in Beavercreek
  • At El Meson bring in your ” I VOTED STICKER”- and with the purchase of Tapas, Small Plates, or dinner- recieve a Pitcher of SANGRIA for $5! This can also be for a FREE dessert ! your Choice Lunch or Dinner!
  • Hawthorn Grill will upgrade your lunch sandwich into a platter with your sticker
  • BD Mongolian Grill is offering $2 off your meal with your sticker.
  • Tim Hortons Café & Bake Shop will give its guests a free donut when they purchase any beverage and show their “I Voted” sticker at participating U.S. restaurants on Election Day.
  • The Amber Rose is hosting Voter Apperciation Day! Present your voting sticker to your server and receive $2.50 off lunch or $5.00 off dinner!  *One discount per check only. Valid today only

 

If you hear of more deals, feel free to add them in the comments below!

Craft for the Coast

By Leave a Comment

Cavalier Distributing, who describe themselves as Ohio’s Finest Specialty Beer Wholesaler, is partnering with  Dogfish Head, Heavy Seas, and Sixpoint Breweries, all of which are located on the East Coast, to raise funds to support the American Red Cross in assisting those people affected by Superstorm Sandy. They will donate $1 per case sold from these breweries on Nov 5th – Nov 9th.

Additionally on Tues, Nov 6th, they are teaming up with Ohio bars and restaurants on a Craft for the Coast night.  The participating bars will donate $1/pint sold and Cavalier will match the money raised, dollar for dollar for each Dogfish Head, Heavy Seas, and Sixpoint beer sold. Stop by your favorite local bar, restaurant, or store to help our fellow Americans in need!

Bunkers Sports Bar and Grill
893 East National Road, Vandalia, OH 45377
937-890-8899      Hours: 11am – 2am

Featured Beers:
Dogfish Head (Delaware) Chicory & Punkin
Heavy Seas (Maryland) Loose Cannon & Winter Storm
Sixpoint (Brooklyn NY) Lager & Bengal Tiger

Chappy’s Tap Room and Grille
2733 W. Alex Bell Road, Moraine, OH 45459
(937) 299-7427     Hours: 11am – 2am

Featured Beers:
Dogfish Head (Delaware) Positive Contact, Palo Santa Marron and Indian Brown
Sixpoint (Brooklyn, NY) Resin and The Crisp
Heavey Seas  (Maryland)  Loose Cannon & Winter Storm

It’s also 2 for $22 Dinner day at Chappy’s – each person can choose from 6 entrees, with 2 sides and Texas Chocolate sheet cake.

Lucky’s Tap Room and Grill
520 E. Fifth Street, Dayton, OH 45402
(937) 222-6800     Hours:  11am -2:30am

Featured Beers:
Dog Fish Head  (Delaware) Midas Touch
SixPoint (Brooklyn, NY) Resin.
Heavy Seas (Maryland)  Small Batch Warning

Scene 75 Entertainment Center
6196 Poe Avenue, Dayton, OH 45414
(937) 619-3200      Hours:  3- 10pm

Featured Beers:
Heavy Seas Winter Storm

Locally Created T-shirt Can Help Restore The Shore!

By 5 Comments

Local entrepreneur  Shannon Thomas was watching the tv reports on the devastation caused by Super Storm Sandy and it really got to him.  He wanted to help.  He realized that since his company,  Four Ambition,   prints
t-shirts, by could use his business to help raise money to help those in dire need.  He created the Restore the Shore t-shirt and will be providing all printing and work for free so 100% proceeds from these shirt sales will go straight to American Red Cross Disaster Relief to aid those effected.   T-shirts are $15  and are available on grey or white 100% cotton shirt.  You can use this link  to purchase your shirts:  www.sandyaidrelief.bigcartel.com

He told a few of his friends, created the site and posted in on Facebook.  It’s been up 20 hours and Shannon says he already gotten over 55 oreders.  Orders have come in  from California, New Jersey and even someone from Germany has contacted him.  The site is going viral and here’s an easy way to help.  Order a t-shirt, share this article or just make a straight donation. This is a temporary store to raise some fast money for Red Cross so buy a shirt or just go straight to Red Cross’s website to get them the money faster. Shannon says he’ll keep it up for a few weeks or until the orders stop.  He did a similar fundraiser when the tsunami his Japan a while bak .
In talking with Shannon he said his biggest local customers are Cedarville University, Rockquest from Cincinnati and Welcome To College.  With the heart this young businessman has for helping others, I’d sure like to ask  anyone reading this that needs shirts, to please consider doing business with Four Ambition. Whether you order 12 shirts or 5000, if you need screen printed apparel or posters, embroidery, buttons, or graphic design, please check them out. They are located at 400 Linden Ave, Studio 201 in Dayton and can be reached at (937) 239-4479

 

 

’83 Sweets Cupcake Wars Episode Reruns Thurs, Nov 1st

By Leave a Comment

’83 Sweets girls, Alyssa and Julie with Cody Simpson at the winner’s party!

We’ve said it before, but just like a good episode of Cupcake Wars, the story is worth repeating!  Daytonian Alyssa Logan and her mother Julie recently competed on an episode of the Food Network’s Cupcake Wars and if you missed it the first time, it will be re-aired on Thurs, Nov 1st at 7pm. Since it’s already aired, we figure we’re not spoiling anything by sharing that ’83 Sweets was the winner of this episode featuring Cody Simpson.  Their cupcake display was featured at special fan event for rocker Simpson.

According to the Food Netork’s website, “each week on Cupcake Wars, four of the country’s top cupcake bakers face off in three elimination challenges until only one decorator remains. The sweet prize: $10,000 and the opportunity to showcase their cupcakes at the winning gig. Candace Nelson (owner of Sprinkles Cupcakes) and Florian Bellanger (chef and co-owner of online macaroon company MadMac) serve as permanent judges with a third rotating judge each week.”

This is the second trip to Cupcake Wars for Alyssa and her mom, who serves as her assistant. Their first trip was for the Tony Hawk Foundation Skate Parks which aired on July 8th of this year, in which the baking team made it to the finals.  Her carob cupcakes with avovado, sunflower butter frosting and candy-coated sunflower seeds made a big impression on this show.  You can check out some behind the scenes video here:  [yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AQ0FtcPmM4&feature=youtu.be’]

Logan said she was picked to be on the show among thousands of applicants, and believes her 1980s-themed bakery is what set them apart.  She thinks her small town

vibe really made a difference in her being cast, even though she initially thought it might put her at a disadvantage.  Logan says she’s a fourth generation baker, who learned to bake at her Grandmother’s side.  “The aromas of baking cakes, cookies and pies remind me of her, and it makes me smile.  Our special time lives on through her recipes.”  Logan is especially proud to use fresh eggs from her mothers farm as well as many organic ingredients in her baked goods as possible.

’83 Sweets is a  home based bakery-delivery business that was opened almost 3 years ago.   You place an order and she delivers.  You can also order up cupcakes and other sweets on her etsy shop.  However with all the attention “83 Sweets is getting, we wouldn’t be surprised to hear an opening soon announcement….

 

Another local bakery, Moore Dessert Please, was also featured in this episode, which originally aired on Oct 21st, read about them here.

 

 

 

Dayton Native Plugs New Cookbook With Local Appearance

By Leave a Comment

Celebrity chef Ming Tsai was born and raised right here in Dayton and learned to cook working side by side with his mother and father in the family business, the Mandarin Kitchen.  After earning a degree in mechanical engineering from Yale, he toured the world working in kitchen and training with renowned chefs from Paris to Japan.  He eventually opened his own restaurant in Wellesley, MA.  The Blue Ginger has been widely acclaimed and Ming has been awarded Best Chef Awards and been recognized with many industry accolades.

Ming hosts his own cooking show on  public television SIMPLY MING, which can be seen here locally on ThinkTV.  Ming will return to Dayton on Thurs, Nov 1st at 7 pm at Books & Co. a The Greene to introduce his newest book, Simply Ming In Your Kitchen: 80 Recipes to Watch, Learn, Cook & Enjoy.  This collection of 80 simple dishes introduces a new concept in cook books.  By using QR codes, you can use have Ming in your kitchen with you on video demonstrating the techniques you’ll use to create each dish.  You’ll even by able to download ingredient shopping lists to your smart phone. Recipes  reflect Ming’s East meets West approach to cooking and include: Honey Crab Wontons, Olive-Oil Poached Salmon with Tomato Tapenade, Japanese Chicken Curry and also some of his favorite cocktails like a Sake Cucumber Martini or Pasion Fruit Ma Tai.


 

 

 

 

 

Dreaming Of Life After November 6th…

By 1 Comment

Please help us welcome guest blogger Karen Kelly Brown to DaytonMostMetro.  A published author, former radio personality and currently marketing director for a fast food chain, Karen is also a motivational speaker and writes a regular column for other publications entitled “Bleached Blonde Mind”.
I really don’t know what I’m going to do.  I will totally go into withdrawals.  I mean I’m sure you feel it too – when you have something like this for so long, and then someone just yanks it away, how can we get over it?
My mailbox is stuffed full.  (Well actually my re-cycling bin is overflowing now.) The commercials are running more than the actual shows. (Thank goodness for DVR.) The signs in the yards and windows are more prevalent than the fall decorations that accompany them.
I am speaking, of course, of The Election.  Yes, I put it in caps.  It’s become a title.  An event.  A holiday of sorts.  And just like Christmas, when the actual votes have been counted and the signs put away, we’ll go back to a peaceful, boring existence.
One without annoying commercials and phone calls.  Some people may leave their signs up in their yards until Easter along with their Christmas lights – just to annoy their neighbors – but that’s another story.
I admire those that feel strongly enough to canvass the town about their candidate, going door to door answering questions.  But really, it’s getting to be a little old when I open the door hoping to see my UPS guy with my Amazon order and it’s yet another volunteer, begging for my vote.  At this point, when my doorbell rings, I’d rather be buy two dozen bags of popcorn from a Cub Scout than answer questions or convince the person that yes, I really do know who I am voting for and no, no matter how much you slam the other party, my mind can’t be swayed.
Seeing as how Ohio seems to be the state that is keeping the country hanging on by a thread, I’m thinking maybe we should take advantage of this somehow.  If we truly are the last remaining swing state, then how about a little motivation to vote for your candidate?  A box of chocolates?  A bottle of wine?  A nice little lunch where you and I sit and chat and I don’t listen to you tell me why I should vote the way you want me to? Ok, so if that sounds too much like a bribe, then how about this?  You pretend to ring my doorbell.  I’ll pretend to answer it.  You pretend to drone on and on about how horrible the other candidate is (not one of these people has said why their candidate IS good, just why the other one is NOT), I’ll pretend to agree with you and then we can all go our happy separate ways, and I’ll go vote on November 6th just like I planned to.  How does that work for you, Mr. or Ms. Canvasser?
The candidates’ names are being thrown around so much that my 1 ½ old granddaughter picked up a pot holder and said “Mitt?”  I was kind of hoping her first word would be Grammy.  Sigh.
Well, it is almost over.  No matter what the results, we will suck it up and deal with it and pray that our country will keep moving in the direction of improvement and strength.  And maybe a little of that “Indivisible” thrown in there for good measure.
And remember the Golden Rule: “Thee that does not vote, cannot complain for the next four years.”

Beer Tasting For A Cause

By 6 Comments

The Epilepsy Foundation of Western Ohio invites you to join them at the Taj M Garaj this Saturday night , Nov 3rd, for their annual Autoberfest beer tasting from 6 – 10pm.   Amongst the amazing collection of Porsches and Volkswagen’s on display, guests can choose up to 20 samples  of craft beers and  a new addition this year, a selection of 6 wines as well.   Live music will be provided by Side of Fries and appetizers will be served up by Bernstein’s Fine Catering.

Beer Selections will include brews from  21st Amendment, Boston Beer Company, Brooklyn, Chimay Trappist, Goose Island, Lindemans, Magic Hat, Morgaat Duvvel, Mt. Carmel, Ommegang, Redbridge, Rogue, Samuel Smith, Shock Top, Sierra Nevada, Smuttynose, Stella Artois, Thirsty Dog, Victory and Widmer Brothers.

Tickets are available online for $40 or at the door for $50 and include a souvenir glass and tasting guide.   All guests must by 21 or over and tropical attire is encouraged. The Taj Ma Garaj is located at 30 Perry Street in downtown Dayton.

Dayton Most Metro Ticket Contest

We have TWO PAIRS of  tickets to send you to Autoberfest so fill out the form below, and then leave a comment at the end of this article that tells us why YOU should win tickets from DaytonDining.  We’ll announce the winners on Thursday by 4pm.  Cheers!

CONTEST CLOSED

Congratulations to Joe Erickson and Fran Paschall!

Halloween Bash Inculdes Cup Cake Eating Contest

By Leave a Comment

Cake Hope & Love  is having a Halloween Bash at there Beavercreek shop on October 27th. The Fressa Food truck will be there  selling, face painting, cupcake eating contest, a kid & pet costume parade, decorate your own cupcake, coffee, and live music throughout the day.  Here’s the link to the cupcake eating contest registration form.

 

Here’s the official schedule for the HALLOWEEN 2012 BASH!

11am : Face painting: FREE

11:30: Fressa Food Truck Arrives
Kid & Pet Costume Parade FREE (with prizes)

12pm: Junior Division Cupcake Eating Contest :FREE (with prize)
Adult Division Cupcake Eating Contest: FREE (with prize)

2pm : Kids decorate your own cupcake ($3)
Guess the Goo : FREE (with prize)6:30pm: Live Music – Jonathan Hamilton: FREE
Coffee ($1 per k-cup on our Keurig)

FREE mini cupcakes while they last for the kiddos in costumes!

13th Annual All You Can Eat Chocolate Party

By Leave a Comment

Once a year The Bellbrook Chocolate Shoppe opens their doors to guests to join them for a  rare opportunity to taste all the sweets in the kitchen of their place at Cross Pointe Center.  This  year it takes place on Sunday, Oct 28th from 4 -6pm.  Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at the door and will provide mammograms for the under/served and under/insured.
Owner Betty Blose attributes the popularity of her chocolates to the fact that they are handmade with her “signature” blend of milk and dark chocolate to create varieties that include creams, truffles, enrobed and molded items. It’s the only blend sold at the family’s Centerville store, and they use this rich chocolate to create everything from chocolate heart-shaped boxes filled with strawberries dipped in chocolate and cakes made of layers of shortbread cookies, iced with chocolate, to their Bellbrook pretzel, a pretzel rod dipped in caramel, rolled in toffee pieces and finally dipped in chocolate.

Although it seems too good to be true, dark chocolate can actually be good for you! When consumed in moderation, this delicious treat has some powerful health benefits. Following are three of the major reasons to indulge:

1. It can help prevent heart disease: Like tea, dark chocolate contains flavonoids, which are compounds that act as antioxidants. Flavonoids protect cells from harmful molecules—called free radicals—that are produced when the body breaks down food or is exposed to sunlight or smoke. Free radicals can cause cell damage that leads to heart disease. Flavonoids can also lower blood pressure and reduce LDL cholesterol (i.e., the bad cholesterol) by up to 10 percent.

2. It can improve your mood: Dark chocolate stimulates the production of endorphins, chemicals in the brain that bring on feelings of pleasure. It also contains the chemical serotonin, which acts as an anti-depressant.
3. It can protect your skin: German researchers found that the flavonoids in dark chocolate absorb UV light, help protect and increase blood flow to the skin, and improve skin’s hydration and complexion.

For all of its health benefits, though, dark chocolate does contain a lot of calories. So, experts recommend sticking to no more than three ounces of the sweet stuff per day.

Sources: About.com, CNN.com, eHow.com

Christopher’s To Host Autumn Wine Dinner

By Leave a Comment


Christopher’s Restaurant in Kettering began serving beer and wine about a year ago and now on Saturday, November 3rd they will be hosting an autumn wine dinner  at 4:30 pm. It will feature an exquisite, five-course, small plate menu with samplings of 5 different wines from their newly updated wine list.  Reservations are required and limited.

You can call  299-0089 or stop by Christopher’s at 2318 Dorothy Lane to purchase your tickets. Reservations will be available until October 31st unless they sell out, which at $30 per person will be quickly, I predict!

The Menu is as follows:

Squash soup with lump crab and toasted almond fraiche  with Rodney Strong Chardonnay

Fig and goat cheese toastettes with Darcy Kent Pinot Noir

Beet salad with hazelnuts horseradish vinaigrette and melted brie with Hand Craft Petite Sirah

Roast Duck with Apple Cider Gravy & Sweet Potato Gnocci with Chateau St. Jean Cabernet Sauvignon

Dark Chocolate Sacher Torte with Lock & Ket Meritage

Vegetarian options are available

A Second Helping of Cupcake Wars for Local Bakery

By 1 Comment

Brittany Moore, owner of Moore Dessert Please!,and her mother Tina will team up for a special mother-daughter episode of the hit show for the chance to have their cupcakes on display at an exclusive event for

Brittany Moore

teen pop star Cody Simpson. You may remember reading about their last appearance on the Food Network show this past spring, where the team finished in second place.   The show will air this Sunday night at 8pm.

Moore Dessert Please! will be offering Cupcake War themed specials all week long at their storefront on 1003 Shroyer Road.  There daily menu features 8-10 flavored cupcakes from a rotating menu of 35 flavors. You’ll also find brownies, cookies, cake pops and more at their store.