Dayton937

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

Lisa Grigsby

Dayton restuarnt declares Duck-A-Palooza Week!!

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Chef Candice Rinke (read  more about her here in our 10 questions interview) of The Hawthorn Grill in Kettering loves autumn and duck so she has declared this week “> Duck-a-palooza” and she’ll be featuring duck in four different autumnal specials all week starting tonight!  The restaurant, located at 1222 East Stroop Road is open nightly at 5pm and serves til 9pm during the week and 10pm on Friday and Saturday.

Enjoy the following duck-centric menu items this week:

Charcuterie Platter Appetizer
Duck and Pistachio Terrine, Sherried Duck Liver Mousse,

Toast Points, Cumberland Sauce, 11

Duck & Sausage Cassoulet

Homemade White Bean Stew, Confit of Duck, Fresh Pork Sausage,

Herbed Bread Crumbs, 19

Duck with Pasta

Crispy House-cured Duck Confit, Homemade Butternut Squash Ravioli,

Sage Brown Butter, Broccoli Rabe, 20

Pan Roasted Duck Breast

Crispy Sautéed Duck Breast, Dried Cherry~Duck Reduction,

Lentil and Potato Ragoût, Braised Savoy Cabbage, 20

Yuengling Comes To Dayton Bars First, Stores Later

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Many Dayton beer lovers have had Oct 31st circled on their calendar as the day Yuengling debuts in Dayton.  The billboards and bus signs have been hyping the arrival for months.  And for draught lovers, many local bars and restaurants will be  treating folks to a glass of beer on Mon, Oct 31st.  But there is a trick to the debut as well, according to Kathryn Oakes, Director of Marketing for Heidelberg Distributing, the demand has been far bigger than we expected.  We’ll have enough kegs on hand to service our market, but the retail packages will be delayed until Nov. 14th.”

“I thought that this launch was going to make history for Yuengling and set the standard for future state launches, and Ohioans are going to make that happen,” said Patrick Noone, the brewery business development manager overseeing the move into Ohio. “It’s crazy. I’ve never seen anything like this.”

The family-owned brewery, which promotes itself as “America’s Oldest Brewery,” is based in Pottsville, Pa. Despite being in a neighboring state, Yuengling had never sold its brands in Ohio, blaming the reason on a lack of production.

Yuengling recently expanded one of its breweries to make the push into Ohio.

The beer has a major cult-like following, and there are plenty of stories about Ohioans making special trips to Pennsylvania to stock up. Its arrival has elicited comparisons to Coors, which for years wasn’t sold on the East Coast.

Rob VanMetre, the local Yuengling brand manager, shared with us that the Lager, Light Lager and Black & Tan ( a mixture of Yuengling Premium Beer and Dark-Brewed Porter) will be available at the roll out.  Other Yuengling brands, such as Porter and Lord Chesterfield Ale, are expected to arrive sometime next year.

He goes on share that “Yuengling is a fantastic beer with a great following and moving the release date back for retail and convenience stores is really so we can service all our customers and be fair.”

Many local bars will be opening early to host special tasting parties.  The Dublin Pub is opening at 5:30am to our $3 pints to Yuengling fans. Stop in for kegs and eggs and get a great start to your week!  Archer’s Tavern in Centerville will open up at 6am and TJ Chumps is promoting $2.50 22oz Yuenglings the entire month of November.

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

And then two weeks later look for the stores to roll out a round of welcome parties. Cheers!

“

Is Your Chili Worth $500?

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On Sat, Oct 22,  the Kroc Center is hosting a Chili Cook Off from 10am – 2pm.  Prizes will be awarded for the top 3 chili cooks, as well as a people’s choice and best decorated booth.  First place wins $500, 2nd will win $200 and 3rd place is $100.  Entrants must apply with a $25 booth fee by Oct 14th.  There are 12 spots available and all chili must be prepared and cooked on site.  Participants must prepare at least 2 gallons of chili for judging and public tasting.   Chili must contain 95% lean ground beef. See complete rules here.

Guest are invited to stroll the Kroc campus, sample chili and enjoy live music and their will be a costume contest and inflatables for the kids.  The Ohio Beef Council will be on hand doing live food demos and there will  even be a pumpkin patch.  $5 admission. The Kroc Center is located at 1000 N. Keowee Street, however the parking lot entrance is off Webster Street.



Zig Zag Gallery To Host Soup Fundraiser

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Kim Megginson and her partner Brad Abbey at the Centerville gift shop are both potters, so it’s no surprise that they are celebrating American Craft Week.  As a part of the festivities, they will host their annual Soup for CERF fundraiser.  On Thurs Oct 6th and Fri Oct 7th from 5 – 8pm the Cross Pointe Gallery will be serving up soup.  The annual benefit for the Craft Emergency Relief Fund is part of a 15 year national relief effort that supports professional crafters when personal or natural disasters strike

Zig Zag Gallery will have a selection of pottery bowls donated by both local and national potters. Guests will choose their bowl  and fill it with a soup dinner provided byFlavors Eatery, Meadowlark Restaurant, Ashley’s Pastry Shop, Dorothy Lane Market and more!

For a $10 donation guests go home with a bowl and ZIG ZAG sends the money to the national fund that helps artists through direct financial and educational assistance to crafters,  including emergency relief assistance, business development support, and resources and referrals on topics such as health, safety, and insurance.

Of course while you’re there, you might want to check out the displays by local artists, shop the unique gift selections or pick up the latest charms for your Pandora bracelet.

Cross Pointe Centre 101 E. Alex Bell Rd. #172 Dayton, Ohio 45459 | Directions
Phone: 937.434.3565 | Fax: 937.434.2244 | [email protected]

Hours:  Monday – Friday 10am – 7pm | Saturday 10 am – 6pm | Sunday 12 noon – 5pm

Dining Your Way through Oktoberfest!

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It’s not quite October, but close enough that local restaurants are rolling out the Oktoberfest menus. Here’s a round up of the local specials heralding the Bavarian culture that has been celebrating these festivities since 1810.

Amber Rose kicked off their Oktoberfest beer special which allows you to enjoy your first Beck’s Oktoberfest, Amber Bach or Goose Island Harvest  for just 10 cents all month long.  The y will also feature a different schnitzel special each week and of course brats are available for lunch all month long.

Chef Keith Taylor at Savona in Centerville has a special menu offering options like wurst salad, warm potato salad, german slaw, wiener schnitael, beef rouladen, choucroute garni and apple strudel.  Taylor offers this menu in homage to his late mentor, Chef Dieter Krug, whom he worked under at L’Auberge and often was a guest chef at Savona, where they perfected them menu items.

L’Auberge is running a special 3 course pre-fixe meal for $25 until
Oct. 8th that includes:

First Course: choice of German potato salad or Bavarian sausage salad
Second Course: Octoberfest chicken with stuffing or roasted pork schank with red red cabbage
Third Course:  warm apple strudel

Rue Dumaine is offfering an Oktoberfest celebration on Thurs, Oct 6th.  You’ll have the option of a German beer tasting featuring Erdinger Hefewiezen Oktoberfest, Sam Adamas Oktoberfest  and Ayinger Oktoberfest – Marzen for $12 or pairing German wines with this special menu created by Chef Anne:

Sauerkraut balls over German mustard crème
Obatzda –Limburger cheese-butter spread, served with handmade soft pretzels
Hot slaw with apples and bacon
German potato** salad
Tartlet of Alsatian Munster and roasted mushrooms
–
Rinderrouladen served with potato puree and braised red cabbage – beef stuffed with a pickle spear, carrot stick, house made German-style ham and a smear of German mustard. It is seared then slow braised in beef stock. Served with Yukon potato puree and braised red cabbage seasoned with bacon, onion, red wine vinegar and sugar.

Grilled trout with celery sauce and Schupfnudeln (potato dumplings)

Gemischtes Würstchenteller- 2 varieties house made sausages served with kraut (with juniper, caraway, apples**, onions, bacon and beer), spaetzle and German mustard

Apple** strudel- phyllo wrapped apples with raisins, walnuts, sugar and spice
Petite Black Forest cake

** designated locally grown items

Bourbon Chicken Finds A Home

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After 11 years of serving up bourbon chicken  at area fairs and festivals, Louisiana Grill has found a permanent home in the South Towne Shopping Center on St Rt 725 (there’s no sign up yet-it’s coming).  In the space that formerly housed Meadowlark, the carpet’s been stripped, the walls once adorned by local artwork have been turned into large chalkboard menu’s lining an aisle leading you to order at the counter.

The menu gives you options of their signature bourbon & rice in 3 sizes- as a small bite for $3.69, a small entree at $6.49 or large for $8.69.  Add an order of pinto beans and it’s their Holy Trinity.  Next on the menu is the Jambalaya- slightly spicy and hearty with  chicken, rice and shrimp  with a slice of cornbread offered in 2 sizes for $7.49 and $9.69.  If you prefer yours with a bit more of a kick as I do, each table has a bottle of Sriracha sauce right along with the salt, pepper and ketchup.  Also on the menu:  a bourbon chicken sandwich, Texas toast BLT, smoked sausage, biscuits and gravy, french fries as well as sweet potato fries.  Down the road  a Sunday brunch will be added and there are plans to hold beer and wine tastings or private parties on Sunday evenings.

Spicy food just calls for a hearty beer and I was excited by the selection of craft beers that were offered as well as a small wine selection. Of course, in true southern tradition,  sweet tea is also readily available.

My visit to the eatery was on the second day they were open and a sign on the door mentioned they are still on temporary daytime hours, but expect to be open nights by the end of this week.  The restaurant will be closed on Monday’s.  There is seating for about 40 guests, though Dana, the owners daughter, shared that the expect to do quite a bit of carry out business.  She also mentioned future decorating ideas and perhaps the addition of a tv, which I hope happen soon, as the place currently has a kind of boxy, unfinished feeling.  But overall the food was tasty, the portions good and the service was quite friendly.  I look forward to visiting again soon!

Louisiana-Grill, Home of Bourbon ChickenTM
2094 Miamisburg-Centerville Road
Dayton, Ohio 45459
937.436.3028     Fax 937.436.3097

Lunch and Dinner:
Tuesday – Thursday: 11am – 9pm
Friday and Saturday: 11am – 10pm
Sunday: 10am – 3pm
Closed Monday

Celebrating 32 years with 6 course feast

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Having overcome recent issues that threatened the future of this Dayton landmark, L’Auberge is celebrating their 32nd anniversary with a six course feast being offered this Fri, Sept 16 and Sat, Sept 17.  As owner Josef  Reif so elegantly shared in an email to his regulars, ” We are so fortunate to have been a part of your lives and to be able to continue to fulfill your culinary desires.” As part of the celebration L’Auberge welcomes back former General Manager Brian DeMarke. Brian, who is currently working for Vinter Select, an Ohio wine importer, will serve as a Guest Sommelier for the weekend.  The menu for the $100/person anniversary celebration is listed below:

Sashimi of Gingered Blue Fin Tuna with Mussels

Brian DeMarke

Hudson Valley F oie Gras
Mission Figs, Butternut Squash, Port Wine Glaze

Arborio Risotto
Oregon Chanterelle Mushrooms and Truffle Butter

Candy Cane Beets Salad
Fennel Confit and Goat Cheese

Beef Wellington
Mushroom Duxelles, Dauphinoise Potato
Sauce Perigueux

Soufflé Chocolate

3 Course Meal Deal For September at L’Auberge

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L’Auberge has announced it will run a September 3 course meal deal in the Bistro for $25.95.  Reservations are always encouraged and can be made at (937) 299-5536 for this Kettering restaurant located just south of Stroop Rd at 4120 Far Hills Ave.

Starter:
Andalusian Gazpacho Soup served Chilled
–or–
European Greens, Beets and Apples with House Dressing

Entrees:
Wild Alaskan Cod served with Local Heirloom Eggplant and Sauternes Wine Sauce
–or–
Ohio’s Best Chicken Pot Pie
–or–
Beef Bourguignon with Home Made Spaetzle

Dessert:
Local Peaches and Ice Cream

Top Chefs Cook for Glen Helen

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Photo Credit: Itinerant Studio

On Sunday, Sept. 11th at 4pm Glen Helen will host their 2nd annual culinary adventure to  benefit the Raptor Center.  Through its rehabilitation efforts the Raptor Center admits 150-200 birds of prey each year for rehabilitation, and is able to release more than half of them back into the wild.  Through its education efforts, the Center reaches thousands of people each year, who hopefully gain a greater understanding, appreciation, and concern for raptors and other wildlife.

The following  chefs  will prepare a bountiful six-course feast with local foods sourced from area growers:

Kim Korkan and Mary Kay Smith : The Winds Cafe

Doug McGregor and Margaret Mattox : Seasons Bistro and Grille

Carrie Walters : Dorothy Lane Market

Elizabeth Wiley : Meadowlark Restaurant

Margo Blondet:  Sidebar
Guests will enjoy music, complimentary wines, and a raptor meet and greet.  Tickets are available online at glenhelen.org for $150 each.

Be A Part of Dayton’s Party of Parties!

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Masquerage is the signature annual event of AIDS Resource Center Ohio, raising critical unrestricted funding for individuals infected, affected and at risk of HIV/AIDS.  Since Masquerage’s  inception in 2002,  “Dayton’s Party  of Parties” for a cause has become the fastest growing, must-attend event in Dayton, bringing people together to have a great evening, generate greater awareness of HIV/AIDS issues and raise much needed funds to benefit client services and people living with or affected by this disease.

It takes hundreds of volunteers to pull off an event this size.  From artists and designers that can help with the decor, to bartenders and servers to keep the smiles on everyones faces.  We’ll need folks to work event check in, coat check and even first aid.  A crew is needed to work the silent auction area and so many other behind the scenes jobs that help keep the party going for an expected 1000 guests this year.

We’ll spend the week of Oct 11th transforming the RoundHouse at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds into a decadent venue for the 10th anniversary Masquerage, to be held on Sat, Oct 15th.

So if you’re willing to pitch in and help ARC Ohio by volunteering, sign up here, or contact [email protected] or by phone at 937-461-2347 x 2029.

Olive Wants to Sweeten Your First Friday

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Here’s your chance to grab a sweet treat this First Friday night as Olive- an urban dive opens from 5 -9pm to serve up dessert and a beverage for $7.  Whether it’s some of the homemade cheesecake or a serving of Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream, you’ll be sure to enjoy the fresh ingredients and friendly service that Olive is fast becoming know for.  And in keeping with the artsy feel of First Friday’s, you can check out featured artist Melissa Esmond works displayed in the restaurant.

While you’re there, you may want to pick up a ticket to their Friday, September 16th Urban Nights Pre Fixe Dinner as well.  Last we checked there were about 18 seats left.


Reserve Your Free Breakfast Entree at Chick-fil-a

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Chick-fi-A is inviting you to start your day with breakfast on them.  To get your free breakfast you’ll need to visit their website  www.chick-fil-aforbreakfast.com to reserve the free Chick-fil-A® breakfast entrée of your choice. Reservations may be redeemed Sept. 6 – 10 during breakfast hours (6:30 to 10:30 a.m.) at the selected restaurant by presenting a printed copy of the personal invitation received upon making a reservation on the website. The offer is limited to one free breakfast entrée per customer, per restaurant during the five-day period.

Customers will have up to nine breakfast entrées to choose from, including the Chick-fil-A® Chicken Biscuit, Spicy Chicken Biscuit, Sausage Biscuit, Chick-fil-A Chick-n-MinisTM (three-count), Chicken, Egg & Cheese Bagel, Bacon, Egg & Cheese Biscuit, Chicken Breakfast Burrito, Sausage Breakfast Burrito and the new Multigrain Oatmeal. Entrée choices may vary by restaurant.

There are 6 Chick-fil-a’s in the Dayton area including in the Fairfield Commons Mall and  Dayton Mall, one on  Miamisburg Centerville Road in Washington Township, another on Fairfield Road in Beavercreek and at the Benchwood exit off I-75.

September Starts With “The Taste”

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This Thurs, Sept 1st from 5-9pm  Lincoln Park Commons will be filled with the sweet and savory smells of over 3 dozen area eateries, as they host the 23rd Annual The Taste festival!

Local jazz guitarist Chris Bowman will play a combination of jazz, R&B and rock music to keep the crowds swaying as they line up for samples from the 30+ eateries scheduled to appear.

Advance tickets run $20, buy at the event and they’ll add on $5.  Children under 10 are $10.  As with any Fraze events, expect lines and remember you can’t bring outside drinks and purses are subject to searches.

Kettering-Moraine-Oakwood Chamber of Commerce presents this annual event as a fundraiser for the Chamber, and every year I’m amazed at the number of restaurants that show up for this event. Here’s the most current list of participants:

10 Wilmington Place Fresco
Amicis Gordon Food Service Marketplace
Atrium Grille & Deli Kohler Catering/Presidential Banquet Center
Baskin Robbins LaRosa’s Pizzeria Kettering
Belmont Catering MCL Restaurant & Bakery
Bellyfire Catering McCormick & Schmick’s
Brio Tuscan Grille Moore Dessert Please!
Butter Cafe Ovations Food Services
Cake, Hope & Love Panera Bread
Chef Jeff’s Culinary Company SideBar
Cheryl’s Cookies Tacqueria Mixteca
Christopher’s Restaurant That Crepe Place
Creatif Catering The Artichoke Grill
Crocodile Louie’s The Hawthorn Grill
Dixie Dairy Dreem The Oakwood Club
Donatos Pizza The Rusty Bucket Corner Tavern
Elsa’s on the Border Trader Joe’s
Figlio Italian Bistro and Bar W.g. Grinders
Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse

Enjoy an Urban Nights Dinner at Olive!

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Opened in July, Dayton’s hottest new restaurant has been offering lunch and Saturday brunch to raving fans.  But owner Kimberly Collett has postponed adding dinner service for a couple of reasons.  First, her lunch has been busier than planned, exceeding her predictions of how much product she’d need – area farmers supply most of the ingredients for for their fresh, made from scratch and locally sourced menu.  Secondly,  due to a rainy planting season and low harvest Olive has had to enlarge their buying circle and spend a lot of time picking up product or as Kimberly describes it, “meeting farmers in parking lots to make an exchange.”

But wait no longer- Olive, an urban dive (at the old Wympee on the corner of Third and Wayne) is offering a Prix Fixe menu for Urban Nights, Friday, September 16th! The 6:30pm seating still has seats left, but you’ll want to reserve quickly, the later seating is already sold out. You can purchase your tickets on their website.  According to their website “we’ll get you off to adventure downtown in an hour and 30 minutes!”

Here’s the menu:

warm bread with cinnamon spun honey
house salad with choice of dressings
tiropita triangles and salt cod fritters
marinated shish kabobs: vegetable & tofu or vegetable & steak
over a bed of our indian basmati rice and black beans
pastry chef’s choice cheesecake & our urban press coffee

house beverages and tax included
cash tip for staff appreciated

please arrive on time. we will begin dinner promptly!

*vegetarian options on all courses*
BYOB in an insulated bag or small cooler ~ no corkage fee
community style seating for the evening

Beer Week Concludes With AleFest Saturday

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It seems only fitting that the proper way to conclude beer week is with a huge beer bash and that’s exactly what Joe Waizmann, organizer of the 13th annual AleFest is planning.  Over 4000 beer fans are expected to take over Carillon Historical Park this Sat, Aug 27th from 2-6pm.  According to Waizmann, the event will be “bigger and better than ever with more than 350 beers from about 140 breweries – an all time high,”  listed here if you want to look.

One of the highlights of the fest will be the Cask Ales being tapped. These beers are  brewed from traditional ingredients and matured in the cask from which it is served. As Chappy’s co-owner Lori Yanko  explains, “these beers have a different mouth feel because they are self carbonated as opposed to poured with co2.  Breweries will often release variations on their specialty brews, for instance the Great Lakes  we’re pouring this Friday night is a special cask of dry-hopped Commodore Perry,  as opposed to their regular IPA.”

Look for the following Cask Ales- and expect them to disappear quickly:

  • Heavy Seas Loose Canon IPA Dry Hopped in Cask
  • Left Hand Milk Stout
  • Thirsty Dog Belgian Tripel with Cherries
  • Thirsty Dog Druid Farmhouse Ale
  • Two Brothers Resistance Oaked IP
Tips from Making the most of AleFest  from Fest Veterans

“A designated driver would be a good idea,” suggests Peter W, Dayton’s Premier Event Photographer (AleFest does offer a $10 designated driver ticket- if you have a friend that is really patient, better yet- arrange to have a sober driver await your call for a ride home).

“Get there early – the lines fill up fast, so if you wait until later to arrive you’ll be waiting in long lines and wasting precious beer drinking time,” shares Elise H, who biked 10 miles for the beer of it on Tues and highly  recommends the event for next year!

“Wear something cool and comfortable.  Plan out what you really want to try first. You never know what could be on a very limited supply, so you don’t want to miss out. Try the stuff you have never had before first,” advises Brain A, a local homebrewer.

“Take notes of the beers you like and those that, God forbid, you don’t.  If you don’t like something it will save youfrom buying a whole 6-pack down the road. Have a great time seeing friends! Check out the beer gear too,”says Marty B, Beer Week Committee Member

“Don’t worry about running out of tickets. As the afternoon wears on, some of the vendors get more generous with their pours,” offers Steve S, a veteran of early AleFests.

Budget conscious beer drinkers will want to get their AleFest ticket in advance for $35, you can pick it up at over 60 area bars and fine beer merchants, or purchase online or you can buy it at the park for $40.  Your ticket includes a cute little sampling glass, but don’t beg the volunteers pouring to fill it up.  Their is a sample line printed right on it  Bring extra money for snacks which will be available from 5th Street Deli, Chappys Tap Room & Grille, & Dorothy Lane Market and to pick up a cool beer collectible, if that’s your thing.   Phat Like Dad will be playing tunes in the gazebo and you may want to bring a portable chair and set up a home base for when you need a break.

BIke Miami Valley – The Rebirth!

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For decades Bike Miami Valley has played an important role in the development of the cycling community in the Miami Valley. As many of you heard at the Miami Valley Cycling Summit, Bike Miami Valley is being reborn with a new vision and mission to meet the current needs of cyclists in the region. They need your help and hope you will join them for a Meet-Up at Brixx to review where the organization has been, what is currently being done and how you can utilize your skills and interests to make an even greater impact.
The meeting will be on Tues, Sept 20th upstairs at Brixx (500 East 1st Street, Dayton)  and servers will be available if you would like some food and a tasty beverage.  For more info checkout the event on facebook.