Dayton937

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

Lisa Grigsby

Bring Your Tomato to Figlio Week

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Peter Danis, owner of Figlio in the Town & Country since 2003, sends out a quarterly newsletter that always has a friendly tone and shares a tidbit of his family life with customers.  It’s one of those restaurant I often forget about, since it’s not easily visible, so each time I get this newsletter it reminds me to go there more often.  Here’s an excerpt from the latest
newsletter:

I was talking about how much I loved my tomatoes with Laurie last week and she said “Wouldn’t it be great if you could bring your own tomato to a restaurant and have them use it in a salad”.   As I sipped my second glass of wine I gave some thought to this and said:  “Why not at Figlio”?
She thought I was joking… but I wasn’t.    By the time I finished my wine I decided to create
“Bring Your Tomato to Figlio Week” starting next Monday August 22nd through Saturday, August 27th.
(Why is it that I always find more inspiration during the second glass of wine?)

So here’s how it works.  If you order the Caprese Salad while dining with us next week, bring in your favorite tomato and give it to your server.  We’ll then have it sliced and used on your salad. Your tomato from your backyard.     Local. Seasonal.  Organic.

As a special incentive to make next week even more meaningful, Laurie and I will donate $1 to The Foodbank for every Caprese Salad ordered when we use your tomato.
We can help others through the bounty of our own backyards.

The Caprese Salad at $6.25 makes a perfect start to a meal or  the seasonal strawberry salad is a great choice.  Figlio is especially known for their wood grilled pizzas and according to manager Leanne Sunderman, one of their most popular creations this summer has been the ahi tuna pizza- pan seared tuna on a creme fraiche wasabi sauce topped with snow peas and broccoli and finished with an asian sauce for the perfect hot and sweet combination. Following in a close second is the grilled asparagus and chive pizza with prosciutto, drizzled with a balsamic gaze.  Pizzas run about $10 – $13.

You’ll want to save some room for their  creme brulee, chocolate mousse, tiramisu or while it’s available the strawberry shortcake.

Figlio is open for dinner starting at 5pm Monday through Saturday and they even have a small private dining room, perfect for a business meal or rehearsal dinner.  For more info or reservations call them at  937.534.0494.

Urban Nights Crew Needed!

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Love Downtown?
Volunteer to be on the Urban Nights Crew!
The Downtown Dayton Partnership needs you to help with Urban Nights on Friday, September 16, 2011. Urban Nights is a free event that showcases downtown’s housing, visual and performing arts, and other creative spaces. Approximately 100 businesses and organizations will be participating in the event, and expected attendance is 30,000+.
Shifts are from 4:45-7:30 p.m. and 7:15-10 p.m. You will be contacted before the event with details on everything you need to know for your shift. Crew Members are needed for the following duties:
*Shuttle Guides – shuttles are offered to help patrons get to some of the participating locations – guides will help direct patrons on the shuttles, answer questions and explain what each stop is for
*Walking Guides – serve as a guide for a designated area of downtown and help answer patron questions, provide directions, etc.
* Info Table – assist in supplying event materials to patrons and answer questions
* Survey Crew – ask patrons a short list of survey questions at the info tent and in other key areas of downtown

If you can help please send an email to Krystal Luketic with your full name, phone, preferred job and shift and t-shirt size. Sign ups end Aug 31st.

Cheers – It’s Beer Week!

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Ok, it’s longer than a week, with nine days of events celebrating craft beers all over the region.  Long been celebrated across the country, last year was the debut of  Dayton Beer Week.  Now in it’s 2nd year, the committee of 8 organizers have reached out to new participants and  expanded the number of beer-centric events to over 30 tastings, dinners, and even a bike ride.   Official events are registered on the Dayton Beer Week web site, where promoters pay $50 to help defray administrative and advertising costs. Net proceeds will be donated to the Miami Valley Restaurant Association’s scholarship fund.

Here’s a day by day guide of Beer Events happening this week, however you may want to check our calendar as more events keep popping up!  Also look to the right hand column for links to more info about many of these events.  If you’d like to add an event to our calendar submit here.

Friday, August 19

Dayton Beer Week KICK-OFF PARTY! at Spinoza’s  4 -11pm
Beer Tasting at Arrow Wine & Spirits Centerville  5 -7pm
Stone 2010 Russian Imperial Stout keg tapping at Chappy’s 6pm

Saturday, August 20

Pints, Putters & Pink Balls at Kittyhawk Golf Center Noon
Beer Tasting at The Greene  6 – 9pm
Belgian keg tapping of Brugse Zot Unfiltered Belgian Pale Ale at Chappy’s  6pm

Sunday, August 21

Dayton Beer Week – Beer Pride Parade at Oregon Arts District  4:30 PM
Enjoy this video from the 2010 parade!
[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORpCDNJ-UZM’]
Special Tapping and Opening Ceremonies at Thai 9  5:00 PM – 08:00 PM

Monday, August 22

Merchant Du Vin Beer Tasting at Chappys Tap Room & Grille   6:00 PM – 08:00 PM
Troegs Invasion Tap Takeover at Blind Bob’s Tavern  7:00 PM – 09:00 PM
Craft and Specialty Buckets at J-Alans  All Day Event
Rogue Night at South Park Tavern

Tuesday, August 23

Biking for The Beer of It  at A Taste of Wine  6pm
Epic Brewing Beer Dinner at Spinoza’s  7-9pm
Founders Draught Blast at Chappys 7-9pm
Bell’s Brewery tasting at King’s Table 5-10pm
Left Hand’s Blackjack Porter tapping at The Pub at The Greene
Samuel Adams Stein Hoisting Competition at Fox-n-Hound
Samuel Smith Beer Dinner at Carvers 6:30pm

Wednesday, August 24

A.Y.O.B. at Archer’s Tavern  5:00 PM
Green Flash Brewery Tasting at 5th St. Wine & Deli  5 -7pm
Off Centered Foot Stomp at Trolley Stop 5pm
Beer Tasting with North Coast Brewing Co. at Spinoza’s  6-9pm
Mt. Carmel Brews with Kathleen Dewey at Blind Bob’s Tavern 6-8pm
Sierra Nevada Tasting at Chappys Tap Room & Grille  6:30 8:30pm
Dogfish Head Beer Tasting at The Caroline  7pm
Great Lakes draughts at Flanagan’s Pub begins at 4pm
Duvel Belgian Golden Strong Ale Glass wpurchase night at Thai 9 6pm
Goose Island cooking with beer at Culinary Company
Belhaven House of Beer Happy Hour at The Pub at The Green 6-10pm
Once a Year Beers Tasting at Brunings Wine Cellar

Thursday, August 25

Firkin Drag Race at Lucky’s Taproom and Eatery  5:30pm – 2:30am
5 course Summer Beer Dinner  – SOLD OUT at Citilites  6pm
Beer Tasting with Ommegang Brewing Co.at Spinoza’s  6-9pm
Mt Caramel Beer Tasting 7 – 9pm RSVPs please  at A Taste of Wine
Cavalier Tastings at Arrow Wine Far Hills 5:30- 7:30pm
Brewkettle takes over South Park Tavern
Goose Island Sour Ale & Vintage Reserve Ale night at Archer’s Tavern
Sierra Nevada craft beer sampling at Kroger Marketplace Englewood 3-5pm
Belgian Golden Strong ale, Duvel served in limited release glasses at King’s Table

Friday August 26, 2011

Beer Tasting at Arrow Wine & Spirits Centerville   5 – 7pm
Special Great Lakes Tapping at Lucky’s Taproom and Eatery 5 – 7pm
Red Carpet Rollout at Trolley Stop  7pm
Great Lakes tapping at Chappy’s 8-10pm
Goose Island Brewmaster Beer Dinner at Meadowlark  7pm
Brewery Ommegang tasting at Culinary Company 4-7pm

The finale of Beer Week will be the 13th annual AleFest which takes place on Sat, Aug 27th at Carillon Park.  Gates open at 2pm and participants receive 20 sampling tickets and a souvenir beer glass.  Deciding which of the 300 beers you’d like to taste may be the hardest part of that day.   We’ll post another article later in the week with our tips for surviving Alefest, but be sure to buy your ticket in advance, it will only be $35, at the door you’ll pay $40.  And it’s not a bad idea to line up a designated driver now!  Cheers!

Tastes of The Greene This Thursday

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On Thursday, Aug 11th seventeen eateries will be set up on the Town Square for an evening of tasty treats at The Taste of The Greene.  This annual event runs $15 if tickets are purchased in advance (at guest services) or $20 at the event. Sampling starts at 5pm and
will run until 9pm. Beer and soda will be available for an additional cost.

The line up of restaurants this year includes:
Adobe Gila’s
Asian Gourmet
BD Mongolian Barbeque
BRIO Tuscan Grill
Caribou Coffee
Cheryl & Co
Chipotle
Fleming’s
McCormick & Schmick’s
Noodles & Company
Panera Bread
Pasha Grill
That Crepe Place
The Pub
The Wine Loft
Yoba

The proceeds form this years’s Taste of the Greene will support Victoria Theatre Association, while the beer proceeds will help AIDS Resource Center Ohio.

For more information, check out The Greene.

Cheesecake Factory introduces ‘SkinnyLicious’ Menu

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SkinnyLicious Asian Chicken Salad

After winning the dubious distinction of earning first and second place on the “Worst Foods in America” list from Eat This, Not That, The Cheesecake Factory is rolling out a new menu option.  The 165 chain restaurant is staggering the rollout, with the Beavercreek store set to debut on August 12th.  “On the skinny menu, fresh veggies will replace potatoes on steak and fish entrees. Tacos will have less cheese. And chicken salad will be made with light mayo, says CEO David Overton.

The wide variety of selections  featured on a standalone “Skinnylicious”  menu  include options ranging from appetizers to entrees and even some desserts.. The Small Plates Appetizers and fresh-baked Flatbreads categories feature dishes all under 490 calories, while the entre Salads and main courses are all served with 590 calories or less. Also featured are five Skinny Cocktails each with 150 calories or less.

The SkinnyLicious menu will also introduce 13 brand-new items including the Mexican Tortilla Salad, the SkinnyLicious Hamburger and Tuscan Chicken. Low-calorie favorites offered on The Cheesecake Factorys current menu such as the Beets with Goat Cheese, Chicken Pot Stickers and Asian Chicken Salad will also be offered on the SkinnyLicious menu.

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Marion’s Offers 47% Discount Today – Thursday

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Since opening in August of 1965, Marion’s Piazza has indeed become a Dayton Tradition! It’s easy to feel the history when you walk in their stores and see walls lined with black and white autographed photo’s of stars from yesteryear.  Many of the celebrities were in town to perform with The Kenley Players, stars like Sally Field, Mickey Rooney, William Shatner, Morgan Fairchild, Tim Conway, Billy Crystal and George Hamilton, who held the cast parties at Marion’s. Celebrating their 47 years of business means you can get a t 47% discount on up to 2 pizza’s this week with the coupon below.  Large lines are anticipated and be sure to bring cash, Marion’s does not accept credit cards!   Special pricing will be offered until closing on Thursday. Marion’s Piazza has been rated “Best Pizza” in 27 local survey’s and achieved national acclaim by being ranked  2nd in the Nationamongst all independent pizza restaurants. A true Dayton Original, between their 7 locations they employee about 275 and made a total of around 1 million pizzas in 2009.

print this coupon to get discount

Find the Marion’s nearest you:

241 North Fairfield Rd, Beavercreek
B
711 Shroyer Road, at Patterson Road  – (937) 293-6991‎
Rated 4.1 out of 5.0
C
3443 North Dixie Drive, at Wagoner Ford Road – (937) 277-6553‎
D
8991 Kingsridge Drive, Dayton Mall ‎ – (937) 435-3300‎
Rated 3.3 out of 5.0
E
50 East Stroop Road, Town & Country ‎ – (937) 296-1177‎
F
241 North Main Street,  Centerville – (937) 433-3993‎
404 W. National Road, Englewood (937) 832-0333
1320 North Fairfield Road, Dayton, OH‎ – (937) 429-3393‎
1270 Expieriment Farm Road, Troy (937) 339-2000
and coming soon – Mason

Celebrate International #IPADay

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Thursday, August 4th, is the first ever International IPA Day. On Thursday  craft beer drinkers across the social sphere and across the globe will raise pints in a collective toast to one of craft beer’s most iconic styles: the India Pale Ale. This celebrated style represents the pinnacle of brewing innovation with its broad spectrum of diverse brands, subcategories, and regional flavor variations – making it the perfect style to galvanize the craft beer’s social voice.

This is a new kind of event: a social media event.  All around the world (mostly in the USA, and more predominantly on the West Coast) IPA lovers will share their IPA experiences via Twitter, Facebook, Four Square, and other technological means of social communication.

Here’s the deal. Go out and drink some IPA on Thursday, August 4th and share your thoughts about what you’re drinking via social media. On twitter, use and follow the hashtag #IPADay.

This event, which exists in both the cyber realm and at many local pubs around the world, is the brainchild of @TheBeerWench and @RyanARoss. Sure they have real names, but given the nature of the event they created, why use anything but their twitter handles?

According to the event founders, “International #IPADay is a grassroots movement created to unite the voices of craft beer enthusiasts, bloggers, and brewers worldwide, using social media as the common arena for connecting the conversation together.”

“To participate, share your photos, videos, blog posts, tasting notes, recipes, thoughts with the world on Twitter Facebook, YouTube, WordPress, RateBeer, Foursquare, Gowalla, Yelp, Untappd or any other social media platforms you may use. Use the hastag #IPADay in all of your posts and then see what others are saying by searching the hashtag on google, twitter or other social media resources.”

Or feel free to leave your IPA endorsements in the comments below.

Share The Power Of The Suit

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It’s time once again to clean out your closet and donate your gently-used professional clothing to help men and women enter the workforce.  For the fourth year Men’s Warehouse is partnering with Clothes That Work to help disadvantaged job seekers get a boost of self-confidence during the fourth annual National Suit Drive, the country’s largest collection of gently used business attire.

The suits will provide  men  with a fresh start and the ability to go into an interview feeling confident and well equipped to put into practice their new skills.  Although the recession has affected a broad spectrum of the American workforce, more than 70 percent of job losses have befallen men, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, due to the economy’s particularly heavy impact on male-dominated industries such as construction and manufacturing.

“With nearly one out of ten working-age men unemployed in this country, the weak economic recovery has disproportionately hurt the male workforce,” said George Zimmer, Men’s Wearhouse founder and CEO. “By collecting and donating professional clothing, Men’s Wearhouse aims to help men ‘suit up’ for job interviews and give them an important boost of confidence that will help them reach their goals.”

Nationally, Men’s Wearhouse hopes to collect more than 100,000 articles of clothing to benefit charities like Clothes That Work.  To thank donors for their generosity, Men’s Wearhouse will reward them with 50% off a purchase at Men’s Wearhouse and will donate a tie for every suit received in the month of August.  And besides clothing,  for every “like” on Facebook, Men’s Wearhouse will donate $1 to the cause, up to $10,000.

IPA’s Featured in New Holland Beer Crawl

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“New Holland Brewing’s Hatter Days is an annual event celebrating the success of the Michigan brewery and distillery with their customers and fans with a litany of versions of the flagship “Mad Hatter” ale. On Saturday, July 30th, New Holland is bringing the Hatter Days to Dayton. 6 Beers, 5 Bars! Come celebrate New Holland Brewing Co’s 14th Mad Hatter Birthday by drinking 6 different versions of Mad Hatter IPA.

Starting at 2pm at Thai 9 in the Oregon District, New Holland’s Beer Ambassador, Clay Cooper, will be tapping a specialty Mad Hatter at 5 different
establishments throughout the day.

Thai 9 will feature Rye Hatter: This beer showcases it’s grain-bill, made up of rye and barley malt. The rye adds a slight spiciness to the caramel-malt base, while also creating a creamy texture. Dry-hopping contributes a fresh citrus finish.

At Blind Bob’s you can experience the FarmHouse Hatter: An I.P.A. aged in Kentucky Barrels. Round, smooth wood character brings
a new dimension to dry-hopped, aromatic hoppiness.

Lucky’s will feature Oak Aged Hatter: aged in Kentucky Barrels. Round, smooth wood character brings a new dimension to dry-hopped, aromatic hoppiness.

Trolley Stop is serving up Black Hatter: A blackened version of Mad Hatter brewed with black malt for a dark, roasty sweetness to the base of the flavor profile. Finishes with a strong Centennial hop character from dry hopping.

And the final stop on the tour will be South Park Tavern for Imperial Hatter: A robust renovation of the India Pale Ale. Assertive dry-hoppying provides an aromatic telltale nose, indicative of the bitter symphony to follow. Bold hop character with lively grapefruit and citrus notes.

“Come to one tapping or come to all! It’s a pay as you go event that is sure to enlighten your taste buds in this World Gone Mad,” according to New Holland’s Clay Cooper.

The Tastiest Week of the Summer is Here

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Diners will once again get an opportunity to eat at some of the Miami Valley’s  best restaurants at affordable prices, while helping to support  local charity’s during Restaurant Week July 24 – 31.  More than 60 restaurants will be offering multi-course prix fixe menus at either $20.11, $25.11 or $30.11.

DaytonDinings Tips:  Make reservations when possible

This multi-tiered pricing is a new twist from the traditional $20 and change (based on the year) format that had been used since the introduction of Restaurant Week in 2005.  This past winter the Miami Valley Restaurant Association (MVRA)  raised the price to $25.11 and according to several restaurateurs guests had a  mixed reaction to the price increase.  So as a compromise this time around, restaurants will pick the price point they feel is best for them and guests can choose based on menu’s, many of which can be found on the MVRA site.

Expect crowds!

Upon perusing the menu’s on the site it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the array of choices.  Some eateries like Benhams and Sidebar are offering meals at several price points.  Others will be offering dinner for 2 at the pre-set prices like Dublin Pub and Hickory River Smokhouse, offering meals for 2 at $20.11, Chappy’s Tap Room & Grill, Pepito’s & Spinoza’s meal deals are 2 for $25.11 and  Kabuki will feed 2 for $30.11.  Based on the menu’s currently posted, it looks like only Fleming’s and The Melting Pot are offering a dinner for one for $30.11

Many restaurants are closed on Sun &/or Monday- check first

Traditionally Restaurant Week has kicked off on Sunday and ended on Friday.  This summer’s promotion has been extended to run Sunday through Sunday.  But take notice – not all restaurants are participating in the extended days, according to the MVRA website.  And keep your eye out, several restaurants often carry over the dining deals for a second week.

No matter where you chose to dine, part of the package includes a donation to charity partners.  $1 of each meal will be shared by Hope Blooms, MVRA Scholarship Fund, Icky Woods Foundation, Clothes That Work.  With restaurant week occurring twice a year, 14 weeks of donations have amounted to over $100,000 in n support of local nonprofits.

While saving on your meal- splurge on wine to compliment your meal

Many people have a love/hate relationship with Restaurant Week.  Before I go any further, I should admit that I was the President of the Restaurant Association when this promotion was launched and I am quite proud of the impact it’s had on our community.  But I know folks that dine out regularly and avoid this week due to the crowd, while appreciating the volume it creates for our local businesses. I also have a group of friends that can’t wait for the menu’s to be posted so they can plan their eating extravaganzas.

Restaurant staff also have mixed feelings about this promotion.  Most appreciate that they will be busy all week, but I’ve heard bartenders complain that while the servers and cooks are busy, that guests aren’t buying anything but the dining deal and therefore they don’t make much money.  As a former restaurateur, I know that those who embrace this promotion as a marketing opportunity are the ones that get the most from it. Owver/Chef Wiley at Meadowlark has been a great example from the very beginning.  She involved her staff, planned creative meals and promoted the menu’s ahead of time to her regular guests and even poured wine for waiting guests.  Savona got creative pairing value wines with each course.

Menu offerings can change – be flexible

I too, have things I dislike about this week.  Like restaurants that sign up for the promotion, but don’t get buy in from their staff.  I’ve been to several places that print a special Restaurant Week menu on an insert and the guests get seated without the promo menu. Whether  intentional or an oversight, I’ve then heard guests questioning whether the restaurant is participating or that they don’t see the $20.11 meal.  Restaurants please don’t make it hard for guests to partake.  The MVRA also promotes a contest offering guests a chance to win gift certificates for filling out a comment card, but many restaurants don’t pass them out- so be sure and ask your server for yours and your meal deal can really pay off if you win!

If you do go out for these dining deals, please keep in mind that for many places, this is the busiest week of the year for them and that can mean longer waits, frazzled staff and sometimes running out of the advertised items.  Be patient and please remember to share the savings you got on your meal when you tip.  Happy dining!

Cool Soups Luncheon Benefits Peace

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You’ll get relief from the heat if you attend the annual Cool Soup Lunch this Friday, July 22nd that will take place at Christ Episcopal Church at 20W. First Street.  For $20 you’ll receive an artisan-made pottery bowl or a vintage Kuntz’s Cafe Bowl filled with six freshly made cold soups (including a vegan option), Ashley’s Pastry Shop breads, a beverage and dessert, as well as benefit the Dayton International Peace Museum.
The soups are being made by a variety of people, including the chef from Cafe Monet from the Dayton Art Institute.  There are scheduled to be a watermelon gazpacho, a cold squash soup and exciting desserts.  “This fundraiser has been a big hit for the museum” says Chris Dull, co founder of the museum.  The museum is run fully and completely by donations and staffed fully and completely by volunteers.
To Sign Up and Pay by Credit Card on the Museum’s Secure Website. Select “Cool Soups” from the “Program Designation” drop-down menu and enter the cost at $20 each for the tickets you are ordering.  Include the names of those coming to enjoy the Cool Soups in the “Comments” field at the bottom of the form. Reservations should be made by July 21st.


Can You Help Others Dress For Success?

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Clothes That Work is a grassroots non-profit that has been providing professional clothing, image counseling and training for job seekers in Montgomery County since 1998. More than 18,000 job seekers in need have benefited from the services provided by Clothes That Work.

In addition to providing interview appropriate clothing and training on how to dress for work, they also conduct seminars, give interviewing tips and coach on exhibiting appropriate professional behavior. By focusing on the skills our clients need to be competitive in the interview process, they help instill the confidence necessary to succeed.

Clothes That Work is currently seeking volunteers to assist in the areas of personal shopper, Boutique sales and inventory management.
Personal Shopper: Provide customers with the interview or work attire, support and encouragement to approach the workplace with confidence.

Openings every week:
Wednesday 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Thursday 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM

Boutique Sales Associate: Coordinate attractive, colorful displays, price merchandise and aid customers with their purchases.

Openings alternating week:
Tuesday 12:30 to 3:00 PM
Wednesday 9:45 AM to 12:30 PM
Thursday 9:45 AM to 12:30 PM
Friday 9:45 AM to 12:30 PM
Inventory Management: Solicit and maintain a steady supply of clothing and accessories, collect and manage individual and corporate clothing donations; Transport clothing from drop sites, assure that customers receive top quality clothing and accessories appropriate for job interviews; Sort, repair, straighten, and display merchandise.

Openings every week:
Monday 12:30 to 3:00 PM
Tuesday 12:30 to 3:00 PM
Wednesday 10 AM to 12:30 PM & 12:30 to 3:00 PM
Thursday 9:45 AM to 12:30 PM & 12:30 to 3:00 PM
Friday 12:30 to 3:00 PM

Interested applicants may complete a volunteer application online or contact Melanie Tullis or phone 937-222-3778 ext.170.

L’Auberge Hosts Annual Clambake

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In traditional New England Style, L’Auberge, located at 4120 Far Hills Avenue in Kettering,  will be serving up a clambake plate that includes a whole Maine Lobster, little neck clams, shrimp, mussels, redskin Potatoes, sweet Onions and corn on the Cob.  This meal will be offered during dinner hours which are 5:30 9pm on Thurs, July 14 and 5:30- 10pm on Fri, July 15 and  Sat, July 16. The clambake option runs $39.50.

Reservations are suggested and can be made by calling the restaurant at 299- 5536.
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Oldest Rug Store in Dayton Relocating to the Shops of Oakwood

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The following story submitted by press release:

Mousaian Oriental Rugs, the area’s oldest store for sales and service of handmade Oriental rugs and a family business spanning four generations, announces its relocation to The Shops of Oakwood.  They are currently located at 1918 Brown Street and will move to 2419 Far Hills Avenue in the Shops of Oakwood, next to William Rife Jewelers, on August 1, 2011.

Mousaian Oriental Rugs was established in 1922 as a small specialty business and has grown steadily for almost 90 years.   This move marks the fourth location for the family-owned business.  In 1987 the business relocated from Victoria Avenue in Dayton View to the Oregon District.  In 1999, it moved to its current location on Brown Street, near the University of Dayton campus.

The history of Mousaian Oriental Rugs can be traced through its various moves.  The original location in northwest Dayton marked the era of Joseph and Helen Mousaian, who assumed the business from founder Simon Kirkjian (Joe’s uncle), when the business was located behind the family home.  In 1986 the business was passed on to daughter Susanne (Mousaian) Weaver and her husband, Paul. They moved to the Oregon District, and later to Brown Street, dramatically expanding its retail operations.  With its large showroom and Brown Street presence, the business continued to grow for the past 13 years.  In 2008, the next generation of the business was signaled with the addition of the Weaver’s daughter-in-law, Jennifer Weaver, who developed its distinctive website and e-communication strategies.  The Shops of Oakwood is an ideal location for this modern, yet nearly century-old business.  The quaint hometown location on Far Hills Avenue is as rich in tradition as the business itself.

According to Susie Weaver, “Mousaian Oriental Rugs and the Weaver family are extremely excited to take this next step in the business’ long history as we approach our centennial.   We look forward to celebrating a century serving the Miami Valley as Dayton’s oldest Oriental rug retailer.”

Olive-an urban dive – Try It For Lunch This Week

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If you’re one of the many that’s been watching the transformation of the old Wympee’s building at the corner of 3rd and Wayne make its slow transformation over the past 8 months, let me tell you – it was worth the wait! Friday night I was among the lucky 150 guests that got to “Dive into Olive.”  This week long preview was smartly marketed by owner/operator Kimberly Collett, who did an excellent job using social media to build excitement, followers and future customers for her eatery.

As 30 of us sat down family style for dinner we were handed a piece of paper and a pen and asked to  really honestly share our opinion.  We started with baklava, followed by caesar salad, tuscan grilled cheese and gluten free tomato bisque (I have to say Coco’s tomato bisque now has competition). As each course came out Kimberly talked about local suppliers, what tweaks could be made to offer dishes as vegan and explained the challenges of a tiny kitchen.  Sacrifices had to be made- like going without a dishwasher- so plating has been thought out very carefully, and each glass, utensil and pot must be handwashed.  You could hear the pride in her voice as Kimberly shared with us that she made each table, the ceiling tiles and the bar was created out of a tree her grandfather cut down over 60 years ago.  The lights over the bar are made from Chimay Blanche bottles (Kimberly’s favorite beer – might come in handy to know if you need in without a reservation).

open faced tuna taco

Highlights for me included the spanikopita, garlic hamburger, fried leeks (think onion rings), tuna tacos  and of course the Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams– Olive is just one of 300 approved restaurants in the country permitted to carry their products.   Each ingredient, we learned, must appear in at least 4 items to earn it’s place in the pantry. At Olive, everything possible is made from scratch, from as many local ingredients as can be found. Since all of their items are made from scratch, there isn’t even a can opener in the kitchen.  They will be promoting their local purveyors on the back of their staff shirts- the inaugural  shirt highlights 40 farmers. The restaurant won’t have a liquor license, so you are encouraged to bring your own beer or wine and they’ll happily supply the glassware.
Olive has over 1300 facebook friends who have been following the saga of the permitting process, came to their defense when occupancy numbers were at stake, and stopped by when invited for a graffiti party prior to the drywall going up.  And now finally like we told you back on June 13 Olive will be open from 10am – 3pm for a soft opening for lunch. They are offering a $10 meal which they describe as  “salads, lunch sized & a cuppa soup.” Check out the menu. Locavores will appreciate all the freshly sourced food, but remember- that doesn’t come cheap.  You’ll pay more to eat here- but the flavors you’ll get to taste will make it so worth it. But bring cash- Olive doesn’t take credit cards yet, and even when they do they won’t take American Express.

homemade cheescake with fresh cream

And while you’re there- think about reserving the place for your own private dinner party. Mon – Wed you can host your own evening- either pre fixe meal or off the menu for a party of up to 30.  There is also a darling patio out back that seats 15.   We’d love for you to share your impressions in the comments below, if you dine at Olive!

New Thai & Sushi Option Downtown

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Over a year after it was officially announced, and much speculation that it would never happen, Sa Bai, a casual upscale Asian restaurant, has finally opened at the corner of 5th and Jefferson Streets, across from the Convention Center.  Described by  owner/manager Saveth Yun, as a mix of 90% thai, 10% sushi, the restaurant will seat about 140 guests.  Previously Mr Yun was the general manager of Teak Thai Cuisine in Cincinnati.

He also tells us that he has plans for live music on the patio later in the summer.  The patio will seat another 80 guests.  The restaurant will serve lunch Mon – Fri, from 11am – 2:30pm with prices in the $6-$8 range.  Dinner service will start at 5pm seven day a week.  He expects dinner will be served until 9 or 10pm, but will have to see what traffic dictates.

sushi bar at Sa Bai

Yun says diners should expect to spend $10 – $15 on dinner entrees.  Happy Hours will be offered, but details weren’t firm yet on what that will include.

Sa Bai will be able to offer groups private seating, either in a curtained off section in the main dining room for about 40 or in the back room by the sushi bar for larger groups.  For more information  call the restaurant at 535-2900.  Yun says while he’s registered the domain name, he hasn’t had time to get the website working yet, but will soon.

There is free parking under the Transportation parking garage off Stone Street, where Neon Movies visitors used to park.  (Neon guests can now park for free across the street in the old bus station lot). Let us know your impressions if you dine at Sa Bai, in the comments below.