Opening a restaurant post pandemic may have seemed ridiculous to some, but after one year they are still going strong! Situated in the Fire Blocks district is this big city shotgun style restaurant with a small bar in front, seating at the platform kitchen and tables along one wall.
The three owners (2 chefs and 1 front of house manager) are present and involved. The menu changes regularly so you need to visit regularly!
We stopped in tonight after a reception downtown. We shared a couple appetizers to start. Curry cream corn (a vegetarian option) served warm with tarragon pickled tomatoes, Thai basil oil and rice cracklings. Smooth flavor with a hint of curry at first taste and a little kick at the end. Fried brussel sprouts (a gluten free option) served with fermented barbecue sauce, mustard aioli and Koji salt.
For dinner we chose Chicken Fried Duck and Swordfish. The Chicken Fried Duck fall off the bone served with Izakaya Japanese potato salad – DELICIOUS – bacon pickled mustard seed and house hot sauce. The swordfish(another gluten free option) is served seed crusted with edamame purée, roasted radish, eggplant, asparagus and chili crunch. The entrees seemed to disappear from our plates.
In spite of being fully satisfied – we still needed to consider desserts. We chose a perfectly sized Pineapple Upside Down Pot De Creme (yet another gluten free option). This taste sensation served in layers starts with pineapple jam, cherry cake crumble and whipped topping. In true pot de crème style you must take the spoon all the way to the bottom to experience all of the layers of this perfectly flavored (not too sweet) dessert.
If you’ve not been to Jollity, you need to visit…and go back often. The menu changes often and I know I cannot wait to experience more. I love all of the options we have in downtown Dayton and this is certainly one of the best!
Jollity 
127 E. 3rd Street
Dayton, Ohio 45402
937-938-9089
Tues-Thurs 5:00-9:00 PM
Fri-Sat 5:00-10:00 PM
