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Taste of Belgium Now Open at Austin Landing

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After a soft opening today, the official ribbon cutting for Austin Landing’s Taste of Belgium will be Tuesday, July 30th at 11:30am. With 116 seats inside, 30 at the bar and another 60 on the patio, this location is much larger than the one at The Greene.  The eatery hired 50 employees, including a management team with experience from TJ Chumps and The Cheesecake Factory. There are even semi private rooms on the north side of the building for groups. This is the 10th location for this chain restaurant, with the majority and Cincinnati and one in Kentucky.

Jean-François Flechet

The regional restaurant chain  is owned by Jean-François Flechet when he returned from his native Belgium in 2007 with a 120# cast iron waffle maker. His goal was to bring the waffles he cherished as a child to his new home in Cincinnati, Ohio. After refining his recipe, waffle baking began in the back of a produce store at Cincinnati’s historic Findlay Market. The store was crowded with waffle-lovers for weeks and he was asked to find a new home. Taste of Belgium was born. Soon after, the first ToB Bistro opened with traditional (and not-so-traditional) Belgian cuisine serving breakfast, brunch and dinner with Cincinnati’s finest beer lineup.

In 2023, Jean-François was inducted as an honorary knight by the Knighthood of the Belgian Brewers’ Paddle for his efforts in promoting Belgian beer and culture in the United States

The menu, which features breakfast/brunch items, burgers and salads

SHAREABLES

  • Poutine

    BELGIAN FRITES $7 –  Chipotle mayo

  • FRITES & DIPS $12-  Chipotle mayo, pesto mayo, malt vinegar mayo, curry ketchup
  • CARBONNADES POUTINE $15- Beef braised in TOB Tripel beer, shaved radishes, pickled onions, Cheddar curds, frites
  • BRUSSELS SPROUTS $11 – Pancetta, mustard and capers infused sherry vinaigrette
  • MUSSELS GRATIN $13 – Mussels on the half shell, Gruyère cheese, bread crumbs, white wine, lemon
  • BIER CHEESE $13 Raspberry Lambic beer, housemade pretzels
  • MAC & CHEESE $13 – Cheddar, chipotle, toasted breadcrumbs

SAVORY CRÊPES

  • HAM & GRUYÈRE $13 – Ham, Gruyère cheese, sunny-side farm egg
  • PIG & FIG – $14.00 – Prosciutto, Brie, fig jam, arugula
  • MUSHROOM $13 – Roasted cremini & onions, herbed farmer’s cheese, Havarti, arugula, sherry vinaigrette
MAINS
  • BELTUCKY HOT BROWN $17 – House-roasted turkey, candied bacon, tomatoes, waffle, chipotle, Cheddar Mornay sauce
  • WAFFLE & CHICKEN $16.50 Ohio maple syrup, hot sauce, garnish salad with blue cheese, carrots, cucumber and lemon vinaigrette
  • MACHINE GUN $18 – Merguez sausage and bun made exclusively for us, mixed greens, sliced tomato, frites, chipotle mayo

SIGNATURE BRUNCH

Breakfast plate

  • BREAKFAST PLATE $15 – Two farm eggs, breakfast potatoes, choice of protein and bread.
    Proteins: Eckerlin goetta, pork sausage links, turkey links, smoked bacon or black bean patty. + Merguez sausage (3), Breads: waffle, biscuit, croissant or sourdough toast
  • WAFFLE BENEDICT $15 Grilled ham, sunny-side egg, Hollandaise sauce, arugula
  • MCWAFFLE. $14- Sunny side egg, smoked bacon, Gruyère cheese, Ohio maple syrup, frites
  • CHICKEN, BISCUIT & GRAVY $16.25 -Buttermilk biscuit, fried chicken breast, pepper gravy, sunny-side egg

HANDHELDS

  • Belgian Burger

    BELGIAN BURGER $16.90All natural 7oz beef patty (or Beyond Burger), cheddar, special sauce, arugula, fried onions, brioche bun, frites

  • BISTRO BURGER $16.90 – All natural 7oz beef patty (or Beyond Burger), smoked bacon, herbed farmer’s cheese, tomato, arugula, aïoli, brioche bun, frites
  • BLACK BEAN BURGER $16.90 – Housemade black bean patty, pepper jack, spinach, onions, tomato, aïoli, brioche bun, frites
  • GRILLED OR FRIED CHICKEN – $16.90 Smoked Gouda, spring mix, tomato, aïoli, brioche bun, frites
  • SOUTHWESTERN WAFFLE- $14- Roasted turkey, pepper jack, spring mix, tomato, chipotle mayo, frites
  • GRILLED HAM & CHEESE $16 – Parmesan butter, ham, Gruyère cheese, arugula, lemon vinaigrette, shredded carrots, Sirop de Liège on artisan sourdough, frites
FISH SANDWICH $16.90 – Kwaremont beer battered haddock, kale slaw, brioche bun, tartar sauce, frites

SALADS

  • HARVEST SALAD $14.75 – Spring mix, herbed farmer’s cheese, Granny Smith apple, roasted sweet potato, dried cherries, farro, black pepper nuts, pomegranate molasses vinaigrette
  • BUDDHA BOWL $11 Sweet potatoes, pickled onions, roasted shallots and mushrooms, shredded carrots, farro, avocado, kimchi, arugula, red wine vinaigrette
  • Add Black Bean Patty $5, Add Grilled/Fried Chicken $7, Add Salmon $8.00, Add Tofu $5.00

LIÈGE WAFFLES

  • OVER THE TOP WAFFLE $12 Lemon curd, mixed berries, maple Ricotta whipped cream, black pepper nuts
  • S’MORE WAFFLE $10 Housemade marshmallow whip, Belgian chocolate
  • BANANA & NUTELLA WAFFLE $9
  • STRAWBERRIES & CREAM WAFFLE $9
  • BELGIAN CHOCOLATE & CREAM WAFFLE $8
  • PLAIN WAFFLE $5.00 Nothing plain about it! No syrup needed!

CRÊPES

  • BANANA & NUTELLA CRÊPE $9
  • CARAMEL APPLE & WALNUT CRÊPE $9
  • LAVENDAR SUGAR & LEMON CURD CRÊPES $9

Happy Hours:

Mussels & Frites

Mon- Fri open to 10am $2 off bloodies and Mimosas

Wed- Sun 3-6pm
$6 draft beers an House wines, $4 well drinks and 1/2 price apps in the bar
Thurs 4pm – close All you can eat mussels and frites $23 and 1/2 off select bottles of wine
Bar Manager Laura shared with us their are 20 Belgium beers on tap and Taste of Belgium is the only restaurant in the US to serve all five of the trappist beers from Chimay.  As with all other Trappist breweries, the beer is produced under the supervision of  monks and the beer is sold only for financial support of the monastery and good causes.

Taste of Belgium
10267 Penny Lane
Miami Twp., OH 45342

Mon 8am – 3pm
Tues – Sat 8am – 10pm
Sun 8am – 9pm

Local, Legendary Food Adventures at 2nd Street Market – Part 1

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Some of the Best of Dayton, all in one place !

How about one building that combines some of the best cooks in Dayton and lines them up along the wall in their own vendor booths?  It’s not a dream, it’s reality in downtown Dayton.

This is the first of 2 Food Adventure  installments over the next few days, and both cover Dayton’s 2nd Street Market.  What a shocker, the first one focuses on FOOD !

The Big Ragu & Crew have become semi-regulars at the market over the past few years.  Some of our tastiest excursions have been in this treasure trove of great eats.

Variety is the spice of life, and this is true for the market located on the corner of Webster and 2nd Street.  If you have never  stopped in, then you haven’t had some for Dayton’s best.

 

HERE’S THE SKINNY:

— A great place to grab a bite to eat and a unique place to do some Christmas shopping !!!  The official address is 600 E. Second St.

— The market is open 3 days: Thursday & Friday 11am-3pm,  and Saturday 8am – 3pm.   The great offerings are overwhelming and coming here has become one of our Food Adventure addictions.

— Many vendors offer fresh fruit & vegetables.  Others offer freshly baked desserts and breads.  You want more?  How about cheeses, meats, spices, canned goods and more.  There are more local, fresh and organic choices here than anyplace we know of in Dayton.

The best tasting side you never heard of: Sweet Potato Quinoa from Chef Case

 

MUST EATS:

— THE SMOKED SALMON CREPE at CREPE BOHEME :  The Big Ragu will tell you this is the best place in Dayton to get a crepe.   Crepe master Sabine combines the smoked salmon with goat cheese, capers and grilled vegetables.  It is a symphony in your mouth.  Her secret is using the freshest ingredients around and flavor combinations that will knock your socks off.    Not a salmon fan? No worries..  choose one of the menu items or “make your own” crepe with various ingredients.  Prepare to be blown away.Honorable Mention: The crepe with Nutella, marshmallows and blackberries.  All the taste of guilty pleasure with not so much guilt.

— FAMOUS CHICKEN PANINI from THE CHEF CASE : Chef Joe Fish believes that using local ingredients promotes fresh flavor.  Here he works some magic with a whole herb grilled chicken breast and Artesian Basil Pesto.  The panini is made on fresh bread and pressed, thereby melting provolone and Parmesan cheese into gooey deliciousness.   The chef is a Culinary Institute of America graduate and creates some of the best tastes in town.  In fact, there are so many delicious menu items here that we have to give honorable mention to two more of them.  First, make sure you try a serving of the Sweet Potato Quinoa.   It is a healthy, flavorful side dish that not many people know about.  Trust us on this !  Lastly the MONTE CRISTO PANINI is a sandwich you need to get your hands on.  It is ham, turkey and swiss cheese finished with a pure maple syrup drizzle.  Give your taste buds a good value for around 7 bucks.

Peanut Brittle Cupcakes from Purely Sweet Bakery (click to enlarge)

 — THE DISTINGUISED DARBY at CHEEKY MEAT PIES: Who doesn’t love tasty meat and spices in a flaky crust?  Forget about calories, the taste is worth every mouthful.  This original take on New Zealand Street food is gaining a bit of a cult following in the Miami Valley.  “The Darby” verison is ground beef mixed with spices for a delicious combo.  The meat pies are hand held and made to be mobile.  Be careful when taking a bite, they are hot inside !  A friendly staff makes the experience that much more fun.  Honorable Mention:  The Dirty Bird Meat Pie is a tasty treat and a perfect bite “on the go” at the market.  It features chicken and a delicious sauce.  We can’t describe these fantastic meat pies, you just gotta try them !

— THE WASABI PEAS at THE SPICE RACK:   The Big Ragu can’t help himself.  He craves these, and you will too.  Dried peas, dipped in wasabi and sold by the box for only 2 bucks.  Perfect for snacking at home, but we warn you.. ADDICTIVE !  The spice rack has some many incredible items from Amish butter to incredible spice rubs.  Check this place out for some hidden treasures for the foodie in you.

— POLLO GUISADO at AREPAS and CO. : Braised chicken thigh (although we ask for the shredded white meat chicken instead), mixed with tomatoes, red peppers, onions and green beans.  All of it is served over rice and plantains.  Finally pick from one of various sauce toppings drizzled on top.  We pick two (garlic and hot sauce) !  Get a friend to help you lift this plate and eat it.  HUGE PORTION !

The best crepes in Dayton are at Crepe Boheme

— THE SHRIMP WITH HOT CHILI SAUCE at BAAN THAI NOI:  We are always pleasantly surprised with Baan Thai Noi’s dishes.  Our favorite is the Shrimp with Hot Chili Sauce.  Two skewers of grilled basil shrimp are served over fried rice with a side of shredded cabbage and a delicious spring roll.  The key to this dish is the sauce we choose to top the shrimp. The hot chili sauce is so sweet, with some heat and a whole lot of taste.  Don’t knock it til you try it, this one is  a sleeper !

Is your mouth watering yet?  Well the good news is, the weekend is here and they are open !  Get yourself down there and stroll around the grounds and soon you’ll be tastin’ Dayton.

More Honorable mentions include:

The Cupcakes at Purely Sweet Bakery,  The Cabbage Rolls at Kolbs Bakery, The Jumbalaya at All Souped Up,  The Pastitsio (Greek Lasagna) at Azra’s, and some good coffee at Caffeine by Carl.

We would be remiss if we didnt mention that their are numerous other fantastic farm vendors with fresh vegetables, honey, fresh maple syrup and organic milk.  Check them all out while you are there.

The 2nd Street Market is truly Food Adventure  paradise !!

In the market for some more from the “Miami Valley foodies ?”  Then “like” Food Adventures on Facebook by clicking HERE !

Check out some of our best photos yet  in the gallery below from our numerous trips to the 2nd Street Market over the years !!!

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