Dayton

Stone House Tavern & DMM’s Food Adventures Hosts Local Beer Tasting Dec 15th

November 28, 2015 By Dayton937 Leave a Comment

A Beer Event is coming to Stone House Tavern on December 15th

Calling all beer enthusiasts! Would you love to talk to the people that brew your favorite beers? Dec 15th will be your chance to mingle and drink with the owners of 5 area brewing companies.

Stone House Tavern is teaming up with the Food Adventures Crew for this one-night-only party! They have pulled the chairs out of the bar, and will even host an after party with drink specials.

Stone House Tavern is only releasing 50 tickets for this pre-pay only event. It is also a great chance to sample some of the best kitchen creations from Stone House!

You can only order your tickets online, by clicking HERE.

HERE’S THE SKINNY:

WHAT: “STANDING ROOM ONLY” – a night with LOCAL BREWERS (Finger foods and appetizers included).

WHEN: DECEMBER 15th, 7pm-9pm “after party ” with drink specials and cash bar 9pm–?

WHERE: STONE HOUSE TAVERN at 258 S Main St WAYNESVILLE

PRICE: $30 per person, includes gratuity (6 beers, finger foods/appetizers).

Pre-pay only, limited seats, TICKETS MAY ONLY BE BOUGHT ONLINE HERE

The area brewers to be featured:

They will be in attendance !

LOCK 27 BREWING CO. – The brilliant brainchild of businessman and home brewer turned entrepreneur, Steve Barnhart. Located in Centerville, Lock 27 has made a huge impact in the area with its European “Gastro Pub” feel. Meet Steve and learn his story about how he followed his brewing passion, and took a chance to fulfill a dream.

THE DAYTON BEER COMPANY – Meet owner Pete Hilgeman, the trailblazer and the first in Dayton area to start the “rebirth” of brewing locally due to changes in state laws. Hear about his original bar on Dorothy Lane and undertaking the project of opening a second beer hall type location at the corner of 2nd and Madison Streets in Downtown, Dayton. They have also started canning their products for regional distribution.

The Dayton Beer Company is coming !

RIVERTOWN BREWING CO., CINCINNATI – Trend setting brewery owned by Jason Roeper, located in Northern Cincinnati. Talk personally with Rivertown brewing managers, and discover their passion for beer, philosophy on brewing, and innovative ideas to expand his business in the future. This brewery is becoming a “little giant” in Cincinnati, due to their increase in bottling production. This is a great chance to learn about “whats next” in the craft beer scene.

YELLOW SPRINGS BREWERY – Another local brewery that is under expansion and has begun canning their brews. Meet the owners and brewers behind this popular brewing company. Learn about their philosophy on beer and what is important to them, as they continue to achieve more and more success.

Rivertown from Cincinnati

WARPED WING BREWING CO. – One of Dayton’s more popular breweries, Warped Wing has been pushing the envelope in partnerships and distribution. They were the first brewery to start canning beer in Dayton in over 50 years. Nick Bowman, partner/owner always has interesting stories on what is coming next, and how their new kitchen offerings will affect the growth of their brewery. Learn about the company and their dedication to honoring famous Daytonians with their product.

Does this sound like a great Food Adventure event or what?

Time to get your tickets and get ready to mingle wells and jingle bells. This is a great early Christmas gift for any craft beer lover, or treat yourself to a nice night out.

REMEMBER: 5 Breweries, 6 Beers, One night only – Gt your tickets before we sell this thing out !

In attendance will be the Food Adventures Crew : Big Ragu, Hungry Jax and Chef House, as well as owner/partner of Stone House Tavern, Dan Apolito!

A popular brewery

Want more beer, food and fun?

“LIKE” Food Adventures on Facebook by clicking HERE

We pulled the chairs, its just beer and brewers !

Yellow Springs will be in town !

Hawthorne Heights puts on a Gem City Music Festival!

November 20, 2015 By Dayton Most Metro

Hawthorne Heights presents “Dayton Is For Lovers“, an all ages Gem City music festival tonight.

Presale tickets available, and are $15: http://hawthorneheights.limitedrun.com/tickets/13123

The band states, “We very rarely get to play a true hometown show, and are super excited to be able to make this happen. Dayton has a lot of very special and talented musicians, so choosing the line up was a difficult process. We tried to choose old friends, new friends, and total strangers that are both talented and working hard within the scene. What we came up with was an eclectic group of acts from a variety of genres. It is important for us to have the show be all ages, and at a venue in the downtown area of the city we love and call home.The Yellow Cab building is a great location downtown with it’s own private parking lot. It’s located just a block behind the post office in downtown Dayton.”

ALL AGES. The venue also has a bar area with a great selection of local beer for those of age and with I.D.

Food trucks on site for the show:
The Wicked ‘Wich of Dayton
Hunger Paynes Food Truck

Schedule:

6pm Doors.
Music starts at 6:30pm.
Hawthorne Heights will be on around 10:15pm.
Come early. Stay late. Watch all the artists perform original Dayton music across two stages throughout the night!

Hawthorne Heights headlines this showcase of Dayton original bands

Performing (not in this order):
Hawthorne Heights
Good English
Crosley Court
Second Story Anthem
ViFolly
You vs Yesterday
Jasper the Colossal
Bribing Senators
Goodnight Goodnight

“Nite at Races” Benefits Struggling Daytonians

November 18, 2015 By Dayton937 Leave a Comment

The Rent Foundation charity helps Daytonians who are in crisis. This small committee of about a dozen property managers, and vendor reps are the charitable arm of the Greater Dayton Apartment Association. In this association many members, property management companies and vendors, reach out and support this worthy cause. A cause that keeps many area apartment dwellers from being homeless.

The GDAA Rent Foundation assists Miami Valley residents who rent their home and through illness or tragedy cannot make their next payment.

This Friday, one of their biggest events of the year, called “NITE AT THE RACES,” is open to the public. Horse races will be shown on the big screen at IUE/CWA Hall, 1675 Woodman Drive.

You can eat, drink, win money and prizes and still help the charity…

4 WAYS YOU CAN WIN and HELP THE RENT FOUNDATION!

$15 includes all the beer and food you want

— BET CASH, WIN CASH – Bet on horse races that will be shown on the big screen, pick the winner!

— “OWN” A HORSE at AUCTION – Be the winning bidder on a horse that wins the race!

— PULL TABS – Cash prizes for pull tabs. Last year there was a $250 pull tab winner

— BUY A WINNING RAFFLE PRIZE TICKET: Liquor, Gift Baskets, Restaurant Gift Cards, Designer Purses, Electronics, massage certificates and much more.

Join us for “NITE AT THE RACES !”

WHEN: FRIDAY NIGHT NOV. 20th from 6pm – 11pm

WHERE: IUE/CWA HALL 1675 Woodman Drive (PARKING IN REAR)

COST: **TICKETS are $15 at the door and includes all the food, draft beer and soft drinks you want.**

FOOD: Wings, Pizza, Taco Bar, Hot Dog Bar and more.

The night will be a blast, and will help house families. Help support this worthy Dayton cause. See you Friday, at the races !

Raffle Prizes include this lottery tree !

Hot Dog Bar, and drinks – all included in admission price !

Beer, and Betting on Horses !

Hot Dog Bar with the fixings !

Wine Basket raffle prizes

Kegs and Horses

Bet Cash, Win Cash, Buy raffle tix, win prizes !

Locally Owned Housemade Sauces Introduces Green Sriracha

November 18, 2015 By Dayton937 2 Comments

Locally made Green Serrano Sauce is coming to store near you

Your favorite locally owned hot sauce company, Housemade Sauces, is going GREEN. Serrano Green that is... Local Chef LeeAnne House has released some more bottles that she hopes will be as sought after as her previous sauces. LeeAnne has worked in the food industry her entire life, and comes from a family of restaurant entrepreneurs. We have the scoop on Chef House and her latest culinary creation.

*** And we are giving a FREE bottle away to a lucky, random reader who comments below ***

HERE’S THE SKINNY on THE NEW SERRANO GREEN HOT SAUCE:

— Serrano peppers, tomatillos and pineapples are the main ingredients for this Serrano Green sauce

— Housemade puts pineapples into a juicer to make this sauce. Then they boil the sauce to reduce it by half for a thick sauce with a huge punch of flavor.

HERE’S THE SKINNY on CHEF LEEANNE HOUSE:

— A lifelong Daytonian, LeeAnne has worked in restaurants since she was a kid clearing tables. Her recent past jobs include being an assistant or Executive Chef at a couple of Dayton area, fine dining establishments and caterers.

— Today, Chef LeeAnne House wears many hats .

1) She is the partner in “Bad Dog, Nice Taco” food and catering.

2) She is part of the popular food blog, “Food Adventures” featured weekly on Dayton Most Metro.

3) Chef House is also the owner of the wildly popular Housemade Sriracha Sauces.

4) LeeAnne also helps organize the local “Night Market” events at the Old Yellow Cab Building

You can find Housemade Sauces at Dorothy Lane Market, Foremost Seafood, Treadway Gardens and various local vendors. Chef House has accomplished a lot in the past 2 to 3 years with her Housemade Sauces. Here is a breakdown that shows how far she has come, and highlights some of the best products in her inventory.

Chef House cooking up a big batch of her new Green Serrano Sauce

THE HISTORY of HOUSEMADE SAUCES:

— Housemade made a splash in the Dayton area in 2013, with its first sauce, a red sauce, called Housemade Sriracha. It is a delicious condiment made with red Thai chile peppers. A sweeter version of the traditional srirachas sold in stores, it quickly sold out on local area shelves. It won a national sauce competition, winning first place in the 2014 Cajun Hot Sauce Festival of Louisiana.

— In 2014, Chef House then released her second product “HOT HONEY,” a local honey, infused with red thai chiles. It was another huge hit regionally. It also won a competitions, gaining 2014’s Best Hot Specialty at “Jungle Jim’s Weekend of Fire.”

— Housemade also released SPICE RUBS in 2014 partnering with Miami Valley Spice Traders. The flavors of Thai chili sriracha rub, tomatillo-serrano salt, smoked sriracha salt and chili sriracha salt were a hit for local cooks and chefs.

— PEACHY SRIRACHA SAUCE, burst on the scene in Fall 2015 to rave reviews. It is her familiar sweet spicy sauce, with all natural ingredients and gluten free, which is typical of Housemade products. The sauce is very versatile, from toast topping to spicing up spreads, dips and various dishes. The sky is the limit with this one.

— Saturday November 21st, 2015, Housemade will debut it’s GREEN SERRANO SAUCE at the Night Market at at 700 E. Fourth Street at the Old Yellow Cab Building in Dayton.

*** WE ARE GIVING AWAY A FREE BOTTLE of GREEN SERRANO SAUCE to a random winner who comments below on the story.
The comment section is after the photos

What is next for this local sauce company? Stay tuned to Food Adventures and DaytonMostMetro .com for upcoming developments.

Also, make sure you follow FOOD ADVENTURES on Facebook by clicking HERE.

Serrano Peppers for the sauce

Jason Kramer, of Housemade Sauces, bottles up from fresh Green Sauce !

A chef’s work is never done !

Stockpiling sauces for Holiday sales

Bottling party at my place ….

Capturing the flavors in a bottle

All smiles late into the night, bottling the good stuff !

Draining some sauce into the a large pot

Some of the special jars available at the Night Market Nov 21st

Stirring up some magic

Green Serrano – ready for use

Testing phase of Green Serrano – experimenting with various flavor levels

Cartoon version of Chef House

Housemade Jams for sale – rare

Peachy Sriracha – she is sometimes called the Sriracha mama

Salts – rub me

Best stuff = Hot Honey

The bottle that started it all – Sriracha sauce

Mikesells: Tins and New Flavors? ! WIN CHIPS !

November 14, 2015 By Dayton937 14 Comments

These tins will be in stores next week !

Mikesell’s Snack Food Company is bringing back the holiday tins for the first time in 15 years! They are also going to introduce some new flavors in 2016 and we have the scoop.

The Food Adventures Crew was lucky enough to sample the new flavors and we are so excited about the throwback tins, that we are giving away some free chips!

***Want to win some of your favorite hometown potato chips? ***

Then comment below and we will award 3 winners the new tins that are coming to stores next week!

HERE’S THE SKINNY:

— Since 1910, Mikesells Potato Chips have been a part of Dayton life, and still remain family owned today by DW Mikesell’s descendants.

— The tins were wildly popular in the 70’s and 80’s, with throwback designs, celebrating anniversaries such as the 75th and 80th years in business.

— Next week, for the first time in 15 years, grocery stores will start carrying Commerative Tins of Mikesells chips, just in time for the holidays. The tins each contain 2 sealed bags of chips. Tins will be available for a limited time only.

— You can also order the tins online by clicking HERE.

Korean BBQ is one of the new flavors being considered for 2016

NEW FLAVORS BEING CONSIDERED for 2016:

Mikesells had been testing flavors at the Dragon’s games and at Unversity of Dayton. Food Adventures was lucky enough to get a private sampling of the candidates, some of which will go into production in 2016. Here are the flavors and our comments on them.

— HOT ROASTED GARLIC and DILL: One of the favorites, look for this one to be a hit. Who doesn’t love garlic?

— JALAPENO RANCH: A nice ranch dusting, not overpowering, with a slight kick at the end. Again, not too hot, just enough to take notice. Chef House, the spicy food queen of Dayton, had a smile after sampling these! This was one of Hungry Jax’s top picks too!

— LOADED CHEESEBURGER: The most complex chip, even down to tasting the ketchup. The flavoring brains behind this chip is brilliant. Hungry Jax simply described them as “Aweseome.”

— HONEY BUTTER: The flavor fad that has hit South Korea, may be coming to Dayton. This Honey Butter chip has a very subtle taste, almost muted. A very easy going chip, and would be perfect with dip.

Chef House, Mikesells Marketing Director Luke Mapp, and Hungry Jax

— SMOKED GOUDA: Probably a long shot, as it seems to have a pretty adult palate. May need some tweaking, but they are definitely on to something unique..

— KOREAN BBQ: Very eatable chip, and such a disctinctly unique flavor. We could see Daytonians eating the whole bag here… Hungry Jax voted this as her favorite and The Big Ragu rated this flavor near the top.

— CREAMY WASABI: This one had more bounce to the ounce than expected. The little zing at the end is a perfect flavor finish. The chip was The Big Ragu’s favorite.

WHAT FLAVORS WILL MAKE THE CUT?

As Luke Mapp, ‎Director of Sales and Marketing explains, we wish we could offer them all, but the problem is limited display space. He said that in grocery stores and other outlets, when you introduce new flavors, it often means you have to yank one of the current flavors. All of it is due to limited shelve allowances. Luke knows his stuff. He is the great grandson of founder D.W. Mikesell and has had a lifelong involvement in the company. We want to send out a special thank you to Luke and his staff for being so accommodating on our taste test and facility tour. It was a fun and fascinating evening.

Behind the scenes at Mikesells, fresh out of the fryer !

Dear chip lovers and fellow foodies, stay tuned over the next 12 months to see which flavors will make it into stores! But remember, you heard about them here first!

One last comment, Mikesells is introducing another product in February that we were able to sample. Unfortunately, we were sworn to secrecy about its existence. All we can tell you is that is was probably the best thing we tasted that day. Stay locked in to Mikesells and Food Adventures, and we will spill the beans as soon as it comes out in stores!

*** COMMENT BELOW FOR A CHANCE TO WIN A TIN OF MIKESELLS POTATO CHIPS ***

The comment section is after the photos…..

3 winners will be chosen at random on Thursday, November 19th.

Want to stay a winner? Are you a foodie? Then join the almost 6,000 local fans of Food Adventures on Facebook by clicking HERE.

Mikesells – new tins (on the right)

Jalapeno Ranch chips

The Food Adventures Crew at Mikesells Snack Food Company Headquarters

Zee cheeps are magnifico !

Inside the office by the DW Mikesell photo with Chef and Hungry Jax and Hungry Jax’s kids

Creamy Wasabi Chips !

Tins of past

Hungry Jax looks like an ant, compared to the pallet of Potato chips

Potatoes for the product !

Potatoes, uncooked and recently sliced

Chips coming down the conveyor belt and being measured

Tins are BACK !

Packaging station

Meanwhile, back at the Mikesells office …

The amount of chips moved is amazing

Factory tour

Homemade Pies at Ghostlight Coffee

November 11, 2015 By Dayton937 Leave a Comment

Pumpkin Maple Pie – A new Vegan twist on a Thanksgiving favorite

Need homemade pies for Thanksgiving? Consider a new source: Ghostlight Coffee on Wayne Ave. You can place your order now for pickup just in time for the holidays.
Dayton Dining and Food Adventures were lucky enough to get some pies from the ladies behind these made from scratch pies, Mandy and Mara. Delivered in custom made personalized boxes, the packaging alone set our expectations high and we have to stay these pies really get high marks!

Here is your chance to take some pressure off of your Thanksgiving cooks, and let Ghostlight’s bakers do the work.

HERE’S THE SKINNY:

— Order pies in person at Ghostlight Coffee at 1201 Wayne Ave. or go to GhostlightCoffee.com

— Your pie order can be picked up on your choice of 3 days (11/23, 11/24, and 11/25/15)

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Mara and Mandy, bakers at Ghostlight Coffee, hostedt a dessert tasting event last Monday.

These are the eight featured foods on this new “pies from scratch at Ghostlight Coffee” menu.

NEW TREATS:

— MAMA SMITH’S FANTASTIC APPLE PIE: A perfectly made dutch apple style pie. Old fashioned, and an American tradition. Chef House is on record as saying this is her favorite of the pie selections.

— THE KENTUCKY BOURBON PECAN PIE: Crunchy and creamy, with an almost honey taste, this pie is terrific. The Big Ragu and Lisa from DaytonDining are on record as liking this one best.

— THE PUMPKIN & MAPLE PIE: A unique combo, the pie is soft and luscious. Dairy free and egg free, it is a twist on pumpkin pie with a maple syrup combo.

— GLUTEN FREE CARAMEL APPLE PIE: Tina’s Sweet Treats makes this flavored pie for Ghostlight Coffee. It is covered with a nice coating of handmade caramel sauce.

The Big Ragu enjoyed Ghostlight Pies From Scratch

— THE GHOSTLIGHT THANKSGIVING PIE: A 10 inch Pumpkin and Maple pie with a Kentucky Bourbon Pecan pie stacked underneath. This is like Dayton’s pie version of a Tur-duck-en. We love the no rules approach and inventive boldness! This is a Food Adventure item for sure!

— PUMPKIN SNICKERDOODLES: The classic cookie is back for the holidays. The traditional taste with a pumpkin mix.

— FALL TONIC AUTUMN BLEND COFFEE: A special coffee featured as a blend with any of these desserts.

— GLUTEN FREE DINNER ROLLS: From Tina’s Sweet Treats, these rolls are in just in time for the holidays. We may ruin the health factor by adding some butter…

Some of these items may be available at Ghostlight to eat, right now.

Thank you to Ghostlight Coffee and owner Shane Anderson for sharing these sweet comfort foods with us.

Food Adventures thinks many Daytonians will take advantage of this special, limited time pie offering.

Want to take advantage of more food scoop around the Miami Valley? Then, ” like Food Adventures on Facebook” by clicking HERE.

Limited time !

Look at those Bourbon Pecan Pies !

Outside of Ghostlight Coffee

From Scratch by Ghostlight Coffee

Pies can be ordered to be picked up 11/23-11/25/15

Since 2011

The Big Ragu and owner of Ghostlight, Shane Anderson

Kentucky Bourbon Pecan Pie

Mara and some baked Ghostlight goodies

Pecan pie twist like no other

Barista Capital of Dayton

Pumpkin Maple – a twist on an old favorite

Fresh Pie

Pumpkin Maple

Order Form

44 Years of Flying Pizzas Win a Large Pizza

November 3, 2015 By Dayton937 23 Comments

The Sicilian Square and a Hand Tossed slice in the back

Dough can be seen flying in the air through the windows at 223 N Main Street in downtown Dayton. The familiar window sign, hustle and bustle is all part of “The Original Flying Pizza.”

The owners, the Graci family have been tossing pizzas downtown for 44 years, and they are still going strong. One slice at a time, they have stolen the hearts and stomachs of many Daytonians by serving their special New York Style Pizza recipe.

** YOU CAN WIN ONE OF THESE LARGE, 1 topping PIZZAS BY COMMENTING BELOW (winner chosen at random).**

How did a mom and pop from Sicily, make their American dream come true? Only Food Adventures has the scoop!

HERE’S THE SKINNY ON HOW FLYING PIZZA BECAME A DAYTON ICON:

Brothers Tony and Frank Graci share a laugh at the pizza shop

FROM SICILY to THE USA :
In 1958, long before becoming icons in Dayton, John Graci and his wife Frances left Sicily for the United States. They settled in New York City. After getting a job at “Sam’s Pizza,” John honed his pizza making skills. In a twist of fate, that building would soon be torn down to build the World Trade Center.

FROM NEW YORK CITY to DAYTON, OHIO:
John and Frances decided to drive and visit John’s brother and his girlfriend who were in Middletown Ohio. As fate would have it, they got a flat tire in Dayton. John and Frances thought Dayton was a vibrant, fun city and full of life, with a lot going on. They thought it would be a great place to raise a family. The Graci family left the Big Apple for the Gem City. Before you know it, in 1971 they had their own pizza shop downtown. They had two sons, Tony and Frank. John and his pizza were becoming a favorite, and he was even appearing on TV on Clubhouse 22 with Duffy the Dog and Malcom, showing his pizza tossing skills.

That was the early 70’s and the pizza business continued to grow in the 80’s and 90’s with cousins opening stores in Columbus, Mason, Fairborn and Centerville.

The Original Flying Pizza Downtown

PRESENT DAY – THE ORIGINAL FLYING PIZZA DOWNTOWN, 2015
Now, the next generation runs day to day operations downtown. Tony and Frank Graci can be found greeting customers and slicing pies daily. They still use that patented “Graci dough toss” every day.

— The Orginal Flying Pizza is located at 223 North Main Street in Downtown Dayton

— NY style pizza by the slice, or whole pies.

— Two types of pizza: (You can win a large one topping pizza free by commenting below)
1) Hand tossed NY style huge slices
2) Sicilian Squares – a thick, more bread like crust topped with special tomato sauce (old school)

— They have calzones and desserts too

— Hours are Mon – Sat 10:30am -7pm, closed Sundays

— They serve beer, as well as host private parties

— There is a parking garage and you get the first 30 minutes free if you ask the cashier for a parking validation

Now you know the story, so let’s dive into the food….

A Slice of Cheese Hand Tossed on the right, a Sicilian Slice of Cheese on the left

Ladies and gentlemen, we now present The Original Flying Pizza’s “Must Eats.”

MUST EATS:

— HAND TOSSED CHEESE PIZZA (SLICE or WHOLE PIE): This is it, the mainstay, the staple, the foundation of a Dayton icon. The mozzarella cheese is perfect, the sauce is perfect, the dough is perfect… every time. They call it “Neapolitan Pizza” which is the name for the style of pizza made in Naples, Italy.

WHEN YOU BUY A SLICE: The slices are big. If you order one, they turn around and heat it up in the oven for a couple of minutes. It will be hot as hell when you get it. We burn our mouth every time. You have been warned.

WHEN YOU BUY A PIE: It doesn’t matter if you fold it and eat it or let it hang and get under it. This stuff is the best. They tape the box closed to piss off those of you who want to steal a slice on the way home.

Frank Graci lets some dough fly at Flying Pizza, Downtown Dayton

— THE SICILIAN SQUARE CHEESE PIZZA: A thicker, more bread like crust, rubbed with olive oil and dusted with garlic and a special marinara sauce. The ending finish is the thick sprinkles of melted mozzarella cheese. It is the cap, on a piece of perfection.

WHEN YOU BUY A SLICE: The slices are Big Squares. Every piece has crust, some have one side of crust, corner pieces have 2 sides,. Very filling, very good.

WHEN YOU BUY A PIE: A big square pizza either 6 or 9 pieces. This stuff is so simple and delicious, yet different than any pizza you have ever tried.

— THE CALZONE: The secret here is they use ricotta cheese in the calzones. The fresh dough seals the deal, literally. The only drawback is that every calzone is Pepperoni and Sausage, so deal with it. Yes, they have one type of calzone.

— SIDE OF 3 MEATBALLS SAUCE and CHEESE: All beef meatballs, marinara and mozzarella, they heat it up, you eat it down. It is like a bowl of cereal for Italian people.

Honorable Mention: The BREADSTICKS at the Centerville location are the closest things to the old Noble Romans that we have ever eaten.

So there is your guide to another epic Food Adventure.

Now take a chance at winning a FREE LARGE PIZZA with ONE TOPPING by leaving a COMMENT BELOW!

A winner will be chosen at random on SATURDAY…

And don’t forget to”like” Food Adventures on Facebook by clicking here!

Pepperoni and Sausage Calzone

Meatballs in sauce with cheese

A peek inside the breadstick bag from the Centerville location

Centerville location bread sticks

Bite into a Square

We buy Pizzas from Flying Pizza and steal slices on the way home

Sicilian Square

The Big Ragu and Tony Graci from Flying Pizza

Deluxe Slice

Slices of heaven

a view to a crust

Frank is able to take phone orders and spin pies at the same time

Sausage slice

2 Dayton Icons

Mikesells and Flying Pizza – matched perfectly

Top that

Special stuff

Door to the famous Original Flying Pizza !

Deluxe love

Clubhouse 22 – Duffy the dog, Malcolm McCloud and John Graci

Meatballs, sauce and cheese

Fork a piece of meatball

Calzones and dipping sauces

BLANCHETT & REDFORD in TRUTH + Big Changes at THE NEON!

October 29, 2015 By Jonathan McNeal

Hello Everyone,

Cate Blanchett & Robert Redford! Need I say more? If you’re like me, you’re already invested! Tomorrow (Oct. 30) we open TRUTH – the new film starring these two incredible actors! (In the coming weeks, I’ll hopefully have more details for you about CAROL – the film with Blanchett I’ve been anticipating for more than a year.) If you still need to see EXPERIMENTER or COMING HOME, you’ll need to hurry. Today is the last day for both of these films at THE NEON. If you need showtimes for today, please visit our website – www.neonmovies.com Showtimes for the upcoming weekend/week are below.

I’ve recently had several people ask me why movies aren’t sticking around longer…customers are wondering why wonderful films (like COMING HOME and PHOENIX and MERU) are leaving after such short runs. Simply put, it almost always means films aren’t performing well. We haven’t had a hit in quite a while, and the independent industry is feeling this across the board. As I write this, distributors are frantically changing their distribution strategies for upcoming films – opening dates are shifting (some forward, some backward), and some titles may disappear entirely from our “Coming Soon” list. These date moves make it all the harder on small venues like THE NEON to effectively market upcoming engagements. I truly appreciate you keeping your eyes on this newsletter (and even our website and facebook) for the latest developments.

Synopsis for TRUTH: “On the morning of September 9, 2004, veteran CBS News producer MARY MAPES (Cate Blanchett) believed she had every reason to feel proud of a broadcast journalism job well done. By the end of the day, Mapes, CBS News, and the venerable CBS News anchor DAN RATHER (Robert Redford) would be under harsh scrutiny. The evening before, 60 Minutes II had aired an investigative report, produced by Mapes and reported on-air by Rather, that purported to reveal new evidence proving that President George W. Bush had possibly shirked his duty during his service as a Texas Air National Guard pilot from 1968 to 1974.” (taken from Sony Classics) Stephen Holden of THE NEW YORK TIMES wrote, “TRUTH is a gripping, beautifully executed journalistic thriller about the events that ended Dan Rather’s career as a CBS anchorman.” Click this LINK to visit the film’s official site.

Don’t forget that we’ve just opened MEET THE PATELS!
Synopsis for MEET THE PATELS: “A laugh-out-loud real life romantic comedy about Ravi Patel, an almost-30-year-old Indian-American who enters a love triangle between the woman of his dreams…and his parents. This hilarious and heartwarming film reveals how love is a family affair.” (taken from Alchemy Releasing) VARIETY calls the film “Sharp” and “Riotously funny.” Click this LINK to visit the film’s official site.

On Thursday, Nov. 5 at 7:30, Dayton native Tann Moore is bringing a selection of short films to town. “The Dayton Onyx Cinefest (D.O.C.) is a cinefest designed to broaden the horizons of local artists by bringing the culture of film to the African- American arts community and consumers of African-American entertainment in Dayton, Ohio. The fest’s goal is to encourage, educate and enhance the fine-arts related careers of emerging and established local filmmakers of color through a public exhibition and eventual competition program. The desire is to be instrumental in the process of discovering and launching independent films and filmmakers by bringing them to the attention of the public and broader industry. Additionally, attendees will have access to informational seminars and workshops covering a variety of topics including: independent film production, writing for independent film, and will have access to online tutorial programs designed to inform and educate local actors.” Tickets are $20 each and are available via the official site or at THE NEON’s Box Office.

On Sunday, November 15 at 3:00, The Dayton International Peace Museum will have a special screening of SEEKING THE TRUTH IN THE BALKANS. This screening is in commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the Dayton Peace Accords, and tickets will be on a first come first serve basis on the day of the screening for a requested minimum donations of $10. “In the 1990s, the former state of Yugoslavia devolved into chaos as various segments of the country declared independence, inflaming age-old ethnic tensions and the worst genocide to occur in Europe since World War II. During the midst of the conflict, the UN Security Council created the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) to prosecute genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. The ICTY was the first international criminal tribunal since Nuremberg. Now, 23 years later as the ICTY is wrapping up its cases, this prize-winning documentary explores the legacy of this landmark experiment in international law and asks if truth, peace, justice or reconciliation were attained by interviewing over 100 persons most impacted by the decisions of the Tribunal. The trailer for the film can be seen by clicking this LINK.

“Up And Running of Dayton has partnered with Trails in Motion to bring exciting films and documentaries about trail running to the Dayton Area on Wednesday, November 18 at 7:30. All proceeds from this event will go to Girls On The Run of Dayton. Each year, the TRAILS IN MOTION FILM TOUR brings a collection of the finest trail running films to passionate audiences around the world. Trails in Motion strives to present a varied montage of high quality film content from dynamic film makers in this genre, and also aims to develop a global community that brings together like minded trail runners and outdoor enthusiasts in a visual celebration of the sport. All hosted by people who love to share this ‘dirty art’ with their local running communities.” (taken from press notes) Tickets, just $12 each, are available at THE NEON’s box office, at Up And Running stores in Dayton and Troy or via this Speedy Feet LINK.

I’ve already had a handful of requests regarding this year’s holiday film selections. I will announce this year’s line-up in next week’s newsletter!

Thanks for your continued support!
Hope to see you soon,
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Friday, Oct. 30 – Thursday, Nov. 5:

TRUTH (R) 2 Hr 5 Min
Friday & Saturday: 1:00, 4:00, 7:15, 9:45
Sunday: 1:00, 4:00, 7:15
Monday – Thursday: 2:45, 5:15, 7:45

MEET THE PATELS (PG) 1 Hr 18 Min
Friday & Saturday: 1:10, 3:10, 5:15, 7:20, 9:30
Sunday: 1:10, 3:10, 5:15, 7:20
Monday – Wednesday: 3:10, 5:15, 7:20
Thursday: 3:10, 5:15

DAYTON ONYX CINEFEST (NR)
Thursday: 7:30

COMING SOON:
(All Dates Are Tentative. Dates Often Move And Sometimes Disappear.)
Nov. 6 – LABYRINTH OF LIES
Nov. 13 – SUFFRAGETTE
Nov. 25 – BROOKLYN
TBD – ROOM
Possible Titles: SPOTLIGHT, THE DANISH GIRL, CAROL, TRUMBO, YOUTH

Yankee Trace Friday Fish Frys Return

October 16, 2015 By Dayton937 Leave a Comment

$14.95 All You Can Eat Fish Frys Through Nov. 20th

The Golf Club at Yankee Trace has brought back their fish frys for a limited time this fall, and the Food Adventures Crew has the scoop. The “All U Can Eat” events will happen each Friday night from 5pm-9pm at the restaurant inside the clubhouse. The tradition continues through November 20th, and will return during Lenten season as it has for many years. the hand breaded haddock is some of the best in town, and the fact that it is endless, means you wont walk away hungry. Each dinner comes with endless deep fried haddock, cole slaw and french fries. Here is the down low on one of the best kept secrets in Centerville.

HERE’S THE SKINNY:

— WHAT: Friday Evening Fish Fry Dinners

— WHERE: The Golf Club at Yankee Trace’s Restaurant, 10000 Yankee St., Centerville Ohio 45458

— WHEN: Every Friday night 5pm-9pm from now through November 20th

— COST: $14.95 per person

** Important: Reservations are required (937) 438-3585

Swim up to Yankee Trace and dive in to this deal. An all you can eat Food Adventure awaits!

Follow The Food Adventures of Hungry Jax, The Big Ragu and Chef House on Facebook by clicking here and “liking” our page.

Now until Nov 20th, Fish Fry Fridays !

Haddock

Dining Area

Dayton Philharmonic’s Weekend Performance 50% Off!

October 15, 2015 By LIbby Ballengee

This weekend’s Dayton Philharmonic “Folk Rock of the 70’s” SuperPops series is being offered at a special 50% discount rate! This is a great opportunity to see one of Dayton’s finest performance arts groups, featuring songs many of you know and love.

Prepare to be transported by the talents of AJ and Jayne when they join the Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra for an evening of folk rock favorites made famous by Cat Stevens, Gordon Lightfoot, Joni Mitchell, Jim Croce, James Taylor, The Eagles, Carole King and more.

Guest artists AJ Swearingen and Jayne Kelli are singer/guitarists steeped in the sounds of all-American rock, country and folk. Gifted artist Jayne Kelli started singing as a teenager and is a natural talent. Her partner AJ Swearingen provides a perfect complement with his approachable and nuanced delivery. You may remember him from his Dayton appearance here at the Schuster with Jonathan Beedle and the DPO in a superb show paying tribute to the music of Simon and Garfunkel.

Backed by the full, rich sound of the Orchestra, this talented duo bring a deep playlist including “Take It Easy,” “Father and Son,” “Wild World,” “Both Sides Now,” “Heart of Gold,” “Landslide,” “You’ve Got a Friend,” “Dreams,” “Sundown,” “The Boxer,” “Time in a Bottle,” “If You Could Read My Mind,” “Sister Golden Hair,” “Fire and Rain,” “I Feel the Earth Move,” “Big Yellow Taxi,” and more. 1970s folk rock is even better this time around!

SCHUSTER CENTER
SuperPops Series
Fire and Rain: Iconic Folk Rock of the 70s
8:00 pm Friday, October 16, 2015
8:00 pm Saturday, October 17, 2015

Single Tickets On Sale Now
P $78 | A $63 | B $54 | C $38 | D $27

BOX OFFICE (888) 228-3630 or click here for online purchase.

FOR 50% OFF TICKETS: use promo code “sweetbabyjames”

Dog’s Breath Tavern Hosts “Buckets & Trucks”

October 14, 2015 By Dayton937 Leave a Comment

“Buckets and Trucks” every Thursday in October

Each Thursday, for the rest of October, The Dogs Breath Tavern in Kettering will be featuring an event called “Buckets & Trucks.” On these nights, a couple of featured food trucks will invade the parking lot on 1912 E. Whipp Rd., and the bar will host domestic buckets of beer for 11 bucks.

October 15th, the featured Food Trucks will be Hunger Paynes and Dayton Urban BBQ. It promises to be a good night for a Food Adventure. Trucks will be ready to serve by 5pm and will be there until about 9pm.

Hunger Paynes is known for their “croquette” style menu and the BBQ from Dayton Urban is terrific, especially the pulled pork sandwich.

Here are our TOP 5 MUST EATS for the night:

— PULLED PORK SANDWICH from DAYTON URBAN BBQ:
Good, and a little sloppy when that cole slaw is added. You won’t care, it is worth every bite.

— SALMON CROQUETTES from HUNGER PAYNES:
Crunchy on the outside, soft and tasty on the inside. A Food Adventure favorite.

Dayton Urban BBQ Food Truck will be at Dog’s Breath on Thursday 5pm

— DOUBLE BUTTER BURGER from DOG’S BREATH TAVERN:
A Mountainous burger, slapped with cheese in between. A Big burger that will fill you up, and make you smile.

— MAC n CHEESE CROQUETTES from HUNGER PAYNES:
Gooey, and hot. Love it served on a handful of homemade Saratoga chips.

— HOMEMADE “DOG BONES” from DOG’S BREATH TAVERN:
Flavors from Philly cheesesteak, to pulled pork and ham n cheese, these hand rolled egg rolls are stuffed with various favorite fillings on site.

Come out to Dog’s Breath Tavern for a chance to visit two great food trucks, and get some drink specials. Please note that menus are subject to change and that new creations may be better than anything we have tasted yet! We hope we gave you a tip on what to look for for a great Food Adventure this Thursday evening.

So take advantage of “Buckets and Trucks” every Thursday in October at Dog’s Breath Tavern.

For more scoop on Food Adventures each week, follow us on Facebook and “like” us by clicking HERE.

Hunger Paynes Food Truck

Fried Mac N Cheese Croquettes from Hunger Paynes

Pulled pork from Dayton Urban BBQ

Ham n Cheese “dog bone” from Dog’s Breath Tavern

Dog Breath’s Double Butter Burger

Inside Dog’s Breath Tavern

Osaka: New Buffet with Conveyor Belt Sushi

September 29, 2015 By Dayton937 Leave a Comment

Raw Salmon Sushi & Raw Salmon Sashimi

A new Japanese / Chinese Buffet called Osaka has opened behind the Dayton Mall and the Food Adventures Crew has the scoop after a few visits. The newly remodeled building formerly housed Max & Erma’s for decades, and most recently Hazel Grill. The place is basically a buffet, yet they are trying to distinguish themselves by doing a few things differently.

One attraction at Osaka, is the “Conveyor Belt of Sushi.” Now, this is not the typical conveyor belt sushi at restaurants that winds its way around the dining area and is priced based on color of the plate you pick up. No, this is just a side attraction and part of the “All You Can Eat” concept.

But this concept is a bit different at Osaka Sushi and Hibachi Buffet.

Owner/ Manager John Weng of Osaka Buffet

Gone are the metal steam pans, replaced by large family style, white serving dishes. Each dish looks more appetizing. Owner/Manager John Weng told us that this allows for a smaller quantity on each dish, in the hopes that no buffet item sits too long. Beyond that, this buffet is similar to the ones you have seen in the past, although this one seems a little cleaner.

We have visited Osaka four times since it opened, and have tried virtually every menu item. Here are the Food Adventure findings…

HERE’S THE SKINNY:

— Osaka Sushi & Hibachi Buffet is located at 8901 Kingsridge Dr.

— Buffet prices are as follows: Lunch = $8.95, Dinner = $14.95

— Not a fan of “All you can eat?,” that’s ok ladies, you can order from a full Sushi, Japanese and Chinese Menu.

— Hours are: Monday – Saturday 10:30am – 10pm, Sundays 10:30am – 9:30pm

Prawns on the Buffet

— Buffet highlights include:

A sushi conveyor belt with plates of 2-3 pieces of sushi

A raw hibachi bar and grill, where you mix your ingredients and a hibachi cook stir fry’s your mixture with your choice of sauce.

Appetizer area and Main Entree bars

Soup, Fruit and Dessert areas

With dozens of menu items, what are the best eats? From Duck to Crab Sushi, we sort through it all and give you our patented MUST EATS !

MUST EATS:

— THE SALMON SASHIMI: Scope out the conveyor belt for the pieces of raw, sliced salmon with no rice. These slices are fresh and melt in your mouth. Absolutely the best item on the conveyor belt of love.

Spicy Crab sushi with Flying Fish roe on top

— THE HIBACHI RAW BAR & GRILL: Take advantage of your own mini-Mongolian Grill. Whatever your concoction of meats and veggies, may we suggest you ask for your mixture to be cooked in the Brown Hibachi Sauce. It is absolutely delicious.

— SPICY CRAB SUSHI with FISH ROE on TOP: These are easy to spot, because they have colorful fish eggs sprinkled on top of the sushi roll in colors of green,black or orange.

— THE CRAB ANGLE: These huge, triangular deep fried snacks are STUFFED with crab and cream cheese. The result is a big, filling couple of bites of cheesy goodness.

— THE DUNGENESS CRAB: Hardshell crabs, cut in half and separated at the leg joints. The leg joints are then battered and stir fried with a brown sauce. The result is a crab crackin’, shell suckin’ good time.

— CHEESEY MUSSELS: Baked Mussels in the shell, covered with creamy cheese mixture. Perfect description would be “they’re heavenly.”

— RAW OYSTERS: Rarely seen on buffets in Dayton, take advantage when you see these bad boys laying out on ice.

Honorable Mention: The Crab Nigiri Sushi was huge and delicious. Also, the Fried Shrimp are nothing short of addicting.

The Conveyor Belt of Sushi runs the entire time, replacing and adding plates constantly.

So there you have the lowdown on Osaka Sushi and Hibachi Buffet, the newest buffet in town. Smaller plates, less waste, fresher food

is their philosophy. They have some great items, we are fans and hope the restaurant takes hold for a long time.

Osaka is a perfect place to push your pallet comfort zone. Try new things from crawfish to frog legs. Come out to Kingsridge Drive by the Dayton Mall and experience your own little Food Adventure. P.S., the conveyor belt doesn’t work if you sit or stand on it … just kidding, but don’t try it anyway…

Want to try something fun? Go to Facebook and “Like” Food Adventures by clicking here. Join the thousands that like us on Facebook, and love us in their hearts. Are you an Instagram Junkie? Then follow us there at #dayton_foodies

In the meantime, browse the photos below from our visits to Osaka Sushi and Hibachi Buffet.

Serving plates, no steam pans – smaller quantities means fresher items

A view of the Sushi Conveyor Belt in the corner of the Buffet Area

Pepper Pork and General Tso’s Chicken

Crab Angle – These are incredible and gooey and cheesy and OMG

The sign out front on Kingsridge Dr.

Baked Salmon

Stacking the sushi plates

Some Pink Sushi

Shrimp Tempura with Fish roe on Top

Half of the Buffet Area

Crab and Avacado roll

Crispy Duck !

Hibachi Area, Sushi Area and Buffet Area

Raw Oysters on the Half Shell

Baked, Cheesey Mussells

Mini tiramisu

Dungeness Crab

Some of the best fried shrimp around

A full plate at Osaka Sushi and Hibachi Buffet

Dungeness Crab – incredible stuff

Crab Nigiri – (Cooked Crab Sushi)

Mussels with Cheese and Fish Roe on top

Shrimp and Crawfish

Desserts

Raw Oysters and Kimchee

Crawfish

Spicy Salmon and Avocado

Hibachi cooked right before your eyes

Fruit Bar

Salads

A night at Osaka

Food Adventure in Progress

Sushi conveyor Belt

Raw ingredients for Hibachi

Serving Dishes instead of Steam Pan Raiders

Serving Dishes on the Buffet – smaller quantity on the plates, means fresher items

Subterranean’s Intergalactic Meltdown this Saturday!

September 23, 2015 By LIbby Ballengee

Subterranean hosts the Intergalactic Meltdown Saturday night at Jimmie’s Ladder 11

Subterranean, a local band on the rise, is hosting their 4 year anniversary with an epic show: The Intergalactic Meltdown! The name comes from their friends The Big Black Galactic, from Sandusky, who will be sharing the stage with the Sub-T boys for this special event.

“The Big Black Galactic will have you ebbing and flowing in the intergalactic with their dance worthy improvisation and then Subterranean will continue to meltdown your faces with their intense and provocative sounds” states the band’s event page. I’m a huge fan of technical improvisation, and I couldn’t be more excited for this show!

How to go? Head over to Jimmie’s Ladder 11, on Saturday September 26th, and pay usual $5 cover charge. What you’ll get in musical value is so much more! Definitely worth the cover.

And…. It’s my birthday! Celebrate with me and one of my fave local bands, and we celebrate our personal new years!

You don’t want to miss this one!

15 MUST EATS at DAYTON’s OKTOBERFEST

September 22, 2015 By Dayton937 1 Comment

The Cream Puff from Schmidt’s – our #1 Item

This weekend mark’s one of Dayton’s biggest festivals and Food Adventures of the year, …Oktoberfest!

Held at the Dayton Art Institute, it is a plethora of Beer, Crafts, Cigars and Food. Some blogs will give you tips on parking, but The Big Ragu, Hungry Jax and Chef House have been eating and drinking their way through this festival for about 40 years. So who better than the Food Adventure Crew to sort through the food with their hundreds of thousands of calories in expertise?

Grab your lederhosen and let’s dive in….

HERE’S THE SKINNY:

WHAT: Dayton’s 44th Annual Oktoberfest, a celebration of German food and culture

WHERE: The Dayton Art Institute, 456 Belmonte Park North, Dayton Ohio

WHEN:

— FRI, SEPT. 25th – PREVIEW PARTY SPECIAL EVENT – 7pm-11pm, COST $95 at the gate

— SAT, SEPT. 26th – Noon – 11:00 pm, COST $7 at the gate

— SUN, SEPT. 27th – Noon – 7pm, COST $7 at the gate

Now you know where to be and when. So bring some money and get your eat on… Dayton’s Oktoberfest, where everyone is German for the day !

Get Pumpkin or Apple Strudel at The Strudel Factory Booth

Drum roll and Accordion intro … here we go with our patented feature, the Dayton Oktoberfest’s 2015 “MUST EATS !”

MUST EATS:

— #1 SCHMIDT’S CREAM PUFFS:
Of course the #1 item is one so creamy and rich, you will pass out from pleasure. The line might be long, but the end result is worth it. Grab one of these huge cream puffs from Schmidt’s Booth, all the way from Columbus. The cream puff is as big as half your head, and more delicious than 100 movie stars.

— #2 CHERRY or PUMPKIN STRUDEL from THE ORIGINAL STRUDEL FACTORY:
Another OMG moment at the festival, is when you introduce your friends to this little number. Hungry Jax and The Big Ragu agree that the Apple Strudel and Pumpkin Strudel steal the show. The food lines are not bad at this booth , and the strudel is fresh out of the oven.

— #3 THE BRATWURST in the METTS and BRATS TENT:
We are not sure if these are a German Club item or Dayton Art Institute.. we just know with a little sauerkraut, or Dusseldorf mustard, these babies go great with beer. Chef House’s pick of the fest. She could hang out in this booth all night, and with the beer trucks of course!

— #4 THE GERMAN POTATO PANCAKES from THE “HEY HEY” FOOD BOOTH:
Giant, delicious and cheap. Unfortunately everyone knows about these, so the line is a little long sometimes. Don’t fret, good things come to those who wait, and it’s not like the line to the Beast at Kings Island. But these big potato cakes are beasts in themselves.

— #5 THE GERMANATOR at ZOMBIE DOGZ:
Dayton’s #1 food truck rolls in with this hot dog smothered in braised beef brisket, beer cheese and topped with fried onions. Another original item, where they knock it out of the park. Fight the line, and get the rewards of this one of a kind, big wiener. What’s on your zombie?

Pulled Chicken Sandwich from Smokin Bar-B-Que – Add some of their excellent BBQ Sauce !

— #6 THE PULLED CHICKEN SANDWICH from SMOKIN’ BAR-B-QUE
This Oregon District mainstay, comes in with an entry like a lightning bolt. The pulled chicken is perfectly cooked, but the secret is in the sauce. All foodies know that a condiment table can be where the magic happens and puts the ying to the yang. In this case it is true. Find the extra BBQ sauce bottle and squirt some more on your sandwich. Close the bun, take a bite. If some sauce drips on your finger, just get a canvas and hang an inspired finger painting in the art museum.

— #7 THE SOFT PRETZEL BOOTH:
Happiness is a warm pretzel. We are talking so fresh you can hardly hold it. We mean it, right out of the oven into a napkin, to warming your heart. Soft inside, with the perfect outer crust, this pretzel is meant for some mustard and beer. Warning: you might crave a second one later in the night.

— #8 THE CRAB CAKES from BROCK MASTERSONS: Seared on a flat grill, these gargantuan crab cakes are the best in town. So good, that you will want two. Also a thumbs up for the sauce served with the cakes. It is the perfect touch and very tasty. The crab cakes are full of flavor and worth the treat.

Chicken on a Stick from Bangkok House – Shockingly good !

— #9 THE HAMBURGER at THE HAMBURGER WAGON: Hamburg, Germany.. that’s a town, right? Well this Hamburger Wagon is as old as many towns. Finishing their 103rd year, it is fair to say they are a Dayton icon. We suggest the Double Burger, it is our newest rage at the wagon. And as always “they don’t need no stinkin’ condiments.”

— #10 CHICKEN ON A STICK at BANGKOK HOUSE BOOTH:
The strange looking skewer, the incredible smell off the grill. This busy booth sells all kinds of specialties, but the one to grab is the Chicken on a Stick. The marinated chicken comes out perfectly grilled and the result is a cross between somewhere between tender chicken, and other bites having a slight jerky feel to it. A “must eat at Oktoberfest !

The Huge German Potato Pancakes from “Hey Hey” food booth !

— #11 THE SUPERFOODS BURGER at BRIXX:
Quinoa, spinach, avocados, cranberries and turkey A surprise Food Adventure on a bun that we weren’t expecting. Chris Bhai has done it again with his “out of the box” thinking. ion a burger? YES! But the best thing is the taste!

— #12 THE PUB CHEESE FRIES from DUBLIN PUB:
Most Daytonians are familiar with these rich sinful cheese fries. These hunger busting pub fries, topped with cheese and bacon, deserve a spot on the list. Everytime we order these we find people reaching into our basket and snagging a bite. Grab a batch of these hometown favorites. The are Chef House’s guilty little pleasure!

Dublin Pub’s Cheese Fries have become Legendary

— #13 THE WIENERSCHNITZEL SANDWICH from the GERMAN SCHNITZEL BOOTH:
Pretty much a fried pork tenderloin looking sandwich. It is a good sized sandwich that is easily shared. There is also schnitzel under the Brats and Metts tent in the German Food line. I’m sure a cabbage roll or potatoes would go good with this.

— #14 THE TRADITONAL GYRO from the GREEK ORTHODOX CHURCH BOOTH:
So you thought Greek Fest was your last chance in 2015 to get these? Think again! Take advantage of this rare chance to get the same gyros served at Greek Fest. The only other time you can find these is at World a ‘Fair, We recommend the traditional gyro with everything on it. We feel it is much more flavorful than the chicken gyro.

Hot, fresh, soft pretzels for sale at Oktoberfest

— #15 THE ROADHOUSE PORK CHOP from THE BLACKJACK GRILL:
A giant pork chop, plus a huge grill means the most eye appealing site at the festival. There is nothing quite like watching these huge porkchops cook. Served as a sandwich or by themselves, this is your chance to get a big slab of meat for yourself. Dab it with some of the Blackjack BBQ sauce and it’s time to go to town.

Honorable Mention: The Cabbage Rolls and Saeurkraut Balls are also Food Adventure favorites.

There you have it! Our lists of the 15 Oktoberfest foods that need to meet your mouth this weekend. Did we miss any? What are your favorites that we should have mentioned? Please comment!

Also, browse our photo gallery below for killer pictures of the MUST EATS !

As for beer choices, you are on your own, we are having a food baby and can’t be bothered. But if you want more foodie news, from the Miami Valley’s Food Adventures blog, then “like us on Facebook HERE.

Brats and Metts (Bratwurst and Metwurst)

Who Doesn’t Love Oktoberfest ?

The Germanator from Zombie Dogz

Brixx’s Superfood Burger – delicious !

Another chance to grab a gyro like the ones at the Greek Fest Gyros in 2015

Hungry Jax – not a reluctant foodie in the least

Hello Hamburger Wagon Burger ! HAMBOOOGA !

Black Jack Grill’s Pork Chops … cooking up nice, Frau

We walk around the whole day calling everyone “My Little Strudel !”

Reuben Sandwich from Brock Mastersons

German Pastries everywhere

German Pastry Pretzels

A couple Hamburger Wagon Burgers

Grillin Chicken

Seriously Good stuff

Pork chops on the Black Jack Grill

German Chocolate Sundaes !

Crab Rangoon

LeDoux’s Crawfish Etouffe

According to Big Ragu ….

Don’t eat the Limburger Cheese Sandwich at any cost !

Brats on the Grill

Wiener Schnitzel Sandwich

Sauerkraut Balls for sale

Cream Puffs are works of art.. that’s why we ate them in the Art Institute

Even huge Cinnamon breadsticks

Crab Cake from Brock Mastersons

Like a Twinkie Cream Puff

Apple strudel – one of the best things in the fest

Kibbe Beef Sticks from the Lebanese Church

Oompa Band !

Creme Horny Bayb-ee – yeah baybee

Elephant Ear

The Chicken on a Stick OMG that glaze !

Love the whole wings from Brixx

Beef Schwarma from Lebanese Church

Beer, Cigar – Ragu is loaded

Brixx Burger

Crowded

German Cannoli ???

TIFF 2015 Day #9 – My Final Day!

September 18, 2015 By Jonathan McNeal

Hello Everyone,

Today was my last day of screenings, and even though I feel like I’ve been away for months, I’m actually a little sad to be packing my bags. There are several films I didn’t get a chance to see, and every year I think I’m going to take part more in the industry activities (indiewire talks, a variety of lectures, etc.) – but I don’t. I just end up cramming in movies.

First off today, I saw STONEWALL, directed by Roland Emmerich. This film was lambasted before anyone saw it. Criticism soared across the web based only on the trailer, and I must admit that I went into this screening with very low expectations…and I was pleasantly surprised. Though not a masterpiece by a long shot, it’s better than I anticipated. The story of the actual Stonewall Riots is only a portion of this coming-of-age tale about a young guy kicked out of his home and now living on the streets of NYC with numerous other LGBT youth. This is a fictional story set in the midst of some recognizable events and characters, and despite some giggles at some inappropriate moments (due to trite material) it worked emotionally for several people around me in the cinema.

YOUTH is director Paul Sorrentino’s follow-up to his masterpiece THE GREAT BEAUTY. It’s a lovely film about two long-time friends (Michael Caine and Harvey Keitel) vacationing in the Swiss Alps. Though not much “happens,” there’s a lot of discussion about life – both present and past, and there is an abundance of cinematic poetry. The two men are on different paths. One is finishing a screenplay for what should be his next great film and the other is retired with no intention of returning to his work (even at the request of the Queen of England). Though perhaps a bit too avant garde for some, I devoured this film and its interesting gaze.

My last film of the festival was THE WITCH, directed by Robert Eggers. This period thriller/horror film set in 1630’s New England was a smash at Sundance, and I have to admit that I have a secret thing for witches. From Margaret Hamilton to Angelic Huston, from Shakespeare’s “double double, toil and trouble” to Miller’s trials – I’ve always been fascinated by them. Though stylish and sometime startling, The performances and period details are very well executed, the cinematography is moody and beautifully done, and there are some genuinely haunting moments…but something wasn’t working for me. Perhaps the score which purposefully misguides us numerous times helped to create a distrust in the storytelling – I’m not entirely sure what was creating the disconnect for me. That said, as much as this film is about a witch, it’s even more about paranoia and distrust and a creepy devotion to the Bible. During the Q&A, we heard the director talk about all of his research for this film – from court documents and diaries from that era to architectural elements, his knowledge of the subject made me appreciate the film a bit more. I think this film will certainly find a devoted audience…but I wasn’t 100% sold.

And now it’s time to pack my bags. I’ve met some great people during this trip – critics that write for international publications, people who curate festivals in other markets and numerous lovers of cinema. I’ve seen old friends, I’ve had good food, I’ve seen numerous movie stars and famous directors, and I’ve watched 34 movies. It’s been a blast. Thanks for checking in on me.

I hope to see you soon. All the best,

Jonathan

Welcome Back Disco Era Cocktails!

September 18, 2015 By Brian Petro

You like Pina Coladas, right?

The 1970’s and 80’s were not good for cocktails. The primary drinkers of the time were trying to distance themselves from the cocktails of their parents, meaning that vermouth and bourbon were out and sweet liqueurs and vodka were in. The balance that classic cocktails enjoyed started to tilt to the sweet side and chemical side. Fresh herbs and squeezed juices were replaced by schnapps of all flavors and hues and juice from concentrate.

Bartending in that era took a nose dive as well. Instead of a career in hospitality, it was seen as a quick fix between “real” jobs. This is still true today, but the perception is changing as hospitality workers see a career path in the industry. The bartenders were not looking to create new cocktails, they were looking to pump out drinks as fast as they could, maybe juggle some bottles while they did it. The craft of making cocktails disappeared into a sea of blue curacao and bottled sour mix.

Fortunately, modern mixologists took the time to brush off some of these discarded cocktails and give them new life. The art of making your own sour elements and syrups have come back into fashion, and there is a class that can teach you how to make these cocktails taste much better than their disco-era counerparts. This class will teach updated recipes for:

The Stinger is back!

The Stinger – Brandy has a lovely flavor all of its own. Burying it with something artificial and syrupy like Crème de Menthe does not showcase its nuances. We will remake this cocktail with simple syrup and freshly muddled mint.
Pina Colada – It is very easy to head out and buy some premade Pina Colada mix. It is almost as easy, and better tasting, to use the original Coco Lopez and fresh pineapple juice to make one yourself!
Tequila Sunrise – Not a difficult one to make, but there are elements you can make on your own to enhance the flavor! No cheap tequila here and juice from concentrate here. We’ll use fresh squeezed orange juice and homemade grenadine to enhance this 80’s staple.
Appletini 2.0 – Will it be neon green? No. But neon colors have not been popular for a long time. You can still make a delightful apple cocktail with all-American Applejack, fresh pressed apple juice, and a little sour mix.

“Re Imagining the Cocktails of the 70’s and 80’s”, taking place at Scratch Event Catering on September 29^th, will help you make all four of these cocktails, plus give you the recipes to take home for your next cocktail party! There will be some time appropriate snacks to munch on while we make drinks to sample and learn how simple it is to make some popular ingredients. Space is limited, so get your tickets soon!

Dayton

50th Annual Troy Strawberry Festival

50th Annual Troy Strawberry Festival

Monday, June 1, 2026

Tuesday, June 2, 2026

Wednesday, June 3, 2026

Thursday, June 4, 2026