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China Cottage: A Food Adventure Favorite + *GIFT CERTIFICATE CONTEST*

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Chef Tiger Wang, Owner of China Cottage

This week, The Big Ragu & Crew grab a Tiger by the tail.  Your humble Food Adventurers have been dining at China Cottage restaurant since it opened in 1987.   Hairstyles and music have changed since then, but China Cottage’s menu has stood the test of time and remained one of our favorites.  Locally owned by Chef Tiger Wang, this popular eatery has four locations including Wilmington Pike in Kettering, State Route 48 in Centerville, Springboro Pike and Trotwood.

How did this Dayton original get its start?  In the mid-eighties, while working as a cook at Keeng Wha restaurant in Kettering, Tiger realized he wanted to start his own eatery.   A couple of years later, he opened China Cottage, with the help of his brother.  Tiger’s style of cooking is from Southern China and he was the first to feature General Tao’s chicken on a Dayton menu.  Three restaurant expansions later, China Cottage is still one of the most popular destinations in Dayton, to get your Chinese fix.

Medallion Scallops: only at China Cottage

So after a quarter of a century, what are some of the little known secrets of China Cottage?  The answer is in the Chef’s Specials section of the menu.  These are original  dishes created by chef Tiger Wang, that you will not find anywhere else.

HERE’s THE SKINNY:

— Elegant dining atmosphere and gourmet dishes with a Southern China influence.

— Like most Chinese places, the best prices here are at lunch time, where you also get a soup choice

— Locally owned for 26 years and still operated by the same chef.

— The Chef’s Specials are the highlight of the menu, with original meals found only at China Cottage.

— Chinese New Year dinners are hosted annually and include some incredible culinary creations within this 10 course meal.  Stay tuned to http://www.chinacottagerestaurant.com for information.

With so many great options, our list of favorites are as long as the Great Wall of China, but here are some highlights….

Fire Cracker Shrimp – an original China Cottage appetizer

MUST EATS:

— Fire Cracker Shrimp – Jumbo shrimp sauteed in a spicy sauce that features cilantro, lime juice, scallions, red pepper flakes and herbs.  It is served with 3 toasts for dipping.  Are you kidding?  Order this and thank us online later.  There is no appetizer like this in Dayton.

— Pot Stickers – Giant, deliciously meaty and perfectly seared.  That is pretty much all you need to know about these magnificent creations and the best pot stickers in the area.

— Hot and Sour Soup – The best in Dayton, hands down.  A spicy mixture of pork, tofu and vegetables make this a peppery soup a great way to wake up your taste buds.

— Medallion Scallops – Large, lightly breaded scallops in a slightly spicy brown sauce that will make your mouth water.  Tiger has a masterpiece with this original dish.

— Golden Calamari – Another signature appetizer from Chef Tiger.  Deep fried calamari, tossed in a ginger, chili pepper and scallion sauce that is beyond tasty.

— Rock Salt Prawns – Don’t like a lot of sauce?  Then this dish is for you.  Shrimp tossed is a dusty, pepper and flour mix with scallions.  The result is a smoky tasting, seared shrimp that was charred at high heats in the wok during frying.

Inside the best Pot Stickers in Dayton

Honorable mention menu items include the one-of-a-kind Creamy Chicken soup, the spicy Mala Pork, and the Happy Family combination of meats, vegetables and seafood served on a sizzling plate.  We would also be amiss if we did not mention the unique Sesame Shrimp dish with a very rich, sinful cream sauce.

All of these wonderful dishes are enhanced by great service, not to mention the fancy, contemporary Asian decor.  China Cottage is a great dining experience, and dare we say romantic place to take that special someone.

The Big Ragu is speaking from experience here, as China Cottage has always been a “go to” place for a great Food Adventure.  Take our advice, try something new and exotic.   Steer away from your standard, tired sweet and sour entrees and go for the menu section that says Chef’s Specials.  Here is another secret.  China Cottage maintains their quality because Chef Tiger splits his time each week between the four locations.  His continuous training of employees and supervision ensure that high quality standards are maintained.  If you have never stopped in China Cottage, give it a shot.  If you you visit this establishment frequently, then you know what we are talking about.   Just like the sign says at the Centerville location, this spot is “One of the Best.”   Chef Tiger, you have definitely earned your stripes as a Miami Valley culinary superstar!

Dayton Most Metro along with Food Adventures are GIVING AWAY A $20 GIFT CERTIFICATE TO CHINA COTTAGE !  To be eligible, you must comment below and fill our the entry form, too  Tell us your favorite China Cottage menu item, or why you deserve the gift certificate.  Winner will be chosen on Monday!

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For more photos and Food Adventure fun, “like” Chef  House, Hungry Jax & The Big Ragu HERE on Facebook !

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Fleurs Et Vin: A Great Success at Carrillon Park

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Each Guest Received Souvenir Glasses

Did you miss it?  Endless wine tasting and all the food samplings you wanted were featured at the 2013 Fleurs et Vin Festival held at Carillon Park on May 19th.  The Big Ragu was on hand with Dayton Most Metro’s staff, greeting the massive crowds and sample the various offerings.  It was a Food Adventure paradise in the heart of Dayton, and a must eat on our list of events.

If you were not able to make it to this annual benefit for the AIDS Resource Center Ohio, then check out our recap, below.

Here’s the Skinny:

— FLEURS ET VIN is Dayton’s Premier Wine and Gourmet Food Festival, typically held each year on a Sunday in May from 1-4pm under the tents at Carrillon Historical Park.  It is an all-you-want tasting event with a loyal following.

— ALL of the food and wine was donated by locally owned restaurants, allowing 100% of the proceeds to benefit AIDS Resource Center of Dayton.  A Food Adventure with a cause

— Admission price allowed you access to over 400 wines from around the world and taste menu samples from 20 local restaurants, along with a Belgian Beer Garden area !

— Live and Silent Auction areas allowed even more funds to be raised for this worthy cause that focuses of prevention and education about AIDS, along with service programs that help those in need with HIV/AIDS.

— Live music filled the air and added to the warm ambiance.

With so many good wines and so much good food, below are our picks for the best of the best from this spectacular event!

Crab Rangoon from Thai 9.  Our Favorite Rangoon in Dayton.

OUR FAVORITES  (THE FOOD):

Thai 9’s Crab Rangoon and Chicken with Rice:  In our opinion, the best crab rangoon in the Dayton area were these incredible samples from Thai9.  Stuffed full and deep, and served with a sweet side of Thai sauce, we found ourselves returning to this line often.  The Thai chicken dish was also incredible at this station.  It was a Thai pepper chicken, served in a brown, curry house sauce over a bed of white rice.  We told them we loved it, but our mouths were so full that they couldn’t understand us.

The Dock’s Crab Cakes:  Slowly seared on their portable flat top grill, these were flavorful, hand-packed circles of love.  The sauce that topped the crab cakes was the secret ingredient that kept us coming back for more.  The staff of The Dock probably wanted to file a restraining order against us for hanging out by their grill as much as we did.  We could not resist seconds of these scrumptious bites of crab heaven.

Hawthorn Grill’s  Sorbet and Strawberry ShortCake: All of the desserts at Hawthorn Grill are homemade by Chef Candace and her staff.   Her sorbet was a perfect, refreshing break during this hot event.  The bite size piece of cake, topped with a strawberry sauce also hit the spot.

Scratch Catering’s Beef Brisket and Carmelized Onion Bruschetta:  When doesn’t Chef Matt Hayden please the hungry crowds?  This delicious, slow-cooked sampling was just as pleasing to the eye, as it was to our taste buds.  The hits from Scratch Catering just keep on coming ….

OUR FAVORITES (THE WINES):

Canella Blood Orange Mimosa:  Talk about refreshing!   This tasty, bottled mimosa was the perfect drink, on this hot day.  The server at this booth had to be tired of us by the end of the event.   Probably our favorite offering from the Vintage Wine Distributor.  This Italian wine cocktail is made from grape wine and the juice and pulp of blood oranges from Sicily.

Heron Chardonnay:  A crisp, white wine made from 22 year old grape vines.  The winery is a female owned, family vineyard run by Laely Heron.   One of the few American women who made wine in France, Heron’s products are also produced in California.

Spreitzer Riesling 101:  This German Riesling comes from a winery owned by two brothers who have been honing their craft since 1997.  It was a cold, refreshing sip of sparkling goodness in the warm weather.

The Belgian Beer Garden: Although this was a wine festival, Heidelberg Distributing distracted us with some great beer selections.  Food Adventures enjoyed a couple of  Stella Artois beers in a souvenir pint.  The Big Ragu went for some Hoegaarden beer and an Ommegang Witte Beer.

All in all, this is Dayton’s “Wine me and dine me” Festival.  We loved being a part of a wonderful event, that supported a locally based AIDS charity.  Good local food and world class wines, what more could one ask for?   So let us end this Food Adventure, by raising our glass with a toast.. “Whether you love Merlot or Chardonnay, here’s to seeing you at Fleurs et Vin, next May!!”

For more wine, and no whine, visit Food Adventures on Facebook and “like” them by clicking HERE !

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Your Chance at an EXCLUSIVE, One-of-a-Kind Food Adventure Event at Jimmies Ladder 11

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It is time to turn up the heat at Jimmie’s Ladder 11.  The summer months can be scorchers, and SATURDAY July 13th promises to be a hot time at the old firehouse.  There are limited spots available for this private pre-pay event, and tickets go on sale TODAY.

Jimmie and the Ladder 11 family  have put together a one night only, 5 course menu tasting meal that hits on the essence of this great locally owned eatery.  The first 4 courses will be paired with beer samplings.  The final course, will feature an unveiling of  an old classic!  Jimmie’s is bringing back the Upper Krust Cheesecake for dessert!!  This is the original recipe used for years when Jimmie managed the Upper Krust in Dayton.

Not only do you get all this, you get to light up the night with other foodies including The Big Ragu !   There will be door prizes, giveaways, and after dinner music entertainment.  Don’t miss this great deal on some great food.  Never been to Jimmies Ladder 11?  Then this is your chance to see if where there’s smoke, there is fire!  Are you a Jimmies Ladder 11 fan?   Then you wont want to miss this spectacular one of a kind, menu event!

PLEASE NOTE:  THE EVENT IS PRE-PAY ONLY, no tickets will be sold at the door.

WE ARE SELLING A LIMITED NUMBER OF TICKETS TO THIS EVENT.  CLICK HERE TO ORDER YOUR TICKETS !

 

WHAT:  An EXCLUSIVE FOOD ADVENTURE Event brought to you by DaytonMostMetro.com and Dayton Dining

WHERE: JIMMIE’s LADDER 11 Restaurant: Private Event to be held in the upstairs Party Loft area at 936 Brown St., Dayton, Ohio

 

WHY:  A chance for you sample 5 courses of food selected specifically by Jimmie that characterize his menu

WHEN:  Saturday, July 13th at 7pm

COST:  $30 per person, this includes gratuity!  What a deal!  Tickets will include 5 course dinner, 4 beer pairings, an acoustic/band after party with happy hour drink pricing for attendees.  Tickets are only available online at DaytonMostMetro.com by clicking HERE.  Limited spaces available, so don’t miss out !!

Recap: Big Brews & Blues.. and FOOD !

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Big Brews & Blues – one terrific event

Drinking craft beers while listening to a regional blues man hum away on his harmonica.  What better way to raise money for  Diabetes Dayton?   The annual Big Brews & Blues event was held last weekend at Carrillon Park and hundreds of attendees enjoyed dozens of craft beers.  There were Big Brews, there were Blues, and of course, there was food.   We were on hand for another Food Adventure supporting a local charity.   Pouring beer in full force were the staff of  Dayton Most Metro and Lisa Grigsby with Dayton Dining.  Tickets were $30 in advance or $35 at the door.  The event went from 5pm – 9pm and each guest received a souvenir beer tasting glass.  Full pint tickets were also available for a special price.

The crowd danced and drank.   They ate and socialized.  They sipped and quipped.    So which brews were our favorites?  What food items blues.. (ahem) blew us away?  All that is coming, but first a summary.

 

If you didn’t attend Big Brews & Blues…

HERE IS WHAT YOU MISSED:

—Endless samplings of almost 50 craft beers from local and national breweries.  A detailed list of the beers may be found HERE.

—Blues acts with roots from Chicago, Tennessee, Detroit, Cincinnati and Columbus.  It was an incredible night of good blues music.  Groups included Joe and Jack Waters, Them Bones, Johnny Mack & the Heavyweights, and finally Big Joe Blues.

—Food Vendors.  This is our thing, so we enjoyed the likes of Brock Masterson Catering, Hickory River Smokehouse, Fressa Food Truck and Kaimelsky’s Food Cart.

— Breweries Represented:

Dayton Beer Company, Yellow Springs Brewery, Valley Vineyards, Weasel Boy, Listermann, Mt Carmel, Rivertown,  Christian Morlein, Hoppin Frog, Barley’s, Ohio Brewing Company, Jackie O’s, Great Lakes, Erie Brewing, Thirsty Dog, Triton, Anderson Valley, Hinterland, Fathead’s,  Revolution, Two Brothers, Stone Brewing, Brew Kettle Taproom, Bell’s, Southern Tier, Founders, Troegs,  Ommegang, Uinta, 21st Amendment, Atwater Brewery,  Elevator, Finch’s Beer Company,  Anchor Brewing, Kona, Redhook, Shocktop, Widmer Brothers, Goose Island, Boston Beer Co.,   Leinenkugel, Harpoon,  and Ace Premium Hard Ciders.

 

What goes better with beer than a Nathan’s hot Dog from Kaimelsky’s Food Cart?

There were so many good beers and decent food, that we were pressed to pick just one favorite, but here we go…

OUR FAVORITES FROM THE FESTIVAL:

HUNGRY JAX’s FAVORITE BIG BREW:   The Sam Adam’s Honey Queen Braggot was her top pick.  It is made with 3 types of honey, and had a nice hoppy flavor.   They tapped the keg right in front of her, and she was in heaven.  It was one of those “Damn, this is good!” moments.

HUNGRY JAX’S FAVORITE FOOD OFFERING: What goes better with beer than a Nathan’s hot dog from Kaimelsky’s Food Cart?  This hot dog was topped with spicy mustard, onions and Sriracha sauce.   It was worth it.

THE BIG RAGU’s FAVORITE BIG BREW:  Whippet Wheat from Thirsty Dog Brewery gets his vote for its crisp taste with touch of banana flavor.  It was the first time we had a Thirsty Dog beer on tap since the mid 1990’s.  It was like a flashback, so we put on some MC Hammer pants and danced in the tent until security showed up.

THE BIG RAGU’s FAVORITE FOOD OFFERING:  Hickory River’s Pulled Pork Sandwich is Ragu’s pick.  The slow cooked pork was great, but the real secret was the incredible BBQ sauce.  Choices of topping were Sweet, Hot or Mixed sauce on your sandwich.  We chose mixed, and that made all the difference.

This was a fun filled night.  We poured a few beers for MostMetro.  We had delicious crab cakes from Brock Masterson’s catering, and some tasty buffalo chips with blue cheese dip from Fressa Food Truck.   We talked at length with the owners and managers of  Star City Brewery, which will be opening in the former Peerless Mill site before the end of 2013.   Event photographer Sarah Browning, also chatted with us, while snapping  a few pics of  The Big Ragu.

We even had an ‘America’s Got Talent’ moment, when we were getting our groove on near the stage with the blues band.  We even snapped a photo of the lead singer during one of the blues sets.   You won’t see that anywhere else,  unless they copy our soulful dance moves.

Here’s to not having to hear about hiking and heartburn anymore ! Brews & Blues is a blast

The best part of this event is that it benefits Diabetes Dayton each year.  Proceeds from the Big Brews & Blues help uninsured local residents with diabetes.  Funds pay for desperately needed supplies.  Diabetes Dayton also educates people in the Miami Valley who are suffering from diabetes, as well as paying for summer camp for diabetic children who just want to lead a normal, active life.  Thank you to Diabetes Dayton Executive Director Susan McGovern for welcoming us as special guests to this benefit.  Canned Soft Drinks and  Bottled Water were for sale benefiting the Dougie Apple Tree Memorial Scholarship Fund.   Dougie was a local resident, who passed away from diabetes at just 26 years old.

If you missed Big Brews & Blues, make sure you catch it this time next year.  Stay tuned to Dayton Most Metro for info!   The Big Ragu will be there in 2014, at this Food Adventure for a good cause.  It will be another ‘blast in a glass.’   We promise not spill any beer or BBQ sauce on you.

BROWSE THROUGH THE PHOTO ALBUM BELOW FOR ALL THE SIGHTS AND SOUNDS of BIG BREWS & BLUES !!

BREWERIES REPRESENTED INCLUDED:

Dayton Beer Company, Yellow Springs Brewery, Valley Vineyards, Weasel Boy, Listermann, Mt Carmel, Rivertown,  Christian Morlein, Hoppin Frog, Barley’s, Ohio Brewing Company, Jackie O’s, Great Lakes, Erie Brewing, Thirsty Dog, Triton, Anderson Valley, Hinterland, Fathead’s,  Revolution, Two Brothers, Stone Brewing, Brew Kettle Taproom, Bell’s, Southern Tier, Founders, Troegs,  Ommegang, Uinta, 21st Amendment, Atwater Brewery,  Elevator, Finch’s Beer Company,  Anchor Brewing, Kona, Redhook, Shocktop, Widmer Brothers, Goose Island, Boston Beer Co.,   Leinenkugel, Harpoon,  and Ace Premium Hard Ciders.

Want more Food Adventures?  “Like” us on Facebook by clicking HERE !

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AT ANY PRICE and STARBUCK + 2 Hold-Overs…And Please Vote NEON.

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l_1756750_1515bed9Hello Everyone,

2 new films are heading to THE NEON for the holiday weekend – AT ANY PRICE and STARBUCK. That said, we’ll hold onto THE SAPPHIRES and MUD for another week.  (NO screened for the last time on Thursday (May 23).) Please pay close attention to showtimes for the upcoming week (which are listed below). Due to the holiday, they change around a little more than usual.

Every year, The Dayton Daily News holds a contest for “Best Movie Theater.” Last year, we forgot to remind you, but we still ended up with quite a few votes. This year, I put it on the calendar. Please visit the site below to enter you vote. You can only vote once from each computer…and we won’t bribe you or bother you again for votes (unless of course you’re on facebook…where we’ll put a couple reminders throughout the week). Here’s the LINK. Thank you!

Synopsis for STARBUCK: “At 42, David lives the life of an irresponsible adolescent. He coasts through life with minimal effort and maintains a complicated relationship with Valerie, a young policewoman. Just as she tells him she’s pregnant, David’s past resurfaces. Twenty years earlier, he began providing sperm to a fertility clinic in exchange for money. He discovers he’s the father of 533 children, 142 of whom have filed a class action lawsuit to determine the identity of their biological father, known only by the pseudonym Starbuck.” (taken from EOne) Click this LINK to visit the film’s official site. I think the trailer will make you want to see this film!

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Synopsis for AT ANY PRICE: “In the competitive world of modern agriculture, ambitious HENRY WHIPPLE (Dennis Quaid) wants his rebellious son DEAN (Zac Efron) to help expand his family’s farming empire. However, Dean has his sights set on becoming a professional race car driver. When a high-stakes investigation into their business is exposed, father and son are pushed into an unexpected crisis that threatens the family’s entire livelihood.” (taken from Sony Pictures Classics) Click this LINK to visit the film’s official site. This film was directed by one of America’s most well-received, young directors.

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Film #4 in Start Freedom Dayton’s film series – CALL + RESPONSE – is scheduled for next Thursday, May 30 at 7:30. “Organized by Justin Dillon, an artist, public speaker, abolitionist, founder and CEO of Slavery Footprint, CALL + RESPONSE is a documentary about human trafficking that combines musicians, celebrities, national abolitionists and political figures to shine a light on human trafficking concerns in the US and abroad. Tickets are $10 day of show at THE NEON or advance tickets are $8 (available exclusively at Peace on Fifth – 508 E. 5th – 937.367-7215). For information about Peace on Fifth or Start Freedom Dayton visit the official site. CALL + RESPONSE is sponsored by Fairly Simple.” (taken from the press release)

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Only 50 seats remain for our upcoming special screening of GIRL RISING. For more about this film, click this LINK. This is the site where you can watch the trailer, read about the film and reserve your ticket. The screening is set to take place on Wednesday, June 5 at 7:30. Advanced tickets are only available on the website listed above. If tickets remain, we will be able to sell them at the door on the night of the show. Watch the trailer…this film looks terrific!

On Thursday, June 20 at 7:30, we will host a special screening of the new film I DO. (I saw this film at The Cleveland International Film Festival, and the audience adored it!) “A gay Brit living in New York is deprived of his immigration status, and risks losing his family and life in the U.S. He marries his lesbian best friend to remain in the country and stay with his family, but things get complicated when he meets the love of his life and is forced to make an impossible choice.” This one night only screening is part of Dayton’s PRIDE festivities. Tickets are $9 for General Admission. Members of The Greater Dayton LGBT Center get in for $7 (with valid membership card). Tickets are on sale now at THE NEON’s box office.

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Thanks for your many well-wishes during my European holiday. I had a magnificent time in Germany (visiting old friends & “family” from my time as an exchange student) and Spain (visiting one of my dearest friends in Barcelona). As I anticipated, Diana and Mike did a great job holding down the fort at THE NEON. Many thanks to them…their work makes it possible for me to escape now and then.

See you soon!

All the best,
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Fri. May 24 – Thur, May 30:

MUD (PG-13) 2 Hr 10 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 1:30, 7:10, 9:45
Monday: 1:30, 7:10
Tuesday & Wednesday: 2:30, 7:45
Thursday: 2:30

THE SAPPHIRES (PG-13) 1 Hr 43 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday: 4:30
Tuesday – Thursday: 5:10

STARBUCK (R) 1 Hr 49 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday: 12:30, 5:15
Tuesday – Thursday: 5:15

AT ANY PRICE (R) 1 Hr 45 Min
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 2:50, 7:30, 9:45
Monday – Thursday: 2:50, 7:30

CALL + RESPONSE (PG-13) 1 hr 26 Min + discussion

Thursday: 7:30

COMING SOON:
As always, all dates are tentative. Many of these dates will change.
In some rare cases, titles may disappear.

May 31 – RENOIR
June 7 – LOVE IS ALL YOU NEED
June 14 – BEFORE MIDNIGHT
June 28 – THE EAST
July 26 – THE WAY WAY BACK
TBD – GINGER AND ROSA
TBD – KON TIKI
TBD – FROM UP ON POPPY HILL
TBD – FRANCES HA
TBD – IN THE HOUSE
TBD – TO THE WONDER

Milano’s: A Dayton Food Adventure

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The Atlantic City Italian Sub – Get the baked option with pizza sauce

Atlantic City style subs that would make Snooki proud and Pizza loved by many locals.  This is today’s Milano’s.  But, Dayton Originals like THE FOOD ADVENTURES CREW remember when there was only one Milano’s on Brown Street.   Purists will tell you, the subs tasted better then, because the old ovens were ‘seasoned’ from years of spices burnt into the baking area.  Whether you love the “old school, dirty Milano’s”, or the “clean, modern Milano’s”, you can’t deny that this is one of the most popular eateries in the Miami Valley.

HERE’S THE SKINNY:

– Founded in 1969 by Ron Woods and partners after visiting a restaurant in Lima, Ohio named Milano’s.  They loved the food so much, they opened a place in Dayton the next year and decided to name it Milano’s.

– Sold to ThreeWitt Enterprises in 2001, revamped Brown Street location in 2005. Opened 2 more restaurants in 2008 in Beavercreek and Miami Township (St Rt 741).

– All-American style menu with subs, pizza and craft beer selections

– Family Friendly with tableside games and an arcade area that kids enjoy

Little known secret: The Calzones are delicious!

– Great outdoor patio dining area for enhanced fun on good weather days, and it smells better than Atlantic City.

 

MUST EATS:

– Calzones:  A little known fact is that the calzones are great at Milano’s.  Whatever ingredients you get, there is plenty of mozzarella cheese inside to cope with, so use that marinara dipping sauce.

–  Atlantic City Italian Sub:  Capicola, and 2 types of salami topped with provolone cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, oil, and spices.  There is an option on this sub where they bake the sub and add pizza sauce.  This is what makes the sandwich, so get the baked option with sauce!

– The CSP Sub:  It comes with capicola, genoa salami, and provolone.  It is topped with the usual lettuce, tomatoes, onions, oil, and spices.  so good it will make J-Woww say “Wow.”

– Pizza:  We think the sauce is tangy and tasty, so no matter what the toppings, you will have yourself a good “Situation.”   The crust is made from scratch, daily.  Milano’s touts the fact that they were voted favorite pizza in Dayton in 2011.  Try it for yourself and let us know what you think.

– Meatball Sub: Have yourself a meatball day and dive into this saucy little number.   This sub is filling, fun, a tad messy, but worth every bite.

Honorable Mention: The generous order of Garlic bread with Cheese is as big as the Trump Taj Mahal.   The Cheesesteak sub is also worth a try.

Milano’s  has decent side salads that go well with any main event.  They also have a reasonably priced kids menu.  Be warned, this place gets busy during peak lunch and dinner times.

 

Just in the mood for a beer?  The inviting bar area always has some ‘off the wall’ choices on tap or in bottles.  It is a great place to unwind with a cold one.

For the record, the Big Ragu, whose last name is Milano, has nothing to do with ownership of the restaurant.   It doesn’t stop him from playing tricks on the wait staff with his I.D. from time to time.  He wishes he did own it, because the food at Milano’s turns The Food Adventure Crew into a couple of Jersey teens.  Please browse through our photo album below for some amazing pics from our Food Adventures to Milano’s.

If you are one of the few who hasn’t tried Milano’s, or you are new to the Dayton area, take a night and check this spot out.  Go for our “must eats” and see if you enjoy their Atlantic City tastes.

Daytonians, sound off below!!  Are the Milano’s subs better now or did you like the old ovens on Brown Street?  Any other comments? Please share them with us!

Want to see more buns?  Then “like” FOOD ADVENTURES on Facebook HERE !

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Experience the Best of Downtown at Urban Nights

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Photography by Josh Mayes

More than 100 downtown venues are offering special events, discounts and more for the May 10 Urban Nights.

Urban Nights is getting an updated flavor and feel. Entertainment now will focus on three “hotspots” located throughout downtown, allowing visitors to experience downtown’s biggest street party in a new way by visiting hubs of activity throughout downtown. The next Urban Nights will be held 5 to 10 p.m. this Friday, May 10, in downtown Dayton, the Oregon District and Wright-Dunbar Business Village. A list of the hotspots at the spring event is below.

“We celebrated the 10th anniversary of Urban Nights last year and felt it was a good time to re-evaluate the event,” said Sandy Gudorf, president of the Downtown Dayton Partnership, which presents Urban Nights. “It’s clear the event has been extremely successful, as it brings more than 30,000 people to our downtown, many business owners report record sales, and we continue to receive a great deal of positive feedback from the community about Urban Nights.

“Still, we wanted to make sure Urban Nights more effectively meets its overall goal: to showcase all downtown has to offer and the places that only can be experienced in downtown Dayton,” Gudorf added. “We believe this new plan will encourage people to visit more places downtown during Urban Nights while giving us the opportunity to better highlight different areas in our center city.”

A map of participating venues and a complete performance schedule, including a listing of all participating locations’ events and specials, is available online. Follow Urban Nights on Facebook for regular updates and more information.

More than 30,000 people come downtown to experience this free event, when more than 100 establishments showcase downtown’s dining, nightlife, art, music, retail and housing options. The best way to see as much as possible during Urban Nights is to walk, and many of the destinations are just a short distance from each other. Greater Dayton RTA also will provide free event busses to help visitors get around.

Urban Nights is presented by the Downtown Dayton Partnership, Montgomery County and the City of Dayton, with support from Greater Dayton RTA, Bud Light Lime, Miller-Valentine Group, the Downtown Priority Board, Sinclair Community College, Mix 107.7-FM, WYSO 91.3-FM, Wright-Dunbar Business Village and the Ohio Arts Council.

MAY 10 URBAN NIGHTS HOTSPOTS

International Street

Sponsored by Miller-Valentine Group

Second Street between Main and Jefferson streets

Enjoy dance performances from a variety of troupes and grab an import brew to go along with foods from many cultures.

Second Street will be closed by the Kettering Tower to make way for dance performances and more.

Second Street will be closed by the Kettering Tower to make way for dance performances and more.

Dancing in the Street Stage Schedule

5-5:25 p.m.:        Troupe Roja
5:30-5:55 p.m.:  McGovern Ceili Dancers
6-6:25 p.m.:        South Dayton Dance Theatre
6:30-6:55 p.m.:  Grupo Caribe
7-7:25 p.m.:        The Beseda Dancers
7:30-7:55 p.m.:  Vivian Zumba
8-10 p.m.:            Son del Caribe

The corner of Fourth and St. Clair streets will be a hub of arts-inspired activity.

The corner of Fourth and St. Clair streets will be a hub of arts-inspired activity.

Arts Corner

Sponsored by Sinclair Community College

St. Clair and Fourth streets

Experience the Urban Nights motto “Walk on the Creative Side.” Enjoy a range of entertainment hosted by nearby businesses, including live entertainment, art exhibits and special sales. The Dayton Art Institute will host a photo booth where you can transform your image into an Andy Warhol-style work of art.
Arts Corner Entertainment
5-7 p.m.:              Sweet Betsy

7-9 p.m.:              By Means of Words at CADC

9-11 p.m.:            Miss Lissa & Co. at Serendipity Bistro

 

Rock out to local bands at the Live on Five stage in the Oregon District.

Rock out to local bands at the Live on Five stage in the Oregon District.

Live on Five

Corner of Fifth and Pine streets in the Oregon District

Grab a draft brew from the beer truck and rock out to a variety of live bands.

Entertainment Schedule:

5-5:45 p.m.:        The Broken Lights Band

6- 6:45 p.m.:       Meghna & the Majority

7-7:45 p.m.:        Cherry Lee and the Daddy Katz 

8-10 p.m.:            Magic Jackson

MAY 10 URBAN NIGHTS HIGHLIGHTS

Tours and Exhibits Commemorating the Great Dayton Flood of 1913

Great Dayton Flood of 1913 Bus Tours

Presented by Dayton History, Generation Dayton and Greater Dayton RTA

Get around Urban Nights while learning about our city’s largest natural disaster. Narrators on specially marked Flood Tour buses will detail factors that led to the catastrophe and recount survivors’ personal stories and those of heroic Daytonians from 100 years ago. The free 30- to 45-minute tour will follow the Urban Nights blue bus route and will stop at various locations throughout downtown Dayton. The tour officially begins at the corner of Monument Avenue and Jefferson Street, but visitors can get on and off the bus at any of the designated stops.

The Miami Conservancy District, 38 E. Monument Ave.

At its historical administrative building, the MCD will feature pocket park clean water tours and display 1913 flood inundation maps. The MCD also will host open-mic story telling about the flood along with other displays and giveaways.

The Great Dayton Adventure Race

Starts at the MetroParks Bike Hub at RiverScape MetroPark

This urban scavenger hunt will wind through the Urban Nights action. See how many clues you can answer in two hours as you navigate the city by foot for a chance to win prizes. Team up with friends or tackle the challenge solo. Racers can start anytime between 5 and 7 p.m. $20 per person. Register in advance at www.topoadventuresports.org or at RiverScape MetroPark the day of the event. Call 937-274-0126 for more information.

RiverScape MetroPark will be a hub of activity, including live entertainment and activities focused on green living. (Photography by Josh Mayes)

RiverScape MetroPark will be a hub of activity, including live entertainment and activities focused on green living. (Photography by Josh Mayes)

RiverScape MetroPark: Plaza and Pavilion Stage

At the RiverScape Plaza, visit DRG3’s Green Fest: Spring into Green!, featuring green displays and exhibits, recycled arts and crafts, a thrift shop runway, basketball with recyclables, extreme hop scotch, hula hoop, solar race cars, energy bikes and martial arts demos. Also at RiverScape at the nearby MetroParks Pavilion, enjoy live entertainment:
5:30-6 p.m.:        The Dayton Poetry Slam Showcase
6-7:45 p.m.:        New Vega
7:45-8:15 p.m.:  Howard School of Dance
8:15-10 p.m.:      The Ark Band 

 

 

 

Live entertainment, food and activities will be part of the Urban Nights experience in the Wright-Dunbar Business Village.

Live entertainment, food and activities will be part of the Urban Nights experience in the Wright-Dunbar Business Village.

Wright-Dunbar Business Village Entertainment

Enjoy live entertainment, cultural arts, creative and tasty cuisine, and other festivities in the Wright-Dunbar Business Village. Special events include:

• Gospel and R&B Plaza, Third & Williams streets:  Featuring live entertainment and four food vendors.
• Dance Tent, 1133 W. Third St.: Featuring entertainment by DJ Master G, three food vendors and a spirits bar.
• Jazz Plaza, West Third Street: Featuring live jazz entertainment and food stations.
• The Lounge, 1100 W. Third St.: Presenting a ticketed event at 8:30 p.m., a tribute to The Ohio Players by D-Funk All Stars. Call 443-0249 for tickets and information.

Self-Guided Architectural Tour

The American Institute of Architects (AIA) Dayton Chapter has organized a self-guided tour for those intrigued by the architecture of Dayton and the history behind it. Refer to the Architectural Week brochure (distributed with Urban Nights program books) for more details or start at any of the buildings that are on the tour, where more information also will be available. The tour highlights the exterior architectural features of buildings, and not all buildings will be open to tour the interiors.

• Kuhns Building, 45 S. Main St.

• The Arcade, Third Street across from Courthouse Square

• The Old Courthouse, corner of Main and Third streets

• Kettering Tower, southeast corner of Main and Second streets

• Schuster Center, northwest corner of Main and Second streets

• Victoria Theatre, 138 N. Main St.

Sideshow 8

Yellow Cab Building, 700 E. Fourth St.

The Dayton Circus Creative Collective again will kick off its two-day celebration of music and art in Dayton during Urban Nights. This event showcases the work of more than 60 artists and more than 20 musicians, and it hosts an event after-party until 1 a.m. Food and refreshments available. Visit the event website for a complete entertainment schedule and list of participating artists.

Join hundreds of cyclists on a ride through the night’s action at Urban Bikes @ Urban Nights, which will start at Courthouse Square. (Photography by Josh Mayes)

Join hundreds of cyclists on a ride through the night’s action at Urban Bikes @ Urban Nights, which will start at Courthouse Square. (Photography by Josh Mayes)

 

 

Urban Bikes @ Urban Nights 

Start at Courthouse Square, Third and Main streets, at 6 p.m.

Get a preview of Urban Nights from the seat of your bike. Join hundreds of cyclists on this police-escorted ride through downtown. Riders are encouraged to wear a helmet and should be able to ride at a decent pace. This is not a ride for young children on their own bikes. From 5 to 8 p.m. on the Square, GetUP Montgomery County will present an event with live music, fitness demonstrations and other interactive activities focused on active, healthy lifestyles.

 

 

 

Sample New Food and Drink Establishments

Several downtown dining destinations either will be newly opened or open during Urban Nights to offer samples from their menus and preview their soon-to-be-open spots:

• Agnes All Natural Grill, 135 E. Fourth St.

• The Barrel House, 417 E. Third St.

• Lily’s Bistro, 329 E. Fifth St.

• Salar Restaurant and Lounge, 410 E. Fifth St.

• Toxic Brew Co., 431 E. Fifth St.

 

Mosaic City Photo Show

St. Clair Lofts building, 39 S. St. Clair St.

Cityfolk presents an exhibit that includes entries from a recent Cityfolk photo contest and work by artist Glenna Jennings, who will present her project “Looking at Looking.” Her photographs depict residents and visitors to downtown Dayton observing historic images from the National Cash Register archive.

Watch large-scale prints being made with a steamroller at the third Steamroller Printmaking event.

Watch large-scale prints being made with a steamroller at the third Steamroller Printmaking event.

Steamroller Printmaking: Flat-Out Fun!

Stivers School for the Arts, 1313 E. Fifth St.

Printmakers from the Dayton Printmakers Cooperative and students from Stivers School for the Arts will print large-scale linoleum blocks using a real steamroller as a printing press. Anyone can carve a smaller version of the linoleum blocks prior to the event (available for purchase at the Dayton Visual  Arts Center for $10), called “Parking Prints,” and have it printed the night of the event. At DVAC, 118 N. Jefferson St., view large-scale and parking prints from the previous two Steamroller events.

Light My Fire & Brilliant Trash Competition

K12 Gallery for Young People and TEJAS, 510 E. Third St.

More than 100 hand-crafted mosaic lanterns will be lit in front of and inside the gallery as part of the Light My Fire exhibit. The lanterns will be for sale, with proceeds benefitting programming at K12 and TEJAS. K12 also will host the Brilliant Trash Competition, featuring upcycled works of art by local artists vying to be named Craft Master 2013, along with the exhibition “Can I Get a Witness?,” featuring abstract paintings by Rebecca Sargent and Erika Hess. Enjoy light refreshments, music and salsa dancing.

Taco Loco: The Best Tasting Cinco de Mayo You Will Ever Have

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Beef Shoulder Taco, Squeeze that lime on it

Food Adventures Crew knows there are only a couple of truly authentic Mexican Restaurants in the Miami Valley, and we have found a favorite.  It is a humble place called Taco Loco located at 5392 Burkhardt Road.  It is clean, it is cheap, it is authentic.  But most of all, it has some of the most delicious Mexican food we have ever eaten.    We have some close friends  from Mexico, and upon their recommendation we stopped in.  The experts were right, every trip to Taco Loco is a new Food Adventure.

Why the name Taco Loco? The owners, a mom and pop duo from Mexico, had to renovate before they could open.  They were fixing the old vacant building, putting in many hours painting, putting down flooring etc.  The long days caused them to sometimes sleep in their van in the parking lot overnight, since they lived in Cincinnati.  When a neighboring resident visited the construction she told the owners, “You are working too hard, and sleeping in your van, what are you CRAZY?”  Since ‘Loco’ means crazy in Spanish, they decided the name fit.

Here’s the Skinny:
1) This place is very authentic, so don’t expect the typical queso sauces, cheese and tomatoes like you see on some Tex-Mex dishes at other Mexican restaurants.
2) The prices are low, so you can explore many types of food and have your own Food Adventure.
3) The staff is friendly, the place is a hole in the wall, the dining area is small, and the environment is clean.
4) You know the food is good, when most of the patrons in the dining area are people from Mexico.
5) Not only is the food delicious, but they have a variety of rare, non-alcoholic drinks made from scratch using fresh herbs and other ingredients.
6) Locally owned by Lola and her husband Octavio.  It’s a true mom and pop establishment!

The Chicken Torta – Big and Delicious

Must Eats:

Horchata: Start off your meal with one of these milky beverage specialties.  It literally tastes like rice pudding in a glass.  We were blown away by the taste of this unique drink.

The Beef Shoulder Taco – Tasty meat on a corn tortilla.  These are authentic style tacos, like they eat in Mexico City.  We will tell you it is one on the best tacos on the planet.  Ingredients are cilantro, onion and meat choice.  No cheese, but you may order ‘Tacos Locos’ which means add tomatoes and sour cream.

The Chicken Torta – A sandwich that would give any sub shop a run for its money.  Diced grilled chicken, and the perfect complimentary toppings on homemade telera (Mexican sandwich bread).  An incredibly filling sandwich for $5 and one of The Big Ragu’s favorites.

Whole Fish – Do you want to kick it authentic old school?  Then try this whole, fried tilapia on for size.  You have to deal with a little bit of bones and the fish staring at you, but the taste is worth it.  At the price of $7.50 this is a steal.

The Food Adventures Crew have eaten so many menu items in our trips to Taco Loco, that some deserve an honorable mention:

Whole Fish – Food Adventure on a Plate

The Large Quesadilla’s are fantastic.  Filled with rice, beans, cheese and your choice of meat, this giant menu item will dwarf your plate.

Carne Asada, a skirt steak dish, is a specialty here.  If authentic means anything, we noticed that besides us, a lot of Latinos were eating this dish too.
Have you eaten Sopes before?  Sopes are made with a circular foundation fried masa dough (ground hominy) topped with refried beans, lettuce, and crumbled cheese.  We think of it as an authentic taste version of a tostada.  Ragu loves this unique menu item.  Taco Loco serves similar menu items called Huaraches which are bigger, oval versions of Sopes.  We love them as well, especially the thick base, which almost tastes like potato dough.

The Burritos are delicious.  They come wrapped in foil and are so big, we can usually only eat half of them.

Want authentic fajitas?  The steak ones here are fantastic, and the flavor of the grilled green peppers make the dish.

The Tamales were good too.  Filled with shredded pork and topped with crumbled cheese, they are one of the few items covered with a queso sauce.

Enchiladas Verdes – Fresh Ingredients, Freshly made

A filling meal is the Enchiladas Verdes, stuffed with green chiles and your choice of meat, and covered in lettuce and avocado.

Besides our favorite Horchata, other specialty drinks include a “Tamarindo”, which is made with tamarind fruit.  When Lola brought the fruit out to show us, we made a mustache with it.  Yeah, that’s us.  We take our own pictures, too.
We also drank a “Jamaica” drink (pronounced hamica).  This beverage was a tea made with fresh hibiscus flowers, some of which Lola showed us as well.  We told you this was a great place for a Food Adventure.

For dessert, we suggest the creamy, homemade Flan.  For those of you not familiar with flan, think of an upside down, firmer version of creme brulee.   Lola made us proud with this dessert!

Finally, we have to mention the complimentary table salsas.  Served in two squirt bottles, one is a mild Verdes Salsa made with tomatillos.  The other is a red chile salsa, made with chili peppers.  Careful, the red one has a kick!  Both of these salsas are made in house, and kick up any menu item.   Experiment to your taste with a dash or a squirt on the free basket of extra thick corn tortilla chips.  

With Cinco De Mayo coming up, it is good timing for you to try some really authentic Mexican fare at Taco Loco.  Not many people know about this little secret, but now you know the scoop.   Celebrate with good food and cheap prices.  If you do not check out Taco Loco soon, then you my friend, are CRAZY !

Give us your take on TACO LOCO by commenting below.  Make sure you browse through the photo album for some AMAZING food photos from this little known secret.

“Like” Food Adventures on Facebook by clicking HERE !

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Dayton Restaurants – Closed But Not Forgotten!

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Do you have any favorite food places that went out of business, and you still miss them to this day ?  Yeah, we do too.     This week, lifelong Daytonian, the Big Ragu, takes a trip down memory lane and talk about some restaurants we still mourn to this day.  Eateries that used to shine in the Dayton area, which are now gone but not forgotten.  Please join us in this of recollection of  past Food Adventures.  Feel free to add some places of your own, by commenting below.

Here is our list of restaurants that we wish had never closed.  Our “Lost Food Gems of Dayton”

JED’S STEAK AND RIBS – Remember their salad bar?  Sure it had croutons that tasted like crayons, but their steak burger and ‘make your own sundae bar’ were great childhood memories and huge innovations at the time.  There were many Jed’s around the Dayton area, one was located on 725 in Centerville and is now a Goodwill store.  We cannot find any photos or trace of this place online, can you?

SHUCKIN’ SHACK – One of our all-time favorite places was on North Main St. in Dayton.  They would bring steamed clams out in golf ball baskets.  At the raw bar you could sit and eat raw oysters and clams, and throw your shells into a trough.   Who could forget their massive peel and eat shrimp, or  fried smelts?  This was the only place in Dayton that made you fell like you were in a wharf type restaurant in Florida.

THE PEERLESS MILL– The Miamisburg Restaurant with the old fashioned, old school menu.  Inside it was like a mixture of Thanksgiving and Christmas everyday.  We recall the incredible decor and churning wheel waterfall.  This restaurant was warm and inviting, with a trickling water wheel in the lobby.  The food was fantastic, and the service was always exceptional.  It was a great place for family celebrations.

KEENG WHA – This Chinese restaurant used to be on the corner of Woodman and Dorothy Lane.  They served Ragu’s favorite Chinese dish of all time: “Princess Prawns.”  A popular place in the 80’s until the chef left, and it was all downhill until it closed in the mid 90’s.

BILL KNAPPS –  The kids meal was filled with animal names like the “tiger” or the “elephant.”  The best au gratin potatoes ever were served here in a tiny crock pot with browned cheese on top.  Ragu loved the clam strips dinner and their signature chocolate cake.  On Tuesdays is was a full meal deal where every entree came with salad, soup and dessert.  INSANE ! There was a Bill Knapps on 48 near Loop Rd. in Centerville, one by the Dayton Mall, and another near what is now The Greene.

GIRVE’S BROWN DERBY– As kids, we felt like kings in this place.  They had the largest salad bar in town and you could even order a kiddie cocktail.   Ragu  loved the kids menu fish dinner.  Adults seemed to love the “Gus’ Steak” which came out with a wooden stake saying medium, or rare with on onion ring on top.  There was a bar inside and even lobster tail dinners flowed freely.  We felt the Brown Derby “jumped the shark” when it moved from Bigger Rd to the 725 location by the Dayton Mall.  Big mistake,  we really miss this food gem.

Woody’s Grocery Store in West Carrollton

WOODY’S GROCERY –  We might say the bakery and seafood department was the best part of this West Carrollton icon.  Also, we  loved the deli with shaved Corned Beef and Swiss on hard rolls with poppy seeds on top. We remember a cashier named Don Baker who had hair like Elvis that never changed for years.  Noone could forget the plaid dresses and bonnets worn by some of the female workers.

ELDER BEERMAN RESTAURANT –  Who doesn’t love a place where you could get breakfast with Santa and the Easter bunny?  Located upstairs in the Centerville store on State Route 48, our memories are also of the Friday night buffet.  This was a place where the waitresses were “real” waitresses and they had the same staff for decades.

BURGER CHEF- To this day, we crave the Big Chef sandwich and their “works” bar where you could load up your burger with toppings!  Remember that their regular hamburgers were stuffed into clear wrapping pouches and the steam marks would be on the plastic wrap? Bring back Burger Chef !!

CHICKEN LOUIE’S – A 24 hour chicken wing place?  What a great idea ! This was a fixture on North Main Street in Dayton for over 40 years.  Ragu would risk life and limb by ordering through the bullet proof glass at dusk.  The related “Lou’s Broaster Hut on 3rd st had a special place in our heart.

RAX ROAST BEEF – We loved the salad bar, which hilariously offered nacho cheese next to the pudding. The menu had a star, the “BBC” (the beef bacon and cheddar) which proves the theory that bacon makes everything better.   But Rax lovers know that the cheese sauce made those sandwiches.  We frequented the 725 store that is now a Tim Horton’s

ROCKY ROCOCO’S PIZZA– Chunks of roma tomatoes on their pizzas, made for a unique tasting pizza that was full of flavor.

JOE BISSETT’S GRUB STEAK– The killer menu item was the Princess Steak and a salad with blue cheese crumbles on top.  We also rocked the “kiddie cocktail” on North Main St, Dayton.  You may recall our article on the closing of The Grub steak HERE.

Lums – where hot dogs ruled

COZYMEL’S –  Great place for happy hours with margaritas swirling in machines above the bars.  You got lots of food at a great price here.  This sorely missed place was located on 725 near McEwen Rd. in Centerville and became a Smokey Bones which is also now closed.

FARRELL’S – Across from Tri-County Mall in Northern Cincinnati, this place had a ‘sundae on a stretcher.’   The staff would sing happy birthday to customers on kazoos.

LUM’S – An obscure town favorite.  They had hot dogs cooked in beer.  Lum’s was located where Marion’s Pizza is now, in Town and Country shopping center.

PEASANT STOCK – Who could forget the ‘Peasant salad.’  Ragu loved the atmosphere at the restaurant in the Town and Country Shopping Center.  Chef David Glynn served some great food out of this establishment.

We miss Thirsty Dog Brewery!

THIRSTY DOG – A great microbrewery restaurant on the corner of Alex Bell Rd and 48 in Centerville that served homemade chips in dog bowls.  Ragu loved the Raspberry Light Beer, and the burgers and fish dinners were fantastic too.

HUNAN GOURMET – A long gone gem that was on 48 near Whipp Rd.  We loved this place, especially their dry braised shrimp and sizzling rice soup.  Some of their entrees were second to none.  The building was razed about 8 years ago to build a coffee shop.

NOBLE ROMAN’S – We miss the real Noble Roman’s, not the stuff they are serving at the ‘new Noble Romans’ restaurants.  The old restaurants were completely different.  We miss the hand tossed pizza in the window, monster pizza, sicililan pizza and the hand rolled breadsticks with nacho cheese.

MARK PI’s CHINA GATE – The fried rice was addicting at this restaurant that was located upstairs in Town and Country shopping center.  A great atmosphere for special get togethers, the decor on the glass is still there today, even though they closed in the 80’s.

Sambo’s was like a weird, kids version of Denny’s

ARTHUR TREACHER’S FISH & CHIPS – It was fried fish, so Ragu could live here.  The Jersey Mikes on 48 in Centerville is where one of the Arthur Treacher’s used to be.  We hear that some of these still exist in other states.  Dear Fast Food Gods, Bring them back to Dayton ASAP, and don’t forget the vinegar.

SAMBO’S – They featured pancakes served with boysenberry syrup.  This place was located at 48 near Loop Rd in Centerville until it closed in the early 80’s.  It was known for their cheap prices and controversial menu caricatures.  It was a weird, kid version of Denny’s on LSD.  But you couldn’t deny, they had great breakfast food.

 

FOUR’S COMPANY – After the Arthur Treacher’s closed on 48 near Whipp Rd in Centerville, this short lived place served up giant beer battered onion rings.   They were so full of beer you almost got buzzed by eating a few.

Dominic’s – A Dayton Original like us

TOTENKO – This place on the corner of 725 and 741 near the Dayton Mall was like a 70′s verison of PF Changs.  We learned to use chopsticks here while wearing “toughskin” pants.  A great restaurant until it closed because a food critic found roaches on her plate (TRUE STORY).  That critic was Ann Heller, writing one of her first reviews for the Dayton Daily News/Journal Herald.    This place turned into a Chi Chi’s which has since gone out of business too.

D’AMICO and MANZAS – An Italian eatery that was a mom and pop establishment.  Incredible spaghetti dishes highlighted a top notch pasta menu.  This spot is now Savona Restaurant.

DOMINIC’S – The iconic location on South Main Street in Dayton whose manicotti was incredible.  The real attraction here was the house salad dressing with so much garlic flavor that you breathed fire for 2 days afterward.  Ask any Daytonian who was around in the 70’s/80’s, they knew the only place to go where strong garlic breath was excused.

GROUND ROUND– Throw your peanut shells on the floor.  Ragu loved their all you can eat Friday night fish fry.  Remember the scale at the Wilmington Pike site where the cost of a kid’s dinner was a penny for each pound they weighed?

BAJA FRESH – Do you still crave their fish tacos like we do?   The now defunct Dorothy Lane and Kettering Blvd location claimed to not have refrigerators, because they served everything fresh.  We were sad to see this short-lived restaurant go.

PHIL AND JERRY’S FOOD-A-RAMA –  Legendary Centerville grocery that had annual anniversary parties where a hot dog and a coke were around 20 cents.  In business for over 30 years, they had a great seafood section.

Matchbook from Westward Ho on Brown Street

JOE’S IS A FISH HOUSE – This seafood spot on Loop Rd and State Rt 48 offered a one of a kind Sunday brunch that would knock your socks off.  It featured smelts and steamed mussels.  The restaurant was only open a couple of years, but it made an impact on us in the early 80’s.

WESTWARD HO – South Main Street cafeteria style restaurant that had drink glasses as big as your head.  The food was good, the patrons were old, yet this was still a hoppin’ place.  We used to visit the magic store across the street called the “Magic Hat,” after eating.

PO’ FOLKS – Fried food all over the menu, made this one of Ragu’s faves.  The fried clams and fried okra were so good.  The one we frequented was on the corner of Wilmington Pike and Dorothy Lane.

D’Lites – The first ‘Healthy Fast Food’

FAZIO’S GOLDMAN ONTARIO’s DISCOUNT FOOD STORES – This was the best place to shop with bellbottom pants in the 70’s for groceries.  Good deals and wide collars were the norm at this place!

D’LITES-  The first place ever to offer healthy fast food!  We weren’t sure how healthy it was, but Ragu loved their burgers and smoothies at the location of 48 and Whipp Rd.  Another short lived place, that we feel had great food.

CHMIELS GROCERY STORE – Now a Big Lots store in Centerville, this place had some incredible pastries.  Their bakery was almost as good as Woody’s.

Kettering Village Inn – closed but not forgotten

KETTERING VILLAGE INN – A mom and pop Italian eatery known for no frills and good food.  This spot is now an “OinkadoodleMoo” restaurant on the corner of Stroop Rd and 48 .  KVI had great pizza and pasta dishes.  This one is really missed.

ANTONIO’s  – An Italian restaurant once owned by the DiPasquale Family.  When Villanova’s Basketball team would come to town in the 1980’s, legendary coach Rollie Massimino would always eat here.  They had incredible ravioli dishes.  Their marinara sauce was out of this world.   Sweeney’s Seafood House is now located where Antonio’s operated.

KING COLE RESTAURANT – One of the most elegant dining places in Dayton at the bottom of the Kettering Tower.  Known for gourmet steaks and seafood, this was a hot spot in the 70’s and 80’s.

What places do you still think about? Casa Lupita? Charley’s Crab? Tequila Willie’s?  Let us know any and all of them by commenting below!  Check out the photo album below for even more restaurants that are “Closed but Not Forgotten.”

Please visit Food Adventures on Facebook. Check back every Thursday for a new “Food Adventure” article on DAYTON MOSTMETRO.COM

What restaurants do you miss? WHO DID WE LEAVE OUT? Please comment below !

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Oblivion + Star Trek at Rave Cinemas Dayton South

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Hello Dayton!   There are plenty of options for everyone to have the perfect movie weekend this week.  Lots of things happening at your local Rave Cinemas!  And don’t forget at Dayton South/Huber, TUESDAYS are $5 all day (*3D $8), The Greene is WEDNESDAYS!  You simply cannot beat this great deal with the superior picture and sound quality versus Netflix!

Opening This Week

OBLIVION – OPENS 04/18/13 @ 10pm!

Tom Cruise stars in “Oblivion,” an original and groundbreaking cinematic event from the director of “TRON: Legacy” and the  producer of “Rise of the Planet of the Apes.” On a spectacular future Earth that  has evolved beyond recognition, one man’s confrontation with the past will lead  him on a journey of redemption and discovery as he battles to save mankind.

Jack Harper (Cruise) is one of the last few drone repairmen stationed on  Earth. Part of a massive operation to extract vital resources after decades of  war with a terrifying threat known as the Scavs, Jack’s mission is nearly  complete.

Living in and patrolling the breathtaking skies from thousands  of feet above, his soaring existence is brought crashing down when he rescues a  beautiful stranger from a downed spacecraft. Her arrival triggers a chain of  events that forces him to question everything he knows and puts the fate of  humanity in his hands.

“Oblivion” was shot in stunning digital 4K  resolution on location across the United States and Iceland.

 

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Coming Next Week

 

STAR TREK – 04/25/13 @ 7pm!

The Best of Both Worlds – the two-part storyline comprising the third season finale and the fourth season premiere of the beloved series Star Trek: The Next Generation®- will, for the first time ever, be seamlessly tied together as one continuous and uninterrupted story digitally restored with new CGI effects… on the big screen! Audiences will also see special clips from “Regeneration: Engaging the Borg”, a behind-the-scenes look at the making of The Best of Both Worlds.  This not to be missed movie theater event will feature one of the most memorable moments in TV history and exclusive clips about the making of The Best of Both Worlds and Star Trek: The Next Generation Season 3.  The Next Generation became the longest running series of the Star Trek franchise, consisting of 178 episodes over 7 seasons.

Resistance is futile so buy your tickets today!

 

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RAVE CINEMA CLASSICS – $3 + FREE popcorn & drink! @ Dayton South

04/22/13 @ 1pm brings us…

MAN FISH, 1956, 87min

Three deep sea divers get involved in murder while searching for a lost treasure.   John Bromfield, Lon Chaney Jr., Victor Jory

 

For showtimes…CLICK HERE!

The Big Ragu Recaps 16 Catholic Fish Frys!

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The Big Ragu never does anything half baked (or fried in this instance).  We take Food Adventures to the extreme and set the trends.   Again, we bring you something original that you won’t see anywhere else, a recap of every fish fry we could find in the Miami Valley.   Now, the Lenten season is over, and they last fryer has been turned off.  You know the drill, all-you-can-eat fish dinners, beer, condiment tables, silent auctions, raffle tickets and casino games.  So which ones rocked our gills off?  Answer: They all have their appeal, and special draw, but four of them really stood out.

Ladies and Gentlemen, here are the “Sweet Sixteen,” our recap of the Dayton’s 2013 Catholic Fish Frys:

Our Lady of the Rosary, Our Favorite Fish Fry

Food Adventures jumps at any chance to support Dayton causes, and with Big Ragu being Catholic, we bought tickets to every fish fry in town.  We will list our favorites aka the “FANTASTIC FOUR FISH FRYS”, then list the others in random order and what makes each fish fry special.

THE FANTASTIC FOUR FISH FRYS:

1) OUR LADY OF THE ROSARY–22 Notre Dame Ave.

This one was the grand daddy of them all and our favorite fish fry.  For the past 52 years they have held fish frys, making this probably the oldest one in Dayton, This church holds fish frys from Sept – February before the Lenten season.  The staff is wonderful and our friend Amy even took us on a tour of the church.  A friendly cook named Joseph makes all of the delicous, homemade desserts himself.  We know because we tried them all.  This church has a heavy influence of Polish, Lithuainian, Hungarian, and German parishioners.  These events have a loyal following of regulars like our pal Ron who drove all the way from Wilmington, Ohio to attend.  The Monte Carlo was fun and food was great.  We especially like the fact that the draft beer is unlimited in the 12 dollar price, along with fresh sausages, Icelandic cod.  In our book, this fish fry is Dayton’s best.

Holy Trinity, Great Hospitality and Delicious Food

 

2) HOLY TRINITY CHURCH – 272 Bainbridge St.

This was a fish fry where everyone seemed to know each other.  The crowd was small, but friendly and tight knit.  The food was absolutely amazing.  The cod was cooked to perfection and hand cut on site.  One of the attractions is they use the Old Focke’s Meats recipe for Waldorf sausages.  We enjoyed the old church located near the Oregon District, downtown.  One unique part of this event is that this church offered an alcohol free family fish fry from 4pm-5:30pm for kids, then had the adult party after.  Three beer tickets are given with paid admission.  The atmosphere, great food and hospitality makes this one of the best fish frys in the Miami Valley.

 

Vic Woeste, 87 year old icon of St Mary’s Church

3) ST MARY CATHOLIC CHURCH: 310 Allen St.
Here we find the best story told at a fish fry.  We sat near 87 year old Vic Woeste, an icon of the St Mary’s community who has been dealing casino games at the fish frys for the past 36 years.  His entire family is involved in the church down to 3 generations.  He told us he remembered a fish fry in 1960 where funds were used to buy the nuns a Ford Fairlane car who lived in the convent across the street.  Oh the memories!  Vic is looking forward to his 70th class reunion at Chaminade this year.  He said it will be held in a telephone booth, since not many classmates are left.  Vic also said he was baptized and married at St Mary’s.  He recalls Father Ken Henz telling parishoners decades ago that he hatches, matches and dispatches loyal parishoners.  Vic was a great man to talk to, indeed.  This church group is so charitable that even the volunteers buy tickets as they enter.   to help raise money for the boiler fund, beers were sold for 25cents and an extra 1 dollar donation got you a dessert.  Again this event saw over 3 generations working the fish fry and over 300lbs of fish cooked and eaten.

 

4) CORPUS CHRISTI CHURCH – 527 Forest Ave.

The Corpus Christi Fryers Charitable Organization

This event was another fantastic fish fry for $15.  It included all you want food and draft beer, we like those rules.   The crowd was very friendly and it was obvious that many in attendance were close friends.  This fish fry offered a healthy alternative of baked fish, along with the fried fish choices.  The bustling atmosphere included 3 different dining areas.  This particular fish fry has been going on for 25 years.  The event is partially run by the “Corpus Christi Fryers.”  They are a charitable group that donates time, manpower and money into running this event to help the church’s cause.  The fish fry workers could not have been nicer, and the food was terrific.  It was great to see a diverse group from all walks of life coming together for a good cause.

St Peter’s offered Onion Rings and Hot Dogs on their Saturday night Fish Fry

Here are the rest in random order, and what we loved about each Fish Fry!
ST PETER’S CHURCH – 6161 Chambersburg Rd

This event was $15 at door, and was packed.  The line wrapped around the gym, but the wait was worth it.  The food was delicious and the offerings were not only beer battered codfish, but onion rings, chicken wings, and huge hot dogs.  What was even more amazing, is that one or two women seemed to be stocking the whole table for the hundreds of hungry people.  The casino area featured unique games such as horse races.  We also loved the fact that they offered Yuengling Black and Tan Beer.  This was a fun and well attended event.  Tip: come early and avoid the huge crowds.

 

The decor at St Charles’ Fish Fry was Beautiful

ST CHARLES BORROMEO – One of the area fish fry’s run by the Hecht family volunteers.  The fish was hot and fresh.  highlights included the fantastic Saint Patty’s day decor theme.  Some people really put some hard work into those decorations.  Along with the tasty fish, a few beer tickets were included in the $15 price.  Leinenkugel’s Summer Shandy beer was available on tap.   This fish fry also offered a “pre-event” that was family friendly and where kids were allowed to attend until 6pm.   The eating area was offered in the school cafeteria while the casino games were in the gym.

 


Cold Beer at the Carrol Fish Fry

CARROLL HIGH SCHOOL – Located at 4524 Linden Ave

This event was $16 to attend and included 5 beer tickets.  The unique thing about this fish fry was the sheer choices of fish.  They offered 3 kinds of fish.  Choices were regular fried, Cajun fried, or baked fish.  There were no fries in sight at this fish fry.  Instead menu items included baked beans, cole slaw and potato salad.  There was a huge choice of desserts at this event.  A couple of long tables were filled with homemade pies, cakes, brownies and more.   This event was steady and the environment was immaculately clean.

 

ST LUKE’S CHURCH – 1440 N. Fairfield Rd.

This fish fry was entirely kid friendly.  The cost was 9 dollars for adults and $3.50 for children.  No alcohol was served.   The event was run by the Knights of Columbus a charity organization that benefits local families.  The fish that was fried was cod from local distributor Foremost Seafood.  There was also no gambling at this event.  It was obvious that this fish fry was more about the family experience. They actually hold two fish frys, one in February and on in March.  It should also be mentioned that the Ladies Auxillary made all of the desserts which were fantastic!

 

CHAMINADE JULIENNE HIGH SCHOOL – 505 S. Ludlow St.

Holy Angels Fish Fry Volunteers

This fish fry held at the High School, had a pretty good attendance.  The fish was great and there were huge sheet cakes and brownies as well.  We even saw one of the cooks bring out some nice cupcake pastries.  Although a fairly new fish fry, this one is run with efficiency.

 

HOLY ANGELS CHURCH – 1322 Brown Street
This fish fry is in its 12th year.  The volunteers Matt, Ruth, Denise, Leila were very friendly and greeted the crowds with a smile.  Prices were 15 bucks at door and included soft drinks and all the beer you wanted as well.  Get there early for this event, because parking is limited and you may get stuck parking across the other side of State route 48.  Delicious haddock was the fried fish served to the hungry visitors.   We really loved the fact that the beer was unlimited, and we didn’t have to fool around with drink tickets.

 

ST ALBERT THE GREAT – 104 W. Dorothy Lane


Three Generations of the Hecht/Sierschula Family helping work the St Albert Fish Fry !

This event was $15 advance or $20 at door.  They served some tasty, fried Icelandic cod.  Like other fish frys, they had a carryout option for 9 bucks.  This event had a ton of volunteers, mostly we saw in kitchen.  We saw the raw fish being thawed, cut, dredged then deep fried by the Hecht Family, who runs a few of the area fish frys.  In fact we saw that there were at least 3 generations of the family at the event.  this event, casino earnings and raffle money all benefited the athletics.  It helps to buy uniforms and keep students cost to participate as low as possible.  We were told that for 40 years this event has been held and many run by the Hecht family.  Attendance price included 5 beer tickets.

 

ST ANTHONY’S CHURCH– 830 Bowen St.

The church was celebrating it’s 100th year anniversary in 2013.  The fish fry has not been around more than a decade or 2, but the place was packed.  The entrance showed off a silent auction area and the casino games.  Lines formed to get the fish and the cafeteria served as the eating place.  The fish was so fresh and hot, that you had to let your plate cool.  the staff was working hard and feeding the hungry event attendees.  It was obvious that the workers took pride in this event and made it a fun and friendly atmosphere.

 

ST HENRY’S CHURCH– 6696 N. Springboro Pike

Event was held in the “Father Stretch Center.”  The cost at the door was 15 bucks.  The head priest Father Tom was greeting the attendees in the dining area.  The fish served was large pieces of fried Haddock.   The volunteers were friendly and the fish was light and flaky.  Some of the better fried fish around was served here.  The event also featured a large silent auction area.

 

INCARNATION PARRISH– 55 Williamsburg Ln.

Mounds of Fish Ready for Breading at the Alter Fish Fry

This event gets packed.  The crowds are big, so get there early.   Like many fish frys they offer a carryout option, but with no discount.  There was a large silent auction area, and many signs hung in the gymnasium featuring sponsors of the fish fry.  Admission was 15 dollars and the fish served was fried Icelandic cod.  Again, we saw some familiar faces of the Hecht family preparing the food for the masses.   There is also a large choice of casino games at this well attended Parrish.

 

ALTER HIGH SCHOOL – 940 E. David Rd.

This fish fry draws the biggest crowds of all the area fish frys.  Sometimes the line can be an hour wait.  Our tip, get there early and plan on making an evening of it.  The casino games are crowded, but there are many to choose from.  There is even a high limit gambling area!  Admission is 15 bucks and comes with 3 beer tickets.  they have amped up the event recently by offering some craft beers for sale.  This event usually has a huge silent auction, and you may even see current NY Jets Center Nick Mangold among the attendees.  Again the Hecht family is responsible for the fish here, so you know you can expect big pieces of freshly cooked fish.

 

ST FRANCIS OF ASSISI -6245 Wilmington Pike

This was a very organized fish fry put on dozens of volunteers from the church.  We liked the fact that they had baked fish as a choice as well as the typical fried fish.  The dining area was crowded, so get to this one early.  This was simply a beautiful church with a fun atmosphere at the fish fry.

Baked and Fried Fish at the St Francis Fish Fry

 

NOW YOU KNOW !

Only here, can you see the most comprehensive fish fry summary of the Miami Valley known to man.  FOOD ADVENTURES has given you some pointers on what to expect in 2014 Dayton area fish frys because they ate it all! Make sure that you scroll through the photo album below featuring every single fish fry.  FYI,  unfortunately some of the church websites do not have the greatest information about the fish frys.  For that reason, make sure you stay tuned to DaytonMostMetro.com and Dayton Dining for all the dates and times of future fish frys.  The bottom line here is that each Lenten season, Daytonians should take advantage of the great events and support some local churches.  The fish frys are friendly and welcome all denominations of faith.  It is about fun times and good causes.  Now that the all-you-can eat fish frys have ended, it is time for us to “scale” back and swim on to the next Food Adventure !

DID YOU ATTEND SOME AREA FISH FRYS?  WHICH ONE WAS YOUR FAVORITE?  DID WE MISS ANY ? PLEASE COMMENT BELOW !

For more Food Adventures, “like” us on Facebook  by clicking HERE !

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Food Adventures Gets Cheeky With It !!!

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Cheeky Meat Pies are at Dayton’s 2nd Street Market

DaytonDining Scoop:  Cheeky Meat Pies is going to move from the 2nd Street Market to the concession areas at RiverScape MetroPark. Their contract was just approved by the board this morning. They’ll be open more days of the week and during festivals, programs and other events.

No details yet on exact hours and menus, but we’ll get that to you soon! In honor of the news, here’s a chance to revisit a Food Adventure with Cheeky Meat Pies!

Here is a little known secret for you fellow Dayton Food Adventurers.   It is a place where you can get some authentic Meat Pies like the ones from New Zealand.  They are a vendor at Dayton’s 2nd Street Market and the company is called Cheeky Meat Pies.  They have some incredible items made from scratch!  The owner of the Dayton business is a true “Kiwi,” which is slang for a native New Zealander.

The big attraction is, of course, their meat pies. You hold them and eat them like a sandwich.  Each meat pie features a flaky crust, and depending on the type of pie, the fillings vary. We recommend the “Distinguished Darby” or the “Tandoori Chook” pies to fellow Food Adventurers.  The Darby is filled ground beef cooked in an onion gravy, mixed with Monterey Jack cheese.  It has a melt in your mouth feeling when you taste it.  The Tandoori is a chopped chicken breast and potato pie with a slightly spicy Tandoori sauce.  Indian flavors are popular “Down Under,” and Cheeky Meat Pies‘ twist on this pie is perfection.  They also feature Veggie Pies and Breakfast Pies!  Popular combos are served with a side of Roasted Kumura (sweet potato) fries.  For a full menu of their meat pie offerings click HERE.

The “Distinguished Darby” Meat Pie

The next time you visit Dayton’s 2nd Street Market, make sure you grab one of these goodies to go.  The owner is very friendly, and greeted us with his memorable accent.  Don’t miss this “street food” taste of New Zealand, GET CHEEKY WITH IT !

Click HERE to visit our FOOD ADVENTURES page on FACEBOOK and “like” us to become and official fan!

We are not food critics, we are just 3 people that love to emotionally eat our way through Dayton!

Check out our Weekly Article Every Thursday on DaytonMostMetro.com !!

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Jewish Film Fest Features Tackle Universal Themes + TICKET CONTEST

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JewishFilmFestLogo_13Join in the Bar Mitzvah year of the Dayton Jewish International Film Festival!

You can see the full brochure online now!

The Dayton Jewish International Film Fest lets you take in great films over many weeks in multiple venues. This year, documentaries and features both in English and with subtitles demonstrate a wide range of subjects. All connected to Jewish heritage, but all tackling universal themes such as friendship, love, jealousy, dance, religion, war and more. With award-winning titles that emphasize the human experience, these films will appeal to diverse audiences.

The Festival begins with a screening of The Other Son at The Neon on Thursday, April 18 and includes features at The Neon, Antioch University and the Boonshoft Center for Jewish Culture and Education until closing night on May 9.

13th Annual Dayton Jewish International Film Festival
FULL SCHEDULE

OPENING NIGHT – Thursday, April 18, 7pm @ The Neon
The Other Son (Feature) – A moving and provocative tale of two young men, one Israeli, the other Palestinian, who discover they are accidentally switched at birth, and the complex repercussions on themselves and their respective families. Reception begins at 7pm, film starts at 7:30pm. Co-sponsored by Ryan Levin of the Levin Family Foundation.

Sunday, April 21, 3pm @ The Neon
My Best Enemy (Feature) – Two friends race to save a priceless Michelangelo drawing in this thrilling World War II story of friendship, love and betrayal.

Tuesday, April 23, 7:15pm @ The Neon
Melting Away (Feature) – A family drawn into crisis tracks down their estranged son, and finds the unexpected. Co-sponsored by the LGBT Film Festival, partnering with PFLAG.

Nicky's Family

Nicky’s Family

Thursday, April 25, 7:15pm @ The Neon
Nicky’s Family (Documentary) – The uplifting and heartwarming story of Sir Nicholas Winton, who ran a secret rescue operation of 669 Czech and Slovak children just before the outbreak of World War II. A Discussion with Felix Weil will be held after the film.

Monday, April 29, 7pm @ Antioch University Midwest, PNC Auditorium
The Other Son (Feature) – A moving and provocative tale of two young men, one Israeli, the other Palestinian, who discover they are accidentally switched at birth, and the complex repercussions on themselves and their respective families. Co-sponsored by Antioch University Midwest and Ryan Levin of the Levin Family Foundation.

Tuesday, April 30, 7:15pm @ The Neon
Naomi (Feature) – A cautious tale of love and jealousy between Ilan Ben Natan, an aging Professor, and his younger wife, Naomi. Discovering his deepest fears, Ilan commits a horrible act and comes face to face with the consequences.

Thursday, May 2, 7:15pm @ The Neon
Lea & Daria (Feature) – The powerful, true story of two thirteen year old girls —the famous Lea Deutsch and her dancing partner, Daria Gasteiger. When faced with the political realities of World War II, the two forge a dramatic friendship.

Sunday, May 5, 2pm @ Boonshoft Center for Jewish Culture & Education
Hava Nagila (The Movie) (Documentary) – Follow the infectious party song on its fascinating journey from Eastern Europe to the cul-de-sacs of America in this hilarious and surprisingly deep film. Co-sponsored by the JCRC.

 Tuesday, May 7, 9:30am @ The Neon
Torn (Documentary) – Can one be a Catholic priest and an observant Jew at the same time? Follow Romuald-Jakub Weksler-Waszinel on his amazing personal journey as he learns to accept his two conflicting identities. Coffee will be served at 9:30am, film starts at 10am. Discussion with Karen Bodney-Halasz to follow.  Partnering with Hadassah.

Tuesday, May 7, 7pm @ Antioch University Midwest, PNC Auditorium
Nicky’s Family (Documentary) – The uplifting and heartwarming story of Sir Nicholas Winton, who ran a secret rescue operation of 669 Czech and Slovak children just before the outbreak of World War II. A discussion with Felix Weil will be held after the film. Co-sponsored by Antioch University Midwest

Thursday, May 9, 7:15pm @ The Neon
A Bottle in the Gaza Sea (Feature) – A turbulent-but-tender long-distance friendship starts when a young Palestinian finds a letter floating in a bottle, written by a 17 year old girl living in Jerusalem. Based on the award-winning novel by Valerie Zenatti.

Enjoy a few trailers from the films – The Other Son, Hava Nagila (The Movie), and Torn

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Trailer for Hava Nagila (The Movie) from Katahdin Productions on Vimeo.

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TICKET CONTEST

Contest Closed – Congratulations to our winner: Will Crawford

Raising the Twelve Percent Limit on Beer

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Absolutely gorgeous…and a little out of our league.

BeerAdvocate is one of the top beer rating sites online. It is a wonderful place to find a good beer because of its rating system from professionals and a myriad of reviews from beer fans. Reading the reviews and comments on Samuel Adams’ Utopias, you can see this complex and delicious beer is incredibly popular with beer aficionados. The brothers who run the site gave it a 100, the best possible rating it can get, and 887 other raters have given it a cumulative score of 99. The raters discussed its big flavors, great aromas and smoothness as it washed over their tongue. The flavors people detected and discussed were raisins, dark cherries, brown sugar, cinnamon and any other luxurious flavor you could use to describe a complex and well crafted beer. One reviewer even compared it to a great cognac or bourbon. Sam Adams created it from a variety of beers and different blends, aged in cognac, bourbon, rum or any other used barrels they could find. Some of the batches are aged almost twenty years in some of these barrels. This means that every year this small batch beer has its own unique flavor. This beer also has a kick, weighing in at between 27% and 29% ABV (alcohol by volume).  As good as the liquor stores like Belmont Party Supply, Arrow Wine, and even Jungle Jim’s are at finding and carrying fine beers and liquors, you will not find it in the state of Ohio. Ohio limits the ABV on beers that can be sold in the state to 12%, putting Utopias well out of purchasing range for Ohioans.

Ohio is well known as a state with very restrictive liquor laws. The state has a say in all the liquor that is sold as well as when and where it can be sold. Liquor under 20% ABV, wine and beer can also be sold in grocery and other non-state stores. Ohio is also one of only a handful of states that have a cap on the ABV of beer, and join West Virginia with the lowest in the country at 12%. Both West Virginia (2009) and Ohio (2002) only recently brought it up from 6%, which is where the levels were set after Prohibition. This was great before the craft beer boom, when 6% was considered a high alcohol beer; now 6% is considered on the lower end of the craft beer scale (which is gaining in popularity) and high for commercial beer (which is declining in popularity).

Dogfish Head 120 Minute IPA

I have HEARD this is a really good beer.

Ohio state Representative Ramos (D-Lorain) introduced the bill in the 2011 – 12 session, H.B. No. 356, with greater support from not only the citizens of the state of Ohio, but the legislature as well. He sees the increase in breweries across the state, and the popularity in craft beer in general (15% sales growth in 2012, leading to 17% more profit for the industry) as a potential cash windfall for Ohio. Beers with high alcohol content are not a high demand product. They have higher caloric content, and they are typically priced at $10 – $15 a bottle and get more expensive from there. The Utopias is $200 a bottle. Most craft brewers in the state are not going to drop their more typical offerings to focus on a high alcohol beer, but they can do what Dogfish Head did with their 120 Minute IPA and have some leeway to experiment. It would also encourage the beer lovers in the state to spend their money at local businesses, helping Ohio’s economy. Beer aficionados will drive across state lines to purchase beers like Goose Island Bourbon County Stout, The Breury Melange #3, Sierra Nevada Bigfoot Whiskey Barrel-Aged Barleywine Style Ale, and Braueri Schloss Eggenberg Samichlaus Classic (all recommended by our own Snobby Beer Guy Max Spang) , giving their money to Kentucky, Indiana, Pennsylvania, or Michigan. Ramos feels that money can be kept in Ohio, gaining tax revenues for the state not only from selling beers other great breweries outside the state are making, but from all of the local breweries. “The industry has progressed,” Ramos said in an interview with the Dayton Business Journal. “The laws need to catch up.”

The road blocks to passing the new bill are lower at this point, but they are still there. In 2011, Jimmy Stewart proposed the original bill, a change in the law to raise the upper limit on beer from 12% to 18%. The timing of that law was unfortunate; it happened at about the same time that Four Loko, a premixed, high alcohol cocktail-in-a-can, was recovering from a rash of college students blacking out and other incidents of them being injured after enjoying the beverage. The law also faced resistance from MADD and other groups that felt that beers with higher ABV would allow young drinkers to hit unsafe levels of intoxication at a faster pace. The bill was blocked in the legislature, and Stewart stepped down before it could be reintroduced.

Vote Beer

Beer needs you to get out the message!

More citizens than before are supporting the initiative. There is an online petition that has over 1,500 signatures on it. Consumers would not have to drive for hours to get beers that they are reading about on the Internet or hearing about from their friends. Until just over a year ago, Yuengling enjoyed  a mythical status in the state of Ohio. They would love to have these beers as easily available to them as Yuengling is now. Craft brewers around the state are looking for the opportunity to flex their muscles from a brewing standpoint, to try brewing bigger beers with unique flavors. High alcohol beers are typically made in small batches, which makes them highly sought after by collectors. Creating a superb, high alcohol beer can really help raise the community’s awareness of that brewery. That is not only a benefit for the brewery in question, but for the state itself. You can get involved by directly contactingyour state representative and letting them know you support raising the ABV limit the state has on beer. Let your beer drinking friends know as well.

The current limit we have on the ABV is arbitrary. Rep. Ramos is looking to raise the ABV from 12% to 21% because that has been the traditional dividing line between beer or wine and liquor. It is a less arbitrary number, but it is still a limit on beer that forty other states do not have. It still does not allow beers with super high alcohol content like Utopias to be sold in the state, but all of the other beers in this article would be allowed to be sold in Ohio. The blog Overturning 12 is keeping an eye on the situation, and at the time of this article, the bill is waiting to start moving again while the state works on less important things like a budget. The bill is waiting for a formal number once it gets in front of our lawmakers. Show your passion for your beer and make your voices heard!

Manet + Evil Dead + Jurassic Park 3D at Rave Cinemas Dayton South

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Hello Dayton!   There are plenty of options for everyone to have the perfect movie weekend this week.  Lots of things happening at your local Rave Cinemas!

Opening This Week

EXHIBITION: MANET:PORTRAYING LIFE – 04/11/13 @ 730pm!

The eagerly awaited exhibition at the Royal Academy of Arts, London, Manet: Portraying Life will be captured for cinema screens worldwide. This is the first ever major exhibition in the UK devoted to the portraiture of Édouard Manet, spanning his entire career. The exhibition will bring together great works from across Europe, Asia and the USA. Cinemagoers will see exclusive behind-the-scenes moments of the Royal Academy’s exhibition preparation — moments usually hidden from view — and experience a detailed, superbly crafted biography of Manet and 19th century Paris. Host Tim Marlow along with expert guests examines the work of one of the all-time great artists.

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EVIL DEAD – OPENS 04/04/13 @ 10pm!

In the much anticipated remake of the 1981 cult-hit horror film, five twenty-something friends become holed up in a remote cabin. When they discover a Book of the Dead, they unwittingly summon up dormant demons living in the nearby woods, which possess the youngsters in succession until only one is left intact to fight for survival.

 

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JURASSIC PARK 3D – OPENS 04/04/13 @ 10pm!

Universal Pictures will release Steven Spielberg’s groundbreaking masterpiece “Jurassic Park” in 3D on April 5, 2013. With his remastering of the epic into a state-of-the-art 3D format, Spielberg introduces the three-time Academy Award-winning blockbuster to a new generation of moviegoers and allows longtime fans to experience the world he envisioned in a way that was unimaginable during the film’s original release.

 

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RAVE CINEMA CLASSICS – $3 + FREE popcorn & drink! @ Dayton South

04/08/13 @ 1pm brings us…

HARVEY, 1950, 105min

Elwood P. Dowd is a mild-mannered, pleasant man, who just happens (he says) to have an invisible friend resembling a 6-foot rabbit.   James Stewart, Josephine Hull, Peggy Dow

 

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For showtimes…CLICK HERE!

 

Walking Dead Food Adventure & Zombie Dogz at Horror Hound Weekend

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‘Juan of the Dead’ Zombie Dog

Here is something you will not see anywhere else.  The Big Ragu and Crew had a VIP experience at last weekend’s Horror Hound convention in Sharonville.  We had a Food Adventure with Merle & Daryl Dixon from The Walking Dead (Norman Reedus and Michael Rooker)!  Featured along with the Cast of the Walking Dead and many celebrities was a Dayton’s own,  Zombie Dogz.  Typically a food truck, it was a little different this time for the gourmet hot dog masters.   They operated out of a catering booth inside the convention center.     Owners of  Zombie Dogz,  Lee and David VanArtsdalen and Horror Hound Magazine’s Eric Crowley personally invited us to the event and set us up for an unforgettable Food Adventure.

The Big Ragu and Crew shared some iconic Dayton foods with the celebrities:

We had a Zombie Dog with a Reservoir Dog.  That’s right, we dined and joked with Michael Madsen.  Michael was a great sport, and he didn’t carve our ear off.   He shared some good Hollywood stories and laughs with us.  We also learned he was telling other celebrities about his time with us and the Zombie Dogz.

Legendary horror film director John Carpenter also enjoyed one of Dayton’s Zombie Dogz with us, while he was wearing some pretty sweet black velvet sweat pants.  It was almost as scary as his film “Halloween.”   Meeting this giant of the film industry was priceless.

We gave a hungry Twisted Sister Frontman Dee Snider some Mikesell’s Good n Hot Potato chips.  In fact, the whole cast of his show “Holliston” shared the bag.  What does Dee wanna do with his chips?  ‘He wants them hot, HOT !’   This Celebrity Apprentice star loved the taste of Mikesells, and we were not ‘fired’ in the boardroom.

Dee Snider from Twisted Sister & Celeb Apprentice loves Mikesells Chips

The star of the scary Candyman movies Tony Todd, loved the box of Esther Price Candies we gave him.   He enjoyed them so much, he gave us a high five the next day.   Even movie stars like the Candyman love Esther Price Candies !

Remember the classic 60’s TV show The Munsters?  Well, we ate Muenster cheese with Eddie Munster, thanks to Murray’s Cheese from Kroger in Centerville.  Eddie, played by Butch Patrick, appreciated it so much, he signed a photo for us!

The  Big Ragu and Crew ate lunch with Bengals Defensive Tackle Domata Peko .  We enjoyed some LaRosa’s Pizza while sitting with his family.  Domata is one of the nicest guys you will ever meet.  He is also a horror movie fan like us,  and was excited to meet the various celebs.

Where else can you see this kind of stuff?  Only here, only Food Adventures and Dayton Most Metro.  Often imitated, never duplicated.

The Big Ragu also shared French Bread and Perrier Sparkling Mineral Water with 80’s babe Diane Franklin from the movie “Better Off Dead.”  If you saw the movie, you get the significance of the food items, ‘and to drink…. Peru’ .  These days Diane is promoting her new book “Diane Franklin: The Excellent Adventures of the Last American, French-Exchange Babe of the 80s.”  You can buy the book here on Amazon.com.

We hung out with other famous horror actors including Lew Temple, Sid Haig, Tom Savini,  Irwin Keyes, Robert Mukes and many other costumed monsters.  The original car from the movie Christine was there, we wanted to take it to the Root Beer Stande Drive in but she turned us down.  Special mention to our friends at S.T.A.R.S Cincinnati, a costumed fan group of the movie “Resident Evil.”  They do charity appearances and their slogan is “We kill zombies for charity.”  Speaking of Zombies….

The “Calling in Dead” Zombie Dog has Mac N Cheese on top

About Zombie Dogz:

Have you tried a Zombie Dog?  These hot dogs are so big, that they almost look like kielbasa sausages.  The menu at Zombie Dogz is pretty simple.  It all starts with large, juicy all beef hot dog.    The hot dog is placed into a wonderful sandwich roll, strong enough to hold the hot dog and ingredients intact.  What makes a zombie dog special is the choice of toppings.  Each Zombie Dog has a creative name based on those toppings.  The menu is constantly evolving with new creations, but The Big Ragu and Hungry Jax ate these hot dogs all weekend and want to share our favorites.

Zombe’ Grande – The all beef hot dog is topped with cheese queso sauce, lettuce, cilantro sour cream, jalapeno bacon bits and crushed corn chips.  The mix of the cheese sauce and crushed corn chips are a gooey, tasty combination that won us over.  This was definitely one of our favorites

Juan of the Dead – An all beef frank topped with Swiss cheese, homemade bbq pulled pork, sweet and tangy mustard and pickles.  The pulled pork and pickles really make this gourmet hot dog.  The Big Ragu say this is a must eat!

The Nibbler – This time they wrap the hot dog in bacon, then smother it in spicy chili.  The zombie dog is then topped off with diced red onion, sweet & tangy mustard, and shredded muenster cheese.  This one really woke up our taste buds and is a Food Adventure in your mouth.

Owners Dave and Lee VanArtsdalen of Zombie Dogz, with Co-founder/Marketer Michael Whitaker

Calling in Dead  – This over the top creation tops the hot dog with homemade mac n cheese.  The creamy mac n cheese is cooked in truffle oil for a magnificent flavor.  The final touch in this hot dog is a sprinkle of truffle salt and cracker crumbs.  This hot dog was so rich, we could hardly finish it.  It packed a powerful punch on our appetites, but we couldn’t stop eating it.

Brain Daddy – This was the most Caribbean style hot dog that we tried.  The all beef dog is topped with slow roasted mango habanero pulled pork.  It was also topped with pineapple-cherry salsa.  The final dash of white and black sesame seeds finishes this masterpiece.  This gourmet dog promises to have your taste buds dancing the mambo.

The Horror Hound Weekend was incredible. We got to meet Dayton horror film makers like our pals from Concept Media Films.  We even bought a couple of their Dayton-made DVD’s!  Meanwhile The Big Ragu was distracted by the Jersey girls over at GorgeousAndGory.com.  Supporting local people and making new Food Adventure fans seemed to sum up this fantastic experience.

This Zombie Dog is called “The Nibbler”

Miami Valley foodies should keep their eye open for events featuring the Zombie Dogz Food Truck and their unique creations.  The hot dogs will satisfy your hunger at the not so bad price of $6.50 per dog.  There are even have veggie dog options.  Want to catch Zombie Dogz Food Truck’s next event?  Then visit Dayton’s Crafty-Con on April 5th.  The event will be held from 5pm to 11pm at the Yellow Cab Building on 700 East 4th St.   Tell the zombies that The Big Ragu sent you !

 

Feel free to comment on the Zombie Dogz Food Truck below.  Also share any thoughts about Horror Hound Weekend as well.

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