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Fleurs et Vin

Tickets on Sale Saturday For Dayton’s Premier Wine & Gourmet Food Event!

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DigitalAssests-fleurs-06The original “Party in the Park” was the brain child of two friends, Vail Miller Sr. of Heidelberg and Mike Frank of Arrow Wine.  With a mission of bringing wine out of just the wine cellars and  to the general public, the idea of a wine festival was born.  Now 24 years later, Fleurs et Vin is the most anticipated, talked about and attend wine event in the Miami Valley.

On Sunday May 17 from 1- 4pm, wine connoisseurs and novices alike will sample the best wines from around the world while enjoying culinary treats from 20 of the top independent restaurants in the region.

Last year there were over 420 wines for sampling, as well as a  beer garden featuring Belgium brews.  Wines and beer selections for this year are still being put together.   And if that isn’t enough to keep you busy,  J.t. Fedrick and his band  will be in full swing, the dance floor open and wonderful baskets available for bidding in the silent auction.  And come 4pm, the best entertainment of the day can often be found at the live auction, where thousands of dollars are raised in just minutes iwth the sale of wine collectibles, with proceeds benefiting AIDS Resource Center Ohio.  If you’d like to support the even with a donation to the auction  you can start that process with this online donation form.

Tickets for Fleurs et Vin run $70 in advance $75 at the door, but this Saturday only,  Arrow Wine will host a Super Saturday tasting from 11am – 5pm at both the Far Hills and Centerville stores, and the ARC Ohio Associate Board members will be selling Fleurs et Vin tickets for just $60.

 

Here Comes the FLEURS ET VIN Festival!

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“Fleurs et Vin” Festival will feature over 400 wines for tasting !

Get ready to raise your wine glass this Sunday at Carillon Park , because Dayton’s premier wine and gourmet food festival arrives!!

That’s right, the one and only shindig known as “FLEURS ET VIN” (flowers and wine in French) takes place this weekend!

This is a Food Adventure and Wine extravaganza that you don’t want to miss.  The Big Ragu will be there in full force!

 

WHAT:  FLEURS ET VIN FESTIVAL

WHERE: At Historic Carillon Park,  1000 Carillon Blvd.  Dayton, Ohio 45409

WHEN: SUNDAY MAY 18th from 1pm – 4pm

WHY: To benefit AIDS Resoruce Center of Dayton Ohio

MUST DRINKS:  Over 400 wines available for tasting and a Beer Garden !

MUST EATS:  Local restaurants providing samples of menu specialties.

Restaurants Include: Amar India, Carvers Steaks & Chops, Central Perc European Cafe, Chappys Tap Room and Grille, Coco’s Bistro, El Meson, Figlio, Giovanni’s, Jay’s Seafood, Kohler’s Catering,  Lock 27 Brewing,  Mamma DiSalvo’s,  Neil’s Heritage House,  The Oakwood Club, Salar Restaurant and Lounge The Dock, The Deli at Webster Street & Top of the Market and Thai 9.

WHAT ELSE: Live Music during the festival by J.t. Fedrick and the Sax Groove, a silent auction that ends at 3pma and a Live Auction that starts  at 4pm 

COST: $70 in advance, $75 at the door  click HERE for more ticket info

Just in Case: Don’t drink and drive- Divine Services will be on hand if you and your car need a ride home.

Fleurs Et Vin is something you must experience as a true Daytonian.  Experience the best wines in the world, paired with Dayton’s Best Restaurant offerings.  It is for charity, which makes getting a ticket a no brainer.  Support Dayton, support the AIDS Resource Center, and join the fun at Carillon Park.  Treat yourself to a Food Adventure !

We raise our wine glasses high and say “Here’s to Fleurs Et Vin, the toast of the town this Sunday!”  See you under the big tents!

Are you a Dayton foodie?  Then join us for more fun Food Adventures by “liking”us on Facebook.

Check out our photo gallery below from last year’s event!

 

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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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Wine Party in the Park this Sunday

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FEV ticketsDayton’s Annual Premier Wine & Gourmet Food Festival is this Sunday afternoon, from 1-4pm at Carillon Park. Advance tickets are available for $60 at Arrow Wine, Cuvee, Rumbleseat and Bruning’s Wine Cellar, or you can purchase online and print your own ticket.  If you’re waiting to see what the weather is like on Sunday, tickets will be available at the park for $70.  Your ticket includes your tastes, a souvenir wine glass as well as a beer glass.

franks

Left to right: Vail Sr, Vail Jr, Mif Frank and Mike Frank

The original “Party in the Park” was the brain child of two friends, Vail Miller Sr. of Heidelberg and Mike Frank of Arrow Wine.  With a mission of bringing wine out of just the wine cellars and homes of people to the general public, the idea of a wine festival was born.  Now over twenty years later and with the second generation at the helm, Vail Miller Jr. and Mif Frank, Fleurs Et Vin has grown into a Miami Valley tradition.
With the support of over a dozen wine distributors, this years tasting list includes over 400 wines to be tasted.  You can see it online if you’d like to plot your tasting strategy.  A new addition this year is a selection of meads from Cavalier Distributing.  Mead, also known as honey wine, is regarded as the oldest of fermented beverage(Learn more about mead from  mixologist Brian Petro’s article Drinkable Honey.)  The Belgian Beer Garden has expanded this year as well, featuring  Stella Artois, Leffe, Hoegarden, Duvell  and Ommegang.

jtsaxMusic for your dining and drinking pleasure contemporary smooth jazz will be played by JT Fedrick and Sax Groove, back by popular demand from Fleurs 2011. The food at Fleurs et Vin is always spectacular, with returning restaurants like The Oakwood Club, Jay’s Seafood, Carvers, Coco’s and Hawthorne Grill competing to put out the best samples.  Now that’s not to say that Neil’s Heritage House, Mamma DiSalvo’s, Scratch Event Catering, Brock Masterson’s,  Meadowlark and Thai 9 won’t walk away with the best food of the fest this year.  Restaurants like The Dock, Giovanni’s, Amber Rose and The Wine Loft always stand out for great eats and their decorative tables that  give you a feel for their atmosphere.  Newbies to the event this year include Serendipity Bistro and the soon to open Salar.

When you need to take a break from eating, be sure and stroll by the silent auction tables conanand place a bid or two.  Some of the highlights this year include tickets to a Miami Heat basketball game, VIP tickets to a Conan taping,  or ABC’s Mike & Molly, as well of lots of wine, theater tickets, spa packages and more.  But get your bids in early, the silent auction will close down about 2:45.  Ghost bidding will be available, for those of you who don’t want to waste your valuable tasting time at the auction table.  Just allow one of our volunteers to place your bids up to your pre-set limit and enjoy the wine.

The best entertainment of the day is often the live auction, which begins at 4pm, after tasting tables are closed.  A must for true wine collectors, the bottles up for bid are often incredibly rare.  Register for a bidding paddle and you’ll be treated to sparkling wines and ARC compact logo with taglinechocolates from Winans.

Whether you win the bidding or not, the big winner of the day is AIDS Resource Center Ohio, the beneficiary of Fleurs et Vin.  Funds raised on Sunday will be used to provide medical care, comprehensive case management, housing, HIV testing & counseling, prevention education, linkage to care, education & advocacy in Ohio.  According to the Ohio Department of Health,  young adults between the ages of 15 and 24 account for 27 percent of all new HIV diagnoses in the state in 2011 and that number is growing. “The HIV/AIDS epidemic has changed dramatically over the years, however we are beginning to see a second-wave of infection among young people who have never known a world free from the stronghold of HIV and so our response must evolve as well,” states Tyler TerMeer,  ARC Ohio’s Prevention Director.

 

 

 

 

Volunteer For Dayton’s Premier Wine & Gourmet Food Fest

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On Sunday, May 20th over 1000 folks will converge on Carillon Park for one of Dayton’s most anticipated wine festivals, Fleurs et Vin. Now in it’s 20th year, the fest has proved to be a spectacular party in the park.  This years event will benefit AIDS Resource Center Ohio and Dayton History.

To pull off this event, that features over 300 wines and 25 of Dayton’s finest independent restaurants,  hundreds of volunteers are needed.  From helping to direct parking, checking ID’s, handing out glasses and plates, distributing ice and water, helping in the beer garden and monitoring the live and silent auctions, there are lots of jobs to do.

And one of the fringe benefits for volunteers at this event, free tasting.  That’s right, once you’ve completed your work, you can get a glass and enjoy!    Of course all voluteers do need to be 21 or over.  So grab your friends and sign up today.

Jane’s Best Bets (5/18 – 5/22)

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Photo Credit: Alli Shillito

I have to be honest…I’m a bit exhausted from the craziness of everything that went on last week!  Here’s to another crazy busy (in a good way) week in Dayton!

On Wednesday, bring out your pedometer for the Walk! Downtown Dayton Kickoff at RiverScape…after all, swimsuit season is just around the corner!  If you have always wanted to work for yourself, don’t delay it!  Make your way to The Entrepreneurs Center for their New Business Information Session.  At The Greene County Career Center, attend their cooking class, Fresh and Lite Delight.  If you like art (notice I didn’t ask whether you were good at art) and you like to drink, head to Art by the Glass at the Cannery Art and Design Center.  If the weather gets warmer, you will want to make your way to Fifth Third Field to watch the Dragons play the Great Lakes Loons.  And if you like theater, be sure to get your tickets to see 42nd Street at WSU’s Festival Playhouse or The Women of Lockerbie at Sinclair’s Blair Hall Theater.

On Thursday, if you’re anti-gluten (or just plain allergic to it), then you’ll want to attend Naturally Gluten Free event at PNC 2nd Street Market.  All you cyclists should make plans to attend Bike Film Night at The Neon.  It’s McDonald’s Friends and Family Night at Fifth Third Field, where the Dragons will play the Great Lakes “Loons”…sounds crazy to me!  And if you’re in the Oregon District, head to The Dublin Pub for live music by Nick Mitchell or Theology on Tap at Oregon Express.

On Friday, bike your way to RiverScape for the National Bike to Work Day Pancake Breakfast…and don’t forget to wear your helmet.  Your mom will thank me.  If you love the movies, you won’t want to miss the Film Dayton Festival at The Neon.  For those of you who have read this column before, you know how much I love Chick-fil-A…and what I love even more is that at the Dayton Mall location, you can get a Free Chick-fil-A Sandwich from 4-7PM on Friday as part of their Customer Appreciation Days.  If you’re a big ham, then you’ll want to attend the Dayton Hamvention 2011.  I tried to bring my pig last year but they wouldn’t let him in the building…just wanted to let you know so you don’t make the same mistake.  Support Diabetes Dayton by attending Big Brews & Blues at Carillon Park.  Over at the Dayton Convention Center, learn about different cultures and taste delicious food at A World A’Fair…I remember going there as a kid and I still go there today!  So, there is something for people of all ages!  If you’re down in the ‘burg, make your way to Miamisburg Library Park for the Taste of Miamisburg.  Theater/music lovers should plan to attend one of these shows:  Honk! Jr. (Town Hall Theatre), 42nd Street (WSU’s Festival Playhouse), Mauritius (Dayton Theatre Guild), Opera Theatre: Vincenzo Bellini’s La Sonnambula (Schuster Center), or The Women of Lockerbie.  And finally, if you’re more of a sports guy (or girl), get your tickets to see the Dayton Dutch Lions or the Dayton Dragons.

On Saturday, there are again many options from which to choose!  Some events include the Film Dayton Festival at The Neon, Sound Bites: Short Talks About Art at the Dayton Art Institute, Dayton Hamvention 2011 at Hara Arena, FilmDayton Screenwriting Conference at ThinkTV, and A World A’Fair at the Dayton Convention Center.  Also at the Dayton Convention Center, you can catch me participating in the 4th Annual 2011 INBF Tri-State Bodybuilding and Figure Contest.  I hope you’re not so gullible that you actually believe that.  Learn how to be safe by attending the Community Problem Oriented Policing Conference at Stebbins High School – there are a wide variety of courses from which to choose!  Theatre options include 42nd Street, Honk! Jr., Mauritius, Opera Theatre: Vincenzo Bellini’s La Sonnambula, and The Women of Lockerbie.  Listen to the wonderful sounds of MUSICA! at The Salvation Army Kroc Center.  At the Wright Brothers Airport, attend the White Out Cancer event…and you totally have my permission to wear white, even though it’s not yet Memorial Day.  If you’d prefer green, then make your way to THE Greene to watch The Fries Band (it’s their only performance there this year, so don’t miss it!).  And finally, down at Fifth Third Field, you will be able to watch the Dragons take on the Lake County Captains.  Plus, you can help them celebrate Hometown Hero Night.

On Sunday, the Film Dayton Festival, A World A’Fair, and Dayton Hamvention 2011 will still be going strong!  In the afternoon, the Dragons will be playing the Lake County Captains…and you can get “free valet bike parking” as part of  MVRPC Bike to the Game.  In addition, as part of the “Drive Less, Live More” campaign, if you do bike, you will receive a free ticket to the game.  So, you don’t have to spend money on gas AND you don’t have to spend money on tickets!  Over at Carillon Park, attend Fleurs et Vin, which is a super fun event that will include more than 300 wines from all over the world, live entertainment, food from Dayton’s best independent eateries, and live and silent auctions!  Plus, money raised will support Culture Works and the AIDS Resource Center.  At the Schuster Center, attend the Dayton Opera 50th Anniversary Star Gala.  If you are over at the Dayton Art Institute, listen to the sounds of MUSICA! And finally, all you public radio fans will want to catch Ira Glass at Victoria Theatre.

And now it’s time for the Dumb Joke of the Week. Drum roll please…

Did you hear about the new cure for swine flu?  It’s a special kind of oinkment.

These are just a few best bets from the DMM Calendar.  There are plenty more events listed there, so if you haven’t, I encourage you to check it out today!  Also, if you have an event to share or promote, please submit it– it’s great marketing and better yet, it’s FREE!  And finally, if you have a dumb joke to share, I’m all ears!

Have a great week Dayton!

Dayton’s Premier Wine & Gourmet Food Festival returns

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The original “Party in the Park” was the brain child of two friends, Vail Miller Sr. of Heidelberg and Mike Frank of Arrow Wine.  With a mission of bringing wine out of just the wine cellars and homes of people to the general public, the idea of a wine festival was born.  Now 19 years later, Fleurs et Vin is the most anticipated, talked about and attend wine event in the Miami Valley.

On Sunday, May 23 from 1- 4pm, wine connoisseurs and novices alike will sample the best wines from around the world while enjoying culinary treats from top independent restaurants in the region-click here to see the lineup. The $60 advance admission ticket ($70 at the park) will allow you to to choose from hundreds of wines to samples, chat with winery owners like Amber Lee of J. Lohr Vineyards in San Jose, CA and enjoy the live jazz being played by JT Fedrick/Sax Groove.  Participating restaurants include:  Amber Rose, Carver’s, El Meson, Mamma DiSalvo’s The Oakwood Club, L’Auberge and fifteen more.  For the complete list, click here.

As you stroll through the tent, be sure and make some bids on the silent auction, which will feature gift baskets filled with art, theater tickets and restaurant gift certificates and even a weeks stay at a Lake Norris vacation cabin.  A live auction will get under way at about 3:45pm and some of the early highlights include a hideaway bar cabinet, donated by Bruning’s Wine Cellar, Chef Dinner’s and wine collectibles and verticals.

Not a wine drinker?  Then you may want to spend your time in the Beer Garden featuring Belgium favorites, Stella Artois, Leffe and Hoegaarden. Souvenir glasses will be available for just $2 each.

Proceeds from the event will benefit 13 arts organizations as well as individuals infected, affected and at risk of HIV/AIDS. This event is truly like none other in the Miami Valley.

One day, two causes, 300+ wines and over 1000 friends.

For more info or to purchase tickets, visit the Fleurs et Vin Website.
Tickets also available at area wine stores like Arrow Wine, Bella Vino, Bruning’s Wine Cellar, Dorothy Lane Market, Jerardi’s Little Store, Miami Valley Wine & Liquor,
Miami Valley Wine & Spirits, Rumblseat Wine and The Wine Gallery

UPDATE – TICKET GIVE-AWAY!!!

We’re giving away a pair of free tickets to Fleurs et Vin ($140 value) – just comment below and tell us your favorite place in the Dayton Region to drink or buy wine.  Be sure to include your email address (won’t be made public) so we can notify you if you win.  We’ll announce the winner on our Facebook Fan Page by 5pm Saturday 5/21.  Good Luck!