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Jungle Jim's

Party Like It’s 1933: Jungle Jim’s Whisky Night Prohibition Style

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Jungle Jim’s Beer Fest Returns June 16 & 17

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One of the largest and longest-running Beer Festivals in Cincinnati: Jungle Jim’s International Craft Beer Fest returns June 16 and 17 to  The Oscar Event Center at Jungle Jim’s, located at 5440 Dixie Highway in Fairfield, OH.

There will be over 400 beers from more than 100 different breweries. You will have the chance to try imported and local beers, along with craft brews and hard cider. Plus, both nights of the Festival will be kicked off by tapping a firkin (a keg of beer that’s been fermented inside of the barrel it’s fermented in)..Check out this year’s full line up on the Untappd menu HERE!Brew Crew Beers set our International Craft Beer Festival apart from the rest: brewery exclusives, rarities and obscurities, and highly-rated favorites will all be represented throughout the Festival, available exclusively to members of the Jungle Jim’s Brew Crew. If you’re not already a member, click here to sign up for the Brew Crew and then pick up your wristband the night of the show.

Every ticket comes complete with a complimentary picnic-style meal. When you go through the food line, you’ll receive a BBQ beef sandwich, potato chips, coleslaw or potato salad, and a bottle of water.

One of Jungle Jim’s cigar experts will be selling a selection of world-class cigars from Jungle Jim’s Humidor. You’re encouraged to take your smoke and your beer sample out onto the terrace to enjoy the classic pairing.

They  be selling International Craft Beer Festival t-shirts at our Souvenirs Table, and there will also be a table full of all the beer paraphernalia that you can possible imagine! All proceeds from the sales at the Charity Table will be donated to charity, which is the perfect excuse to pick up as many bottle openers as your heart desires.

7:00pm – 10:30pm (Pouring starts at 7:30pm)
Friday: Early Admission* $55         Drinking Ticket $45
Saturday: Early Admission* $55    Drinking Ticket $45
Non-Drinker: $20*early access to the show (6:30pm) and you will receive a special Early Admission glass

Ticket prices go up $5 on June 1st.

 

Jungle Jim’s Big Cheese Festival Returns!

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Join fellow queso connoisseurs and fromage fanatics at Jungle Jim’s in Fairfield on Sat & Sun, Feb 11 & 12,  where the Oscar Event Center will open its doors to fulfill some of your wildest, cheesiest dreams. Everything you loved about the past Big Cheese Festivals will be on display, but they’re not content to just rest on their laurels. Expect things to be bigger, bolder, and tastier than ever as they scour the globe to bring you the coolest Camembert, tastiest Taleggio, and decadent Double Gloucester we can find. In addition to all of the amazing cheeses they’ll have for you to sample, they’ll also have a variety of meats, olives, and other appealing appetizers, as well as fabulous beers and wines to make this an intense, indulgent cheese experience!

 

All You Need is Cheese!

Experience a world of cheese featuring 40+ booths from over 80 companies, sharing their goods across a range of styles and flavors. They’ll have local, artisan, and international cheeses as well as charcuterie and more, all under one roof!

Life is Great But Cheese Makes it Better

Cheese is good when served alone, but you will excite your taste buds even more with the delectable selection of meats, olives, breads, and a variety of condiments including spreads, jams, and fruits they’ll have throughout. So be on the lookout for a variety of food booths amongst the tables of cheese.

Where There’s Wine, There’s a Whey!

Nothing goes better with cheese than a cold beer or glass of wine – the flavors are enhanced when they’re paired together. There will be multiple stations throughout the festival, all placed by region so finding the perfect pair will be easy as possible. Wine and beer will be available for purchase at the event by the glass, or get a VIP or drinking wristband and enjoy samples throughout the day.

Here’s a quick look at the first cheese festival held in 2014, it’s grown a lot since then.

Say Cheese!

This is a family friendly show, with exciting things planned for all ages! There will be lively music to complement the experience, and there will be several entertaining photo opportunities available throughout the day. Be sure to vote for some of your favorite cheeses, as well. You can help crown Best in Show or, if you’re up to the task, the Stinkiest Cheese! This show is bursting with all types of fun to see, try, and experience.

To Go:

Sat, Feb 11th & Sun, Feb 12tth  Noon – 5pm
The Oscar Event Center at Jungle Jim’s International Market
5440 Dixie Highway
Fairfield, OH 45014

Tickets:

VIP Early Admission $30
Gen Admission $10 advance $12 at door
Child $1 advance $2 at door

Kids under 5 are free
Buy tickets online here
*In the case of a sellout tickets will not be available at the door.

Directions from Dayton

Take I-75 South
Merge I-275 West – To Indianapolis
Exit #41 toward Hamilton/Fairfield
Drive north 3.8 miles on Route 4/Dixie Highway
Turn right onto Jungle Jim Drive

Hungry Jax Shares A Recipe From Her Hometown: Utica Greens

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“Utica Greens” is a spicy Italian dish from Upstate NY.

The Food Adventure Crew have come up with a brand new feature that you’ll  will see in upcoming months  called “KITCHEN ADVENTURES.”  Here we will list some of our favorite all time recipes that will release the inner foodie in you.  We are also hoping these recipes will impress your family and friends.  Don’t worry, we won’t tell them where you got it.  It will be our little secret.

Our inaugural installment comes to you from our resident foodie mom, Hungry Jax.   May we present to you…

KITCHEN ADVENTURES: UTICA GREENS

Hey all! “Hungry Jax” here.  About 9 years ago my husband and I relocated to the Dayton area from our hometown of Utica, NY.  Nestled at the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains, Utica is a culinary treasure that is slowly, but surely making it’s name as one of the most delicious places to eat in the US.  It is a city rich in Italian culture and cuisine!  Upon relocating, I was homesick, not just for family, but for the culinary creations that are unique to the Utica area.  So my kitchen became a laboratory with weekly experiments to recreate these hometown dishes that I love so dearly (talk about a Food Adventure!).  I find that these dishes are ones that I love to share with my new friends here in Dayton.  Sharing with them not just a great dish, but part of who I am and where I have come from.  I’d like to share with you all one of these special dishes and I hope that you enjoy this recipe and maybe even take a stab at making them!

 

So my dear fellow Food Adventurers, I give you: “Utica Greens“.

I know what you’re asking yourself: “What’s a Utica Green?” “Utica Greens” is a spicy Italian dish made up of escarole, garlic, pancetta, hot peppers, cheese and breadcrumbs.  Typically served as a side dish but can easily become a meal with a hunk of Italian bread!  I also like to mix these in with penne to make a fun pasta dish, or even cook up with eggs in an omelet or frittata!

Hot Cherry Peppers

It should be noted that the peppers for this dish, Hot Cherry Peppers, are hard to find around here.  I have found them fresh at Jungle Jims, as well as at Meijers from time to time.  You can find them jarred, but typically those are sweet and not hot. Mild will work fine and if you want to spice thing up, just add more red crushed pepper.  I have my brothers mail me these peppers when I am not back north to stock up on them myself!

 

 

For this dish you will need:

  • 3 heads Escarole chopped and cleaned well.  This type of green can be very “gritty” so I have found it best to let the chopped leaves soak in a sink full of cold water to allow for any dirt on the leaves to sink to the bottom.  Rinse once more and then you should be good to go!
  • One small bag baby spinach
  • 3 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 3-5 chopped Hot Cherry Peppers
  • 3/4 cup Italian Bread Crumbs
  • 1 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese (or Parmesan – I use a mixture of both)
  • 1/8lb Prosciutto or Pancetta chopped
  • Olive oil
  • Salt, pepper and red crushed pepper to taste
  • Mix together an additional ¼ cup bread crumbs and ¼ cup cheese, set aside

Cut and thoroughly clean the escarole.  Add the greens to a large pot of salted water.  After water comes to a boil, cook the greens for about 4-5 minutes. Do not cover pot as it will turn your greens brown. Remove and drain.

In a frying pan add olive oil and heat.  Fry Pancetta until crispy.  Remove from pan and let sit on paper towel to drain.

The Finished Product.  Mangia!

Next, add garlic and hot cherry peppers.  Cook for just about one minute.

Add the greens and cook just until heated through.  Make sure to stir often.  Add the spinach a handful at a time until wilted.  Add salt, pepper and red crushed pepper to taste.

Take off heat, stir in breadcrumbs and cheese .  Top with extra breadcrumbs and cheese and broil for a few minutes to crisp!  If the greens look too “wet” don’t hesitate to add more breadcrumbs.  You will find that they are crucial for flavoring the dish. Same with the cheese. So add and taste as you go.

Now tear yourself off a big piece of crusty Italian bread and go to town!  This will serve about 4 people (or just me).

These also freeze great which makes it easy for me to grab a batch out of the freezer for holidays or unexpected dinner guests!

I hope you enjoy these as much as my family and I do. Let me know if you give it a try!

Mangia!

~ Hungry Jax

 

Want more Food Adventures and scoop on local eateries?

Follow Hungry Jax, Chef House, The King and The Big Ragu on Facebook HERE !

Hottest Show in Town

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imgresHere’s one wild weekend with hot food and cool entertainment! Lots of great ‘hot’ people (hot food makers, bloggers and chiliheads) come out for samples, fun, contests, prizes, and great crowds to fill The Oscar Event Center at Jungle Jim’s on October 4th and 5th

Dayton Brew Tour Heads To The Barrel Aged Beer Bash @ Jungle Jim’s

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1vvu35jil9dp5ladjtdj8p0h3cb3wlcmThe Groove Machine is headed to Jungle Jim’s. We’ll do the driving, but you need to get your own ticket.

Get The Details

Friday, January 17 | 7:00 – 9:00pm
At The Oscar Event Center at Jungle Jim’s International Market

There will be over 30 different types of barrel aged beers available from a variety of brewers. Available for sampling will be rare beers covering a variety of tastes and styles, all aged to perfection. We’re sure you’ll find some new favorites as well as enjoy the classics. A brandy snifter, the glass of choice for a true barrel aged experience, will be provided to commemorate this event. So get your glass and experience some of the finest barrel aged beers around!

Barrel aged beer has a rich history dating back many centuries. For over 400 years, beer has been stored in barrels and aged to a bold, complex taste. Barrels are often made of oak and many have been previously used for bourbon or wine to further enhance the layers of flavor. Barrel aged beer can mature anywhere from a couple of weeks to over a year. There are no exact rules when it comes to producing a quality barrel aged beer, but the end result is a brew that holds its own against the toughest critics.

General Admission: $35

Purchase your ticket for the tasting at http://www.junglejims.com/barrelagedbeer/tickets/

Purchase your ticket for a Brew Tour Ride at
http://www.eventbrite.com/e/brew-tour-to-jungle-jims-barrel-aged-beer-bash-tickets-9947151197

Jane’s Best Bets (4/27 – 5/1)

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Photo Credit: Alli Shillito

I hope you were able to find many Easter eggs, and that they had some good things inside!  I just found a bunch of empty ones (true story, just ask the Easter Bunny).  Regardless of what was in or not in your Easter eggs, I’d like to provide you with an “inside” look at what is going on in Dayton this week!

On Wednesday, watch the Dragons as they play the West Michigan Whitecaps.  If you enjoy opera, make your way to the UD Opera Workshop Performance.  Get those dirty little secrets out of the closet at Wiley’s with the Dirty Little Secret Speakeasy.  Don’t worry, it’s a variety show featuring many different types of performers, so you really don’t have to reveal anything about yourself!  Hungry AND thirsty?  Participate in the Belgian & Euro Craft Beer Dinner at Spinoza’s.  At the Loft Theatre, catch Permanent Collection.  And finally, make sure you stop at Baskin Robbins for their 31 Cent Scoop Night!  For those of you who don’t like to do math, that means date night will only cost you 62 cents…or, ice cream for a family four will only cost $1.24!

On Thursday, have a Girls Night Out at The Melting Pot.  If you’re a boy, then don’t go there…well, on second thought, you may want to go since there will be a pretty good ratio for you!  Since the weather is getting warmer, you may want to attend Five Rivers MetroParks’ Intro to Smart Cycling.  Head to Oregon Express for a wonderful combination of beer and theology (and their amazing pizza too!) for Dayton Theology on Tap.  If you don’t feel like cooking dinner, head to the Dayton Canoe Club for their Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser.  At the Dayton Art Institute, you can listen to the sounds of the DPO Concertmaster & Friends.  Permanent Collection, although not permanent, will still be playing at The Loft Theatre.  And over at Fifth Third Field, see some Dragons and “Tin Men,” as the Dragons play the Fort Wayne Tincaps.

On Friday, get up bright and early and head to The Pub for a Royal Wedding Brunch.  If you love horse racing and beer, you won’t want to miss The Kentucky Ale Trail: Horses & Hops, which will start at Jungle Jim’s.  I just found out that another specialty grocery store, Trader Joe’s, discontinued one of my favorite items (salmon and spinach crepes), so I would be very much interested in going to the Kids Crepe Making Demo which will be going on at the PNC 2nd Street Market.  Bid on some wonderful, one-of-a-kind pieces of art at the DVAC Annual Art Auction.  If you’re out in the Oregon District, head to Oregon Express for Half-Price Happy Hour Pizzas and Old Skool Acoustic Duo…featuring cover tunes by some great artists including Journey!  Or make a stop at the Trolley Stop to listen to The Eric Jerardi Band.  Some other musical options include Encore Theatre Company’s BIG fat CONCERT SERIES, vol. II – ‘I Feel So Much Spring’ and the University of Dayton Jazz Ensembles.  Wear your green and take the kids to watch the Dragons vs. Fort Wayne Tincaps…which is also McDonald’s Friends & Family Night.  At the Dayton Liederkranz Turner German Club, you will be able to celebrate Spring Bierfest.  And finally, some Friday theater options include Centerville’s Hello, Dolly!, Permanent Collection at The Loft Theatre, The Wizard of Oz at Baum Opera House, and Zoot Theatre Company’s Phantom Tollbooth at the Schuster Center.

On the last day in April (Saturday), learn Smart Cycling Basics at Five Rivers MetroParks’ St. Clair Building or participate in the 5k Run for the Health of It at Archers Tavern.  Avid readers will want to attend the Dayton Book Expo 2011 at Sinclair.  Head to South Park to see some beautiful homes for their Historic South Park Spring Home Tour.  Some art options include Sound Bites: Short Talks about Art at the Dayton Art Institute and the Free Artist Workshop at the Dayton Visual Arts Center.  Any Germans out there?  If so, make plans to attend the Spring Concert, followed by the Westphaelische Beef Rouladen Dinner (I’m part German but I have no clue how to say that) at the Dayton Liederkranz Turner German Club.  If you haven’t yet, consider getting tickets to one of the many shows going on:  Phantom Tollbooth at the Schuster Center, The Wizard of Oz at Baum Opera House, Hello, Dolly! at Centerville Performing Arts Center, Gem City Ballet Victoria Theatre Gala (at Victoria Theatre), ETC’s BIG fat CONCERT SERIES, vol. II – ‘I Feel So Much Spring’ at Color of Energy Gallery, Permanent Collection at The Loft Theatre, or The Apple Tree at Stivers School for the Arts.  And if the weather is nice, you’ll be able to catch the Dragons as they play the Fort Wayne Tincaps at Fifth Third Field.

On Sunday, get off the couch and participate in the Kettering Medical Center Walk for Women’s Wellness at Carillon Historical Park.  At the Dayton Masonic Center, attend the Graeter’s Symphony Sundaes Series: The Symphonic Sibelius…complete with ice cream from Graeter’s.  Now how great is that?!?!  At the University of Dayton, attend the Art of Foreseen Beauty – DCDC2’s Spring Concert.  If you can, I encourage you to attend in order to witness some of the most remarkable dancing out there!  If opera is your thing, catch some up-and-comers at the Opera Guild of Dayton Tri-State College Vocal Competition in Kettering.  And if you haven’t yet had an opportunity to do so, luckily the show Permanent Collection seems to be a permanent fixture (this week only) at The Loft Theatre.  Or spend part of the day with Dorothy and Toto (I do love the song “Africa”) at the Baum Opera House for The Wizard of Oz.

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

Three skunks went to church.  The priest made them sit in their own pew.

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!

Jane’s Best Bets (4/20 – 4/24)

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Photo Credit: Alli Shillito

Easter is this coming Sunday, so here’s to an EGGcellent week!

On Wednesday, head to Bruning’s Wine Cellar for their Big-Ass Beer and Cab Tasting.  For the record, those are their words, not mine.  Or make your way to Nick’s Restaurant for the Rock and Roll Wine Tasting.  If you haven’t yet, be sure to sign up to network with other young professionals as part of Generation Dayton’s Speed Networking at the Racquet Club.  Interested in photography but don’t know where to start?  Head to the K12 Gallery for Young People’s Camera Class.  By young, I believe they mean for the young and young at heart.  Over at Fifth Third Field, catch the Dragons as they play the Bowling Green Hot Rods.  And finally, get your tickets to see Permanent Collection at The Loft Theatre.  Don’t let the name fool you…the show won’t be running permanently.

On Thursday, all you green lovers will want to participate in the Dayton Metro Library’s Earth Day Extravaganza at their East Branch.  Over at the Dayton Art Institute, learn how to draw by attending the Third Thursday Drawing Workshop with James Pate…hopefully the event will be a big draw for the museum.  Sing your heart out at with Karaoke Thursdays at Champps Americana or at Karaoke Night at Therapy Café.  And over at the amazing Schuster Center, catch the Zoot Theatre Company’s Phantom Tollbooth at Schuster Performing Arts Center.

On (Good) Friday, all you environmentally conscious people will want to attend the ‘Dump the Pump’ Kickoff at Wright Phantom TollboothStop Plaza Transit Center.  It’s the last day of “no meat” during Lent this year, so bring your significant other to The Melting Pot for their Couples Seafood Fondue Dinner.  And if you don’t have a significant other, you can just have lots of leftovers!  I’m sure that the Beatles would want you to catch the Dayton Theatre Guild’s performance of Blackbird.  If you don’t care about what the Beatles would like, other performances for Friday include Permanent Collection at The Loft Theatre and Zoot Theatre Company’s ‘Phantom Tollbooth’ at the Schuster Center.

On Saturday, learn about Wines for Easter at Jungle Jim’s.  Make your way to church a day earlier (Southminster Presbyterian Church) for Gustafer Yellowgold’s Infinity Sock, An All-New Multimedia Experience.  The New York Times described it as “a cross between Yellow Submarine and Dr. Seuss.”  Art lovers should make plans to attend the Dayton Art Institute’s Sound Bites: Short Talks about Art.  In theater news, you will be able to catch Blackbird at Dayton Theatre Guild or Permanent Collection at The Loft Theatre.  Listen to the music of three legendary songwriters at Victoria Theatre in the performance, Soundtrack of Your Life – featuring Jimmy Webb, Barry Mann & Paul Williams.  Support the ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) with Dayton Acoustic (A Benefit Show) at Blind Bob’s Tavern.  While you’re down in the Oregon District, you can also head to Oregon Express to catch the music of Uncle Rico.

On Easter Sunday, after church and after hunting for Easter eggs, it’s all about eating good food.  There are numerous places offering Easter brunch, including The Caroline, The Winds Café and Bakery, the Hilton Garden Inn, C’est Tout, McCormick & Schmicks, The Hawthorn Grill, Yankee Trace Golf Club, Fleming’s, and Barleycorn’s.  In addition, L’Auberge is offering a 3 Course Easter Sunday Supper.  I hope you all have a wonderful Easter with your family!

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

Why did the Easter egg hide?  He was a little chicken.

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 an eggcellent week Dayton!

Some Like It Hot

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The annual “Weekend of Fire” is a complete consumer oriented show and if you like it hot and spicy you’ll want to head to Jungle Jim’s this Saturday and/or Sunday.  Prepare yourself for up to 75 booths of hot sauces, barbecue sauces, salsas, marinades, mustards, jerky’s, peppers and more from the all ‘cross the USA. The annual event is held inside The Oscar Event Center, located adjacent to the Jungle Jim’s six and a half acre megastore in Fairfield, Ohio, just north of Cincinnati.

Eat The Heat
A fiery food  cooking class is part of the fun. Join chefs on Saturday, 7/31/10 from 11am – 1:30pm and start your visit off with a cooking class (a show admission ticket is included in the price of the class).  You’ll learn techniques for working with hot peppers;  and get to eat all the delicious food that is made and even get the recipes to take with you. Learn to make your own hot sauce at home that will add flavor and flair to any meal!  The class menu includes: Tropical Island Hot Sauce, Spicy Grilled Shiitakes with Ginger and Garlic, Tangy Flank Steak Tampiqueno Tacos, Soul Slaw, Shrimp and Tasso with Five Pepper Jelly, Papaya with Lime.  Beer will be served as the chef’s beverage of choice. $50 per person (includes a good size sampling of everything made in class, a glass of beer, recipes and a ticket to the Weekend of Fire.)

Can You Handle The Heat?
If you think you’ve got what it takes to handle the hot stuff, Jungle Jim’s is giving you the chance to prove it.  Several eating contests will be held during the weekend for you to prove it:

Saturday:

1 pm — Hot Horseradish Eating Contest: Each contestant in this contest will be given an equal amount of horseradish on 10 slices of Wisconsin Bratwurst.

2 pm— Peanut Butter & Jelly Eating Contest: It’s the jelly that’s hot here.

3 pm  — Hot Ice Cream:  ice cream with spices.

4 pm — Hot Cracker Eating Contest featuring Texas Fire Crackers; no beverages are allowed.

5 pm— The Hot Lollipop Eating Contest

7 pm— Defcon Death Match Wings Eating Contest — No hot food showcase can be complete without wings. Sign up at Defcon’s booth on Saturday by 4 pm.

Sunday:

1 pm— The Bugsicle eating contest is for anyone who has ever wondered how many licks it takes to get to the creepy-crawly center of a bug pop. Contestants will be given a Hot Lix Insect Sucker and 10 minutes to get to the bug inside

2 pm  — Hot Ice Cream:  ice cream with spices.

3 pm — The Hot Lollipop Eating Contest

Also new this year are the best in show awards that rate the best hot sauce, the best salsa and the best barbecue sauce; these will be given out at 4 p.m. Sunday.

Get Your Face on a Hot Sauce Bottle!
Personalize your own bottle of Hot Sauce- visit the Face On A Label booth they;’ll take your photo and while you wander your way around the 75+ booths they’ll be putting your photo on a hot sauce bottle.  Then before you leave, stop back to where your unique bottle will be waiting for you. All this for only $5!

Ticket Sales
Weekend of Fire tickets purchased online and will be available for pick up at Will Call. You can click here to purchase WOF tickets online now.  After 5:00pm on July 30, WOF show tickets can only be purchased at Jungle Jim’s Customer Service counter or at the WOF show entrance.Tickets run $7 Per Person, Children under 12 are free.