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

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

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

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

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

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

 

HERE’S THE SKINNY:

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

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

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

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

 

MUST EATS:

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

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

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

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

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

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

The best crepes in Dayton are at Crepe Boheme

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

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

More Honorable mentions include:

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

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

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

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

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

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Fresh Food Adventures at Fresco!

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Do you you hear that rumble? It is your stomach craving affordable gourmet food.  The answer is one of Dayton’s best kept secrets, a little restaurant called Fresco.
World class dishes made from scratch with fresh produce from Chef Jenn DiSanto and her staff are what brings loyal foodies to this one of a kind eatery.  Located at 3141 Far Hills Ave  near the Dorothy Lane intersection in Kettering since 2010, Chef Jenn has been serving her “Mediterranean and eclectic global” menu.  The Big Ragu describes the menu as Food Adventure Central.
Hello .. what’s not to love?  Even the restaurant name is based on their commitment to fresh ingredients.

If you have not heard of Fresco, or have never been there, then this is your wake up call.  Great prices and knowledgeable sous chefs that have experiences cooking outside of Ohio, result in a kitchen that cranks out amazing, extremely delicious meals.

HERE’S THE SKINNY:

— Chef Jenn DiSanto is the only rap-music loving area chef that has studied and worked culinary magic in Belgium, New York, Connecticut and Atlanta.  You can count on one hand the classically trained Dayton area chefs, and Jenn DiSanto is one of them.  So, TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS PRECIOUS RESOURCE and her expertise for priceless dining experiences!

— Clean, casual, yet professional dining room seats about 20 for dine-in lunch or dinner.  Lots of regulars, and a personable staff provide and inviting atmosphere.

Chicken Tortilla Soup: Made from Scratch

— Practically all the dishes use Organic and Local ingredients, with a commitment to FRESHNESS.

— Salad Dressings made from scratch that will tickle your tastebuds.  Typically 5 or more choices on hand every day.

— Healthy menu with Vegan, Vegetarian and Gluten-Free menu options.

— Daily specials feature one of a kind dishes.  For more info, visit frescofood.net or click HERE.

— Catering and meals-to-go are popular choices.  The menu even features the “feed a family of 4 for $28” section.  Food this good at those prices in unheard of in the Dayton area.

— Hours are Monday through Friday 11:30am – 7pm.  Remember, no weekend hours except catering or special private events.

 

In a place where EVERY menu item is spectacular, it is hard to nail down the best.  But like Fresco, Food Adventures never disappoints, so here are our “Must Eats !”

MUST EATS:

— HOMEMADE CHICKEN TORTILLA SOUP:  Made from scratch using homemade chicken stock and fresh ingredients, words like “delicious” don’t do it justice.  The soup is garnished with sour cream, cheese tortilla strips.  Try this soup and you will understand why it is indescribable.  This soup is one of our favorites of all time.

Thai Chicken Sliders are a “Must Eat”

— KALE and CANNELLINI BEAN SOUP:  A perfect fix for the upcoming brisk weather.  This soup is so good, you will make ‘yummy” noises while eating.  The kale is trimmed and cooked to perfection.  It is the right partner to this incredible broth and bean combination.

— THAI CHICKEN SLIDERS:  The Big Ragu says these are the best sliders he has ever had in his life.  The sandwiches have an incredible Thai peanut sauce made from scratch that is added to a shredded chicken mixture.  Topped with lemon grass and ginger pickled cucumbers with basil and cilantro slaw for an addicting punch of flavor.

—ROASTED SALMON WITH MANGO CHUTNEY:  Before roasting, the salmon is seasoned with a house rub.  This is fresh salmon, not frozen and it is perfectly cooked for an amazing taste.  Finishing touches include a homemade mango chutney that is “to die for.”  Sides include potatoes and grilled veggies.  At $15.50, this dish is a steal.  You would pay up to double at fancy restaurants and still not touch the taste of this dinner.   The Big Ragu will go on record as saying this is the best salmon dinner he has ever had.

—SIDE SALADS:  Yeah yeah we know…you think it is just some crisp greens.. but not so fast my friend…  The real attractions here are the homemade dressings.  These “liquid must eats” are made from scratch.   One of our favorites is the White Balsamic Vanilla Bean Dressing.   Other incredible flavors of dressing include Lemon Sherry Vinaigrette, Onion Vinaigrette and a unique Bacon dressing (with no Bacon Fest

lines).    The Big Ragu recommends the Red Wine Vinaigrette as his favorite.  Eating healthy never tasted so wonderful.

Delicious Roasted Salmon with Mango Chutney. Served with crisp potatoes and grilled veggies

Honorable Mention: Grab some handmade Fried Green Tomatoes when they are featured.  They are great to share, but so tasty that we won’t share ours.   We also love the Fish Tacos every Friday.  Attention shrimp lovers, the Shrimp and Grits dinner is pretty good.  Polenta is used instead of  grits, and the combo of creaminess with the vegetables is amazing.   This article would not be complete without mentioning the great Arepas on the menu or the savory Grilled Panini Sandwiches offered.  Oh and did you know you can bring in your own alcohol when you dine in ????

Chef Jenn is one of our favorite local personalities, and her service is as “fresh” as the food.  This locally owned, family business is a must stop for anyone who appreciates homemade food, and culinary expert cooking at its finest.  Looking for a place to eat and want to change things up?  We got one for ya.. and now you know, it’s Fresco.

Want more foodie fun?  Check out Food Aventures on Facebook and “like” us by clicking HERE.  Over 2100 fans cant be wrong. Our first new like get a “free style rap session” with Chef Jen and ourselves.

Check out some of the most amazing photos we have ever posted in our gallery below from numerous Food Adventures to FRESCO !

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Christopher’s Restaurant: Saintly and Sinful

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Mushroom Bisque one of many homemade soups

Some say the food at Christopher’s Restaurant is like a religious experience.  That would make sense because the eatery is named after St. Christopher, the patron saint of travel.  Owner/Chef Chip Pritchard and his staff have developed a cult following with the locals, and a favorite stop of foodies who are passing through town.  Why?  Because it is comfort food.  It is not pretentious, just good solid food.  We met the owners at a farmer’s market and it has been a favorite Food Adventure stop ever since.

HERE’S THE SKINNY:

— Known for their extensive, fresh menu it is a salad, soup and sandwich lovers paradise.

— Vegetarian and Vegan friendly choices make it a favorite healthy dining spot.  Many gluten free menu items to choose from as well.

The Black Bean Burger: not just for vegans anymore

— Breakfast menu that rivals anyplace in Dayton.   Most overheard quote at Christopher’s  “you gotta come back for breakfast.”  Tasty indeed.

— Christopher’s employs two bakers who make the desserts from scratch twice a week.  Check the revolving choices and make sure you don’t miss out on these sinful offerings.

— Thursday nights are “theme nights.”    Probably our favorite time to visit Christopher’s.  Guaranteed great foodstuffs in a fun, inviting atmosphere.  Most recently, we went to Caribbean Theme Night on September 12th.

— Christopher’s uses local farms, local produce, naturally raised beef, organic salmon (from Foremost Seafood), local free range eggs, and organic coffee and teas.

Speaking of which, The Big Ragu and crew have to tell you about …. the MUST EATS at CHRISTOPHERS

Many organic items like Ice Teas served with fresh, local mint sprigs

— THE CHRISTOPHER SPECIAL:  A bacon sandwich with avocado, tomato, Neufantel cream cheese and bean sprouts. We crave this and get nights sweats thinking about this specialty sandwich.

— THE MEZZA PLATE:  House Hummus, falafel, feta cheese chunks, kalamata olives, tomato slices, cucumbers and carrots surrounded by pita chips.  This ain’t your grandparents vegetarian menu…

— BUFFALO CHICKEN SOUP:  Phenomenal homemade soup with a kick better than Pelé.  Eat some and become a Buffalo Soldier like The Big Ragu.

— THE BLACK BEAN BURGER: Even if you are not a vegetarian, you gotta try this delicious and filling burger.

— MUSHROOM BISQUE: One of our all time fave soups is simply divine.  Creamy goodness in every spoonful.

— CARROT CAKE:  The homemade icing will have you saying “dude, seriously?”  Try it, your tummy will thank us.

— BUMBLEBERRY PIE:   Strawberries, raspberries, and blueberries.  Yes, 3 berries, one pie.  Served cold or hot, you can’t lose with this fresh, local creation.  Big Ragu approved !

— TWO GOOD BREAKFAST: Two eggs, two pieces of bacon, two pieces of sausage and two pancakes or French toast.

Delicious, Fresh Breakfast Choices

Honorable Mention: Bacon & Tomato Omelette, Honey BBQ Chicken and The “Decent Breakfast” which features choices of fruit or home fries, choice of meat, 2 eggs and a biscuit, toast or English muffin.

This quaint dining establishment is a great place for a date, or a visit with your grandmother.  Expect great service, as the staff is friendly and very knowledgeable.  The eclectic menu at Christopher’s Restaurant is a great place for a serious eater.  From healthy, to vegan, from ethnic to good old fashioned American comfort food, they have it all.  It fits the bill for practically any occasion.  Best of all, many ingredients are fresh and local.    Give it a try next time you are near the corner of Woodman Dr and Dorothy Lane. They are open Monday – Saturday: 7:30am – 9pm.  They use organic to make meals that are fantastic.

Browse the many dishes in our photo album below from our many meals at Christopher’s.

Love Facebook?  Want some more from your favorite “foodies in their forties?”  Then check out Food Adventures on Facebook   —> HERE

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Harvest Mobile Cuisine: Fresh, Local, & Affordable

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Harvest Mobile Food Truck

The Big Ragu, Chef House and Hungry Jax are no different than other Daytonians.  We have full time careers, love our family, and we chase Food Trucks around town.   As you know, mobile food cuisine is currently ‘all the rage’ in the Miami Valley.

One of our favorites,  Harvest Mobile Cuisine is a Dayton food truck owned by Patrick Sartin, a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America.  After working in various kitchens across the country, Patrick bought a food truck with the goal to offer comfort foods that use local produce at an affordable price.

Harvest Mobile Cuisine is one of the most popular food trucks in Dayton and has a legion of loyal customers.   Follow them on Facebook and check out their website harvestmobilecuisine.com to find out where they are gonna be rolling off to next.  Its a local Food Adventure on the “go” ..

Must Eats:

Nothing better than a Local Wrap in one of the best dining rooms in Dayton… Five Rivers Metro Park

  • Harvest Fries– These are not your average fries!  They are a mixture of white potatoes & sweet potatoes, seasoned with fresh herbs and served with Sriracha ketchup.
  • Humble Farmer– A salad made with Patchwork Greens, a variety of seasonal vegetables, creamy goat cheese and tossed in Harvest Vinaigrette.  One of the reasons we love this salad, is that it’s constantly changing!  Order it one time and your salad might be made with fresh picked strawberries and asparagus…..the next time it might contain sugar snap peas.  You can count on the fact that it will always be fresh!
  • Local Wrap– Our favorite rendition of this wrap so far consisted of Hill Family Farms Chicken, Jackson’s local Strawberries, Asparagus, & Goat Cheese on a Whole Wheat Tortilla Wrap.  This tasty offering is also served with your choice of fruit or Patchwork Greens.  We highly suggest the Patchwork Greens!
  • Harvest Burger– We love Harvest Mobile’s take on America’s favorite sandwich!  It consists of a Turkey Burger, Roasted Garlic aioli, White Cheddar and Patchwork Greens on a warm bun.

Please browse through our photo album below for some killer pics.  Harvest Mobile Cuisine, one of the best Food Adventures on four wheels !

Want daily food fun?  “Like” Food Adventures on Facebook by clicking HERE,

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<a href=”http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/123/1744249/restaurant/Dayton/Harvest-Mobile-Cuisine-Spring-Valley”><img alt=”Harvest Mobile Cuisine on Urbanspoon” src=”http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/link/1744249/minilink.gif” style=”border:none;padding:0px;width:130px;height:36px” /></a>

Homemade Goodness at Sunrise Cafe

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In order to retain our sanity, Food Adventures must leave the “bubble” of the suburbs and get back to food basics.  The village of Yellow Springs, Ohio is the perfect destination to achieve this feat.  Yellow Springs has scenic parks to hike, eclectic shops to explore, and some of the tastiest eateries to fill a belly.  One of our favorite places to eat is the Sunrise Cafe.  Located at 259 Xenia Avenue, Sunrise Cafe offers a full service menu which also includes a kid’s menu.  The quality of food is exceptional due to the fact that they use local produce and don’t own a deep fryer or microwave.  The small dining room is usually pretty packed, so the virtue of patience might have to be drawn up.  Keep in mind…….homemade food takes time to prepare and it’s worth it!

 

We decided to try the Huevos Rancheros which can be ordered in a half or full size portion.  Corn tortillas, black beans, two eggs (with the yolks intact!), salsa, and sour cream.  There is nothing better than breaking the yolk and opening the flood gates onto the black beans for a tasty combination.  The other dish  we tried was the breakfast sandwich which contained local eggs, cheese, and sausage on a homemade english muffin.  No fast food restaurant’s breakfast sandwich can compare!  Higher quality produce and your hands are not dripping with grease!  The sandwich also came with a side of breakfast potatoes which complimented it perfectly.

 

 

Breakfast Sandwich with local Eggs, Cheese, & Sausage on a homemade English Muffin

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Try the Sunrise Cafe the next time you venture to Yellow Springs, Ohio and taste the difference of good, local produce!

Click here if you would like to become a fan of Food Adventures on Facebook!

Check out the full menu and weekly specials from Sunrise Cafe by clicking here![album: http://www.daytonmostmetro.com/wp-content/plugins/dm-albums/dm-albums.php?currdir=/wp-content/uploads/dm-albums/SunriseCafe/]

 

Getting Fresh and Organic with The Food Adventures Crew

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Green B.E.A.N Delivers Fresh Fruit and Vegetables to Your Door

Farmer’s Markets are more popular than ever in a time when our country has an increasing desire for organic food products. People are more aware now than ever of the food they put into their bodies and are striving to improve their dietary habits.  Food Adventures is always trying new things.

You have seen the word “organic” placed on food labels, but what does it mean? Conventional foods can carry harmful pesticides and are fertilized with synthetic chemicals. Organic foods use natural fertilizers, devoid of synthetic pesticides. If you buy organic, you are decreasing your families’ risk of exposure to harmful chemicals. Organic foods also help reduce the amount of agricultural chemicals that affect wildlife and water quality, and organic produce also protect one of our nation’s most valuable resources — top soil. It’s something to keep in mind the next time you are buying produce, and a reason why Farmer’s Markets have been so successful over the years.
Unfortunately, not everyone has access to them.  Food Adventures is grateful for the farm markets in Dayton.

We would like to introduce you to Green B.E.A.N. Delivery.  Sort of a “Farmer’s Market on wheels.” Green B.E.A.N. was started up by three college
friends from Indiana University in 2007, Matt Ewer, Beth Blessing, and John Freeland.  Their common goal is to provide healthy, local food and make it more convenient, accessible, and affordable. B.E.A.N. stands for: Biodynamic, Education, Agriculture, Nutrition(Try saying that fast three times fast!).  Green B.E.A.N. is a grassroots effort; a network of farmers and artisans providing customers with organic and locally made products. John Freeland is the Vice President of Green B.E.A.N. Delivery and contacted us to try out what they have to offer.

Orders are Delivered in Green B.E.A.N Coolers

We went to the Green B.E.A.N. Delivery website and set up our accounts. We found the website to be easy to navigate and place orders.  They have various
produce bins ranging in price from $35 to $49. They also have a ‘break-room bin’ which helps encourage healthy eating in the office.  You can also customize your order by choosing from forty different items that are in season. We decided to let Green B.E.A.N. send us whatever they wanted…..mystery is always more fun!

When the time came for our delivery, we were greeted at the door by a big green bin.  Food Adventure time !!!  This was exciting — like having a farmer’s market delivered right to the front door.  We both opened our bins like kids open up presents on Christmas Day.  Inside sits a cooler with an ice pack so your produce remains cool if you have to work a long day.  We ordered the $35 bin and were impressed with the amount of produce received.  Some of the produce we received included: broccoli, carrots, celery, mangos, avocado, grapefruit, apples, tomatoes, asparagus, potatoes, lemons, spinach, green beans, onions, and pears all fresh and ready to eat! Green B.E.A.N. Delivery also has an option to add groceries to the bins.  Some of the items offered include: dairy, meats, eggs, cupcakes, bulk foods, and beverages.

Lots of Fresh, Organic and Healthy Items to Choose From

When you sign up for Green B.E.A.N, you can choose to receive your bins either weekly or bi-weekly and you can cancel your membership at any time. The bins can either be delivered or you may choose to pick them up. Delivery areas include: Ft. Wayne, Indianapolis, Louisville, Dayton, Cincinnati, and Columbus. If you don’t see your location on the delivery map, give them a call at (513) 761-BEAN (Cincinnati-Dayton) or (614) 352-2845 (Columbus). Check out the website for membership information, recipes, and the online store.

We were very impressed with the quality of produce that we received and highly recommend Green B.E.A.N. Delivery. We would like to thank John Freeland of Green B.E.A.N. for allowing us to take part in a delectable delivery.  We received some incredibly fresh produce delivered right to our front doors without a glitch! Give Green B.E.A.N. Delivery a try by contacting them at www.greenbeandelivery.com or by phone.  Try going organic to improve your health and buy local to help out our communities!

Have you used Green B.E.A.N. yet?  If  so,  please comment below.

Dont forget to visit FOOD ADVENTURES on FACEBOOK and “like” our page by clicking HERE ![album: http://www.daytonmostmetro.com/wp-content/plugins/dm-albums/dm-albums.php?currdir=/wp-content/uploads/dm-albums/greenBean/]