Food Adventures

Ponderosa…. and then there was ONE + win a FREE DINNER

March 20, 2015 By Dayton937 26 Comments

The Classic Baked Potato and Chopped Steak from Ponderosa complete with 1980’s garnish

Oh, how the mighty have fallen.

In the 70’s and 80’s you would have had a dozen of Ponderosa Steakhouse restaurants to choose from in the Dayton area. Now there is only one left. The closing of Ponderosa on Airway Rd, means the only location left in Dayton, is in Englewood. We had been to the Airway restaurant a few times, and decided to trek up into Englewood, holding on to those food memories from the past.

So here we go with our tongue-in-cheek look at Ponderosa. A nostalgic Food Adventure, without much expectations, other than a walk down memory lane, and some laughs.

HERE’S THE SKINNY:

— Located at 602 Taywood Rd, The next closest Ponderosas are at Tri County Mall in Cincinnati, and South High Street in Columbus. There are 9 Ponderosas within a 500 mile radius of Dayton. They are located in Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky.

— Known as a family friendly steakhouse, this place is a throwback to the 1970’s, but is pretty much a buffet today. Now, before you cross your arms and frown like a spoiled brat, only child over the word buffet, give it a chance. There are even sneeze guards, a taco bar, and a couple of soups. Oh, and the wings on the bar are reminiscent of KFC.

The only Dayton area Ponderosa left is this location in Englewood

— The menu still remains mostly unchanged from the 70’s and 80’s, even the salad and dessert bar. See this 80’s commercial: click here. or how about this commerical with Centerville resident Jerry Office.

— What you wont see are the metal plates and metal rails in the cafeteria style of yesteryear. Also gone are the bumpy top signature dinner rolls. They have been replaced with soft dinner rolls.

— The food is better than you would think. It is a good deal for the money, but the people watching is priceless. Also, the food per dollar ratio is high. People at this location are polite, we didn’t have to sword fight like Indigo Montoya with tongs at the food troughs. However, the place gets a little crowded and noisy.

There are a couple “MUST EATS” and you need to get the salad bar and dessert bar with your meal. We think this is a forced choice anyways. So, if your calorie counter spouse or boyfriend/girlfriend starts whining, tell them they aren’t exactly in good shape or athletic enough to give you grief.

MUST EATS:

— RIBEYE STEAK MEAL: The most popular item on the menu is a classic from back in the day. It’s not the Pine Club, but it’s not like the meat has jockey marks on it. We found the steaks to be almost exactly the same as the 70’s and 80’s. Which means you might have to deal with some grisle, valley girl. All in all, not bad.

The Seafood Feast with Salmon was a pleasant surprise

— CHOPPED STEAK MEAL: Big Ragu’s favorite is this classic adult meal, which is really a “kiddie meal.” Let’s be honest, it is just a burger without the bun. But it’s not bad, especially if you use some A1 or Ponderosa Steak sauce, which is strangely close to Heinz 57 steak sauce. Another tip: You may want to get the Cheeseburger meal which is almost the same thing, except the bun, cheese and bacon option. “The King” tore it up, and liked it.

— SEAFOOD FEAST WITH SALMON: This meal came like a bat outta hell from nowhere and surprised us. The salmon tasted good, and the fried shrimp was respectable. The shrimp skewer has that Ponderosa grill flavor as well. Definitely the dark horse of the menu.

In the mood for a throwback? A nostalgic walk down memory lane, and are you starving? Then consider Ponderosa, the dying breed of buffet steakhouses with only one location hanging on. Hanging on for 50 years that is. They have over 40,000 fans on Facebook, so somebody loves this place.

Dessert bar anyone ????

The restaurant stays busy, from humming seniors with walkers to unsupervised kids, it is never a dull moment. But actually… the food may surprise you a bit.

*** Let’s celebrate Ponderosa’s 50th year in business.. If you comment below on why you love Ponderosa, one lucky winner will win a romantic dinner with the Food Adventures Crew at the Englewood location. Good luck, one winner will be chosen next week at random, one comment only per person, please. See you at the ranch…

Want more Food Adventures from the crew that leaves no plate unturned? Follow the daily antics of Dayton’s favorite foodies Chef House, The King, The Big Ragu and Hungry Jax on Facebook by clicking HERE.

Make sure you check out our photo gallery below, from our trips to the magical world of Ponderosa Steakhouse.

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Drive Thru Pizza Hits Dayton

March 12, 2015 By Dayton937 Leave a Comment

Brew & Brews Drive Thru, now serves Fresh, NY Style Pizza

You may have seen the new Brew & Brews Drive Thru that popped up on 741 across from Home Depot. They have the usual drive thru fare, such as beer, wine, pop, chips and candy. But did you know there is now a full blown pizzeria inside as well? Yes ! The addition is called B & B Slices. Now you can get whole pizzas or slices on the go. Whether customers call ahead or just swing by, B&B is sure to have something freshly made to please your pizza cravings.

Yes, a Food Adventure in your car !

HERE’S THE SKINNY:

— The drive-thru joint is called B & B Slices and is located at 326 N. Springboro Pike in Miamisburg.

— B & B Slices owners are Johnny and Michele Rivera former owners of Johnny’s Slice of NY Pizza. So, if are fans of that place, you can expect the same New York style pizzas.

— Other items available include 3 ingredient calzones for $6 and subs for $6.50.

— Everything is produced with fresh dough, made daily by Johnny himself.

— They have not set firm hours yet, but we assume roughly 11:30-7pm is when you can expect the saucy, cheesy goodness of B&B Slices.

MUST EATS:

New York Style Slices – We prefer Pepperoni or Cheese

— SLICE OF PEPPERONI PIZZA: The hallmark, the flagship if you will. These New York Style slices are a great bite on the go, and a match made in drive thru heaven. The slices are big enough to curb your hunger, but wont stuff you. Fold the slice, take a bite and get your craving in a drive-by.

— CALZONES: Homemade, handmade and perfectly made with fresh dough. Pick your favorite 3 ingredients, and get afork for some marinara dipping action. One of the best in the land.

— WHOLE PIES: Load up the toppings or keep it simple with just cheese, you can’t go wrong with a B & B pizza. If you are feeling really hungry, order one of their signature Brooklyn Brawler Pizzas, which is a mammoth stuffed crust style pizza.

Our Food Adventures Crew love fresh, original ideas like this one. The dough is just as fresh as the concept, and Chef House, The Big Ragu, The King & Hungry Jax are suckers for fresh dough. So the next time you are driving down 741 with a little hunger pain, you might want to drive through Brew and Brews for a slice of paradise.

Hungry for more Dayton eats? Then “like” Food Adventures on Facebook by clicking here! Is your preference food porn? Hit us up on Instagram HERE.

Remember, we are not food critics, we just love to eat !

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New Bar Opens in Centerville to Rave Reviews !

March 5, 2015 By Dayton937 6 Comments

The Barnyard Pizza: Pepperoni, Bacon, Ham and Sausage

Bars are bars right? Well, one new spot that just opened in Centerville’s Normandy Square Shopping Center on 725 next door to Big Lots, aims to prove that theory wrong. Mack’s Tavern owner, Mackenzie Manley, will distinguish her place with unique eats, and an old school, laid back atmosphere, that feels like home. Mack’s Tavern has only been open for a few weeks, but since the VIP soft opening, the buzz and feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Food Adventures has already visited the bar a few times, and each trip we notice the beer taps keep rotating, and the menu keeps growing. We have also noticed that the crowds have been steady.

Our Food Adventures Crew is always on the hunt for new and exciting killer food items on Dayton menus. It is our “thang,” if you will. Mack’s impressed us with some kitchen creations, causing us to say her trademark tagline .. “it’s better than expected.” Let’s get to it …

HERE’S THE SKINNY:

Mackenzie Manley, Owner of Mack’s Tavern in Centerville

— MACK’S TAVERN first gained attention by winning The Bloody Mary Showdown, in October, 2014 a few months before their doors even opened. Mack’s came out of nowhere to beat the field of competition and have their drink named the best Bloody Mary in Dayton.

— Owner Mackenzie Manley, is using her previous bartender experience, to create a friendly atmosphere, even for families. Mackenzie said kids are welcome, and asks parents to use discretion on how late they stay (she says before 9 pm seems to be the typical time for kids to head home).

— Hours are 2pm-11pm weekdays and 2pm-2am on Fri and Sat nights. This spring she looks to expand hours to opening at 11am for those wanting lunch Food Adventures.

— They have 12 beer taps and currently are featuring some unique beers like Sweetwater Blue and Konig Ludwig Weissbier Hell. Mack’s Tavern also features a IPA named after her dog, Haze. It is called “Haze’s IPA” and is brewed by RedHook Brewery.

— Mack’s features some wildly inventive cocktails. The Angry Orchard Ale with Oak Heart Spiced Rum is just one of them. It is called “Chewys Hogtail” named after the stuffed boar above the bar she has nicknamed Chewbacca. Other drinks include the “Kitty on a Triscuit” with Bombay Sapphire Gin, Watermelon Pucker and orange juice. Or how about the drink named after her dog, Haze. A “Sweet Haze” is a mix of Corzo Silver Tequila, Blue Curacao and pineapple juice.

All these drinks need to be soaked up by some food. Here we go the patented section of the article, where we display our MUST EATS for Mack’s Tavern.

“Chewy’s Boar Bombs,” are Pork Niblets tossed in a delicious glaze sauce

MUST EATS:

— THE BLOODY MARY: Our first must eat is a “must drink.” Come on, if you win Dayton’s best Bloody Mary contest, your drink kicks some serious butt. No brainer here.

— MACK’S SIGNATURE MAC N CHEESE: Served piping hot in a casserole dish, small or large this is cheesey goodness at it’s best. We love the bread crumb toppings for a perfect crunch. They have a few variations, but our favorite is the CHICKEN PARM MAC n CHEESE.

— BROWN BOTTLE CHEESE DIP and PRETZEL STICKS: This is all about the dip, bout the dip, no pretzel. This thick beer cheese dip will melt you. The Food Adventures Crew could drink a glass of this stuff. The flavor is out of this world.

— CHEWYS BOAR BOMBS: They look like wings at first, but they are pork ‘riblets.’ These bites are on the bone and tossed in an amazing glaze sauce. This was the Big Ragu’s favorite menu item of them all. The pork is cooked perfectly, and the sauce will have you licking your fingers like a kid.

Chicken Parm Mac N Cheese, one of Mack’s Signature Dishes

— NOT YOUR GRANDMA’s BREAD: Naan bread topped with feta cheese, spicy sauce, and drizzled with spicy sour cream. The whole thing is toasted, until the toppings are melted. We have never had anything like this in a bar, that’s for sure. Creative and delicious. A Food Adventure on Naan Bread.

— THE BARNYARD PIZZA: Pepperoni, Bacon, Ham and Sausage toppings. Hint: all their pizzas are good. Take the veggie pizza called the “Tree Hugger.” for example which has black and green olives on it with mushrooms, onions, banana peppers and green peppers. Our our favorite name , The “PMS” Pizza. It has Pepperoni, Mushroom and Sausage.

Honorable Mention goes to the Salsa served with chips. It is a smoky tasting salsa, made from scratch and is the secret recipe of Mack’s brother, Jacob. It is addicting !

Mack’s Tavern has plans to expand the menu even more to include a Bourbon Bacon Pulled Pork that will be smoked on site. Also look for burgers to be added to the menu in the near future.

Mackenzie’s dog, Haze, has his own IPA

So you can see, Mack’s Tavern is not your typical bar. Sure they have dart leagues and pool tables. We want to mention that they have some of the friendliest bartenders in town. Mackenzie of course, and Gabby, Stacy and Tiffany always have a smile on their face. Good food, good drink, good people, good times. Check out Mack’s Tavern for yourself and tell Haze and Chewy that the Food Adventures Crew said “woof.”

Want more foodie fun from The Big Ragu, Chef House, The King and Hungry Jax ? Then follow FOOD ADVENTURES on Facebook by clicking HERE and “liking” their page. Be sure to browse our gallery below for the sneak peek into MACK’S TAVERN’s food and atmosphere.

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Hungry Jax Shares A Recipe From Her Hometown: Utica Greens

March 3, 2015 By Dayton937 2 Comments

“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 !

Buttercream Bliss at The Cakery

February 26, 2015 By Dayton937 1 Comment

Classic Cakery: Chocolate Cake with Buttercream Icing

DISCLAIMER: You may need a tall glass of milk in order to read about our latest Food Adventure.

When the Big Ragu asked Hungry Jax to name one of her favorite places to eat in the Dayton area, she didn’t even hesitate to yell out “THE CAKERY!” She went on and on about their buttercream frosting and how it reminded her of a bakery back in her hometown. So when an opportunity arose to highlight this local bake shop for an article, Hungry Jax about bit off Ragu’s hand claiming this mission! Sure, Chef House, Big Ragu and The King have had a delicious Cakery cake here and there at Birthday Parties, and have even picked up a cake, but our stops have mostly been drivebys. Not the case with Hungry Jax, who’s obsession with the greatness of the Cakery has made her a mini-expert. So on a cold and snowy day, the Food Adventure’s crew ventured out again to see what Hungry Jax was so hyped up about. And we were not disappointed with this full blown Food Adventure!

From buckeyes to wedding cakes, The Cakery can satisfy any craving big or small! This family owned business has been around for almost 20 years, and once you taste their products, you’ll see why! The Cakery opened in July of 1995 (located at 140 Woodman Drive). In 2008, Tom and Karla Kennedy became the third and current owners. Their daughter, Jamie Burchfield, had started working at The Cakery in 2002 after graduating from pastry school. Jamie started out as a cake decorator and most recently has taken on the role of Office Manager after the birth of her second son last year. After seeing a rising need to serve their loyal customers from Jamie’s hometown of Troy, OH and the areas north of Dayton, the Kennedy’s expanded the business. In May of 2013, the Troy location opened (1875 W. Main St.) and has been going strong ever since. We had the privilege of sitting down with Jamie to learn some delicious and fun facts about their crafty creations.

This is our kind of 6 pack!

HERE’S THE SKINNY:

— The Cakery prides itself on baking all of their goods “in house” and they have the grocery list to prove it. At 1,000lbs of powdered sugar and 200lbs of butter per week, The Cakery ensures that each and every creation is of the best quality and taste!

— There are three main traditional frostings offered for their cakes and cupcakes: Buttercream, Chocolate Buttercream, and White Vanilla Cream. Each week they go through 25 five-gallon buckets of the traditional Buttercream, 8 buckets of their Vanilla cream, and 3 of the Chocolate! But the flavors don’t end there. You’ll also find cupcakes topped with snickerdoodle frosting, lemon, strawberry, peanut butter, caramel, orange cream and more!

— The peak season for weddings tends to be from May-October. During this time, The Cakery averages anywhere from 6-10 Wedding cakes per weekend! And don’t worry Brides, Jamie will ensure that your vision for the cake of your dreams is met. The artists behind the scenes, have made cakes taller than Kindergarteners with all different types of embellishments from fondants and fresh flowers, to pearls and candles. Check out the gallery on their webpage to see some of their amazing creations!

— Zagat.com voted their buckeyes as “The Best in Ohio” and most recently honored as Dayton Magazine’s “2014 Best in Dayton” bakery, beating out other top local confectioneries!

MUST EATS:

— CHOCOLATE CAKE with TRADITIONAL BUTTERCREAM FROSTING: Keep it classic Dayton. You can’t go wrong with indulging in this mainstay. The chocolate cake is moist but not too dense. And the creamy buttercream frosting has just the right amount of sweetness without being overpowering. This is an annual combination for Hungry Jax’s birthday cake! The Big Ragu has enjoyed these at many parties. For The King, it was love at first bite.

Chocolate cupcake with buttercream frosting!

— SNICKERDOODLE CUPCAKE: Yes, you read that right. The beloved cookie has been transformed into a cupcake that will leave you wanting more! This cinnamon sugar cupcake is topped with an equally delightful cinnamon frosting.

— ICED BUTTER COOKIES: A soft cake-like sugar cookie topped with the traditional buttercream frosting. You can buy these strait out of their display cases or order them to be decorated for a special occasion!

— BUTTER CREAM SHOTS: Fan of frosting? Well here you can buy a shot-sized dollop of buttercream to indulge in. Be aware though, side effects include an immediate rush of pure joy and contentment that will leave you wanting more! We love crazy foodies who do butter cream shots with us.

—CREAM PUFFS These little puffs of joy are filled with a light and creamy mousse. Absolutely terrific, The Big Ragu and The King claimed these as their favorite.

— Somewhere over the the “RAINBOW CAKE“: This cake is a layer cake sold by the slice. The layers are actually the tops of cakes that the bakers shave off when leveling out a cake prior to decorating. Instead of wasting these perfectly delicious cake shavings, the bakers created a layered cake out of them, alternating the cake layers with strawberry preserves and buttercream frosting. This cake varies slightly from day to day depending on what types of cakes are being made.

Rainbow Cake: No pot of gold is necessary at the end of this rainbow!

— FLAVORED CUPCAKES: Along with the traditional cupcake flavors of chocolate and white cake, you’ll also find a large variety of specialty cupcakes. Orange cream, strawberry lemonade, strawberry cream, peanut butter and jelly, almond, and banana are just a few. Each of these are topped with unique frosting s to complement the fun flavors of the cake.

— FILLED CUPCAKES: In addition to the tasty flavors, The Cakery also creates cupcakes that are filled with frosting, mousse, or custards. Some flavors are cookies and cream, key lime and chocolate truffle.

— BUCKEYES: Zagat.com got it right! These peanut butter filled bites of delight are truly some of the best around! The King could have eaten a couple dozen of these things.

Honorable Mention: Gourmet cakes that deserve mention are the Carrot Cake, Spice Cake, and Humming Bird Cake (tropical cake made with pineapple and coconut with an apricot filling). The King, loved the carrot cake. Also, don’t forget the Layer cakes, which can be filled with a variety of fruit preserves, fresh fruit, custards, mousse and more!

The choices and combinations of cakes and desserts are endless! Cakes start around $17 and cupcakes at $1.50. If you have a special order to place, be sure to give them at least 2-3 days notice to ensure that the bakers can meet your needs.

If you’re a bride, it’s highly recommended you book them once you have a sate set as their schedule fills up fast. They also have a variety of goodies you can order, such as brownies, tarts, pastries, cookies, and other treats that you can indulge in.

Shots are on us !

So, the next time you have a sweet craving or need a cake to celebrate a special event, let the creative team at The Cakery meet your needs. Stop in and try some of these tasty treats and let us know what you think! Check out their website for more information, or follow them on Facebook!

The next time you are hosting a party, and need some desserts, stand up on your chair and announce to the family.. “LET THEM EAT CAKERY !”

Please browse of photo gallery below, and leave your comments about The Cakery. We would love to hear your take!

Follow Food Adventures on Facebook for more foodie scoop from all over Dayton !

We are not food critics, we are just four people that love to eat !

You can check out our weekly feature articles here on Dayton Most Metro every Thursday.

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Food Adventure Scoop: Our Fave Olive Oil Store Coming to Austin Landing!

February 19, 2015 By Dayton937 Leave a Comment

“The Spicy Olive” carries the highest quality of Olive Oils and Vinegars!

Finally, we can let out a secret we have been dying to share with our fellow foodies for months! One of our favorite shops is tentatively set to open at Austin Landing in May, 2015. It is called The Spicy Olive and can satisfy any pallet of needs! This unique tasting emporium carries a large variety of specialty olive oils and balsamic vinegars that are of the utmost quality! And yes, you’ll get to taste them all! Looking to amp up the flavors in your kitchen? Need to find your favorite cook a gift? Want a fun place for a foodie date? Look no further than The Spicy Olive !

The Food Adventures Crew appreciates not only great places to go out and eat, but also places that will bring the flavors of high end dining right into your own kitchen! And dear foodie friends, this place does just that! For the past couple of years we have been heading down 75 south to the town of West Chester, and using Spicy Olive’s products. Hungry Jax introduced the rest of the Food Adventure Crew and we were hooked !

As you all know, we typically feature Dayton foodstuffs. So, when we found out they were coming to the Gem City, we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to highlight this unique and delicious shopping experience! There are so many incredible oils and vinegars to sample. Rest assured, your Food Adventures Crew tried them ALL! And you’ll find a decent stock pile of them in our own home kitchens at any given time!

Melanie Cedargren, owner and founder of The Spicy Olive

HERE’S THE SKINNY:

—While eating her way through culinary masterpieces on her travels to Italy, owner and founder, Melanie Cedargren fell in love with the rich and pure quality of FRESH olive oil. So much so that she was inspired to bring back this freshness and superb taste. And we are SO glad that she did! In September of 2012, her dream came true and she opened her first store. It is a unique shop that allows you to taste and combine any and all of the oils and vinegars offered.

— Cedargren and her staff (many of whom started as loyal customers), run two stores south of our Gem city: one located in West Chester (7671 Cox Lane, West Chester, OH 45069) and the other in Cincinnati’s Hyde Park (2736 Erie Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45208). The third store will be at Austin Landing, and Food Adventures is the first to spill the beans on this new location! At each store, you will find around 20 different olive oils and specialty oils along with 30 balsamic vinegars! But you won’t get overwhelmed with options, because the staff has made it easy for you to combine flavors and even provide recipe cards to help you create culinary masterpieces!

— The Spicy Olive, prides itself on the fact that their oils are purchased using a “bi-hemispheric” model, ensuring that the freshest oils are purchased during peak seasons. These oils travel from Italy, Greece, Spain, South Africa, Brazil and many other places all depending on when their peak season is. The balsamic vinegars are all aged 12-18 years and are imported from Modena, Italy! These oils and vinegars are then infused by their supplier, Veronica Foods Co. in California. The Spicy Olive is different from chain olive oil shops as they (and their supplier) pride themselves on not being a franchise, allowing them to keep their business more personable and their products of highest quality.

Each bottle is filled for you right on the spot!

— Bottles are filled on the spot for you and run anywhere from $11-$25. Also sold are specialty olives, jams and spices from local vendors! Need a gift? Here you’ll find gift baskets as well fun pasta and serving dishes. At the West Chester store you can also purchase fine wines from “UnCorked at The Spicy Olive”, ran by Scott Hau, located in the back of the store. Also offered are cooking classes with local chefs! And if that wasn’t enough, they have started a cosmetic line that is based with their pure olive oil and fragranced with essential oils! These products are also all natural.

Like we said, we literally have tried every oil and vinegar in this store. We have compiled a list of our favorites. They are a list of what we feel are the best flavors, and best successes we had, when cooking at home with these products.

The list is big, but they are all MUST EATS !

MUST EATS:

BUTTER OLIVE OIL: Yes, you read that right. The world of butter and olive oil have united and created something that you can indulge in without feeling the guilt! Hungry Jax frequently uses this on homemade popcorn for a healthy alternative! It’s also great for roasting vegetables!

VERMONT MAPLE BALSAMIC VINEGAR: Your mouth will be very happy to taste this one! The sweet, but not over powering flavor of the real maple syrup dances deliciously with the balsamic vinegar creating a product that you can drizzle on chicken, salads, fruit and so much more!

TUSCAN HERB OLIVE OIL: This is one of their top sellers! And it’s not secret as to why. The flavor combinations of the herbs infused of oregano, rosemary, sage and garlic provide a complete package to toss this with some pasta and top with fresh Parmesan cheese! Or you can just grab hunk of crusty bread and dip away! Again, the possibilities are endless!

Proper storage ensures that light and temperature do not decrease the quality of the products!

ESPRESSO BALSAMIC VINEGAR: Who knew that coffee and vinegar could work? Well it does. Try making your self a glaze to top off a steak with this one! Spicy Olive suggests pairing this with the Blood Orange Olive Oil for a flavorful pork marinade!

BLOOD ORANGE OLIVE OIL: Another big seller! There is no mistaking the citrus zip that this oil has! This oil is infused with REAL orange. Replace the oil in your favorite brownie recipe with this!

HARISSA OLIVE OIL: Like spice? Well this oil will help kick up the heat in any dish you serve it! Roasted chili peppers, cumin, garlic, cinnamon and caraway are flavors that pack this oil with it’s flavorful punch!

TOASTED SESAME SEED OIL: This is like no other sesame seed oil that you have tasted. Go out and buy a wok. Trust us, you’ll want to stir fry everything in this oil! The Big Ragu had struggled for years, but was never able to get that”Chinese Restaurant” taste to his stir fry dishes. This product finally solved his problem, and the aroma in the house is like Chinatown!

STRAWBERRY BALSAMIC VINEGAR: Vinegar on dessert? Yup. It works. Drizzle this beauty on top of your strawberry shortcake and you’ve just wowed your guests with a layer of unexpected flavor.

Homemade Cheddar Popcorn

SICILIAN LEMON WHITE BALSAMIC VINEGAR: One of the Big Ragu’s favorites. Use this when pan searing calamari, shrimp and scallops. We have had great success cooking with this vinegar, but it makes a great salad dressing when mixed with olive oil ! We eat in on spinach salad most!

FROG JAM: Figs, Raspberries, Oranges and Ginger make up the flavors of this jam. On toast or on crackers, it will make your morning shine. you will never think of the word “frog” the same way again!

Honorable Mention: The Cilantro and Roasted Onion Olive Oil is fantastic with seafood. So is the Milanese Gremolata Olive Oil with its garlic, lemon and mint flavors from Italy.

We can go on and on with all the flavors they offer! Garlic, Wild Dill, Basil are just a few more of the olive oils. The gourmet line of oils include Truffle Oils, Sesame, Almond and Walnut. Ever try Lavender Balsamic Vinegar? Well here you can! What about Mango? Dark Chocolate? Blueberry?

Can’t wait until the Austin Landing opening in May? Then head on down to one of their Cincy locations today and check it out! Melanie and her staff are ready to take you on a culinary journey that will have you coming back for more! Explore, because your kitchen will never be the same again.

The Spicy Olives products are high quality because they supervise how, when and where the olives are pressed, to the flavors they are infused with, and even down to the proper way to store them. The Spicy Olive elevates olive oil and vinegar to create superb dishes beyond your salad bowl! Don’t miss stopping into this store in the future. your kitchen will never be the same. Olive this place, well …we all do!

Please check out our photo gallery below of The Spicy Olive’s products and how we put them to use!

Want more scoop on Dayton food happenings? Follow Hungry Jax, Chef House, The Big Ragu and The King on Facebook by clicking HERE.

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Dayton’s Housemade Sauces: Taking Oregon District by Storm

February 12, 2015 By Dayton937 1 Comment

Taking the Oregon District by Storm

A local company called HouseMade, has been heating up the local food scene with their sauces, particularly the HouseMade Sriracha sauce. Ground zero of this inferno seems to be the Oregon district. Lovers of spicy food have delighted in the surge of sriracha around the Fifth Street area. The cause of the local warming of the taste buds is Dayton area Chef, Leanne House.

HERE’S THE SKINNY:

— Chef House developed her signature sauces throughout her culinary career, but only started bottling them last year. Since that time the bottles have exploded in popularity.

— The past 12 months have definitely been a whirlwind for her. In that time she has grown her business 1000 fold, joined the blogging team of Dayton Most Metro’s own Food Adventures Crew, and accepted the job of Executive Chef at Mudlick Tap House. She will be launching her new menu in the coming weeks. Did we mention that in the same time frame, her sriracha sauce won 1st place at a hot sauce competition in Louisiana, and her hot honey sauce won 1st place at Jungle Jim’s Weekend of Fire event?

— Whats her secret? It is twofold. First she uses Ohio grown peppers, and everyone knows Ohio produce rocks. Secondly, her workers take the time to peel the stems off of each and every pepper. Other sauces leave the stems on, but there are no bitter pepper stems in her sauce !

— Dayton homeless charity, HOMEFULL, is growing peppers this year for Housemade. They will team with Ohio farms Folsom and Pine Farm, in Columbus, who will start the seeds. Homefull will grow the plants to maturity, and expect to grow over 1000 pounds of peppers this year. The eventual goal would be to grow all the peppers needed for the year here in Dayton, creating more jobs at Homefull, thereby benefiting Dayton’s homeless population. Housemade is all about giving back to the community.

Chef House in front of her Housemade Sauce Display at Dorothy Lane Marrket

— Housemade Sauces and other products have crept their way through the nooks and crannies of the Oregon district, or as she has named it, the “Oregon Trail.”

Here are places in the Oregon District area that have Housemade Sriracha sauces and products in stock, or feature them in their food menu:

THE “OREGON TRAIL” INCLUDES:

1. THE OREGON EXPRESS – Their “SRIRACHA PIZZA” is one of our favorite pizzas of all time

2. SPICE PARADISE – Local spice grocer has sauces and rubs for sale

3. LILY’S BISTRO – They feature the local sriracha in their kitchen and are one of the only restaurants in Dayton to feature the sauce in their bar drink offerings

4. TOXIC BREW COMPANY – Porn or prawn beer & bloody beers featuring Lily’s bloody Mary mix and Housemade Sriracha

5. LUCKY’S TAP ROOM & EATERY – A recent addition to the “Oregon Trail,” having just bought some Sriracha to feature on their menu

6. THE TROLLEY STOP – Not originally in the trail, but they are another recent addition. Look for them to feature the sriracha in their menu and maybe bar drinks

7. ECLECTIC ESSENTIALS – Art, Jewelry, antiques, and now Housemade sauces and products !! One of our first vendors!

8. CLASH DAYTON – Art gallery, clothing store, and a great place to get Housemade Sriracha! One of our first vendors!

9. THE DUBLIN PUB – Now featuring Housemade sauces at their restaurant

10. WHEAT PENNY OVEN & BAR – Has recently featured the locally made sriracha on their pizzas

HouseMade has over 60 vendors throughout Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky.

Full list of Dayton Vendors CLICK HERE . Full list of Dayton Restaurants featuring Housemade CLICK HERE. List of Columbus, Cincinnati, and more vendors CLICK HERE

Housemade now offers Salts & Rubs

MUST EATS:

— HOUSEMADE SRIRACHA: The flagship sauce. Sweeter, bolder and better than the srirachas you are used to. No bitter stems in this locally made sauce !

— HOUSEMADE HOT HONEY: This Thai Chili hot honey makes anything it is drizzled on taste amazing. Warning-highly addictive.

— HOUSEMADE SALTS & RUBS: One of a kind rubs for your meats including: Tomatillo-Serrano, Thai Chili and Smoked Sriracha flavors respectively. Spice up your life with these babies!

— HOUSEMADE JAMS: Limited availability. Our fave flavors include Vanilla-Pear and Pineapple-Mango ! Homemade and one-of-a-kind fresh tastes.

What is next for Chef LeeAnne House?

She will be featuring quite a few of her products at Mudlick Tap House.

The Hard to find Jams from Housemade are Extremely Delicious

1. Tomatillo serrano smoked salt in the fresh greek yogurt cheese ( I am making this)

2. Sriracha in the house made chorizo

3. Sriracha in the pimento cheese

4. Hot Honey will be appearing in Chef House’s cakes. Mudlick Tap House will have a daily offering of fresh cakes at the bar. It will be one of the first things you see when you walk in.

Chef House’s lifelong passion has been the culinary world. She was raised in area restaurants owned by her parents. In recent years, she has been lucky enough to share kitchens with some of Dayton’s best chefs. Benefit from her hard work, by getting some of the best sauces on the planet! Get on the bandwagon and join the thousands in Dayton that are eating up the Sriracha sauce and other HouseMade creations.

Check out more of CHEF HOUSE and the FOOD ADVENTURES CREW here on FACEBOOK !!

Feel free to browse the gallery below of Dayton’s own, Housemade Sauces !

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White Castle: Yes or No ? Comment to Win a Crave Case of Sliders !

February 5, 2015 By Dayton937 40 Comments

Nothing like the smell of a White Castle. Same applies 5 hours later

The White Castle Hamburger in its Natural Habitat

Sliders. People either love them or hate them. Only Food Adventures would tackle such a volatile subject. What is your opinon? We need your vote by commenting below, and there is a prize at stake. We ask the question: White Castle….. YES or NO ?

One lucky winner will be chosen at random to win a bonus prize. If you win and your vote was YES, you get a Crave Case of 30 White Castle hamburgers. Eat them yourself or give them as a gift to your favorite foodie.

If you win and your vote was NO, we can negotiate another burger gift card (Voltzys or Hamburger Wagon, etc).

But this is your chance to be heard.

Do you crave their food or do you despise it? Stand Up! Be Heard !

White Castle….. YES or NO ?

WHERE DO THE FOOD ADVENTURES STAND?

CHEF HOUSE: “My vote is NO. I seriously don’t eat fast food.”

HUNGRY JAX: “My vote is YES. They remind me of my mom’s ‘steak umms’ sandwiches, so for me it’s nostalgic.”

THE KING: “My vote is NO. This vote is based on the after effects.”

White Castle: Do you love ’em or hate ’em ?

THE BIG RAGU: “My vote is YES. The secret is, don’t eat more than 4 at a time, and you will crave them again.”

HERE’S THE SKINNY:

— White Castle locations in the Dayton area are a dying breed. Only 2 remain, one at 5201 Salem Bend in Trotwood, and one at 6901 State Route 123 in Franklin. The next 2 closest locations are in Middletown and South Lebanon. But the chain, still has a cult following.

— The first White Castle hamburger was served in 1921 in Wichita, Kansas. However, since 1933 the company’s headquarters have been in Columbus, Ohio

— For all you romantic types, every year on Valentines Day, White Castle offers to reserve a candlelit table for two, complete with a server.

For those of you who have never had the pleasure of a White Castle burger, Hungry Jax and The Big Ragu scoured the menu for our “MUST EATS. ”

Onion Chips: the Crispy Catalyst, for a Full Experience

MUST EATS:

— CHEESEBURGERS: The tiny hamburger patty has 5 curious holes punched in the meat, like a #5 on a 6 sided dice. It is steam-grilled with onions and topped with cheese and served with pickle on a bun. Some people grab some ketchup and mustard packets to add later, others are purists and eat them “as is”

— HAMBURGERS: Same as above, but with no cheese. This is the famous “slider.” People have been known to throw down 10 or more of these bad boys. Caution: It is nicknamed “slider” for its gastro intestinal wrecking power of sliding in, and sliding out.

— ONION CHIPS: Delicious and addicting. But beware, these are the catalyst for stomach grumbling and mixed with sliders, can produce super powered “Dutch Oven” options at night.

— DOUBLE CHEESEBURGER: This sandwich is White Castle’s big hunk of burning love. This is a double stacked cheeseburger and is surprisingly filling. Two of these and you are good to go.

Now, it’s your turn. We need you vote thumbs up or thumbs down to White Castle. Yes or No to Slider utopia !

PLEASE COMMENT BELOW FOR A CHANCE TO WIN !

For more crazy and original foodie fun, check out FOOD ADVENTURES on FACEBOOK by clicking here !

Browse the gallery below for the myth and legend of White Castle Hamburgers.

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Hasty Tasty Waitress Enters 41st Work Year

January 29, 2015 By Dayton937 2 Comments

Betty Has Served over a Half Million Customers in 41 Years !

Sometimes on our Food Adventures, we run into a personal story that is extraordinary. Such is the story of a waitress at the Hasty Tasty Pancake House on Linden Avenue. Her name is Betty (last name witheld by request). She, herself is an icon at one of the most iconic eateries of Dayton. For 41 years she has hustled and bustled, promptly serving food to patrons. Now 75 years old, she shows no signs of slowing down and still runs circles around people half her age.

Betty’s tale is one of hard work and dedication. She is very humble and never seeks praise or admiration. Betty never complains and very rarely calls in sick.. She is a throwback to when waitresses were truly career waitresses. She possibly holds the record for current servers in the Miami Valley for longevity. We know of no other current server who boasts 41 years at the helm. What an amazing accomplishment!

She has seen owners of the restaurant come and go, and has served many regular customers, some of whom have since passed away. She has been the constant in the revolving world of pancakes, sausage and “Tasty Burgers.”

The Food Adventures Crew is honored to present the scoop on the legendary “Betty from The Hasty Tasty Pancake House.”

HERE’S THE SKINNY:

— It all started in September 1974, when Betty, formerly a stay at home mom to 5 boys, took a job as a waitress in the same year her first grandson was born.

— If you want to visit Betty, she works Tuesdays – Saturdays, 3pm -10pm

— Betty made a conservative estimate, telling us she averages about 50 customers a day. Food Adventures did some math and figured 50 customers a day, 5 days a week, for 40 years, means she has served approximately 520,000 people. That’s enough customers to fill up the Nutter Center 50 times.

Click to Enlarge These Magnificent Pancakes

— Her most famous customer? Red Allen, a famous Bluegrass singer. Betty says he was a good ole’ Kentucky boy who loved to regularly order beans.

— Her oldest customer? A man who lived to the ripe old age of 103 years old. He was a regular at the Hasty Tasty Pancake House, which gives many of us foodies hope that pancakes are healthy for you!

— Although Betty does not own the Hasty Tasty, it is like a family business to her. Her son Chuck, is one of the cooks on staff

— Her secret to success? She drinks a lot of Kool Aid and has fun at her job. “Your job has to be fun,” she says with a smile.

Betty has a great sense of humor, and is one of the sweetest, most attentive servers we have ever encountered. Congratulations Betty on starting year #41. We wish you many more years of success and happiness.

Is this article making you hungry? Are you craving the food at Bunny’s Hasty Tasty Pancake House?

Then let’s not waste anytime showcasing Food Adventures patented list of MUST EATS at the Hasty Tasty !

MUST EATS:

— THE PANCAKES: This is a no brainer. This place is a Dayton icon named the pancake house.. you get the pancakes, Einstein.

— THE TASTY BURGER: Hasty Tasty’s slightly bigger version of the Frisch’s Big Boy sandwich. And guess what, it is just as good, right down to the tartar sauce… if not better.

— ALL U CAN EAT FISH FRY: $7.25 for all you can eat deep fried pollock filets. You get sides like homemade bread and the incredible cole slaw. Add a side of shrimp for 99 cents !

Betty and Her Son Chuck who is a Cook at Hasty Tasty

— THE PECAN WAFFLES: This one also blew us away. The bottom line is they do breakfast right. Available all day, every day. Oh so good.

— FRIED CHICKEN DINNER – This is the Parkmoor’s original recipe. For those that don’t know, Parkmoor was a Dayton restaurant icon in the 1960’s. The chicken is crispy, delicious and a HUGE serving !

— CHICKEN AND DUMPLINGS: Thursday night special that will bring you back to your mom’s or grandmas kitchen table. So much comfort food, so little time. We found paradise on a plate. Keep the trendy, pretentious stuff. This is where their staff eats after work.

If you have not visited The Hasty Tasty Pancake House, get your butt in there. It is a greasy spoon with great eats and cheap prices. Tell Betty we sent you !!

Want more foodie fun? Join the thousands following The Food Adventures Crew on FACEBOOK HERE . Catch all the food filled antics of Chef House, The King, Hungry Jax and The Big Ragu. We don’t visit a place one time. We make multiple Food Adventure trips to an eatery before these articles are written, so you get a real feel of the entire menu and restaurant. True foodies, we devour it all, NO RULES !

Please browse our photo gallery below from our Food Adventures to Bunny’s Hasty Tasty Pancake House.

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Archer’s Tavern Announces Menu for “50 Shades of Grape” Event

January 20, 2015 By Dayton937 Leave a Comment

Not “tied up” on February 10th ??

Then you should know that the Food Adventures Crew is teaming with Archer’s Tavern and Dayton Most Metro for a one-of-kind Wine Pairing Dinner on that night. Dubbed a “50 Shades of Grape Food Adventure Event,” it promises to be at sold out capacity, with tickets being pre-pay only.

The dinner is a brainchild of Food Adventures with Big Ragu and the Crew, and is obviously timed with the release of the popular book to movie release, “Fifty Shades of Grey.” Archer’s was the perfect venue for this event. Partner Dan Apolito and manager Myron Yoder worked with the kitchen staff to develop a menu that rings true with fans of the book. The result is a 4 course dinner, paired with 4 glasses of wine. The powers that be have chosen to keep the wine pairings a secret, much in the spirit of the blindfolds in the book’s story line.

It should be an exciting night with many door prizes, gift certificates, and giveaways, including 2 tickets to the upcoming movie “50 Shades of Grey.” As always, these Food Adventures always hold many surprises. This one may include a blindfold taste test or two.

Wanna join us?

HERE’S THE SKINNY :

WHEN: TUESDAY NIGHT, FEB 10th, 2015 from 6:30pm – 8:30pm

WHERE: ARCHER’S TAVERN in CENTERVILLE

WHAT: 4 FOOD COURSES, 4 WINES

COST: PRE-PAY ONLY – LIMITED SEATING $35 per person, includes the tip

HOW: TICKETS MAY ONLY BE BOUGHT ONLINE THROUGH Dayton Most Metro –> CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS BEFORE IT SELLS OUT !

MENU ANNOUNCED !!!

COURSE # 1: BACON WRAPPED MISSION FIGS STUFFED WITH BLEU CHEESE, to be served with a mystery wine #1

COURSE # 2: SEASONAL MELON AND PROSCIUTTO SALAD, to be served with mystery wine #2

COURSE #3: COCOA AND CHILI RUBBED FLANK STEAK, WTH A COCOA MERLOT REDUCTION SAUCE, to be served with mystery wine #3

COURSE #4: LEMON SYLLABUB, a light and creamy parfait like dessert, to be served with wine #4

We are excited to be a part of the menu showcases of Archer’s on this fun filled evening. Get your tickets before they sell out !!

The entire Food Adventure Crew of Chef House,The King, Hungry Jax, and The Big Ragu will be in attendance autographing any of your fuzzy handcuffs, gray ties and boxer shorts that you bring to the dinner. We are also happy that Dayton Dining’s Lisa Grigsby will be joining us!

If you are a Dayton area foodie, then make sure you like Food Adventures on Facebook HERE !

Feel free to browse our photo gallery below .. Mr Grape will see you now ….

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Flavors in Centerville Offering Healthy Meal Plans “To Go.”

January 10, 2015 By Dayton937 1 Comment

Zucchini Boats from Flavors are Delicious !

Today, The Food Adventures Crew shows you an easy way to keep your New Year’s resolutions for healthy eating. Flavors in Centerville continues to launch their “Meals by Flavors” option, where you can plan your healthy meals for the week. You can pre-order 1 meal, or as many as you want. Imagine that, full on, healthy Food Adventures in convenient packages!

We all love Flavors Eatery for their one-of-a-kind, healthy food specialties, that taste delicious. They have so many dishes that taste amazing, yet are low calorie, low carb and packed with nutrients. When new owner, Ryan, bought the Centerville location from Elaine and Rich, he stayed true to their menu. One of his visions was adding this meal program that helped him lose weight.

Now, you can get certain meals “to go” and keep your waistline healthy throughout the week. With “Meals By Flavors” you can turn your resolution, into a lifestyle.

To stay skinny you gotta know the scoop.. so here it is…

HERE’S THE SKINNY:

Centerville Flavors Owner, Ryan and his son

— The concept is simple. Stay on track with your diet by substituting legumes and vegetables for your favorite carb foods. The idea is to “fool” your tastebuds into thinking you are eating your favorite foods. A perfect example is using shredded Zucchini noodles instead of spaghetti or pulverized cauliflower instead of rice. The menu is developed to taste good, and deliver all the nutrition and protein your body needs, in a low fat meal. Simply stated, the flavors are so good, you don’t miss a thing because it satisfies your cravings.

— You must email [email protected] to request a menu, and to place your orders too . Orders take approx 48 hours to prepare, and may be picked up at the Centerville location at 865 E. Franklin St.

— Orders are typically packaged in air tight containers, so that when refrigerated, they will last a few days. Some dinners will last longer than others, depending on ingredients and packaging.

— Menu prices typically run between $6 – $12, depending on the dish. Please note: the $12 meals were sometimes enough for two meals, and we have big appetites.

Now, we present a Food Adventures first. Our all-time healthiest list of “Must Eats,” thanks to “Meals By Flavors”

MUST EATS:

— ZUCCHINI PIZZA BOATS with TURKEY PEPPERONI & MIXED GREENS SALAD: Hulled zucchini filled with marinara sauce, spinach, fresh basil, fresh oregano, and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese. The boats are then topped with a little bit of thinly sliced, fresh mozzarella and turkey pepperoni. (In the past we have also seen these offered with lean ground beef). The result is a cross between a pizza and a potato skin, with hardly any calories. Fantastic must eat, at the top of our list.

Stuffed Green and Red Peppers

— FISH TACOS: The fish offered is usually Salmon and/or Tilapia, and sometimes Wahoo whitefish. The fish is seared and served with a cup of spicy Boom-Boom sauce, two low-carb tortillas, and Flavor’s signature salsa loaded with lime and fresh cilantro. It also comes with a side of apple and vegetable slaw lightly seasoned and placed on a bed of fresh baby spinach.

— CHUNKY CHICKEN SALAD: One of our Food Adventure faves, right off the flavors menu! It starts with spinach and romaine salad with hand-pulled roasted chicken. Also packaged are black beans, apple and veggie slaw, sunflower seeds, cheddar-jack cheese, and of course, Flavors House Sauce. Light, fresh and delicious, this chicken salad is a must eat, no brainer.

—ROASTED RED PEPPER PIZZA: The dough is actually a low carb tortilla. It is then loaded with spinach and roasted red, green, and yellow peppers. Add to that a generous portion of chicken and cheddar-jack cheese blend. This meal is served with a side of buttered, poached carrots.

— AVACADO COOKIES: Made with nothing except Avacado these dark black cookies are amazing and a guilt free treat.

Honorable Mention: Red and Green Stuffed Pepper Dinner: A big meal of peppers stuffed with homemade refried beans, roasted chicken, spinach and topped off with salsa. It is served with a side of mixed veggies.

Also the Smoked Brisket Salad deserves a mention. Thinly sliced smoked brisket on a mix of romaine and spinach leaves. Meal also includes apple-veggie slaw. The salad is also topped with a bed of black beans, sunflower seeds, and Flavors House Sauce!

Flavors Eatery always pleases, and their “Meals By Flavors” program is no different. Brillant usues of legumes, vegetables and sauces make guilt free seem so easy.

But our article doesn’t end here…. With Flavors Eatery there are 3 other important things we would like to mention.

**** 3 OTHER THINGS TO NOTE ***

1) The Flavors Eatery in Centerville now serves dinner every day until 9pm, except Tuesday and Sunday. This is great news for many of us that enjoy flavors, but wished they had extended hours. Our prayers have been answered!

2) There is a Flavors Eatery now in Downtown Lebanon, at 4 South Broadway, where Rich and Elaine have expanded their franchise! They are running the new restaurant just like the original ! Stop in and say hello to this great mom and pop team !

3) Bottles of FLAVORS AMAZING HOUSE GARLIC SAUCE are available at Dorothy Lane Market. What are you doing sitting there? Grab a bottle already ! This sauce goes great on anything from chicken and seafood, to salad and nachos.

So get on your computers, email [email protected], and tell them you want the “Meals by Flavors” menu. For those of us with a busy lifestyle, it keeps your diet on track during the week!

Want to keep on track with all the foodie happenings in Dayton? Then “like” Food Adventures on Facebook, and join the thousands that know, we set the cutting edge trends that other follow. Keep up with the Food Adventures crew of Hungry Jax, Chef House, the King and the Big Ragu and comment on your favorite eateries.

Also – check out our 50 photos below of Flavor’s best items !

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Some Opened, Some Closed – 2014 Dayton Restaurant Changes

January 1, 2015 By Dayton937 1 Comment

Murphys Irish Pub opened this year in Bellbrook

Murphy’s Irish Pub opened during 2014 in Bellbrook

Here we go with a look back at last year’s Miami Valley food happenings. That’s right 2014, the year in Dayton food.

Who opened? Who closed?

Dayton Dining & Food Adventures have the scoop on the restaurant movers and shakers of the Miami Valley! So all you foodies, take a stroll with us down memory lane, and don’t forget a fork.

Newcomers to the Dayton food scene are as follows:

**** OPENED IN 2014 ****

1) TAVERN ON MAIN, Centerville: They dropped the Beef O’Brady’s moniker and went independent in 2014. This Centerville pub, features a sports bar menu and 37 different beers on tap.

Peanut Butter and Jelly Sushi from Sumera, Click to Enlarge

2) BASIL ON MARKET, Troy: This summer saw the opening of this downtown Troy restaurant. The bistro style menu features Italian dishes mostly, with steak, Irish and Thai dishes too. Call it a “completely global menu.”

3) TJ CHUMPS, Huber Heights: The local growth continues as this sports bar funds an expansion into the Huber Heights market. What can you expect? More great food from steaks to salmon, as well as casual favorite like burgers and wings.

4) LITTLE YORK TAVERN, Troy: The former owners of LeDoux Restaurant, opened this expansion on Main Street in Troy. People are drawn to their pizza menu and more!

5) AUSTIN LANDING CHAINS, Springboro: The Austin Landing development has a couple of restaurant additions, albeit chains. Firebird’s Wood Fired Grill out of Charlotte, NC is an upscale version of J. Alexanders. Also, a 15 year old breakfast chain, Another Broken Egg, opened to crowds in 2014 at the Landing as well. You may also recall many people going ape over the opening of another chain with a cult following, Dewey’s Pizza.

Sea Jax is another new star in 2014

6) CROSSROADS BBQ, Fairborn: Priding themselves on BBQ cooked low and slow, this eatery also offers wings, pizzas and sandwiches. This family owned spot has a few signature items you gotta see to believe, like the “McGooey.”

7) LA COLOMBIANA, Beavercreek: Authentic Colombian restaurant located near the Fairfield Commons mall. A family owned business, this unique dining experience that promises to be a cultural lesson in Food Adventures.

8) AREPA’S AND CO., Kettering: The 2nd Street market veterans opened a second location in the area of Dorothy Lane and Wilmington Pike. Maybe this is the restaurant that will finally take hold in that location. Attractions are fresh Colombian comfort food, unique menu items and great patio dining in the summer months.

Tuna Tar Tar at Firebirds Grill, the new place at Austin Landing

9) SEA JAX, Centerville: Ron Sweeney teamed with sous chef Renee Cole to develop a menu of Specialty Burgers, Seafood and craft beers on tap. The place has been busy since its opening earlier in 2014 and they’ve just announced they’ll be open for lunch starting Jan 13th.

10) ZETLAND STREET RESTAURANT, Bellbrook: Up and coming chef Zachary Stringer, leads the way on this fine dining menu. With tasty dishes like Bacon Jam Burgers to Ginger Miso Salmon, you cant go wrong.

11) CARILLON BREWING COMPANY, Dayton: Food and Beer Menu inspired by Dayton’s early settlers. Look for a hodge podge of German and Irish inspired dishes, much of them comfort foods.

12) KETTERING GRILL & CAFE, Kettering: Located at 3800 Wilmington Pike they serve breakfast, lunch and dinner. Salads, Sandwiches, Seafood and Burgers seem to be the base of the menu.

13) SUMERA, Kettering: Touted as “the American sushi company,” this place takes a unique direction with the sushi. With inventions like the “Peanut Butter and Jelly Roll,” they make fans of people who aren’t sushi lovers. They also accommodate the sushi lovers with traditional fare.

Winan’s Chocolates is now at The Greene

14) WINAN’S CHOCOLATES, Beavercreek: They opened a presence at The Greene in 2014. It may be a perfect fit for shoppers to relax with coffees and candies while people watching on the patio.

15) THE OLD ARCANA, Arcanum: It’s a bit of a drive through farmland to get there, but the quaint homey feel of this restaurant was a much needed addition to the town. Serving up breakfast, lunch, dinner and some amazing bakery goods, and often featuring live music, too.

Unfortunately, some businesses bit the dust in 2014. The Big Ragu, The King, Hungry Jax and Chef House, fondly remember these now defunct, Gem City eateries.

**** CLOSED IN 2014 ****

1) THE BAGEL CAFE, Kettering: Locally owned breakfast and NY Deli style bagel shop with longtime ties to the Dayton area. In slow decline over the past few years, unfortunately this eatery with the best bagels in town, couldn’t survive the down turn.

2) THE FILLING STATION BAR & GRILL, Riverside: Linden Avenue bar and grill that once housed after-parties for the Gem City roller Girls. We are gonna miss their wings and salads the most. Good news is that some

Are Reese’s Pieces Sundae’s gone forever now that Friendly’s closed?

3) THAT CREPE PLACE: Located in the Greene, they couldn’t muster the revenue to keep up with the rent. Crepe lovers don’t fret, Crepe Boheme at the 2nd Street Market will fill your cravings quite nicely.

4) STACKERS, Dayton: We were sad to see this locally owned sandwich shop close on S. Smithville Rd. The place could not get a break, as it was targeted by vandals and really never recovered from those losses.

5) PONDEROSA, Riverside: Although this long standing throwback near Airway Rd closed, there is still one more Ponderosa franchise in Englewood.

6) TWO CHINESE BUFFETS: Ichiban Seafood Buffet and Golden Dragon Buffet closed in 2014. Both were located less than a mile from each other on 725 in Centerville. Looks like we will have to search elsewhere for mounds of crab legs, and overflowing plates of stuffed mussels and sushi.

7) FRIENDLY’S RESTAURANTS: Five locations closed abruptly in the Dayton area during 2014. Bad news for all of us who love Reese’s Pieces Sundaes and Clam Boats.

We are going to miss the Salmon from Amelia’s Bistro

8) CHAMMPS, Centerville: The unexpected closing of this chain was early in 2014. Since then, we hear a new tenant is slated to move in during 2015!

9) AMELIA’S BISTRO, Bellbrook: We were sorry to see this fine dining establishment go the way of the dinosaur. They had some of the best salmon dishes in the business.

10) HAZEL GRILL, Miamisburg: Located behind the Dayton Mall, this spot housed Dayton’s first Max n Erma’s restaurant for decades. Sadly, the place could never create a large amount of positive buzz. Since Hazel couldnt make it, we suggest Max n Erma bring back the telephone tables and the beer spicket shaped like two giant boobs.

11) TAGGART’S PUB, Dayton: After 17 years at the location on Patterson Rd., Taggart’s closed its doors. We would frequent the bar for special events and Steak Frys after golf outings.

bread [pudding fromRoot 48 made with Bills Donuts

Root 48.. we will miss your Bread Pudding made with Bill’s Donuts !

12) WOODY’S BAR-B-QUE, Beavercreek: Cheap prices, good bbq and incredible homemade pies. This closing hurt us, as we loved the owners and the food.

12) THE TROPICS, Kettering: Rumored to be another casualty in the argument between parking lot rights during Fraze Pavillion concerts. Sad to see, as we loved visiting their restaurant and seeing them at the AMBUCS chili cookoff.

14) TWISTED ROOT / ROOT 48, Centerville: After a car literally plunged into the wall in the restaurant, then called Savona, things never were the same. Another twist of bad luck erupted as the newly named Twisted Root faced a lawsuit to change their name. Now enter Root 48, a casual version of Chef Keith’s creations. For some reason the concept never caught on, and the place closed a few months later.

15) SIDELINE BAR & GRILL: The newly revamped spot on the split of Woodman and Wilmington Pike, in the former Perkins/Starlite location. We are going to miss their killer menu item, Deep Fried Babyback Ribs. Unfortunately the fans never caught on to this sports bar, and it was forced to shut its doors.

16) GRANNY’s 4200 PLACE, Moraine: We sure miss the great breakfasts, especially the biscuits and gravy and the great homemade pies that were a staple of this homey place.

Fried Ribs - only in Dayton at sidelines.. not anymore

When Sidelines Bar closed in 2014, we lost the only Deep Fried Ribs appetizer in Dayton

In 2014, we also saw a Dayton Icon, Neil’s Heritage House, reduce their hours to only holidays and special events

Our Springfield friends who owned El Herradura Mexican restaurant, closed the doors recently, but plan to reopen in 2015. We wish them success.

**** WHAT’S AHEAD IN 2015? ****

THE CORNER KITCHEN, Oregon District: Wow, how times have changed in the Oregon District. Remember Sloopy’s, the drunken 90’s meat market dance club? Well, it is about to house a restaurant that strives to be a “finer diner.” We look for great things from this place!

GINGER & SPICE ASIAN BISTRO, Dayton: This Asian restaurant will be opening in late January on Brown Street. Owner Grace Peng has a long resume of cooking in some top shelf restaurants, including the long gone Steve Kao’s.

EL RANCHO GRANDE, Dayton: Coming to the corner of Stewart and Brown Street, will be opening their 7th area Mexican eatery.

MACK’S TAVERN, Centerville: The yet unopened bar that won Dayton’s Best Bloody Mary contest, is slated to open in January. Stay tuned for a sneak peek at the menu over the next few weeks.

THE DAYTON BEER COMPANY, Dayton: Thirty six taps have been installed and work continues on this 2nd location for Pete Hilegman, one of the pioneers of our region’s brewery explosion. Located at 324 E. Second St, in the old Weiler Welding Building, just a quick walk from the baseball stadium.

PERSIS INDIAN GRILL, Miami Township: In the spot that formerly housed Boosalis Baking (now located in Cross Pointe Shopping Center) it looks like finishing touches are coming on the construction for this modern Indian eatery that will serve lunch and dinner.

AIRWAY KITCHEN, Riverside: Where once there was a Ponderosa on Airway, there will soon be a greek buffet restaurant, owned by the same family that operates the Starlite Dinner.

So we promised not to name names yet, but 2 of our favorite south of town spots are both working on second locations and sadly we know of one other that will cease operations at the end of January…. stay tuned to DaytonDining for all the tastiest news in town!

Did we miss a place? Who did we forget? Please check our gallery below for photos of the new spots, and the other spots that are now closed forever. Also, don’t forget to “LIKE” Food Adventures on Facebook by CLICKING HERE. It’s a foodie paradise…

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Ashley’s Pastries: Rob Lowe & Martin Sheen Love ’em Too!

December 30, 2014 By Dayton937 Leave a Comment

The Sandy Tart Cookie was a favorite on the set of the “West Wing” TV show

“A” list celebrities like the Martin Sheen, Rob Lowe, and of course the Food Adventures Crew, love Ashley’s Pastry Shop in Oakwood.

A small but bustling shop, this family business has developed a loyal following through quality baked goods of all kinds. From cookies and cakes, to pastries and specialty items, this place is a treasure trove for a good Food Adventure. Our own Chef House has been visiting Ashley’s Pastry Shop for decades, and introduced The Big Ragu, Hungry Jax and The King to this place. Now, after a couple months, we are hooked too! It seems the secret to the pastry shop’s success is hard work, friendly service, and the most delicate and delicious pastries in the Dayton area.

HERE’S THE SKINNY:

— Owners Theresa Hammons and her husband Greg, opened the shop in 1982 and named it after their newborn daughter, Ashley. The place is always busy with patrons dropping in and leaving quickly with their bag of goodies, and a smile on their face.

— Ashley’s Pastry Shop has lots of trademark items that are available year round, but they also have an endless array of custom made items. Also, some of the pastries available, change to fit the particular season of the year.

— Professional service and quality foodstuffs make them an easy “go-to” for personalized cakes and cookies for any occasion. They also make homemade pies, dinner rolls and breads in-house!

Theresa Hammons has sent her pastries from Hollywood to Broadway

— The company prides itself on community involvement, and supports many local charities.

— The quaint storefront is located at 21 Park Ave, in Oakwood, and also offers catering, delivery and wedding cake services.

With the literally hundreds of items at this pastry shop, it can be hard to sort through favorites. It will take months of visits before you hone in on your faves. There are so many original items, and that’s one of the reasons that we love this place so much. They set the trends, no copycat stuff here.

Let’s explore those one-of-a-kind items that surpass the best of the best. We present our patented, “MUST EATS !”

MUST EATS:

— GLAZED CROISSANTS: Hands down, the best croissant we have ever eaten. It is part croissant, part doughnut. Light, yet filling, this is a sinful take on the French pastry. Ah, Mon dieu !! Oui, Monsieur. We have never had anything like it anywhere else. Made fresh daily, they produce a ton of them, but they go fast ! Grab one and then thank us later, because this is the “piece de resistance.”

— “YUM YUMS”: A Dayton original. A doughnut folded inside itself, is the only way we can explain it. It is a rich glazed doughnut with a unique design. It pulls apart from your hand to your mouth like a string of cheese pizza sometimes. It is a masterpiece of glazed magnificence, and a MUST EAT on any Food Adventure visit to Ashley’s Pastry Shop.

— SANDY TARTS: A unique twist on a sugar cookie. Cinnamony (is that a word), with a touch of chocolate mousse-like, creamy topping make the cookies irresistible. The cookie is another Dayton Original, like no other. These are the cookies that the TV Show the WEST WING would have delivered to the set on a weekly basis during the show’s run. The cookies were known to be favorites of Martin Sheen, Rob Lowe and Allison Janney, who, of course, are all Dayton natives. We don’t know if “Scrawny Arms Rob Lowe,” ” Hairy Rob Lowe,” or “Creepy Rob Lowe“ like the cookies too.

— THE PECAN SLICES: A Pastry that is part danish and part pecan pie. Again, We have experienced nothing like this breakfast dessert. The pastry is drizzled with icing and topped with pecans. We believe there may be a slight touch of caramel involved too. Original in design and big on flavor, it is a melt in your mouth, flaky slice of love. It is sturdy enough to dip in your coffee. Go for it, the worst that could happen is you knock a little pecan flavor into your cup.

The Glazed Croissant is the best croissant you will ever sink your teeth into

— CARROT CAKE CUPCAKE: There is a reason we give you must eats. Because you might not have never tried this one. Are you a lover of carrot cake? Well this is the flavor and richness of an entire cake in the confines of a huge cupcake. Iced on top with a decorative carrot, the inside is a perfectly moist creation. It is one of those food that when you eat, and try to tell people how good it is, but you just get out a mumbled “oh my gaaaa.” A glass of milk is the perfect compliment to this delicious dessert.

— THE BLUEBERRY DANISH: Made from scratch by people who know the craft. Not an original idea, but one of the sweetest, and flakiest slices of deliciousness we have ever eaten. As you take a bite, the pastries delicate fluff yields to the gobs of blueberry filling staring you right down the pike. Truth be told, we could each probably eat 4 of these. All the flavors of danish are insanely good here. Just keep away from our pile, ok ?

We wanted to throw out a quick “thank you” to the attentive staff who is always so friendly and helpful when we visit, even though they are extremely busy.

There are so many other amazing items at this bakery, that you must see it for yourself. From gingerbread houses, to packed display cases of cookies and cakes, it is a sight to behold. The Food Adventures Crew loves to see places like Ashley’s Pastry Shop thriving after 32 years in Dayton. Stop by the little shop in Oakwood and see how originality, hard work and friendly service has produced magical results.

Please check out our HUGE PHOTO GALLERY below of pastries and more from Ashley’s !

Are you a Facebook foodie? “Like” Food Adventures on Facebook by clicking here, and find your paradise.

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Merry Shish-mas ! Who wants a $20 gift Card to Shish Wraps?

December 19, 2014 By Dayton937 22 Comments

You Spin Meat, Right Round Baby right Round, like a record baby, right round, round round

Twas the night before Shish-mas, and all through the house, stomachs were growling, even your spouse. The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that Shish Wraps Gift Cards, soon would be there.

Food Adventures has your chance to win a $20 Gift Card to Shish Wraps, and check out their fairly new menu. All you have to do is comment on the story below to be entered in the contest. A winner will be drawn next week at random.

Shish Wraps took a hiatus earlier this year to completely revamp their menu. We took this opportunity to write another article about one of our most beloved Dayton places. A second helping of shish for you all, if you will.

They have stayed true to the traditional essence of their food, keeping old favorites and expanding the Mediterranean choices to include more delicious items.

HERE’S THE SKINNY:

The Gyro meat is freshly shaved, like Big Ragu’s back

— Shish Wraps restaurant is located at 1200 Brown Street near the University of Dayton. It is owned by 2 brothers Simon and Tony Abboud, who are Univ. of Dayton graduates who grew up in Centerville.

— The food is fresh and practically everything is made from scratch, from the sauces to the hummus. We are talking the real deal here, with freshness you can taste in every bite. Along with freshness, they promote healthy eats.

— There are now 2 ways the meats are cooked at Shish Wraps:

1) On a spindle called a vertical broiler. This is how the gyros and shawarma are cooked

2) Over flame, on rotating kabob skewers for a char-grilled taste. This is how the Chicken Kebobs and Kafta (ground beef strips) are cooked.

— Affordable cuisine, with meals averaging 6 to 8 bucks.

MUST EATS:

SHISH HAPPENS at Food Adventures: The King, Shish owner Simon, and Hungry Jax

— CHICKEN SHAWARMA: This is the wrap that hooked Hungry Jax on Shish. The chicken breasts are marinated for 24 hours with 7 secret spices. It is then stacked on the vertical cooker and away we go … When someone orders this wrap, they freshly shave the meat off of the rotating spindle. The wrap is filled with french fries, pickles and more. Simon tells us this is the traditional way they eat it in the Middle East. Not only do we love eating it too, we just like saying the word shawarma, .. shawarma,… shawarma, sha, warm, a… Little drummer boy, if you are going to bang the independent restaurant drum, come here instead of eating that dark meat chicken mix crap at Chipotle every week. No rice filler, just good shawarma.

— TRADITIONAL GYRO: Freshly shaved gyro lamb meat, off the spindle is the main muscle for this sandwich. Served in a traditional gyro pita, with tomatoes, onions and house tzatziki sauce. Filling and addicting, this flavor packed gyro has a future brighter that Rudolph’s nose. The King loved his so much, he is craving another one now ! For those who are fowl fans, the chicken gyro is almost as amazing.

Baba Ganoush, All I Want For Shish-mas … is You !

— HOUSE MADE HUMMUS: Only 4 ingredients in this hummus. The biggest ingredient is crushed chick peas. This is real authentic hummus. Shish owner, Simon tells us the store bought stuff is flavored so much, and so much junk is added, it isnt even hummus anymore. Stick with the expert. Try this appetizer, that is light and airy like Santa’s sleigh across the winter sky. An appetizer that is simple, yet authentic.

— BABA GANOUSH: The base is pureed eggplant and Big Ragu’s favorite. Trust us, it is beyond amazing. It is a smoky, hummus like dip, served cold or at room temperature. The appetizer is accompanied with pita chips. This is another item at Shish Wraps that we like to say as much as we love to eat, especially while watching Wedding Crashers.. or A Christmas Story. Baba Ganoush, ba ba gaaa noush

— SHISH CRISPS: Deep fried pita chips, tossed in cinnamon and sugar. Right now they are served plain, but they are toying with serving them drizzled in a caramel sauce, or side of chocolate dipping sauce. Stay tuned for improvements on this delicious dessert.

We also have to stress that the staff is friendly, helpful and informative on the nutritional value of the ingredients. A big thanks to Simon Abboud who is always welcoming when we visit.

Honorable Mention Foods: Tabouli – a healthy choice of parsley dashed in olive oil and garlic, that is freshly chopped in-house. Spices right off the vine, and no canned tomatoes here! It is seasoned with the perfect amount of lemon juice.

Click to enlarge this juicy Kafta, cooking on an open flame

The Kafta Plate – Kafta roasting on an open flame, Jack Frost nipping at your nose. Served with 2 sides, it is delicious. Or try Kafta Wrap which is pretty much a beef shawarma, with a kafta beek link for the meat. Deliciousness on the go.

Speaking of which, it is time for us to go, but before we do….

Chef House, The King, Hungry Jax and The Big Ragu wish you and your family a safe and wonderful holiday season….

And the Food Adventurers exclaimed as they drove out of sight “Merry Shish-mas to all, and to all a good bite !”

Sink your teeth into more Food Adventures HERE ON FACEBOOK !

Check out our photos below from our many trips to Shish Wraps.. If you havent been there, you gotta try it, you won’t believe this shish …

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Beer & Dinner Event Gives Chance to Meet Brewery Owners

December 12, 2014 By Dayton937 Leave a Comment

Six Ohio Beers, Four Dinner Courses, One Night Only

Ever wanted to meet the owner of your favorite local or regional brewery? December 18th may be your chance.

Big Ragu and the Crew and Dayton Most Metro are teaming up again to bring you another EXCLUSIVE, one of a kind, Food Adventure. The result is a “craft beer lovers dream come true.” They are partnering with some of the areas best breweries and restaurateurs for a unique experience.

Stone House Tavern in Waynesville is hosting this first ever, IPA HOLI-DAZE Beer Tasting and Dinner Course Pairing. The ONE-NIGHT-ONLY event is an educational celebration of Ohio beer and some of the best India Pale Ales.

HERE’S THE SKINNY:

— Dan Apolito, part owner of Stone House Tavern, and his staff have coordinated with 6 breweries. The result is a once in a lifetime showcase of the region’s stellar IPA’s, paired with Stone House Tavern’s popular menu.

— The Food Adventure event will be held Thursday evening, December 18th, 6:30-8:30pm at Stone House Tavern, in Waynesville. Many attendees will stay after the event mingling for a meeting of the “beer minds.”

— The intimate setting will allow each brewery owner and/or brewmaster to explain the origins of their brewery, and the various steps in creating their distinct beers. There will also be a chance to ask questions and mingle with the masters. When else will get you get a chance to give input, ask questions or pick the brain of Ohio’s best brewers?

— Each attendee will be treated to 6 beers and 4 dinner courses, for the price of $30, which includes the tip! A great deal for an opportunity of this kind.

— Door prizes, souvenirs and giveaways will be provided by Food Adventures, Dayton Most Metro, Dayton Dining, Stone House Tavern, and the breweries.

— Tickets are pre-pay only and seats are limited (no refunds). Get yours before it sells out. Tickets may only be bought online BY CLICKING HERE Makes a great, unique Christmas Gift!! As of Friday afternoon 12/12/2014, less than 20 seats were available…

THE SHOWCASED BREWERIES THAT WILL BE ON HAND INCLUDE:

*** YELLOW SPRINGS BREWERY, YELLOW SPRINGS, OHIO:
NATE CORNETT, Owner and Brewmaster will be at the tasting presenting his India Pale Ale.

*** RIVERTOWN BREWERY, CINCINNATI, OHIO:
JASON ROEPER, Owner and Brewmaster will be sharing info on his nationally recognized beers.

*** DAYTON BEER COMPANY, DAYTON, OHIO:
PETE HILGEMAN, Owner and Brewmaster is going to be at the event, with his special take on brewing.

*** LOCK 27 BREWING:
STEVE BARNHART, Owner and Brewmaster will explain his journey into beer making, and his philosophies on craft beer.

*** WARPED WING BREWERY, DAYTON OHIO:
One of their Brewmasters will be on hand to interact with the crowd and discuss their popular product.

*** MADTREE BREWING COMPANY, CINCINNATI, OHIO:
One of their special Brewmasters will be at the event, informing attendees about their Ohio brewed IPA.

THE PLANNED MENU PAIRING IS AS FOLLOWS (subject to change)

What is better than beer and wings ?

*** COURSE # 1: Stone House Tavern Spinach Salad with a special homemade, house dressing

*** COURSE # 2: White meat, Boneless Wings tossed in a Signature Spicy Garlic house sauce

*** COURSE # 3: Philly Cheese Steak Sandwich with sauteed onions and peppers

*** COURSE # 4: Homemade Cinnamon Bread Pudding from scratch

This event is an informative, fun setting which promises to be a blast. Do you love craft beer?

If so join the Food Adventures crew of Chef House, The King, Hungry Jax, and The Big Ragu and enjoy an unforgettable night of celebrating Ohio’s best India Pale Ales, and learning insider scoop on some of the regions most popular breweries!

For more insider scoop on Food Adventure events, “LIKE” Food Adventures at www.facebook.com/foodadv

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Holiday 2014: Give the Gift of DAYTON FOOD !

December 11, 2014 By Dayton937 Leave a Comment

New Flavor from Boston Stoker: Killer Brownie, available at Dorothy Lane Market

Stumped on Christmas gifts this year? Tired of the same old, same old?

Today, the Food Adventures Crew offers up some unique Holiday Gift ideas, guaranteed to please any foodie on your list. Heck, it will please anyone on your list who eats.

The King, Hungry Jax, Chef House and The Big Ragu have gotten their list of foods and they’ve checked it twice.

So without further delay, check out the new styles on display as Food Adventures presents the….

** 2014 CHRISTMAS “MUST TREATS” – Our favorite Dayton Food gifts for the Holiday season.** (and even a couple gifts just outside Dayton)

— BOSTON STOKER’S KILLER BROWNIE FLAVORED COFFEE: Two Dayton originals collide to form a chocolaty, caramel flavored coffee that is brand spanking new. Grab some at your local Dorothy Lane Market’s Boston Stoker coffee desk, where is it flying off the shelves. At $15 bucks, the 12 ounce bag should last into the new year, without breaking the bank. With that being mentioned, we all agree, you cant’ go wrong with ANY coffee gift from our hometown favorite, Boston Stoker. Speaking of Killer Brownies….

Killer Brownie Tray at Dorothy Lane Market

— KILLER BROWNIE TRAYS FROM DOROTHY LANE MARKET: They cut the brownies into fourths for tiny bites of the most rich, delicious brownie on earth. And you can ship this sinful treat nationwide. Have a family member that doesnt like chocolate? Ship them some Blonde Killer Brownies. Hungry Jax ships her mom some of these every year. Dorothy Lane can be the mecca of local gift food ideas.. like our next item for example.

— LAURA’S COOKIES at DOROTHY LANE MARKET: Yes, there is a Laura and she has been baking her recipe cookies at Dorothy Lane Market since 2000. Eat them local, or ship them nationwide. Discover why DLM sells 40,000 of these cookies each December. Laura’s Cookies are sugar cookies with almond flavoring, and topped with icing. Icing designs can be Christmas and holiday trademarks, or even animals and sports themed. While you are at it, get something for the party. Just go a few yards across the store and get some DLM Spinach Dip for the crowd pleaser in you.

—PIG OF THE MONTH BBQ: Local entrepreneur Lea Richards cooks up perfectly smoked barbecue ribs, award winning pulled pork, specialty sausages, gourmet bacon, BBQ sides, and lip-smacking Award Winning BBQ sauces— and they’ll ship them right to your loved ones . Their Pig Starter kit includes a rack of ribs, Pig of the Month Jerky, a pound of bacon and a pound of pulled pork- what meat lover wouldn’t want to open up that package? For real decadence, their chocolate covered bacon is a must! And speaking of holiday giving- check out the DaytonDining facebook page as we kick off our 12 Days of Giving for a chance to win a $25 gift certificate to Pig of the Month!

— GROWLERS FROM ARROW WINE: Arrow Wine has a great little growler station where you can fill up a bottled gift for your local friends or family. It typically features local beers, Ohio beers and other regional ‘hard to get’ favorites on taps. As you may know, many of the local breweries and restaurants also offer growlers to go. Chef House says Toxic Brewery and Boston’s Bistro in North Dayton are on top of her list for growler choices. Opening today, Germantown’s Mudlick Tap House is just one of the 35 places in the region to fill a growler.

You can ship Cassano’s Pizza’s nationwide for Christmas gifts

— CASSANO’S HOME EDITION PIZZAS: Yes, the frozen version of Cassano’s Pizza makes a great gift for that thin crust lover. They have 3 pizza types available: Cheese, Pepperoni and Deluxe. Call ahead a day or 2 and they will have your order ready at the Stroop Rd Headquarters Location. These pizzas are 80% cooked and you just need to warm them in the oven for that great Cassano’s taste. You can give this gift to any local foodie, or have these pizza’s shipped nationwide in dry ice. Get your order in by Dec 15th ton ensure delivery by Christmas. For more info go to Cassanos.com

— GLAZED CROISSANTS FROM ASHLEY’S PASTRY SHOP IN OAKWOOD: Want heaven in a pastry? These croissants are amazing and the perfect treat for Christmas Morning. Wrap them up for a present, or keep them for yourself. Go ahead and be selfish, we won’t tell Santa.

— DAVE’S DAWG SAUCE: The mustard sauce that is made in Centerville is sweeping the area. The stadium mustard style sauce comes in “Spicy Hot” or “Mild Medium”. It is fantastic on, of course, hot dogs. It is tangy and delicious. But why limit it there? Try it on Reubens, or hot ham and cheese sandwiches during the winter months. There are so many applications for this. Heat up someone’s winter with a squirt of Dave’s Dawg Sauce. Give the gift of Dayton in a bottle ! There is a reason the domain name is theworldsgreatestsauce.com

Dave’s Dawg Sauce – Made in Centerville, Ohio

— DISALVO’S DELI & ITALIAN STORE: An incredible array of Italian wines, meats and cheeses. This is a perfect place for that gourmet gift you are looking for. They will custom make Christmas Baskets for you, or you can buy one of their pre-assembled ones. Uniqueness points here, for sure.

— WARPED WING BREWERY’S CANNED BEERS: Any local grocer has these 4 pack cans of beer in three flavors: Ermal’s Belgian Style Cream Ale, Flyin’ Rye IPA, and 10 Ton Oatmeal Stout. This gives you a variety of choice for the gift recipient. Does the person like hoppy beer? Go for Flyin’ Rye. Do they like lighter beers, hit them up with Ermal’s. Dark beer lover? That calls for a 10 Ton Stout. All of these beers are brewed and canned in Dayton. That is something that hasnt happened in the Gem City for many decades. In fact, this is the first Christmas since 1950, that canned Dayton beer is available for Christmas.

Custom, Hand Made Boxes of Candy from Esther Price lets you Customize Your Gift

— CUSTOM MADE BOXES OF CANDY FROM ESTHER PRICE: Ok, we know Esther Price anything is a big Christmas hit, but did you know you can create your own custom made box for $18. The candy box is the typical size you see in grocery stores, not the small one, but not the big one either. Hate coconut creams, or always wanted to throw out certain candies form the assorted pre-made boxes? Where here is your chance to make a box of candy tailored to your loved one or a friend. Maybe they love milk chocolate covered cherries and turtles, or the dark creams and peanut butters best. Whatever the combination, you will be their new hero when they see that familiar red bow, and realize it is a custom made pack tailored to their tastes!

Hot Honey Sauce from Housemade Sriracha – Perfect gift for your foodies friends

— HOUSEMADE HOT HONEY SAUCE and HOUSEMADE SRIRACHA SAUCE: These sauces are the hottest thing in Dayton, and we mean popularity wise. Stores can hardly keep these sauces in stock, so you better grab some where you can. THIS LINK will help you find the sauces. The Sriracha won a hot sauce contest in Louisiana, and the honey sauce won 1st place at Jungle Jim’s Weekend of Fire, so the reputation is there. Let us be honest, we loved this sauce before Chef House was a part of the Food Adventures crew. Now, we just are more on top of new products and sauces! Are the Housemade sauces hot? Yes, but not crazy, so you can control the heat in any circumstance. What will steal your heart is the taste. Flavor is everything, so give the gift of Dayton’s hot sauce, this cold winter.

— DAYTON GIFT BASKETS FROM DOROTHY LANE MARKET: The baskets are typically made up of Montgomery Inn Sauce (yeah we know it is Cincinnati), Jump’s Peanuts, an Esther Price box of candy, Pine Club House Dressing and some Dorothy Lane Market Potato Chips. These run about $40 or you can make a custom basket, and prices would vary. The good news is it is already wrapped and you can ship them anywhere. Check with a DLM staff member for details.

Now for Honorable Mention, we have a couple of ideas just outside of Dayton, that still make great gifts…

— THE SPICY OLIVE in WEST CHESTER: This is a quaint olive oil and vinegar shop in a northern suburb of Cincinnati, and it is worth the trip. It is a perfect place to find gifts, and our friends and family treasure these gifts as some of their favorites. Click here for their website and address.

Dayton Gift Basket – customizable or pre-made at Dorothy Lane Market

—BROTHERS DRAKE APPLE PIE MEAD: Take a trek to Columbus to visit this Meadery. They make their products using local honey, and the result is a one of a kind spin on wine making. It is a Food Adventure in a glass. They never use sulfites and pride themselves on premium ingredients. Check out their website here for address and more info. While in Columbus, you might want to stop by….

— MIDWEST SPIRITS‘ OYO WHISKEY: Here is a little known secret to Daytonians that is an hour away. Love Whiskey? Why drive south to a distillery, when you can get the good stuff in Ohio? Looking for a perfect gift for that boozehound on your list? Look no further. Your Christmas shopping just got a whole lot easier. So smooth you will crave it, so good you will obsess over it.

One last suggestion, and this one comes from “The King.” Don’t get your loved ones a fruitcake under any circumstances .. at least not until we find a good local one that will set your world “a glow.”

There are many more places to find great food gifts in Dayton. From the 2nd street market, to gift certificates to many locally owned, incredible restaurants. This article could go on for days. But these are a few of the holiday suggestions we have at a glance.

Do you have any suggestions for great Dayton Food Xmas Presents? Please comment below!

NOW, GIVE US A CHRISTMAS GIFT – “Like” us on Facebook by clicking HERE. You can also follow us on Instagram at #dayton_foodies

Browse the photo gallery below for more Food Adventure fun. As always, these are our original photos.

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