Things to do in Dayton | Restaurants, Theatre, Music and More
The Coldwater Cafe’s Chef Katy has just release a new lunch and dinner menu you can enjoy while relaxing with friends in the European styled dining room or unique Bank Vault dining room. Regulars will rejoice the return of the fried green tomatoes to the menu along with lots of new dishes to try.
After dinner, enjoy one of the many homemade desserts and an after dinner cocktail.
Dayton Barrel Work is excited to announce that three of our spirits won GOLD at the 2022 U.S. Open Whiskey and Spirits Competition. After nearly two years of producing some of Daytons’ finest spirits we are getting our reward.
Originally based in Springfield O, and later based out of Dayton O, Altschul’s Distillery was renowned for two things: mail order shipping of their whiskey to most of the U.S., and the genius marketing mind of Small Sam Altschul. Small Sam believed in quality, service, and first-class treatment of their customers. The second offering in our Legacy Series, where we honor the brands and flavors of our past with this smooth 8-year-old Corn Whiskey.
Gypsy Queen Absinthe BlancheDuring the mid-1800’s, Matilda Stanley and her tribe called Dayton home. Her wealth was accumulated via horse trading, fortune telling, and as a mesmerist. Upon her death, 20,000 people came from all over the country to pay tribute to their fallen Queen. Our colorful and worldly blend of botanicals deliver the essence and soul of this amazing spirit. Like the Gypsy Queen herself, it evokes the wonder, good fortunes, and the eternal wandering of the unknown.
A spirit and brand dormant for over a century. Once a point of pride for our region and a brand widely known all over the world, Miami Valley Rye Whiskey is a name no longer forgotten and destined to become an old dusty bottle sitting on a shelf. Distilled with 95 percent Rye content, this delicious Rye Whiskey is meticulously selected.
We hope that everyone will come out and join us in celebration on April 30 at our Spring Spirit Showcase, held at the distillery at 318 E.2nd Street in downtown Dayton. Tickets include samples from more than 50 spirits, commemorative rocks glass, live music, and more and are available on Eventbrite.
This guest post was written by Bill Hockett, Head Distiller for Dayton Barrel Work.
For Tofu lovers! From top left – Tempeh with tofu, Mom’s Tofu, Tofu Formosa, and Vegetable Delight.
Let’s be blunt: Wingstop Inc. knows their wings are the ultimate munchies and that 4/20 is a sacred holiday for their guests. So, in celebration of the most chill day of the year, the wing joint is honoring their cannabis-loving fans with a limited-edition, 4/20-inspired flavor called Blazed & Glazed, available starting on April 18 in restaurants nationwide.
As the company notes, these wings won’t get you high, but the “sticky, sweet, smoky and herbal flavors will ignite your senses and create a tingly sensation.” The Blazed & Glazed is a limited-edition wing flavor made from a combination of hemp seeds, terpenes (the natural chemicals that cause plants to smell a certain way), strawberry and cayenne pepper. The wing name, of course, is a nod toward the stoner term “blaze & daze” — the opposite of “wake and bake,” it refers to smoking marijuana right before going to sleep.
“Some of our biggest fans aren’t just pairing their favorite wings with seasoned fries,” Marisa Carona, Wingstop’s chief growth officer, said in a statement.
With this launch, Wingstop is tapping into a massive marketing trend as the legalization of cannabis continues to grow throughout the U.S. Eighteen states and Washington, DC, have legalized marijuana for recreational purposes, with more adding legalization to the ballot.
4149 N. Main Street,
Dayton, OH
Open 11:00 AM to 9:30pm
Offers Delivery
About two weeks ago the doors to The Last Queen Gastropub opened on East Main Street in Enon. The 49 seat eatery is rustic and charming serving up british classics, ale and more. Upon entering you grab a table, then head to the bar to place your order at which time you’ll be given a wooden spoon with a number and a British Character on it. We got Harry Potter, but spotted Winston Churchill, The Queen and Idris Elba on other tables in the dining room. When ready, a runner brings your food to the table.
On Saturday and Sunday from 9:30am – noon they serve a traditional Full English Breakfast with local eggs, grilled tomatoes and mushrooms, sausage, bacon baked beans and toast.
The lunch/dinner menu offers “Bite with A Pint” like roasted spicy nuts, an olive mash with cracker and a small very basic charcuterie board.
Here’s the full menu:
As expected the fish and chips were very good.
The bar was well stocked and you can even enjoy a flight of whiskey.
The sticky toffee pudding was spot on. The also offer tiramisu, crafted by Grist Provisions and a rotating assortment of ice cream flavors from Hartzler Faimily Dairy.
The menu identifies locally sourced items as well as vegetarian options.
Once the patio is open there are another 40 or so seats available
937-340-6032
Hours
Tues – Friday: : 4pm – 10 pm
Saturday: 9:30am – 10pm
Sunday: 9:30 am – 2 pm
Parking is available on the side and behind the eatery. Tell them Dayton Dining sent you!
Whitted has operated Thai Kitchen at 8971 Kingsridge Drive behind the Dayton Mall since 2017. After a major remodel of the old Geez restaurant on Far Hills, she opened Thai Table in March of 2021. Whitted shared that “Thai cuisine has becoming more popular in the Dayton area, and I want to explore some new ideas.” Somehow between running both restaurants she found time to answer our questions.
This may sound pretty basic, but I love to cook with rice! In Asian cuisine, rice is an important main ingredient. The variety also gives you so many options to choose from, like long grain rice, short grain rice, and especially Jasmine rice, which is very popular in Thailand. Growing up in Thailand, rice was like bread is here in America, there are so many uses for it!
Thai Kitchen on Kingsridge Dr.
Tiger Super Rolls
What restaurant, other than your own, do you like to dine at in the Miami Valley?
Sue cooking with her mother-in-law.
If you could invite any 4 guests to a dinner party who would they be and why?
Pad Thai
Who do you look up to in the industry and why?
Hours:
Monday – Thursday
National Grilled Cheese Day is April 12. Actually, you can celebrate America’s favorite childhood lunch throughout April, which is National Grilled Cheese Month.
Here’s a quick guide on where to find these crispy, melty, buttery and cheesy sandwiches around town:
Coco’s Bistro
250 Warren St
For the classic combo, Coco’s Bistro offers up a panko breaded, four cheeses sandwich served up with tomato bisque on their lunch menu.
Cherry House Cafe
1241 Meadow Bridge Dr Beavercreek
Dublin Pub, 300 Wayne Avenue
Then Monster Grilled Cheese is cheddar, monster jack and swiss cheeses melted between three sices of toasted sour dough bread (we add bacon to this and order a side of pub fries). There’s also an option for the Angry Monster which is made with a smoky ghost pepper jack cheese and Irish rashers for those that like it spicy!
The Deli at Webster Street Market, 32 Webster Street
Flyboy’s Deli
2515 Far Hills Ave., Oakwood
219 North Patterson Blvd, Dayton
The classic grilled cheese, or upgrade to one of these gourmet grilled options:
#7 “THE LUMBERJACK” GRILLED CHEESE / $7.25
Cheddar jack cheese, tomato, spinach artichoke spread.
#8 “THE CAVU” DEVILED EGG SALAD / $6.75
Deviled egg salad, made of double egg, mayo, relish, mustard, paprika, lettuce & tomato.
King’s Table – 2348 Grange Hall Rd Beavercreek
Made with American cheese unless otherwise requested, also available with grilled ham, and of course no trip to King’s Table is complete without tater tots! Oh and on Wednesday they have $1 grilled cheese, $1 tomato soup and $3 tots.
Loose Ends Brewing – 890 South Main Street, Centerville
Currently the are featuring Toasty Tuesday’s, offering 5 gourmet grilled cheese sandwiches and cup of Chef Adrian’s roasted tomato and gouda cheese soup served with toast points.
Meadowlark, 5531 Far Hills Ave
Mudlick Tap House, 135 E 2nd St, Dayton
PROPER GRILLED CHEESE – Grilled sourdough bread stuffed with dill havarti, cheddar and spinach pesto
Tank’s Bar and Grill, 2033 Wayne Ave
You can order a regular grilled cheese here, or get the Tanks”My Way” Grilled Cheese which is swiss, cheddar, provolone, american cheeses with lettuce, tomato, banana peppers, mayo, mustard and horseradish on dark rye.
Pop on in this week for the Jalapeño Popper Grilled Cheese. Grilled to perfection and filled with spicy, cheesy goodness, and they say “it’s slap your momma good!”
You are invited to join us for the Main Street Lebanon Annual Chocolate Walk in historic downtown Lebanon on Saturday April 23, starting at 4:00p.m. The Chocolate Walk is an evening all about chocolate!
Ticket holders will visit approximately 20 Chocolate Stops at a variety of shops and eateries around downtown Lebanon. Each Chocolate Stop provides a unique chocolate treat. Some treats can be enjoyed on the spot and others will be placed in your bag to enjoy later. You may visit the Chocolate Stops in any order you wish.
Tickets are $25.00 per person (plus fees). ONLY 200 tickets will be sold, so get yours today!
Today is the 2nd release in Lock 27’s 10 Beers for 10 Years promotion releasing a beer from the Lock 27 Brewing vault to celebrate their 10th Anniversary! The re-released brews were made by Lock 27 at some point over the past decade but were eventually retired – until now. In coordination with the re-releases, customers can earn a chance to win limited edition anniversary prizes. With each 10th anniversary beer purchase, customers will be offered a stamp card that they can fill up with stamps for each anniversary beer purchased. The more stamps collected, the bigger the prize.
Release # w is 1492, an American Red IPA, was first brewed in 2013 as part of a Hop 101 experimental brewing series educating Lock 27 Brewing customers on the distinct characteristics of different hops. The Columbus hop was a fan favorite—enough to be officially named 1492 and be put on tap a few more times through 2017.
This brew is the perfect blend of strong hop flavor and sweet malts, with a moderately strong bitter taste that retains a dry finish and lean body – which makes IPAs so beloved. Its flavorful notes of caramel, toffee, and dark fruit make this Red IPA so distinctive, with an overall balance of sweet and hoppy. Ohio.ABV- 7.7% and IBU- 77
Over the next month, Lock 27 Brewing will focus on the often-overlooked stories of this historic year from the perspective of the Native American community. They’ll be holding an educational event at the end of the month to highlight and celebrate Indigenous culture, contributions, and innovations. They’ll be sharing what the year 1492 meant to Native American people, and how their global contributions shaped the world that we know today. $1 of every 1492 purchase will be donated to the Sunwatch Indian Village to support the Native American community in Dayton,
This historic brew is hitting the taps at Lock 27 on April 14th at 5pm! Stay tuned on the 10th of each month for the next release.
Sure it’s a brewery, but they serve up the best food right along with the beers they brew. And now Loose Ends Brewing has rolled out a brunch menu that rivals any restaurant in town. The Centerville spot will fill up Sunday’s from 10am – 1pm to serve up Chef Adrian’s brunch classics with his creative twist.
Here’s a peek at some of the menu offerings:
Chicken and Waffles- Crispy fried chicken, fluffy Belgian waffle, and herb infused maple syrup
Latin American Breakfast Burrito
Pastrami Hash and Eggs
New Orleans Style Banana’s Foster
Also on the menu Avocado Toast and side orders of eggs and bacon are available. Complete your meal with a flight of mimosas (4 for $20), Bloody Marys or an LEB Michelada. Reservations are available, but with over 200 seats (any another 40 once the patio opens) you shouldn’t have a problem getting a table. Tell them DaytonDining sent you!
890 South Main Street
Centerville, OH 45458
Monday – Thursday: 4:00pm – 10:00pm
Friday – Saturday: 11:00am – 11:00pm
Sunday: 1o:00am – 9:00pm
A gin and tonic is a highball cocktail made with gin and tonic water poured over a large amount of ice. The ratio of gin to tonic varies according to taste, strength of the gin, other drink mixers being added, etc., with most recipes calling for a ratio between 1:1 and 1:3. It is usually garnished with a slice or wedge of lime. To preserve effervescence, the tonic can be poured down a bar spoon.The ice cools the gin, dulling the effect of the alcohol in the mouth and making the drink more pleasant and refreshing to taste.
Most people think that Gin comes from England or Ireland. But it is not true! What actually very few know: Gin is originally from the Netherlands. Since the Middle Ages people knew about the medical effects and the disinfectant healing power of juniper berries which were consumed to fight against fever and even the pest. The dutch doctor Franciscus Sylvius de la Boe is the inventor of Gin. In the 16th century, he made a schnaps distilled with juniper berries, so called “Genever” (in dutch: juniper berry) which was consumed for medical purposes. During the Eighty Year’s War (1568-1648) the dutch soldiers were supposed to drink the “Genever” to feel brave. In the 17th century “Genever” came to England, where the originally “Genever” developed to the today’s “Gin”.
In England, Gin became very popular. Gin promoted not only the production of local spirits, everybody was allowed to distill his own Gin. The increase of import taxes for alcohol from foreign countries and the high taxes for the local beers and wines had lead to an explosion of Gin production in England.
The question arises, when exactly one of the most requested long drinks in the world, Gin Tonic, emerged? When Britain occupied India in the beginning of the 19th century, the soldiers had to ingest quinine every day to prevent Malaria. To cover the bitter taste, the smart Britains added water, sugar and lime. One day, someone got the glorious idea and added Gin. The first Gin Tonic was born.
By World War I, gin and tonics were staples in British clubs and bars. In Post World War II America, they became a favorite of the country club set. Historically Tanqueray, Beefeater, and Bombay Sapphire have been the gins most people grab when making at G & T.
Today we challenge you to celebrate Gin & Tonic Day by trying some of these newer gins:
GREEN HAT GIN: Crafted in Washington D.C.’s first distillery since Prohibition, distilled with a unique blend of botanicals in copper pot stills, Green Hat Gin is inspired by the infamous Man in the Green Hat.
Hendrick’s is the marriage of two different spirits from two rare and unusual stills: The harmonious combination of the Bennett and Carter-Head stills create and unusually smooth gin like no other that has the required character and balance of subtle flavors. Hendrick’s is handcrafted in tiny batches of only 500 lovely liters at a time, which gives the Master Distiller, Ms. Lesley Gracie, greater control of her careful artistry.
Neptunia
Vim & Petal Dry Gin
$25.20 750ml
Middle West Spirits, a Columbus distillery, also draws inspiration from local plants, using Ohio’s soft red winter wheat as the base for its Vim & Petal Dry Gin. In this full-bodied American-style gin, 18 botanicals come together to create citrus aromas, notes of elderberry, and a floral finish. The versatile herbal flavors will awaken your senses, much like crisp air on a bright spring day.
This American style dry gin bursts forth with a pioneering robustness, then falls quietly like the soft red winter wheat at its base. Each full-bodied flavor and enticing note of Vim & Petal brings to life 18 botanicals and the delicate tension between them, to give you character, dimension, and a refined versatility.
The Main Street Deli closed up their Main Street location in Jan 2021, citing an unsure future due to the pandemic. Having served the Springboro community for over a quarter of a century, the family decided it was time to reopen the business.
Working with Greg, the owner of Marketplace Express/Marathon on Remick Blvd, they reopened on April 5th, serving up breakfast and lunch. Yesterday’s reopening was a huge success, with customers welcoming them back with lines at the counter. While the majority of their business is carry out, there is seating for 28.
Here’s the opening menu:
SANDWICHES:
613 E 5th Street
Dayton, OH 45402
(937) 938-5244
In 1996 the original Coco’s opened on 5th Street in the Oregon District (the building is now home to Lucky’s). In 2005 Coco’s Bistro opened at 515 Wayne Ave (where Wheat Penny is now). In 2011 they moved to their current location at 250 Warren Street. With each move they’ve grown the business and continued to evolve their menu. They currently describe their business as approachable, delightful food in an elegant atmosphere. Keeping up with their desire to change, they’ve just introduced their newest menus. And don’t worry their grilled cheese and tomato bisque is still on the menu.
Lunch is served Monday through Friday starting at 11:30am.
Dinner service is offered Monday – Saturday beginning at 5pm.
Also don’t forget Coco’s has 2 patio’s for dining al fresco, a private dining room that seats up to 64 and a special events space “The Plate” upstairs that can seat up to 80 guests. Their private event spaces are all equipped with wifi and projection capabilities.
You can make dining reservations online via their website or by calling the restaurant at (937) 228-2626.
Coco’s, an independent bistro near Downtown Dayton. Extensive but affordable wine list and plenty of free parking.
There’s a new BBQ join in town, but we’ve been eating his meat for six years from his Smoking Barrels food truck. They are the reigning champ of the Yellow Cab BBQ Rodeo in the pulled pork category from the last time the event was held in 2019.
photo credit: Tom Gilliam
And yes, the food truck will still be out and about, event with the restaurant opening.
Co-Owner Damon Daniel says he opened the bricks and mortar eatery on April 1st and looks forward to feeding folks year round.
Located at 2615 S. Smithville Road, next to the Sweet Retreat, BBQ Pit Stop will be open Tuesday – Sunday for carry out or delivery via door dash.
The menu features chopped chicken, pulled pork, chopped brisket and fried ribs, as well as burgers and loaded fries and nachos. Sides include slaw, kraut, baked beans, green beans, cheesy potatoes, crinkly fires and mixed greens with ham. They offer two sauces, sweet or spicy.
The loaded nacho’s start with crinkle fries or tortilla chips, and then are stacked high with your choice of pork, chicken or ground beef, your choice of side on top of the meat and all drizzled with nacho cheese served with pickles and jalapenos.
The fried ribs are seasoned with a BBQ rub then battered and deep fried.
While we were there, they were experimenting with some ideas for a brunch menu. We tried the deep fried sausage biscuit with gravy and we’d order it again if it makes the menu.
2615 S Smithville Road
Dayton, OH 45420
Hours:
Tues – Thurs 11am -8pm
Fri & Sat 11am – 10pm
Sun 11am – 6pm
