Dayton Dining

Toxic Brew Co. bringing local, handmade Mckibben Bros. Soda to tap

January 17, 2015 By Dayton Most Metro

Every city has food and beverages they are know for; Columbus is to Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams and Cincinnati to Sky Line Chili. Dayton is coming into their own in this right. Toxic Brew Co., in Downtown Dayton, has released three handmade sodas from the up and coming Mckibben Bros. Soda Co. “This is a project we have been working on for over a year, with experiments in the carbonation process and small private tasting of their “ink and hammer ginger ale” in the summer of 2014, we are very excited to finally have their sodas on tap permanently” Shane Juhl, Toxic owner, said.

Having added 10 more taps to their draft system, Toxic Brew Co. will be the first in Dayton to have the Bros. soda on tap and their initial offerings will include: Indians & Cowboys made with sarsaparilla root and bilberry, Mammaw Burton with cucumber, lavender and rose and finally The Hippie Hipster with elderberry, sage and grapefruit. “While we plan to always have their sodas available, the offerings will change. We have already seen a huge demand for their product just in the first few days it been on tap.” Shane continued.

This is not the first time Toxic has collaborated with start up food vendors in their tap room. Housemade Sriracha, another Dayton favorite, has made appearances in a number of their beers over the past few years. “Lee Anne (Housemade) has always been great to work with. We showcased her sriracha in our Porn or Pawn pepper ale. In addition to having the Mckibben’s not alcoholic soda on tap, we plan to included it in some of our brews as well. Next Tuesday(Jan 20th) we’ll have a special release craft beer on tap infused with their syrups.” Shane said.

If you would like to sample the Mckibben Bros. Soda Co. offerings you can find them at Toxic Brew Co. in the Oregon District at 431 E 5th St. Dayton, Ohio.

PRESS Coffee Bar Turns 4!

January 15, 2015 By Dayton Most Metro

Photo by Kevin Fry.

Indy Coffee bar PRESS, which was recognized as one of The 10 Coolest Independent Coffee Shops Across the U.S. by Zagat Survey, back in 2011, is turning 4 this week!

Zagat said this about Press: “Customers flock to this Dayton, Ohio, coffee shop for a number of reasons: One, they hire skilled baristas to make outstanding drinks; two, the beans they use change constantly to keep things fresh; and three, they don’t cater to the masses with silly drinks like the frappuccino (because really, that’s not coffee). They use beans mainly from Counter Culture and newcomer Dogwood, and the shop sports numerous plugs for those hard at work freelancers, and of course, they also hang local art on the walls.”

To celebrate their 4th anniversary, Press is giving away a Pour Over Brew Set! All you have to do is purchase one bag of 12 oz beans in the store or online at woodburlcoffee.com, and your name will be entered into a drawing. The winner will be announced on Sunday, January 18th at 5pm

Press, located at 257 Wayne Ave., is owned by Brett and Janell Barker of Dayton.

Warped Wing’s 1st Anniversary Beer Bash

January 12, 2015 By Lisa Grigsby

The brew kettles arrive!

Warped Wing Brewing Company at 26 Wyandot St. in downtown Dayton has made such an impact in our community, it’s hard to believe it’s just now celebrating it’s first year in business. Since they’ve opened here are a few of the highlights:

1/18/14: Tasting room doors open for the first time

2/14: First 1/2 barrel dock sale, just in time for the Superbowl!

3/14: introduce Maa Durga Red IPA

3/14: Black Pirogue released, made with coffee from Press Coffee Bar

4/14: Warped Wing featured breweries for the Friday Night Tappings at Great American Ball Park

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The Brewmaster and his Bride.

5/14: first ever wedding at Warped Wing Brewery! Congratulations Mike & Nicole!

6/14: First Dayton brewery to can beers in 64 years

7/14: Warped Wing went on tap at Fraze Pavillion

8/14: Mikesell’s Snack Food Company releases Beer Can Chicken potato chips during Beer Week.

9/14 Brewmaster John Haggerty takes a wife and creates Warped Wing Wedding Beer to celebrate!.

11/14: Teamed up with The Century Bar to produce a Russian imperial stout aged in bourbon barrels

12/14: Collaborated with Esther Price Candies to create a special holiday ale called “Esther’s Lil Secret,”

To commemorate their first year, the brewery will host the 1^st annual “Beer Bash” this Saturday, January 17th . The celebration will consist of limited release draught and cask tappings, live music and food trucks. The celebration kicks off at noon with new tappings on the hour leading up to the Grand Finale tapping of their latest limited release, “Baltic Argonaut”, a Baltic Porter weighing in at 11.5% ABV.

“It’s been a great first year and we’ve received so much support from the beer community. We want to throw a party to celebrate and say ‘Thank you’.” states Nick Bowman, head of Sales & Marketing. President Joe Waizmann goes on to add “We’ve been fortunate to pack a decade of learning, enjoyment, & modest success into our first year. Can’t wait to see how the next several years evolve.”

Brew Ha-Ha: Dayton’s First All-Ohio Craft Beer Festival

January 11, 2015 By Dayton Most Metro

The Montessori School of Dayton is proud to announce the 4th annual Dayton Brew Ha-Ha, which will take place on Saturday, Jan 31, 2015 at the school. This year’s line-up features the Miami Valley’s first all- Ohio craft beer festival. Proceeds from the event will go to the school’s capital improvement fund.

The festival honors the growth of the craft beer industry within the Buckeye state. With more than 100 breweries in the state (and growing), the event organizers traveled Ohio to produce a beer list that is representative of the breadth and depth of the state’s craft beer industry. Kevin J. Gray, the Co-Chair in charge of coordinating the beers for the event, said, “Look for beers from more than 40 breweries from Dayton, Cincinnati, Columbus, Cleveland, Akron, and points in-between. The event will feature breweries big and small, and will showcase both rare, hard to find beers and accessible beers for those just getting into craft beer.” All of the local breweries will be present with offerings that highlight the growth of the industry in the Gem City. A full list of the participating breweries can be found on brewhahadayton.com.

The event’s beer list has always had a regional focus. In the first two years, the event offered beers from the Great Lake States: Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Indiana, and Illinois. In 2014, the Dayton Brew Ha-Ha hosted Dayton’s first Ohio vs. Michigan beer tasting (with the home team winning handedly). Although each year has seen exponential growth, the festival is committed to maintaining the event as a premier boutique beer tasting, where residents of the community can come to mingle, try regional beers, and learn more about the school and about craft beer.

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Brew Ha-Ha 2014 pictured here

The festival organizers have also added games of chance and a silent auction to this year’s event. Spin the wheel and earn cash or try your luck at the ring-toss to take home crafty prizes. Silent auction items include craft beer-themed gift baskets, as well as bigger items like a propane grill, an outdoor heater, or a cabin rental in southeast Ohio. Special event t-shirts will be on sale featuring the Brew Ha-Ha logo. Both men’s and women’s t-shirt styles and sizes will be available for purchase.

Fitting for an event held in an elementary/middle school, craft beer education will be a focus of the evening. Curious about what to try? Tasting guides will be provided to help attendees navigate the room and find beers that match their favorite flavor profiles. Attendees can also talk to one of the roving Beer Ambassadors, who can steer them in the right direction. Want to learn to brew beer? Members of DRAFT, the Dayton Homebrewing Club, will be on hand to discuss beer making at home. The program will also include clone recipes of several of the event’s beers, recipes put together by the staff of BrewTensils homebrew supply.

The school is located in Kettering, at 2900 Acosta Street. The event takes place at the school on Jan 31, 2015 from 6-10 pm. Tickets are $35 each which gets you a half pint tasting glass and ten tasting tickets. Tickets and more information are available online at brewhahadayton.com. Paper tickets are available at Belmont Party Supply and Fifth Street Brewpub. Spinoza’s pizza will be cooked fresh on site. Pizza will be sold by the slice so bring your appetite! During the last hour of the event, enjoy complimentary desserts and coffee to cap off a fun evening. Growler fills and individual bottle purchases will also open up during this time. Complimentary desserts will be served at the end of the evening.

Organizers are excited to announce that they’ve partnered up with Uber! New users can enter the promo code 15BREWHAHA and save $20 off of your first ride. Each ride booked between January 31 and February 28 provides a donation back to the MSD Capital Improvement fund, so stay safe and enjoy a free ride.

About the School

The primary purpose of the Montessori School of Dayton (MSD) is to offer a quality Montessori education for toddlers through eighth grade children. Our core goals are:

Provide a setting where children can develop in subjects at their own learning pace and be encouraged to explore new subject areas
Offer a classroom setting where teachers can freely observe and build relationships with their students to better provide individual academic guidance
Provide an environment and a method to encourage self-discipline
Offer mixed-age classrooms which support and encourage children to teach and learn from one another
Establish a lifelong love of learning
Provide students with the tools to create, develop and maintain a positive self-image
Develop a respect for other people and their differences
Develop an appreciation for their work and the work of others

Each Montessori classroom is carefully structured with free access to teaching materials encouraging each child to explore and learn for him/herself. We are dedicated to the Montessori method of education based upon Dr. Maria Montessori’s scientific observations of children’s almost effortless ability to absorb knowledge from their surroundings, as well as their tireless interest in manipulating materials. These observations of multiple learning methods evolved into her development of very specific materials, exercises and methods of presentation, allowing children to pursue their natural curiosity and to simply absorb a vast array of knowledge from their surroundings.Montessori Center of Dayton (MSD) was originally founded as a non-profit Montessori School in 1964 offering a true Montessori education to children between three and nine years old (pre-K through 3rd grade). In 2008, the school made the decision to purchase the current building with the intention of further expanding the curriculum to serve students from the toddler years (18 months) through the eighth grade. Through the purchase of the building, MSD has been able to expand and modernize the classrooms, refurbish the gymnasium and school stage with new flooring, stage curtains and lighting, and add to the extracurricular activities including art, foreign language (Spanish), band, chorus, theater arts and will soon add sporting activities.

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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Take Charge Of What Goes In Your Mouth

January 9, 2015 By Lisa Grigsby

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El Meson owner Bill Castro (left) and Chef Mark Abbott

It’s the new year and for many that means a commitment to eat healthier. And for just as many of us, that only seems to lasts a couple of weeks. To successfully change your eating habits, you’ll need to make changes in how you choose and prepare your food and that’s not always easy.

So El Meson’s Bill Castro and Chef Mark Abbott are hosting a class to teach us to Loose Weight, Cook Light and Healthy- on Tues, Jan 13th at 6pm that demonstrates how to make flavorful meals that will help you make the adjustment to a healthier lifestyle.

Bill Castro shares, “Americans tend to be the most overweight society, so we want to share with our guests how they can incorporate a more European style of eating, that still includes plenty of tasty food. It’s not a diet, but a way to feed your body with healthy foods that will kick start your weight loss.”

Tuesday’s class will be a cooking demonstration with an opportunity to participate, a conversation and a meal with recipes you can take home with you. And like any event at El Meson, it will probably turn into a party and it wouldn’t surprise us if there is dancing involved, too. Did you know that El Meson hosts salsa dance parties the 2nd and 4th Wed of each month?

When you reserve your spot for $45, you can bring along a friend for just $30. Taxes, gratuity and beverages are additional. So call El Meson now to make your prepaid reservation at (937) 859-8229. Class size is limited and this will probably sell out.

El Meson is located at 903 E. Dixie Drive, just west of I75 at exit 47.
They are open for lunch Monday through Friday and dinner Mon through Sunday.

Ballast Point Tasting Tonight

January 8, 2015 By Dayton Most Metro

How do you make a World-Class IPA even better? Add stuff…good stuff like grapefruit!

Stop by Spinoza’s, located at the Mall at Fairfield Commons in Beavercreek tonight and sample San Diego’s Ballast Point Brewing Company draft beers including the limited edition brew Grapefruit Sculpin.

Also featuring a fresh batch of regular Sculpin IPA (100 points “World-Class” on BeerAdvocate.com) as well as Grunion American Pale Ale (Gold Medal Winner at GABF) and Dorado Double IPA.

Keg tapping will start at 5pm.

Live music by Mark Gearo from 6:30 to 9:30pm.

Lots of Fish To Fry In Dayton- Our 2015 Fish Fry Guide!

January 4, 2015 By Lisa Grigsby

It’s Friday night: do you know where your fish fry is? It’s a Dayton culinary tradition that seems totally normal to people who grew up here, but may seem a bit random to visitors and transplants. Why fish? Why Friday? Why fried?

Well, we can already answer the “Why fried?” question. It tastes good and it’s the quickest way to cook a large amount of fish. But the event itself can be traced to medieval Roman Catholic Church history.

Friday is associated with the crucifixion of Christ – remembered on Good Friday during the Easter weekend – and so the day became one of abstinence – specifically, from meat. While beef or chicken were considered “hot” as they were the flesh of warm-blooded creatures, the flesh of fish was considered “cool” and thus got a free pass.

When Catholic immigrants settled in Dayton, this practice came with them. During Prohibition, taverns – which could no longer sell the products that kept them in business, turned to serving food to keep the doors open (and perhaps sneak a few pints under the table). Fish was abundant and cheap, and frying didn’t exactly require cooking school. Over the years churches realized that a fish fry was an easy way to feed the masses, create community and support the congregation.

Fish fries come in all sorts. You may find cod, walleye, lake perch if you’re lucky, or even bluegill. Beer-battered, lightly breaded, seasoned or not. Often the fish comes with coleslaw and fries or a baked potato on the side. And of course beer, black jack, auctions and raffles have been added to help raise funds for each respective parish/school.Visual

Ready for some fish? Check out these fish fries:

	Holy Angels Church Fish Fry 1322 Brown Street Dayton, OH 45409 Friday Jan 9, 2015 6pm-Midnight		Our Lady of the Rosary Fish Fry 22 Notre Dame Ave. Dayton, Ohio 45404 Fri, Jan 9, Fri, Feb 13 6pm-10:30pm
	Eintract Singing Society 2707 Old Troy Pike Dayton, OH 45494 Friday’s: Jan 9, Feb 6, Mar 6, April 10, May 1, Oct 9, Nov 13, Dec 4 6-8pm $14		St Paul Fish Fry 1000 W. Wenger Road Englewood, OH 45322 Fri, Jan 23, 2015, 7-11pm $15 advance/$18 at the door carry out food 6-7pm $10/per
	St. Albert the Great Fish Fry & Silent Auction 3033 Far Hills Ave. Kettering, OH 45429 Fri, Jan 23, 2015 7pm-Midnight		St Helen Booster Club Fish Fry 605 Granville Place Dayton, OH 45431 Sat, Jan 24, 2015 6pm-11pm
	Corpus Christi Fish Fry 527 Forest Ave Dayton, OH 45405 Sat, Jan 31 6pm		Suicide Prevention Center Winter Fish Fry Fundraiser Marian Manor, 6050 Dog Leg Road, Clayton, Ohio 45415 Sat, Jan 31, 2015 6-11pm
	St. Mary’s Fish Fry 310 Allen St. Dayton, OH 45410 Fri, Feb 6, 2015 6pm-11pm $15		Hart Scholarship Fish Fry Huber Heights Athletic Foundation 5367 Fishburg Rd Huber Heights, OH Fri, Feb 7, 7-11pm
	St. Henry Monte Carlo Fish Fry 6696 Springboro Rd. West Carrollton, OH 45449 Fri, Feb 7, 2015 7:00pm-Midnight $12 Advance; $15 Door		St. Mary Church- Franklin Fish Fry 115 S. Main St. Franklin, OH 45005 Friday’s: Feb 20, Feb 27, Mar 6, Mar 13, Mar 20, Mar 27 4-7pm
	Holy Trinity Fish and Sausage Fry 272 Bainbridge Street Dayton, OH 45402 Sat, Feb 21		Alter Knight Out Fish Fry 940 East David Rd. Kettering, OH 45429 Fri, Feb 27 2015 7:00pm-Midnight
	Dayton Rugby Club Fish Fry IUE-CWA Local 755 Hall 1675 Woodman Drive Dayton, OH 45432 Friday, Feb 27, 2015 6pm-Midnight		Saint Peter Catholic Church Fish Fry 6161 Chambersburg Rd. Huber Heights, OH 45424Sat, Feb 28
	Carrolleer Fish Fry 4524 Linden Ave. Dayton, OH 45432 Fri, Feb 21, 2015 6:00pm-Midnight		Incarnation Church Fish Fry 55 Williamsburg Lane Centerville, OH 45459Fri March 13
	St. Anthony Catholic Church Fish Fry 830 Bowen St. Dayton, OH 45410 Friday March 13, 2015 6 – 11pm		Partners Fish N Chips Fish Fry Huber Heights Athletic Center 5367 Fishburg Rd. Dayton, OH 45424 Friday, March 13th 6-11pm
	St. Francis of Assisi Fish Fry 6245 Wilmington Pike Centerville, OH 4545 Fri, March 20, 2015		St. Brigid Fish Fry 312 Fairground Road Xenia, OH 45385 Fri, March 20, 2015 6- midnight
	CJ Fish Fry 505 S. Ludlow St, Dayton, OH 45402 Sat, March 21, 2015 6:00pm-11:00pm		St. Charles Monte Carlo Fish Fry 4500 Ackerman Blvd. Kettering, OH 45429 Fri, March 27
	Kettering American Legion 5700 Kentshire Drive Kettering OH ?????		Irish Club Fish Fry & Monte Carlo 6555 Dog Leg Road Dayton, OH 45414 ????

Can you help us?
You’ll notice we have some ??? We haven’t been able to find this year’s info for the Irish Club, St. Christopher, Knight of Columbus and the Kettering American Legion.And if you know of others, be sure and let us know and we’ll add them to the list.

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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Fifth Street Brewpub Drink Up Dayton Challenge

December 30, 2014 By Lisa Grigsby

Dayton’s only coop brewpub is going local for the entire month of January and they are challenging Dayton’s beer lovers to do the same. All month long they will of course be featuring their own beers, but their additional taps will be pouring beers from The Dayton Beer Company, Eudora Brewing Co., The Hairless Hare Brewery, Lock 27 Brewing, Lucky Star Brewery, Nowhere in Particular, Star City Brewing, Toxic Brew Company, Yellow Springs Brewery and Warped Wing Brewing Company.

Are You up for the Challenge?

Drink 15 Dayton beers, that’s 5 from Fifth Street Brewpub (FSB) and 1 from each of the 10 local breweries on tap in the month of January at the Brewpub and receive a Drink Up Dayton t-shirt. You’ll have until Feb 6th to present your completed stamped card in and then shirts will be ready for pick-up by March 1st.

And during the month of January look for FSB to release some bran new beers of their own:

Jan 1st- Scottish Reign & Cup O’Jo’s Stout

Jan 17th- Saphire 1PA Double IPA

For more details and to find out what beers will be featured check FSB’s facebook page or ask your beertender or server while you’re at the Brewpub. FSB is located at 1600 E. Fifth Street in St. Anne’s Hill. For more information please visit FifthStreetBrewpub.coop and click on the Events & News page.

Popping the Cork!

December 26, 2014 By Lisa Grigsby

There’s no doubt that a bottle of bubbly is the perfect go-to-libation to celebrate New Year. But how do you choose the right sparkling wine for your festivities? Probably the biggest factors are taste and budget. If budget is no object, Champagnes like Krug, Dom Perignon and Cristal come to mind. It’s rare to find a bottle of champagne for under $50.

Champagne is the name given to sparkling wines produced in the French region of Champagne. The name “champagne” is protected by law and can only be used by winemakers from that region. But Italy and Spain offer delicious (and less expensive) alternatives with their respective prosecco and cava. You can pick up a great prosecco or cave for under $20.

But what’s the difference between these three sparkling wines?

The major difference is in the process of fermentation (the “bubble making process”). Champagne goes through a second fermentation in a sealed bottle. For prosecco and cava, the second fermentation is done in a large vat, also known as the Charmat method. The three wines are also made from different grape varietals: Champagne from chardonnay, pinot noir and pinot meunier grapes; cava from macabeo, parellada and xarel-lo grapes and prosecco from glera grapes.

Each wine has different amounts of fizz, either frizzante or spumante. The easiest way to determine how much fizz your bubbly will have is to simply compare the corks. If the cork has a string attached to it, you’ll have light fizz (frizzante) and if you notice a wire – traditional for Champagne – then you’ll have heavy fizz (spumante).

And in general as far as taste, Champagne is rich and complex, while cava and prosecco are lighter and slightly fruitier. And the absolute best way to determine what you like is to just taste and that’s easy to do this week, as many of our local wine shops are hosting tastings. Here are two you won’t want to miss:

Sat, Dec 27th – Arrow Wine Tasting – 11am – 5pm
11am – 5pm – either store, casual drop in tasting, nominal cost per taste

Sun, Dec 29th – Dorothy Lane Market 4-6pm

For more wine events, be sure and check our MostMetro.com wine calendar.

Spice Up Your Eggnog

December 24, 2014 By Dayton Most Metro

Just a few ingredients — egg yolks, sugar, milk, cream, and nutmeg — create the wonderfully distinctive flavor of that favorite holiday drink, eggnog. These eggnog recipes can be spiked to your liking with rum, bourbon, or brandy, or enjoyed in nonalcoholic form by guests of all ages. We’ve got some suggestions to put a twist on your holiday eggnog:

Walnut Eggnog
Courtesy of Jason Stevens, Bar Congress in Austin, TX
serves 6 to 8

“Eggnog is ultimate Christmas comfort food,” Stevens says. “I wanted to take the classic recipe for eggnog and showcase some of my favorite fall and winter flavors, without getting too far away from the original. Real maple syrup and walnut, along with a bump of spices, add more flavor to the traditional recipe.”

6 eggs separated
8 oz. real maple syrup
1 qt. whole milk
1 pint heavy cream
5 oz. premium 80-proof bourbon
5 oz. premium dark rum (Coruba Dark suggested)
5 oz. walnut liqueur
1 tbsp. brown sugar
Nutmeg for grating
Cinnamon for grating
Allspice for grating
Roasted pecans for grating (optional)

In a large bowl, beat egg yolks until they turn light in color, adding in 4 ounces of maple syrup as you beat. Stir in remaining maple syrup, milk, cream, bourbon, rum, and walnut liqueur. Refrigerate for a few hours or overnight.

Just before serving, place the egg whites into a large bowl and beat until soft peaks form. While beating, slowly add the brown sugar and continue beating till hard peaks form. Whisk the whipped whites into the liquor mixture. Gently grate nutmeg, cinnamon, roasted pecans, and allspice on top to taste before serving.

Feliz NaviNog
Courtesy of Pam Wiznitzer at Dead Rabbit in New York City
serves 1

“I think sometimes, in the dead of winter it’s nice to mix in a few flavors from the southern hemisphere to warm things up,” says Wiznitzer. “Pisco adds a fun, bright level to the flavor. And almond milk cuts the calories drastically.”

2 oz. Peruvian Pisco
2 ½ oz. almond milk
3 to 4 drops vanilla extract
¾ oz. rich brown sugar syrup (recipe below)
1 tsp. vanilla pudding
1 pinch ground cinnamon
1 pinch ground cloves

Combine ingredients into a shaker. Shake vigorously and strain into a brandy glass. Garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon.

Brown Sugar Syrup
1 cup of dark brown sugar combined with 2/3 cup hot water. Stir to fully dissolve, allow to cool and store in the fridge.

Classic Eggnog
Courtesy of Jeffrey Morgenthaler at Clyde Common in Portland, OR
serves 16

“I can’t stand the thick, gelatinous goop they sell at the grocery store,” Morgenthaler says. “Even if you were to cut it with alcohol, it’s still so overly-pasteurized and full of preservatives that it would be anything but enjoyable to slug down at a Christmas party.” As an alternative, he created a simpler version—one you can easily use as a base when experimenting on your own.

2 large eggs
3 oz. (by volume) granulated sugar
½ tsp. freshly grated nutmeg
2 oz. brandy
2 oz. spiced rum (Sailor Jerry’s suggested)
6 oz. whole milk
4 oz. heavy cream

Beat eggs in blender for one minute on medium speed. Slowly add sugar and blend for one additional minute. With blender still running, add nutmeg, brandy, rum, milk and cream until combined. Chill thoroughly to allow flavors to combine and serve in chilled wine glasses or champagne coupes, grating additional nutmeg on top immediately before serving.

Eggnog Latte

½ cup strong coffee or two shots of espresso
¼ cup milk
¼ cup eggnog
nutmeg
whipped cream
sugar

Directions

Use your espresso maker to brew two shots of espresso. Or brew some very strong coffee.
Heat the eggnog until warm (do not boil.)
Combine with milk.
Pour espresso or coffee into a large mug and sweeten with the sugar to your liking.
Pour the warm eggnog mixture on top of the coffee.
Top with whipped cream and nutmeg.

Coquito

Austin American-Statesman web producer Melissa Martinez, daughter of Puerto Rican parents, shares their holiday tradition- is coquito.

1 (12-ounce) can evaporated milk

2 large egg yolks

1 (15-ounce) can coconut milk

1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk

1 cup rum

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Cinanamon stick, for garnish

Whisk evaporated milk and egg yolks in a bowl.

Strain into a small pot and simmer over medium heat until thickened. Mixture should coat the back of a spoon. Remove from heat and let cool.

Pour half of egg yolk mixture into a blender and blend. Add the rest of the mixture and the coconut milk, condensed milk, rum and 1/2 tsp. cinnamon to the blender and blend at a high speed until frothy. Pour into a glass bottle or pitcher and refrigerate overnight.

Serve in small glasses, sprinkled on top with cinnamon and served with a cinnamon stick.

Restaurants Open On Christmas Day

December 19, 2014 By Lisa Grigsby

For all those folks who may not celebrate Christmas, or just don’t want to cook that day, there are indeed a few restaurants that will be open for your dining pleasure. Of course you can always dine at Waffle House- they never close, but no matter where you dine out, please remember that the staff of these places have given up their holiday to serve you, so please tip generously, as working on a holiday is never fun, but should at least be profitable for those away from their families.

As always, if you know of a place we missed, feel free to add it in the comments

Amar India Restaurant (937) 439-9005
2759 Miamisburg Centerville Road
1 – 7pm

Dad’s Family Restaurant (513) 423-0022
3131 S. Main St., Middletown
7am – 9pm

CJ Chan 937-259-9866

536 Wilmington Ave. Dayton, OH 45420

10:30am – 10pm

Fairborn Family Diner & Restaurant (937) 879-9454
419 N. Broad St.
7am – 7pm

Hibachi Grill & Supreme Buffet 937-643-3333

1760 E Stroop Rd Kettering, OH 45429

11am – 7pm

McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood & Steaks (937) 431-9200
4429 Cedar Park Drive (at The Greene) Beavercreek, OH 45440
10am – 9pm

Neil’s Heritage House (937) 298-86111
2323 West Schantz Avenue, Dayton OH
3 -7pm

Shen’s Szechuan & Sushi (937) 898-3860
7580 Poe Ave Dayton, OH 45414
11am – 10pm

TGI Fridays
2022 Miamisburg Centerville Road Washington Township (937) 439-3743
2799 Centre Drive, Fairborn (937)429-0019
7777 Old Troy Pike, Huber Heights (937) 236-3200
3pm – 11pm

Fricker’s
7 Area Locations
5pm – 2am

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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Tea and Scones in Belmont

December 18, 2014 By Lisa Grigsby

Dawn Thomas has always dreamed of having a tea room. Earlier this month, that dream became reality.

She has created a place that Dawn believes “is a perfect place for celebrations, classes and the exchange of ideas, dreams and laughter. I hope to involve a ‘community’ of people that frequent my small business.”

Located at 100 Watervliet Avenue in Belmont, CommuniTea can host about 30 people for lunch, dessert or just tea. The cozy eatery is just the right place to host a book club, bridal shower or just have high tea. They serve soups, salads and cold sandwiches and Thomas is especially proud of their homemade sconces with are served with homemade 3 berry jam and imported authentic clotted cream. Enjoy their daily lunch special for $9.95, which includes soup du jour, a small salad or sandwich and a pot of tea.

If you prefer to visit for HIGH TEA , you’ll get the more traditional service of a 3 tiered display brought to your table which will include

Savories – Tiny pimento cheese, chicken salad or cucumber and dill sandwiches

Scones – Served with housemade 3 berry jam and imported clotted cream

Pastries – Cakes, cookies, shortbread and sweets

and of course a bottomless pot of tea. High tea runs $14.95/person and Dawn shared that she is running a holiday special, you can purchase a gift card for high tea for two for $25. Dawn shared with us that also special in children’s birthday parties, where small groups of 8-10 children, and a special party hostess can have a princess, ballerina or Frozen themed tea party. But she is also quick to share that other than the children’s parties, which are held in a separate room, children are welcome, but each child must be accompanied by an adult, which with the china and hot tea around, makes perfect sense .

Open Tues through Friday from 11am – 4pm and will stay open until 7pm on Thursday’s and from 11am -3pm on Saturday. Look for the addition of some special events like spa night, which may include herbal teas, and 10 minute head and neck massages as well as some craft and painting classes to be announced.

DaytonDining will be featuring a giveaway to Comunitea in our 12 Days of Giving soon, so keep an eye on our facebook page.