Dayton Dining

Twinkies Are Back!

July 15, 2013 By Lisa Grigsby 1 Comment

In November 2012, a New York bankruptcy court ordered Hostess to liquidate after months of failed negotiations to exit a years-long bankruptcy process. The liquidation closed all Hostess plants and bakeries and 15,000 employees were laid off immediately. But the “Golden Sponge Cake with Creamy Filling” is back on your local store shelves now in what is being billed as “the Sweetest Comeback in the history of Ever.”

“Hostess has shipped product to every major retail customer across the country, but it seems Wal-Mart got the first shipments and they started appearing on their shelves over the weekend.

The new Twinkies’ have some differences from the original tried and true formula that fans have come to know and love. The snack’s shelf life has extended to 45 days, almost three weeks longer than the 26 days the former Twinkie was supposed to stay fresh. There are even hints that the company is looking into healthier Twinkie options.

To herald the comeback of Twinkies, CupCakes, Ho Hos, Ding Dongs and other products, the Kansas City, Mo., company’s new owners are spending “several million dollars” on a marketing blitz, Seban said.

The campaign is sprawling across social media, Vine videos, billboards, building walls and a website called Prepare Your CakeFace. Street teams are handing out T-shirts and “I Saved the Twinkie” buttons. A food truck is visiting county fairs, music festivals and other locations, though we’ve been unable to confirm if they are coming to the Miami Valley.

Harvest Mobile Cuisine: Fresh, Local, & Affordable

July 11, 2013 By Dayton937 Leave a Comment

Harvest Mobile Food Truck

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

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

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

Must Eats:

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

Harvest Fries– These are not your average fries! They are a mixture of white potatoes & sweet potatoes, seasoned with fresh herbs and served with Sriracha ketchup.

Humble Farmer– A salad made with Patchwork Greens, a variety of seasonal vegetables, creamy goat cheese and tossed in Harvest Vinaigrette. One of the reasons we love this salad, is that it’s constantly changing! Order it one time and your salad might be made with fresh picked strawberries and asparagus…..the next time it might contain sugar snap peas. You can count on the fact that it will always be fresh!

Local Wrap– Our favorite rendition of this wrap so far consisted of Hill Family Farms Chicken, Jackson’s local Strawberries, Asparagus, & Goat Cheese on a Whole Wheat Tortilla Wrap. This tasty offering is also served with your choice of fruit or Patchwork Greens. We highly suggest the Patchwork Greens!

Harvest Burger– We love Harvest Mobile’s take on America’s favorite sandwich! It consists of a Turkey Burger, Roasted Garlic aioli, White Cheddar and Patchwork Greens on a warm bun.

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

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

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Two New Lunch Options in the Oregon District

July 8, 2013 By Lisa Grigsby Leave a Comment

Just last week Salar Restaurant and Lounge added lunch service Monday through Friday from 11:30am until 2pm. You can enjoy their signature burger, Choice ground steak, saltado style vegetables, mozzarella cheese, spinach, and delicious Huancaina sauce on a brioche roll. Served with your choice of french fries, salad or soup du jour.on one of 2 patios.

And as of today, all 3 patio’s at Lily’s Bistro, also on Fifth Street, will open for lunches from 11am – 3pm. According to General Manger Emily Mendenhall, ” This week we’re kind of testing the waters to get a sense of what lunch is going to be like and then I’m sure we’ll make some adjustments.”

Here’s Lily’s Lunch Menu:

Daily selection of deviled eggs 7
Crispy calamari and jalapeños with a sriracha aioli and gingery oyster sauce 9 Housemade tortilla chips with white cheddar alfredo, refried black beans and salsa fresca 7

Mains

Soup of the day cup 3 bowl 5
Caesar salad 6 add chicken +3

Avocado hummus sandwich with havarti, grilled squash, tomato, and bibb lettuce on toasted wheat 8 Caprese sandwich with cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzerella, pesto, and balsamic reduction on grilled ciabatta 8 Pineapple-chipotle BBQ chicken sandwich with grilled onions on wheat 10
Cucumber and watermelon salad with feta, mint, and basil, tossed in white balsamic vinaigrette 7 Chilled vietnamese rice noodle salad 7
” add stir fried tofu or steak +3
Olive oil poached tuna niçoise salad with greens, cherry tomatoes, hardboiled egg, and haricots verts 12
Vegetable chilaquiles with refried black beans, scrambled eggs and drizzled avocado sour cream 10
Angel hair pasta with pesto, cherry tomatoes, and local, free-range chicken 14

*all sandwiches come with small Caesar salad or dressed greens Substitute pasta salad, potato salad or cup of soup for $1.50

Jimmie’s Ladder 11 Beer & Menu Pairings for July 13th Food Adventure Event! Limited Tickets Available

July 2, 2013 By Dayton937 Leave a Comment

Jimmie’s Ladder 11 is hosting an Exclusive Food Adventure Event July 13

If you are a Dayton foodie, then listen up…

The Big Ragu & Crew would like to share this EXCLUSIVE Food Adventure news with you.

The Jimmies Ladder 11 Staff has finalized the menu for the one-time-0nly event, slated for SATURDAY, JULY 13th at 7PM in the Ladder 11 Private Party Loft!

5 COURSES, 5 BEER PAIRINGS, 1 HOT TIME ! The fiery event will be called “JIMMIE’s in JULY,”

Abita Beers will be paired with the food courses

ABITA Brewing Company will be partnering with Dayton Most Metro and Jimmie’s Ladder 11 for this one of a kind night featuring live music from the Stillwater River Band.
There will be door prizes and gift certificate giveaways.

WARNING: Seating is limited, so get your tickets, HERE before they sell out !

Tickets are Pre-Pay only, no refunds.

$30 per ticket INCLUDES THE TIP ! What a deal !

Here is what to expect from the menu tasting :

The event promises to TURN UP THE HEAT by featuring some hot tastes. Then, we will hose you down with the cool Abita Beer Pairings!

COURSE 1: New Orleans Style Gumbo paired with Abita Amber Beer

COURSE 2: Cornerstone Salad paired with Abita Strawberry Harvest Beer

COURSE 3: Paisano Pasta Chips with an Abita Seasonal Beer called Satsuma

COURSE 4: Vodka Chicken Riggies (Pasta dish) paired with Abita Turbo Dog Beer

COURSE 5: INTRODUCING THE NEW HOUSE CHEESECAKE ! Paired with Abita Purple Haze Beer

There is even a rumor that The Big Ragu will be passing out sample bites of Jimmie’s Creole Cheesecake which is and incredible, quiche-like, no wait souffle pie with shrimp, andouille sausage, smoked gouda cheese.. heck, it cant be described, it just has to be tasted. Don’t Miss this this Food Adventure.

It is going to be a hot time in the old firehouse on July 13th !!

TICKETS AVAILABLE ONLINE BY CLICKING HERE ! Get them now, so you don’t get burned when they sell out!

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First Friday Food Truck Rally at 5th & Jefferson, The Start of Something More!

July 2, 2013 By Dayton Most Metro 4 Comments

Ever wondered how many food trucks Dayton has? We’ve got 22 listed in our DMM Dining Guide. This Friday, July 5th you’ll have the chance to dine at over a dozen of them , as Synergy Incubators hosts a Food Truck Rally at 200 S. Jefferson Street from 5 -9pm. After producing food truck rallies at Urban Nights and June First Friday, which attracted many thousands of patrons, the hope is that the new location will generate vibrancy and foot traffic to the benefit of the brick and mortar business nearby.

Mobile eateries participating include: Zombie Dogz, Go Cupcake, Ringo’s North Star Mobile Eatery,Caribbacanas LLC, Fressa Truck, G’s CUE BBQ, Horseless Buggy Eatery, La Pampa Grill, Tik’s Thai Mobile, The Monchon, Kona Ice, Missouri Avenue BBQ, McNasty‘s and Cold Stone Creamery. In addition, local artisans will be on hand selling jewelry, pottery, arts and crafts. Scheduled to vend will be ReVamped Jems, Cherry Fullam Art, Barmaid Soap Company, Miss Motley’s, No Place Like Nerd, Open Road Art Show, Lissa Lush Makes Stuff and Urban Reclaimed.

Event organizer Tonia Fish, has been working with the Miami Valley Mobile Food Association and shares, “the people of Dayton are embracing food trucks with open arms and the 200 Jefferson location is a perfect place to bring vibrancy to a corner of downtown Dayton that has been lifeless for too long. Our hope is that this is the first of many events we’ll host at this location.”

Synergy Incubators, Dayton’s first Kitchen Incubator, has submitted a proposal for use of the City owned property at 200 S. Jefferson Street. Synergy intend to establish a “food pod” or all-amenities location for food vendors to gather for the benefit of local eaters. If Synergy is successful in our bid to lease the space, food truck rally’s will become a regular event downtown. 200 Jefferson Street has all the necessary elements for a successful food pod are in place with very little need for physical alteration. Additionally, the interior of 200 S. Jefferson is perfectly suited to serve the community as a rentable banquet space, a demonstration-ready classroom, and a shared use certified commercial kitchen.

A rentable banquet space, available to all. Many local food businesses, lack on-sight banquet space and have expressed interest in hosting events. In addition to the food pod, Synergy proposes to offer 200 Jefferson Street as banquet event space.

Pilot shared commercial kitchen. The kitchen at the Jefferson space will serve the as a Synergy Incubators Pilot Project offering shared certified kitchen space for rent by the hour. Synergy has a waiting list with many new and growing enterprises ready to launch new food businesses in Dayton today. Early in the week a group of over a dozen scratch bakers met to talk about the need for a community kitchen and how that could increase their entrepreneurial efforts.

Beauty, vibrancy and engagement. Jefferson Street space is full of promise and the Synergy plan is one of beautification. Plenty of lovely greenery and demonstration food plants will bring nature back to the corner of Jefferson and Fifth Street. Synergy’s design plans to encourage a kind of old-fashioned humanity and togetherness that is so often missing from urban centers.

IMPACT: Healthy Food and Foot Traffic

Of the myriad advantages of placing 200 S. Jefferson Street into service as a community shared asset, perhaps the most important is it gives our entire food community access to kitchen and banquet space, helping all, rather than helping one.

Another is its potential to act as a gateway to nearby destinations. As a center of gravity for street food, the food pod attracts people to a place that’s within walking distance of the Oregon District, 5^th 3^rd Field even RiverScape. Situated as it is on the bike path, it can connect bike riders to 2^nd Street Market, destinations north of the river or south to the University of Dayton area. Available case studies show that street food has a positive impact on surrounding businesses and neighborhoods and a food pod is an effective means of increasing foot traffic.

Synergy Incubators is a developing non-profit aimed at offering certified commercial kitchen in addition to support services and programs, which encourage the successful development and growth of food businesses in Dayton. For more information on Synergy Incubators please visit synergyincubators.com.

To Your Health, Happiness, and Prosperity – National Anisette Day

July 2, 2013 By Brian Petro 1 Comment

Such a lovely bunch of flowers…

Anise has a long and flavorful history. It is mentioned in the Bible as a lesson not to be stingy to the Lord. It marched with Caesar as a treat for his troops, possibly one of the first candies developed. The Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians all used it to help digestive ailments, from upset stomachs to bad breath to indigestion. The Romans went so far as to bake it into mustaceum cake, where it was used with other herbs to aid in digestion. It was used for medicinal purposes as well as in cooking to add stronger flavors, or balance out sweetness. As time continued, more and more uses were found for this aromatic and powerfully flavored herb, from cosmetics to liquor. On July 2, we look to its use in liquors as we celebrate National Anisette Day.

Anisette is a generic name used for a liqueur that is primarily flavored with the herb anise, giving the drink a black licorice flavor. Sugary syrup is added to tone down the flavor ever so slightly. Anise grows mainly in the Middle East, Turkey, and Greece, but has spread through the world. Many of those countries also have created their own distinct anisette variations: in Greece it is known as ouzo, in Turkey it is called raki, in Syria, Egypt, and Israel it is known as arak. It is believed that Marie Brizzard, the popular French liqueur company, started to make anisette in 1755 with their other flavored options, helping to spread the popularity of the flavor through Europe. The Spanish fell in love with what they call Anis del Mono (“the monkey’s anisette”), the French created pastis and another infamous liqueur, absinthe. The Italians developed both white and black sambuca. All of them have their own variations of sweetness from the sugar added to the base spirit.

You can find this example of louched anisette at Pasha Grill in The Greene.

The flavor of licorice is a strong one, and anisette is rarely found without something mixed in it. The popular mix of choice for anisette in its many forms is water, whether you are looking at an elegant absinthe fountain or just pouring equal amounts of water and reki in a glass to create Lion’s Milk. One reason is the water dilutes the flavor, making it less intense and easier to drink. The other is to create and effect call louching, where the latent oils that are in the anise refuse to bond with the water mixture, giving the beverage a cloudy look. This is rarely done with sambuca (thought it would work), but the Italians came up with a unique solution to help cut the flavor of the anisette. They serve it with three coffee beans floating on top of it, calling it sambuca con la mosca, sambuca with a fly. The three beans represent health, happiness, and prosperity. You can do it with more or less, but it is considered bad luck to do it with an even number. After you drink the sambuca, you can chew on the beans to enhance the rich anise flavor.

Looking for it in this area can be difficult. Some of the more craft cocktail oriented places like Salar and Rue Dumaine may have absinthe or sambuca as aperitifs or digestifs to have during your meal, or for use in cocktails like a sazerac, Café de Paris, or typhoon. If you are looking to try an excellent louched drink, look to Pasha Grill for Yeni Raki, one of my favorites. Absinthe, sambuca, and ouzo are also common to find in liquor stores like Arrow Wine if you are feeling adventurous and want to bring some home for your own personal trials in cocktails.

From candy to medicine to cocktails, anise has proven to be a versatile and coveted plant. Its flavor profile, similar to a sweeter black licorice, is something people either love or hate. It blends well with other flavors in cooking as well as in adult beverages, helping to tone down bitter flavors and enhance sweeter ones. Over the Fourth of July weekend, with all of the family and friends you are going to be seeing, you have an opportunity to gather around a glass of something unique after a good meal and toast to each other’s heath, happiness, and prosperity.

Clambake at C’est Tout

June 27, 2013 By Lisa Grigsby 1 Comment

It may not be seaside, but Chef Dominique Fortin at C’est Tout is celebrating summer with their annual clambake this weekend. Through Saturday you can order this New England special and you’ll get Lobster, Shrimp, Scallops, Mussels, Clams with Potatoes, Onion and Sweet Corn $38.50. You can also order ala carte and enjoy the Lobster eggroll, a Lobster salad with Mango, Berries and Cilantro Pineapple Vinaigrette or perhaps just a sauteed Crab Cake with Country Mustard Sauce. These special will be available during dinner service only.

To add to the festivities, C’est Tout will even be featuring live music on Friday and Saturday from 7:30-10:30pm. Friday it will be Reyna on the guitar with Dana singing and Saturday Lou and Pamela are a piano player and singer who do classics, according to the C’est Tout hostess.

C’est Tout is located at 2600 Far Hills Avenue in Oakwood. Reservations are suggested and can be made by calling 298-0022. C’est Tout will be closed Monday 7/1 through Thursday 7/4 and reopen for lunch on Friday at 11am.

Roasted Lobster, Rice, Vegetables Julienne, Truffle Butter Sauce $26.95

New England Clambake-Lobster, Shrimp, Scallops, Mussels, Clams with Potatoes, Onion and Sweet Corn $38.50

Live Music

Friday 6/28 Reyna and Dana perform 7:30-10:30

Saturday 6/29 Lou and Pamela perform 7:30-10:30

Closings

C’est Tout will be closed Monday 7/1 through Thursday 7/4. We will reopen for regular business hours on Friday 7/5.

100,000 People Expected at Food Filled Americana Festival

June 27, 2013 By Dayton937 3 Comments

Look down the street, hungry people as far as the eye can see !

July 4th will mark the 40th annual Americana Festival in Centerville. Wouldn’t you know that The Big Ragu & Crew are veterans of practically every single Americana Festival over the years. We can’t think of a better way to celebrate America’s Independence that a brisk walk through the intersection of State Route 48 and Franklin Street, sampling food selections from various vendors. With over 100 spots to eat, this is a perfect opportunity for a summer Food Adventure. From typical festival fare like funnel cakes and to healthier choices like salads and grilled chops, there is something for every taste bud on hand. The food tour stretches from the center of town, down through Benham’s Grove and the Activity Center Park. French Fries, Deep Fried Snickers, Roasted Corn, Chinese food and Gyro Vendors are just some of our favorites on the yearly hit list. We would be amiss if we didn’t mention the various icons that will be open along the street such as Bill’s Donut Shop, City BBQ and Graeter’s Ice Cream. You can even enjoy a Marion’s Pizza near the classic car show in their parking lot. Ohhh Americana, how we love thee!

Hey there, Pork Chop !

If you need the scoop on one of Dayton’s largest festivals, here you go:

HERE’S THE SKINNY:

— July 4th events start at 7:30am with a 5k Run/Walk – Always a nice start to a guilt free Food Adventure

— Parade starts at 10am sharp near Centerville High School and typically lasts until 11:30am

— The Street Festival runs from 11am-4pm with over 300 vendors (many of them food booths)

— Festival ends with a Fireworks Display at Centerville High School Stadium at 10pm

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Now for the rumbling stomachs that sound like a fireworks grand finale, here are your Food Adventure MUST EATS !

MUST EATS:

— Nothing says independence like a mouthful of powdered sugar and fried dough, so get yourself a damn Funnel Cake

Nothing says Independence like Powdered Sugar and Fried Dough

— Grilled Pork Chops – Various vendors are serving up these chops that weigh as much as a small dumbell

— Roasted Corn – More than knee high by the 4th of July, don’t forget the brush and buttery dip option

— Gyro’s – The Greek vendors at this event never disappoint. Grab a Gyro with the works, which sometimes includes some Caesar’s Salad lettuce on top

— Philly Cheesesteak – A little known secret of the festival is that some vendors fire up the grills as early as 9:30am. We took advantage of this one year. We also should have taken a tums. Huge, mouth watering, stuffed sandwiches. Just look for the banner “Italian Sausages & Philly Cheesesteaks”

— Deep Fried Snickers – Ok, so admit it, you have always wanted to try one. If you like rich foods and gooey chocolate, give it a whirl. It is like a small, powdered corndog with chocolate inside. Everyone should try these just once. Put it on your July4th bucket list.

— McDigger’s Pub – Go inside and grab a cold libation at the corner of Elm and East Franklin St. They also grill burgers and sausages on the patio. This is the only bar we know of where a round of drinks costs about the same as a local Moose Lodge. Just aim your beer burps the other way, please.

Whether you grab a pretzel donut or a grilled chicken wrap with Uncle Sam on stilts, this shindig is as much a celebration of taste as a celebration of the stars and stripes. So get yourself to the center of Centerville and see why this festival is one of the biggest in Dayton. Are you a veteran of the event? Then comment below and tell us your favorite bites from the Americana Festival!

Your hometown foodies Chef House, Hungry Jax and The Big Ragu wish each and every one of you a happy 4th of July. Enjoy the local street food and more on this warm summer’s holiday. This festival definitely shows off “America the Beautiful !”

Browse through our photos below, they will light your firecracker ! “Like” Food Adventures on Facebook HERE !

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Tuesday Tasting Event Highlights Vandalia Area Eateries

June 23, 2013 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

The annual Vandalia Butler Chamber of Commerce Tasting event will feature samples from over 20 area restaurants as well as Craft beers from Dayton Beer Co, Yellow Springs Brewing Co, Ohio Brewing Co and Jackie O’s Brewing Company.

Expected Restaurants and Caterers:
A Fat Boyz Pizzeria, Boston’s Bistro, Cardinal Catering, Creatif Catering, Fricker’s, Hickory River BBQ, Hooters, Kohler Catering, Kroger’s Bakery, Max & Erma’s, McDonald’s, Oscar’s Sports Bar & Grill, Panera Bread, Papa John’s Pizza, Shen’s Szechuan & Sushi, Skyline Chili, Walmart’s Bakery and Winan’s Fine Chocolates.

Besides the food you can enjoy the live music, ice sculpting a photo booth as well as a home beer making demonstration.

Advance tickets are only $10, at the door they’ll be $15. Events take place under tents.

Summer Sipping

June 21, 2013 By Brian Petro Leave a Comment

Summer is here…and look what it brought with it!

The unofficial beginning of summer has become Memorial Day weekend. It is a long weekend, the weather has turned warm for the season, and pool and festival season kicks off during the extended break from work. The official first day of the season is June 21, during the summer solstice and the longest day of the year. When summer hits, everything changes. Fresh fruit is much more available, and you can get VERY fresh fruit at local farmers markets and Second Street Market downtown. This is also a perfect excuse to change up what you are drinking.

The craft beer distilleries have been summer beers for a month or two now, adding berries, peaches, melons, and citrusy flavors to provide some light flavors more in tune with the season. People are turning to lighter cocktails, looking to all flavors of mojitos, margaritas, or any other light drink. And of course, you need to hit the patio wherever you are at. The season to relax on a patio with friends does not last forever, so get while the getting is good. But what to drink while you are out there? That is the real question. Here are some answers.

BEER

Shandies

Beer of your choice, typically a lager
Lemonade or lemon lime soda

Fill half a pint or other tall glass half way with your beer of choice. Fill the rest of it with the lemonade or lemon lime soda. Enjoy!

Shandies have been around for about a century, starting in Europe and spreading across the pond. Different places around the world use different regional mixers, but the general idea is the same. It is a drink with a little bit of an alcoholic punch, but mild enough to sip it all day long. Any beer can be used, but a good witbier can make a really tasty pairing.

COCKTAILS

Lynchburg Lemonade

1.5 oz. Jack Daniels (it can be any whiskey, but seriously…)
.5 oz. peach liqueur
1 oz. lemon juice (about lemon)
.5 oz. simple syrup
Club Soda

Pour the whiskey, peach liqueur, lemon juice, and simple syrup into a cocktail shaker. Shake well (10-15 shakes), and pour into a glass filled with ice. Top off with about an ounce of club soda.

The Lynchburg Lemonade has fallen on hard times. It has a bad reputation of being overly sweet, fizzy, and generally frowned on in this world of craft cocktails and more available ingredients. Jeff Lucas, a contributor to Serious Eats, worked out this upgraded version. It allows the whiskey to come forward, with the rest of the flavors there for support. This is one you can make in the comfort of your own house.

Paloma

1.5 oz. tequila (I have been enjoying Avion lately)
4.5 oz. grapefruit soda
A splash of lime juice

Fill a tall glass with ice. Pour the tequila in first, then the grapefruit soda and lime juice. Stir and enjoy!

While we like to drink margaritas to celebrate Mexican culture, Mexicans like to drink this very refreshing tequila cocktail. It is simple to make and perfect for a hot day out with friends.

Floridita (Or Hemingway Daiquiri)

2 oz. rum
.5 oz. lime juice
.25 oz. simple syrup
.25 oz. maraschino liqueur
.5 oz. grapefruit juice

Pour all of the ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake until cold, and pour into a cocktail glass. Enjoy!

Hemingway needed to take a bathroom break. A charming little bar in Havana, the El Floridita, was on his way, so he pulled in there to use their facilities. He saw the bartender mixing up a batch of daiquiris. The bartender noticed the famous writer and offered him a glass. Hemingway liked it, but he wanted his a little stronger, and without the sugar. A little maraschino liqueur and a lot of rum later, this delicious summer cocktail was born.

Strawberry Sorbet

.75 oz. vodka
.75 oz. strawberry schnapps
4 oz. milk

Pour the ingredients into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake until cold, and pour in a tall glass filled with ice.

What is summer fun without a little ice cream? This is a richer drink you may want to consider as a dessert or a sweet treat. You can switch out any flavored schnapps you would like to make the ice cream your preferred flavor. You can even reduce the amount of milk to 2 oz., add 4 oz. of ice cream, and turn it into an actual shake. Add two or three fresh strawberries while you are at it!

WINE

White Wine Berry Sangria

1 750 ml bottle of white wine that matches your taste
.75 cup white rum
.5 cup sugar, less if you choose
.5 cup blueberries
.5 cup blackberries
.5 cup raspberries
.5 liter of ginger ale

Pour the wine, rum, sugar, and all of the fruit into a large pitcher and mix well. Put into the refrigerator for two hours, or until you are ready to serve. Just before you serve it, add the ginger ale to the mix.

Summer is a great time for berries. It is also a great time for white wine. It seems only natural to mix the two together for a light wine cocktail. You can up the tartness of the sangria by getting rid of the rum and switching it to .5 cup of limoncello (Italian lemon liqueur).

This is the season where families spend more time together and people go out and relax more. It is time to add some fresh flavors to the typical drinks you are enjoying. Where is your favorite patio to hang out on in Dayton during the summer? We would love to hear about it in the comments! There is a little extra daylight to burn today. Get out there and start enjoying it.

Al’s Smokehouse: Ribs at 4am? YES !!! $20 Gift Certificate Contest

June 20, 2013 By Dayton937 10 Comments

Ribs that make you say “DAMN!”

You’re tipsy. You are out late with your friends at the Oregon District or downtown, and you need some food. Well, Al’s Smokehouse and Cafe is the word on East Third. Open until 5am on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, it is the perfect spot to satisfy your late night hunger pains. This little known Dayton secret serves up tasty, soulful selections from Ribs to Burgers at incredibly cheap prices. Located at 140 E. Third St, Al’s Smokehouse is also a great place to catch a quick lunch. A Food Adventure is in order here ANY time.

Owner Al Shamburg learned cooking from his father who was from Treasure Island, Jamaica. Al honed his culinary and catering skills over the past 20 years, building quite a reputation in Dayton and Springfield for incredible tasting food. Through the years, this self-made-man worked hard to buy his equipment and finally open his own restaurant. He has hired a great staff like his sister Stephanie, and head cook Tyrone, who worked in Dominic’s kitchen for 17 years. The result is a delicious, affordable menu, with consistent quality.

HERE’s THE SKINNY:

Owner Al Shamburg & Head Cook, Tyrone

— Al’s Smokehouse Menu features fantastic BBQ, and delicious soul food like bourbon chicken and collared greens

— Open LATE on weekends til 5am for all you fellow Food Adventurers

— Breakfast served ALL DAY

— Prices so cheap, you won’t believe your eyes

— Friendly servers, veteran cooking staff and a no frills, casual atmosphere

MUST EATS:

— Banana Pudding: We are going to start with a homemade dessert that knocked our socks off. Deliciously sinful, this is the real deal. No canned stuff here! Don’t expect us to share !

— The Smoked Pork Chop – Smoked and drizzled with secret marinades, it is almost like a steak. The Big Ragu says this is the best pork chop he has ever tasted.

— The Ribs: They are smoked for 8 hours, they are brushed with a signature bbq sauce. Meaty and moist, they pack a wallop of flavor and the namesake of this restaurant. Only problem is, they are so good that sometimes, they sell out!

“The Shamburger” – hand made, fresh patty

— “The Shamburger”: Hand packed and never frozen, the juicy burgers are good deal at 4 bucks. Want to go full out? Get the “Cry Baby” which is the Shamburger with a fried egg and cheese.

— Baked Mac n Cheese: Homemade and so good you will flip. Somebody in the kitchen knows what they are doing at Al’s Smokehouse!

— The Wings: Big and juicy, but the secret is in the tangy sauce. Get the BBQ wings and be ready to lick your fingers. You can try the other sauces later, like Jamaica Jerk or OMG Hot wings. On Monday night the 50 cent wing deal is a steal !

— The Shrimp Cheesesteak: A seafood version of the famous sandwich. Resembling a Shrimp Po’ boy, it is one heck of a sub. Delicious!

Honorable Mention: The Pulled Pork Sandwich is a solid choice. Also, we like the homemade Greens for an authentic soul food side. Want to know a secret? Al’s has a killer Pork Tenderloin Sandwich, and it isn’t even on the menu. Ask for it by special request.

Food Adventures has found yet another unique spot for good food at reasonable prices . We are serious eaters. We don’t do a “drive-by” one time visit to a restaurant and then write our articles. Instead, we visit a place multiple times before it is worthy of a Food Adventures share on Dayton Most Metro. Al’s Smokehouse in no exception. We have eaten almost everything on their menu. From the Fish and Grits to the Pancakes and Home Fries. The popular Bourbon Chicken has a honey and spice flavor with hint of Jerk seasoning. You get a slight touch of Al’s Jamaican roots with this dish. Al explained to us that his Bourbon Chicken is made with ‘small hen meat.’ He feels they taste superior to regular chickens.

Who else in Dayton makes Fish and Grits???

The story of this restaurant is simply a hard working family, who is putting their heart into this locally owned eatery. So what are you waiting for? If you are anywhere near downtown, or want a casual trip to the city for some grub, check out Al’s Smokehouse. It isn’t fancy, just some tables and chairs. But the FOOD.. aw the FOOD.. is some great decor, for the stomach!

Want to see more of Food Adventures? “Like” them HERE on Facebook !

Who wants a $20 Gift Certificate to Al’s Smokehouse? One lucky fan who comments below will be chosen at random. Please tell us your comments about Al’s Smokehouse, below! Let us know why you love Al’s, why you would like to try Al’s, or why you want that gift certificate ??? GOOD LUCK !!

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3rd Annual Mad Hatter Bar Crawl This Saturday

June 20, 2013 By Lisa Grigsby 1 Comment

Don’t miss out on an epic pub crawl in the Oregon District this Saturday featuring beers from New Holland Brewing. In an Alice in Wonderland inspired theme, attendees are encouraged to come in costume or at least hats, and there will be prizes and treats along the stops for participants. It all begins at 2pm at Thai 9 where the featured beer will be Michigan Hatter, a beer that celebrates local agriculture with its Michigan-grown Cascade hops from the Itelanau Peninsula. Bright and aromatic, with delicious malt notes underneath a citrusy showcase of hops.

Around 3pm the groups heads to Blind Bob’s for a light and refreshing Beligan style pale ale, Farmhouse Hatter, is the featured pour. By 4pm the group will meander on down to Lucky’s for some Oak Aged Hatter, and I.P.A. aged in Kentucky Barrels. which gives the beer a smooth wood character brining a new dimension to dry-hopped, aromatic hoppiness. Sometime around 5ish the crawl will arrive at Trolley Stop to try the Black Hatter, a version of Mad Hatter brewed with black malt for a dark, roasty sweetness that finishes with a strong Centennial hop character from dry hopping.

Wrapping up the pub crawl at South Park Tavern, around 6ish, guests can experience the Rye Hatter. This beer showcases it’s grain-bill, made up of rye and barley malt. The rye adds a slight spiciness to the caramel-malt base, while also creating a creamy texture. with dry-hopping creating a fresh citrus finish.

Guests are welcome to join the crawl at any stop along the way, but the first 106 guests will get an official New Holland Beer T-shirt and there will be a prize awarded for best costume somewhere along the trail.

Fifth Street Brewpub’s Birthday Bash on June 22 to Celebrate One Year as a Co-Op

June 18, 2013 By Dayton Most Metro 1 Comment

Fifth Street Brewpub (FSB), the first co-operatively owned brewpub in Ohio and the second to open in the nation, announced today that they will be celebrating their first birthday on Saturday, June 22 from noon to 12PM. The event will be open to both member-owners and the general public.

Fifth Street Brewpub’s birthday bash will include a variety of craft beers on tap, a raffle fundraiser, live music by local musicians, food provided by Dayton’s own food trucks, cupcakes made with beer and so much more.

Money raised via the raffle will go toward the purchase of the brewpub’s custom seven-barrel brewing system. “Tickets will be sold for $1 each or 6 for $5” said Membership Director Maureen Barry. “We are also asking attendees to bring in a new baby item if possible that will be donated to Catholic Social Service’s Teen-Parent Link Program. The first 100 people to donate a new item will receive a baby cupcake provided by High Spirits Cupcakes, a local business owned by our members-owners Roxanne and Mark Gabbard.” Attendees can bring in any of the following items: baby wipes, baby shampoo, baby lotion, and diapers (size 4 or larger).

FSB’s birthday bash will be a great celebration where anyone can eat, drink, socialize, catch a game on any of the HD TVs and listen to live music provided by local artists Ally Lewber and Dustin Vincent. FSB-branded apparel will also be available for purchase. The Brewpub will be open to the public and members Thursday, Friday, and Sunday as well, but the big party is Saturday… our birthday! For a detailed schedule of events, visit Fifth Street Brewpub’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/FifthStreetBrewpub. “This may be the last chance for non-members to join the brewpub at the one-time fee of $100 and own a share of the co-op before the price goes up to $125 and still take advantage of the membership gift set: one Fifth Street Brewpub-branded pint glass and four coasters” Barry stated. For more details visit www.brewpubgifts.com.

The grand opening of the brewpub is set for July 13^th, but may be open a couple weeks prior to that for training and fine tuning. Co-founder and president Brian Young stated, “We are very excited to open in July and hopefully be brewing our own beer by late July. It’s been a long time coming! In the end, Fifth Street Brewpub is a community built by community. Our motto is ‘building a community… one beer at a time.’ It’s an exciting time in Dayton!”

Garden Station Sunday Market To Launch This Sun, June 16th

June 14, 2013 By Dayton Most Metro 1 Comment

Garden Station Sunday Market will start this Sunday as the only local produce outlet in Montgomery County which is open on a Sunday. It will start in a more compact version until more urban farmers and artists join us and consumers create more demand. It will run 11am to 2pm and will start with one booth combining produce from the Greater Dayton Urban Farmer’s group, including produce from the NEW market/demonstration farm at Garden Station.

Garden Station feels that demand for local, organically grown produce is increasing and are encouraged by the turn out of over 1000 people for our EarthFest and almost 300 for the local March against Monsanto, but we need more individuals to step forward who are committed to help us work towards a more vibrant local food system. Please comment below if you’d like to help Garden Saation.

Our famers have too many family and other work commitments that need to take priority this year so our larger market events will occur for First Fridays this year for “Local Day at Garden Station”. Local Day will feature at least 2 free sustainable living workshops every month as well as live local music and our Greater Dayton Urban Farmer’s Market. Local Day will run from 5:30pm to dusk on the First Friday of every month through October. The Sunday Market will run weekly from June 16th through mid October on Sundays from 11am-2pm.

The AARP is supporting the production of local produce at Garden Station by helping fund our market/demonstration gardens and arranging for a portion of the produce grown at Garden Station to be donated to seniors at Jaycee Towers, just a block from the gardens.

Please show your support for our local farmers and local, organically produced foods by shopping local!

This information originally appeared on Garden Station’s Facebook event page.

New Centerville Brewery, Lock 27 Set to Open June 21st + Gift Certificate Contest

June 14, 2013 By Dayton937 1 Comment

Owners Steve & Michelle Barnhart with Lock 27 Chef Aimee Saling

Here is something you will not see anywhere else, at least not this early. A super exclusive, sneak peek at the brewery coming to Centerville called Lock 27. The Big Ragu & Crew are not “Grand Opening ” hoppers. In this case we are making an exception, because the person opening Lock 27 is a friend of ours. Owner Steve Barnhart and his wife, Michelle are currently putting the finishing touches on the new brew pub located at 1035 S. Main Street in Centerville, not far from the new Kroger. With plenty of buzz circulating around Dayton through word of mouth, and online, this brewery promises to be a popular spot for some good craft beer. With the addition of Chef Aimee Saling, the food offerings will be a highlight as well.

Shrimp and Polenta: a Must Eat !

For the past 15 years, Steve Barnhart has literally been brewing beer as a ‘driveway hobby.’ His craft and interest grew into offering what now will be Centerville’s only “Gastro Tap Room.” Fashioned after the pubs in London, this true mom and pop establishment will feature a rotating choice of in-house brews, hard to find bottled beers, and some popular craft brews on tap from other breweries. It will be a relaxed atmosphere slanted towards adults, with good background music. The front patio will eventually feature a communal table where patrons are able to enjoy drinks and bites outside.

Why the name Lock 27? It is a tribute to Dayton. Essentially at the turn of the century, Dayton was a river town, with traffic from the Erie Canal running right through the Miami Valley. Lock 27 was an actual stop on the river near Miamisburg. The rich history and river life of Dayton is mostly forgotten today. Instead, inventions of flight are most often associated with the Gem City.

History lesson over, now back to the Food Adventure and what you need to know about Lock 27.

HERE’S THE SKINNY:

The Bar area inside Lock 27

— London Style Gastro Tap Room that will feature 5 in-house brews, 5 out-of-house beers on tap, unique bottled beer and wine selections. Bottled and tap selections will focus on an eclectic mix of regional and national brewers.

— The menu will consists of 15-20 items including tapas and paninis. Lock 27 will feature many “sharable” plates for a communal feel of a European Pub.

— Craft Beers, made in-house will rotate seasonally. They will be brewed 1 or 2 barrels at a time. With small batches, there are no commitments and this will allow for a constantly changing, and evolving brewery. IMPORTANT !! – Since the inspections and liquor licenses have just been approved, in-house beers are being brewed now, and will not be served until approximately 3 weeks after opening.

— Hours will be 4pm-Midnight on weekdays, and 11am-Midnight on weekends

MUST EATS:

House Wheat Beer – In this case a must drink. This wheat beer is a white ale instead of a traditional hefeweizen. This brew is made with California common yeast, for a different flavor. Refreshing never tasted so good.

The Salumi Plate – A unique, appetizer featuring exotic cold cut meats of Prosciutto, Coppa, Gin & Juice Pepperoni, and Dodge City Fireball salami. This plate is perfect for sharing. It is also served with glazed walnuts, almonds and miniature gherkin pickles. The slightly salty and spicy tastes of the meats match perfectly with any alcoholic beverage.

Cuban Sandwich – This delicious panini style creation features ham and pulled pork . It also has Emmenthaler cheese, which is a superior Swiss cheese from Switzerland and France. What makes the sandwich is the crunchy bread and the spicy garlic, aoili mustard. It is served with a side of chips tossed in spices.

The Salumi Plate: Unique cold cuts, enough to share

Shrimp and Polenta: This dish is big on taste. The spicy shrimp with serrano pepper and beschamel sauce, contrasts perfectly with the creamy polenta. We could have eaten this stuff all day. Chef Aimee has captured simplicity and bold flavors with this offering.

Honorable mentions include bottled beers that are off the beaten path like Fullers ESB and La Fin Du Monde.

IN-HOUSE BEERS

On the beer front, Lock 27 plans to be broad in coverage, as opposed to genre specific. It is their intention to celebrate all beer styles, not just be known for specific subgroups like “IPA” or “Belgian”. Lock 27 will brew to a seasonal rotation, so the first beers will be geared for summer. What beers will be the first offerings? Expect to see a “Summer Stout.” They have worked hard on this recipe, so that it is appropriate for warmer weather. It’s not heavy, rather a lighter body thirst quencher, that still maintains stout characteristics. It is a cross between traditional English & Irish stouts, and not a big Russian Imperial.

Wheat Beer and its Creator

Also , they will be brewing 3 other beers. A house British ESB (Extra Special Bitter), a Saison, and a Pacific North West inspired Session IPA should all be available in the next 3-4 weeks. They even have a nickname for their brew kettle. It is called Scarlett Brewhansson, please give her a visit.

So get your taste buds prepared and get ready to quench your thirst, because Lock 27 promises to be a hot spot this summer. The addition of this restaurant just may make South Dayton the new Craft Beer headquarters of the Miami Valley.

Thank you to the management of Lock 27 for giving Food Adventures access to this EXCLUSIVE scoop. Make sure you tell the management, The Big Ragu” sent you !” Good drink and good food is what you can expect from Centerville’s newest restaurant. Unique styles as opposed to the standard fare. The spread of craft and high quality imports on tap alone will be an attraction, not to mention the brewery itself. Will it be successful? We think it’s a lock !

***CONTEST*** Please register below and comment on the story below and tell us why you want a $20 Gift Certificate to Lock 27. One winner will be chosen at random on Monday !![form 55 “DMM Contest Entry – Generic”]

Want more brew and chew than you can handle? Visit Food Adventures on Facebook and “like” us HERE !

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Ribbon Cutting, Food Truck Rally and Car Show on Flag Day

June 11, 2013 By Dayton Most Metro Leave a Comment

Creative Banners Flags & Poles will celebrate their 35th anniversary with a ribbon cutting and food rally on Friday, June 14th at their new location, 1006 E. Dorothy Lane in Kettering. This family owned and operated business will welcome the first 25 guests in after the ribbon cutting with a free 3′ x 5′ American flag. Browse the selection of flags that include a variety of US, state, college, sports and seasonal selections as well as custom flags and hardware to hang flags. They also

Guests are invited to continue the celebration by dining at one of the four food trucks that will be on site from 5pm until about 9pm and enjoy a Classic Car & Muscle Car Show. Scheduled to attend are Harvest Mobile Cuisine, G’s Cue BBQ, McNasty’s & Zombie Dogz.