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J. Gumbo’s—Providing Us with a Reason to Celebrate Mardi Gras!

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Ready for a magic trick? I’m guessing the first thought to pop into your head after reading that they offer Southern cuisine included some variation of the word “spicy;” whether that was preceded by “too,” “adequately,” “awesomely,” or “freakishly,” can be your little secret, but let me tell you one of mine—at J. Gumbo’s, it’s not about how much spice they can pack into a bite. “It’s more about the flavor,” clarified John. And there’s nothing like some good Southern flavor to celebrate Fat Tuesday/Mardi Gras, which just so happens to be tomorrow, the very day that J. Gumbo’s is offering a remarkable all-you-can-eat special!

Pairing well with their unique selection of food, J. Gumbo’s also has a very unique story.  John Krabacher, manager and chef, was able to sit down with me last Friday to give me a history lesson, including that of himself and the company. John grew up along Brown Street, having his first Cheese Steak from Milano’s when it still occupied J. Gumbo’s present location. He even had his first beer at Timothy’s! He and his friends lived among these college parts and even developed a weekend routine, which included sneaking past the cops who always used to wait in Arby’s parking lot. After some growing up, John has become a chef, helped run Kanoe Cafe, and shared recipes through his blogs; John’s latest adventure is managing this newest baby of the J. Gumbo’s franchise. Whilst speaking to me about it, he said, “If you told me two years ago I’d be here, I’d tell you that you were nuts. I don’t like franchises.” So naturally I wanted to know why he decided to dive into this franchise. Usually a chain like this wants to stick to certain recipes, which, in John’s opinion, takes away from the creativity of the food. But John’s great ideas, knack for taste, and personal relationship with the founder has given him the ability to tweak recipes, and now he proudly claims his J. Gumbo’s houses the best food of the franchise. This was only possible with the help of his right-hand lady, Erin. “Erin’s really good at what she does,” which consists of a whole slew of things, including perfecting their bread pudding recipe; baking their corn bread, bread pudding, and apple cobbler from scratch; and the daily task of keeping John in line. They complement each other brilliantly, both fully understanding what is needed for their Store Number Thirty-Nine to succeed.

Jambalaya with Garlic Bread

Store Number One was founded by a thoroughbred jockey, named Billy Fox. He was getting tired of the stable food, so he started cooking Cajun. After his career as a jockey, he retired to Louisiana, where he started Gumbo A Go-Go. Eventually, after some hard work, the company evolved to what we have today on Brown Street—J. Gumbo’s. Their gumbo has evolved along with them, which can now only be described as none other than delicious. Considered by John to be the restaurant’s must-have item, their gumbo has improved a lot over the years. If you’re interested in more of a sweet dish, J. Gumbo’s offers a vegetarian entrée, entitled Bumblebee Stew, which happens to be my absolute personal favorite. Pair that with their Jambalaya, and you’ve got my ultimate Southern combination. Want to dive into something with a little more zing? Their Voodoo Chicken, tomato-based and spicy, might just be what you’re craving. Billy Fox actually started the company on only two recipes: the previously mentioned Voodoo Chicken and what they call Drunken Chicken—made with black pepper and pepper corn seasoning, marinated for 24 hours in beer. College students, let me repeat that—BEER! And don’t worry, not Natty.

Bumblebee Stew

On that note, John was very excited to tell me they will be getting their liquor license very soon and plan to house an assortment of Louisiana brews, the perfect way to top off this Southern meal. If you’re still a bit hesitant to try something completely new, J. Gumbo’s offers free samples to first-timers. Try it out this Tuesday, the twenty-first of February! And once you realize you love it, you will be happy you chose to come to J. Gumbo’s on Fat Tuesday. ‘Why?’ you ask. Because this Mardi Gras, J. Gumbo’s is having ALL YOU CAN EAT for only $12! You get a stamped card once you pay, and you can come back for breakfast, lunch, and dinner if you so choose. This is the ultimate gift for your taste buds, whether you’re just seeking flavor or hoping to get a little spicy on Mardi Gras!

And to keep us all coming back, J. Gumbo’s is dishing out the deals every week. Mondays are Kid’s night, where Looney Ballooney, a local balloon artist, makes balloon figurines for the families, giving dinner a whole new dimension of fun. Tuesdays, in general, college students can save 10% all day by showing their ID to the cashier. On Wednesdays, municipal workers get 10% off all day, and J. Gumbo’s is just waiting to hear of other specials in which we, as customers, would like to partake. Eating there will satisfy our taste buds; why not satisfy our wallets, too?

J. Gumbo’s casual, down-home Southern cuisine and atmosphere, complete with music of the South, is sure to win you and your taste buds over. I’ve always ventured to have my readers try something new. I haven’t steered you wrong before, and I’m not planning to now. Cajun and Creole food may be completely new to you, as it was for me, or it may be a trip down memory lane of your last trip down South. Either way, J. Gumbo’s is definitely worth a visit. Especially this Mardi Gras!

So grab your beads and meet down on Brown in front of the Crawdaddy sign. And have a happy, flavor-filled Mardi Gras!

 

J. Gumbo’s

1822 Brown Street

(937) 522-0704

Mon-Sat 11AM-10PM

Sun 12PM-9PM

www.jgumbos.com

If Life Gives You Limes…

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Here is how you start the weekend

This coming Wednesday, February 22nd, is National Margarita Day. And, of course, we all love a good margarita. They are a staple drink at any Mexican restaurant, and for the most part the only tequila based drink most people can name. Blended with ice or on the rocks, they come in all flavors and in a coupe glass, usually with a salted (or in some cases, sugared) rim. And, if you are a Dayton native, you know that Elsa’sand their Bad Juans are THE margaritas to drink. Of course, you may also know that if you live in or near Tampa, Florida. There is an Elsa’s there, and Bad Juans are served in the Tampa Bay Times Forum Arena, home of the Tampa Bay Lightning. The margarita is a drink that every bartender, amateur and professional, knows how to make. It is one of the basics.

What no bartender knows is where the margarita originally came from. In fact, no one knows. But the stories that hover around the origins of the drink are pretty incredible. One of the most told ones is that a wealthy socialite from Texas names Margaret “Margarita” Sames created the drink in 1948 at a party she was throwing at her vacation home in Acapulco. She stepped behind the bar and started to experiment, and had her guests judge the results. The most popular one was the one that went on to bear her name. It is a great story, but it also ignores the fact that in 1945, Jose Cuervo had an advertisement with the phrase “Margarita: it’s more than a girl’s name”. A story that would fit that timeline is the one where it is created in the 1930’s for a woman named Marjorie King by a bartender named Carlos “Danny” Herrera. She was supposedly allergic to all forms of alcohol…except for tequila. This was made as her drink. Or, maybe a rock star bartender named Enrique Bastante Gutierrez made it for a little known actress named Margarita Cansino. Some bartenders think it was not named for a woman at all, but it is a variation of a classic drink named a Daisy, which in Spanish is margarita. The Daisy was a much more complex drink with a brandy base, and added simple syrup and soda water.

The margarita is a cocktail that comes from a much simpler background, probably relating a little closer to the sours popular in the late 19th century. When we go out, we look to get pitchers, fishbowls, 55 gallon drums, any large container full of a slightly sour, greenish/yellowish beverage. The original recipe is a little closer to this:

Margarita

One too many margaritas can cause this

1.5 oz. tequila (I am a fan of El Espalon Reposado lately)
1 oz. orange liqueur (Triple sec, Grand Marnier, etc.)
.75 oz. lime juice

Combine the ingredients into a mixing glass over ice. Shake well, and then strain into a coupe glass with a salted rim.

To salt a rim, take a lime wedge and run it around the edge of the glass to add moisture. Then dip the edge into a plate with kosher salt covering it, pressing the salt into the edge. Lift the glass and tap the edge gently, knocking off any excess salt. You want the salt to be on the outside and edge of the glass, not the inside where salt may slide into and contaminate the drink.

Just over three ounces of liquid, which is much closer to what drinks looked like when it was created. Sour mix and other ingredients were added in the 70’s and 80’s so it would compete with the popular cocktails of the day in volume. It was about that time that the drink spread out of the Southern and Western United States, and move into the Midwest and East. Tequila gained some popularity during Prohibition, when it was smuggled into the U.S. for an extremely thirsty populace. That popularity waned when the U.S. ended its involvement in World War II, and alcohol producers could go back to producing drinking alcohol, not industrial. Then the spread of tequila, and tequila based drinks, went all over the country. The popularity of the margarita climbed as it spread through the nation, becoming the most ordered mixed drink in the U.S. in 2008, with Americans drinking 185,000 an hour at its peak. With its growing popularity, people started to experiment more with what they added to sweeten the mix, adding melon liqueur, strawberry liqueur, blue curacao, amaretto, as well as other spirits.

As mentioned earlier, Elsa’s is the undisputed champion of the margarita in Dayton. However, that is not to say there is not competition for the crown. Pepito’s in Kettering has been known to serve a delicious margarita or two. El Meson also has a tasty margarita to enjoy with some of the best food in town. And El Toro can also throw its hat in the ring, offering a wide variety of tequilas as well as variations on classic. There are plenty of places to go to celebrate National Margarita Day on Wednesday. Just remember this article if you have to work the next day. Cheers!

 

Food Adventure’s Small Bites for 2/16/2012

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Banana Rum Crunch Crepe

Welcome to FOOD ADVENTURES‘ bi-weekly feature called

“Small Bites,” which is simply a quick take on some of our favorite local food items.

Here are our “Small Bites” for 2/16/2012:

 

THE BANANA RUM CRUNCH CREPE at BOULEVARD HAUS:

We appreciates fantastic food from German heritage.  Boulevard Haus in Dayton’s Oregon District is a favorite stop.  This German restaurant, with a contemporary twist, has developed one of the greatest desserts that we have ever eaten.    It is called the Banana Rum Crunch Crepe.  This monstrous crepe is $6.95 and can be shared among your entire table.  It is loaded with bananas, white chocolate, rum sauce, and is topped with pecan brittle and whipped cream.  This dessert is a MUST, and sticks out among the other amazing menu items at Boulevard Haus.  The crepe tastes so good that it is like an Oktoberfest in your mouth!

 

THE PEEL AND EAT SHRIMP at DUNAWAY’s BEEF and ALE:

Perfect Peel and Eat

Nothing beats a great appetizer to get your taste buds tingling.  Food Adventures has found one such joy at Dunaway’s Beef and Ale in Troy, Ohio.  Their Peel and Eat Shrimp are fresh, crisp, and spiced just perfectly.  This addicting menu item goes perfectly with a pint of beer, and Dunaway’s has a great selection of drafts.  These shrimp are definitely one of the best cold appetizers around.  The Cajun spice dust on the shells helps create the perfect flavor that will have you craving more.  The shrimp are large and can be ordered by themselves, or part of a full dinner deal.  Check the specials, and you may get to have this treasure at a reduced price.

 

THE BIG RAGU SUGGESTS:

99 Cent Hand Rolls at Saya

THE 99 CENT HAND ROLLS at SAYA:

In Fairborn, one of the best kept secrets is a restaurant called Saya.  Located on Kauffman Road, they have some of the freshest tasting sushi around.  Their most superb deal is the 99 cent hand roll.   Let’s face it, sushi can be expensive, so take advantage of this item’s bang, for less than a buck.  The Big Ragu prefers the spicy tuna hand roll.  Put Saya on your Food Adventure Hit List, and you wont be disappointed in their selection.

 

 

THE SUPER DUPER CHEESESTEAK CHALLENGE at THE SUBMARINE HOUSE:

16 Inches of Heaven

Let the Big Ragu suggest a tasty, food challenge for those with big appetites.  The Submarine House has held a yearly event called the Super Duper Cheese Steak Challenge.   Actually, it is going on right now until March 18, 2012.  If you can eat a 16 inch Super Duper Cheesesteak in 16 minutes,  it is FREE !  The “Super Duper” version of the cheesesteak means 3 times the meat and cheese as their normal 16 inch sub.  The cheesesteak must be topped with the “works,” which means mushroom, onion, hot peppers, mayo, lettuce and tomato.  If your time is good enough, you can move on to the finals at a later date!  The Big Ragu ate his sandwich in 6 minutes, but was nowhere near the champion’s time of 2 minutes.  The cheesesteak is fantastic and the event benefits Children’s Medical Center of Dayton.

 

Have you had one of our favorite SMALL BITES ?  Please feel free to comment below and let us know what you think !

Check out Food Adventures on FACEBOOK and “LIKE” us to become an Official Fan …

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El Meson unveils a new “$3 Appy Our”

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Starting today, Feb 15th and running weekdays from 4:30-6pm, El Meson will be tempting us with some $3 cocktails and some really affordable appetizers.  Featuring a rotating menu of empanadas, chinckent Tinga, Flauta, tacos and chees puffs you’ll be able to enjoy Tapa and small plates for a small piece of your wallet.  This treats all run  $3 – 5.

Here’s the weekly line up:

Mojito Monday

Taco & Tequila Tuesday

Sangria & Small Plate Wednesday

Tapa Thursday

Weekly Featured Cocktail Friday

 

You can find the family owned El Meson at 903 E. Dixie Drive in West Carrollton.  The area is currently experiencing some road construction, so be aware of orange cones and detours that may appear from time to time! And while you’re there, check out the salsa dancing or sign up for a cooking class!

 

Craft Beer Goes Gluten Free – Dogfish Head Tweason’ale Review

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Dogfish Head Tweason'ale

Tweason’ale from Dogfish Head is a gluten free, sorghum based beer brewed with strawberries and honey. This is the first 4 pack in the Dogfish Head lineup in 5 years. Dogfish Head certainly isn’t the first brewery to make gluten free beer, but this is arguably the biggest release of a beer of this type.

From the Dogfish Head website:

The No. 1 thing Dogfish lovers ask for at our pub, in our brewery and on our website is a gluten-free beer. But not just any gluten-free beer — they want gluten-free with gusto.

 

“It seems as if lots of folks who have gluten-tolerance issues are pining for an interesting beer,” says Dogfish founder and president Sam Calagione. “While there are a few well-made examples that mirror traditional beer styles, there arent any off-centered offerings.”

 

Enter Tweason’ale.

 

For our first new 12-ounce 4-packs in nearly half a decade, we replaced the classic barley foundation of beer with a mild sorghum base. The hints of molasses and pit-fruit are balanced by vibrant strawberry notes and a unique complexity that comes with the addition of a malty buckwheat honey.

 

We believe health-conscious beer drinkers and the millions of Americans who suffer from Celiac disease can cut back on gluten while relishing the distinction and drinkability of this very special brew.

 

Tweasonale is a seasonal for between the seasons. It will first hit shelves in late January 2012 and will be released four times a year through our national network of distributors.

 

This beer was pretty labor-intensive to make, but it was a beautiful process. We invited our artist friends Jamie and Kevin to come document our brew with their ultra-cool Cinemagraph process. Check out the process here.

 

Original Release Date:

 

07/2011

 

Food Pairing Recommendations:

 

Fatty fish, dried fruit, salted nuts

 

Wine Comparable:

 

Rose

 

Here is my review for this beer.

 

APPEARANCE

 

Beautiful stuff – it’s a crystal clear honey-blonde color. The head was small and didn’t stick around for very long, but there was some nice visible carbonation in the glass sort of like champagne. In fact, this beer looks a lot like champagne due to its clarity. I must say it makes me thirsty just looking at it!

 

 

SMELL

 

The strawberry comes through and creates a nice, refreshing aroma. It’s on the border between smelling like fresh fruit and artificial fruit, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing in this case. It’s followed by an unusual earthy aroma, and perhaps grassy notes and baker’s yeast. The honey is subtle, but present. Overall, this a nice smelling fruit beer.

 

TASTE

Dogfish Head Tweason'ale Label

 

This beer has some interesting flavors! The strawberry comes out, bringing some nice sweetness and slight tartness. There’s sort of a spicey character, not quite like Belgian yeast notes (clove, banana, etc) but more like fresh or candied ginger. There’s some slight earthiness in there, but not as much as the nose. A yeast flavor comes through as it warms. It almost reminds me of sparkling grape juice in terms of flavor.

 

MOUTHFEEL

 

 

This is a really light beverage. There isn’t much body to it, which makes it extremely easy drinking. It’s nice and effervescent, and it doesn’t really feel like beer. It feels more like champagne or even soda due to the dryness and the high carbonation.

 

OVERALL

 

Not a bad brew in the least bit! I grabbed a whole 4 pack, and I’m glad that I did. It’s got some really nice flavors and is super easy to drink, so this is a beverage for both people who like beer as well as people who don’t. It’s nice to see a fairly large craft brewery like Dogfish Head produce a gluten-free beer that people with or without gluten allergies can appreciate. The lack of body makes the brew a little under-satisfying, but the complex flavors make up for it.

 

Cheers.

 

SCORE: ★★★ 3/5

This review can also be found at Snobby Beer.

 

 

 

10? with De’Lish Cafe’s Chef Anthony Head

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Born and raised in Dayton and a graduate of Colonel White High School for the Arts and Ball State University School of Business respectively, Chef Anthony T. Head’s culinary journey began as a child with the adult responsibilities of buying groceries and preparing meals for his family.

His first cooking job outside of culinary school was an internship opening up The Wine Loft franchise out at the Greene. He was the first cook hired and helped set up the kitchen and  trained under the late Richard Pignetti of Houston. He says, “Chef “Pig” really set the tone for my career with his terse language and instruction.”

He worked as a volunteer at an HIV/AIDS testing clinic in West Dayton, the Mt. Olive One Stop. Among his responsibilities, he worked with the kitchen staff where he strived to provide well balanced meals, not through instruction, but through grocery shopping (selection). Chef Head says, “people always brag about ‘where’ they went to school or worked, but rarely about what they’ve ‘learned.’ The most important lesson I learned in culinary school was HOW to shop. Anybody can cook, but most people don’t know where to go to get certain ingredients or how to prep them for cooking.”

After his service term ended with Americorps, he was the first cook hired to help Jenn DiSanto open Fresco. The job at Fresco was an  internship required as part of his culinary education at Sinclair.  As a member of Sinclair’s State Hot Foods competition team, Chef Head added a 3rd place finish and ACF bronze medal to a growing list of awards and credentials from Sinclair’s American Culinary Federation certified program and was named 2011 ACF Jr. Culinarian of the Year for the Miami Valley.

He was then hired to assist Kim Collette open Olive. He says his  contribution to Olive was limited to some recipe development and helping staff her crew with some of his best friends before taking a consulting gig at De’Lish Cafe with Chef Mark Brown (who is now at Taste in Trotwood). He’d worked with Mark, catering several events throughout the city after he volunteered to work with him at the African American Wellness Walk (held at Island Park each spring)a couple of years ago. That lead to a temporary job  help train the prep crew at De’Lish and before long, Chef Brown  ended up staying on to become their Executive Chef and naming Anthony his Sous Chef.  Chef Brown groomed  Anthony and groomed him to take over at De’Lish Cafe, which he did in  in early December 2011.

 

Honey glazed Salmon

What is your favorite ingredient to cook with?
Love, and I know it sounds cliché or even corny, but it’s what makes the difference in my kitchen. From the music that plays in our kitchen to how a cook feels on a given day, to who we’re cooking it for-it (or lack thereof) comes out in the food!

What ingredient do you dread? All food is good (on some level). It’s what people do to it that makes it bad. That said, most things canned leave no room for improvement.

What’s your favorite dish to make? Any kind of risotto.  It’s such an intimate dish that requires your full attention. Like many of the analogies in our kitchen, the process of making risotto is like date night. Since this a family show, I’ll give you the PG version:  you have to be thoughtful enough to have all the ingredients in place and once you get started you can’t stop until well, it’s finished 😉

What’s your favorite pig out food? Ghirardelli Triple Chocolate Chip Brownies (slightly undercooked) and Hagen Daz Ice Vanilla Ice Cream (that’s why it’s on my menu at De’Lish!)

Chef Head with the De'Lish crew

What restaurant, other than your own do you like to dine at in the Miami Valley?
When I get a chance, I love to run over to Flying Pizza to grab a slice or powwow over brunch at Olive, an Urban Dive.

What’s your best advice for home chefs?
People are pretentious, not food. Cook what you have, the way you like, for people you like.  That’s how it’s been done Best throughout the course of history.

If you could invite any 4 guests to a dinner party who would they be and why?
That’s easy, my late biological and foster parents. They loved me in spite of myself and constantly bolstered my confidence in every endeavor I ever undertook. They stoked my passion and made me realize  that I could do anything I put my mind to, if I cared enough to do it!

Who do you look up to in the industry and why?
Wow, too many to name them call, but a few come immediately to mind: Julia Childs for making French cuisine accessible and learning with such a genuine interest and passion for so many years on public television. Thomas Keller for his penchant for culinary and experiential perfection and successfully leveraging a network of artisian suppliers and Ming Tsai for being a locally grown
talent (I always root for our hometown heroes!)

Korean fried chicken with Asian cabbage slaw atop ginger-curried rice

What do you do in the Miami Valley on a day off?
I’m a young Executive Chef what is this “day off” you speak of?  Now, in my “time away from the kitchen” I’m usually slaving away in my home kitchen for my own family, reading something or working on my electric bicycle that I ride to work most days.

Share a kitchen disaster, lucky break or other interesting story:
In the kitchen, aren’t they usually all the same kind of story? Well, I was selected as the 2011 Jr. Culinarian of the Year by our local chapter of the American Culinary Federation. Well, we chef-folk, usually so humble in nature, and me, ripe out of culinary school, I often reminded my staff that I’m only “chef of the year for X amount more days.” Well, on the last day of the year, we’re hosting our New Years Eve event and I took it upon myself to personally cater to our VIP Section.  One of our VIPs made mention that “he didn’t like shrimp” but loved seafood. So when an appetizer plate came up with shrimp on it I simply removed it.  Several minutes later he mentioned that he was “having a reaction” and I asked to what? Well, turns out he didn’t like shrimp because he was allergic to it! While there was no shrimp on his plate, we did have other shellfish in one of the other apps. I ran down the street to a drug store and got some Benadryl which halted any further symptoms, but laughed about it the rest of the night to think, on the last day of my “chef of the year” year, I almost killed one of the most important friends of our business. Fantastic!

 

 

Food Adventures make Pizzas at Johnny’s Slice of New York

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Manhattan Splitsville: Any 3 Toppings on each half

A day in the life of a FOOD ADVENTURER may include using culinary skills from time to time.  When Johnny’s Slice of NY Pizzeria in Centerville approached us about being “Guest Pizza Makers” for a day, we jumped at the chance.  We have enjoyed Johnny’s food, from their pizza to their calzones, so we couldn’t wait to toss a few pies for fun.

Owners Johnny and Michelle Rivera asked us to develop our own special pizza that would be added to their menu.  We came up with the “MANHATTAN SPLITSVILLE” pizza, which is any 3 toppings on each half of the pie.  The event took place on Sunday, January 22nd. Friends, family and Johnny’s regular customers joined us for the festivities.  That day only, the 18inch versions of the Manhattan Splitsville sold for the special price of $15.

We showed up an hour before the event, ready for training.  We were greeted by the staff who had made us special t-shirts adorned with our names  and the Johnny’s Slice of NY logo.  We changed into our uniforms and the phones began to ring with orders an hour before they opened!  Johnny took the orders and opened early, so we had to train on the fly!

Food Adventures helped both in the kitchen and bringing orders to the crowded tables.  He also welcomed customers and explained the special of the day.  We were at the front of the house, mingling with new and old customers.

Also, the Big Ragu was putting cheese and toppings on the pizzas and loading them into the oven.  He even brushed the crusts with garlic butter, then sliced the pizza pies into those huge NY slices.  It was a blast and we are very thankful for the people who came to visit and support the event.  We got to serve up slices of love, Food Adventure Style.

Fresh Homemade Calzone – the Best !

Those who have not had a chance to visit Johnny’s Slice of NY Pizzeria, need to try this family-owned place.  Johnny, who grew up in the boroughs of New York City, learned to develop his own pizza sauce, with a terrific flavor.  Their dough is made fresh daily.  They have many  specials including two New York sized slices and a soft drink for 6 bucks which is popular with the high school students.   Not in the mood for pizza? Let us suggest the calzone or stromboli, which are the best we have ever tasted.  Another favorite is the stuffed pizza creation called the Brooklyn Brawler.  This huge pizza is sold by the slice or whole.  There is even a “Brooklyn Brawler Challenge” where if two people can eat the 18-inch, eight-pound pizza stuffed with pepperoni, sausage, ham, bacon, mozzarella, and provolone in 30 minutes, they get it for free!  Winning contestants also get a T-shirt and picture on the “Wall of Fame.”   If the pie doesn’t get finished, the photo goes on the “Wall of Shame.”

Johnny’s also offers subs, salads, breadsticks and pasta dishes as well. Visit them at 57 W. Franklin Street in Centerville for authentic New York Style Pizza and more.  Below are lots more photos from our “Guest Pizza Makers Event.”  Maybe you will see yourself in the photo album.  Please feel free to leave your comments below about the event or your experience with Johnny’s Slice of NY Pizzeria.

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Bud Light Goes Platinum

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Today’s big news in big beer is Anheuser-Busch’s release of Bud Light Platinum, just in time for Superbowl celebrating!  Decked out in a tall cobalt blue bottle, this new beer is a little sweeter and a little stronger than your average domestic beer.  The new Platinum beer has 137 calories and 4.4 grams of carbs,   while top-selling Bud Light, by comparison, weighs in at 4.2% ABV with 110 calories and 6.6 grams of carbs. The company describes the brew this way: “It’s smooth, bold and effortlessly sophisticated, but with the drinkability that consumers expect from a light beer.” 

You’ll pay a little more for the higher alcohol content, Platinum is running $6.99 a six pack of bottles,  about $1.30 more than  Bud Light at Belmont Party Supply.  “People has already been in asking for it, I think the higher alcohol content is what appeals to them,” says Natalie Moore, the social media guru at the Smithville Road store.

Anheuser- Busch InBev says it created Bud Light Platinum to appeal to a new breed of light beer drinker who likes a little more flavor in a light beer and a more stylish presentation.  Advertising Age earlier this month described the release of Bud Light Platinum as part of an effort “to win over younger drinkers who have been gravitating to spirits.” The publication said A-B InBev would spend heavily on advertising and is expected to buy at least one spot for Platinum during the February 5 Super Bowl.

If you try the Bud Light Platinum, let us know what you think in the comments below:

 

 

 

Savor Your Sundays to Benefit Stivers

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For the fourth February, Coco’s Bistro will open up for a unique series of musical brunches featuring young musicians from Stivers School for the Arts. A different group from Stivers will perform each Sunday.

The schedule is:

Feb. 5: Stivers Singers
Feb. 12: Strings
Feb. 19: Concert Pianists
Feb. 26: Jazz Quintet

Each Sunday will feature two brunch sessions, from 10 a.m. to noon and 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m.; the same menu will be served at both seatings. Cost is $30 per person; $15 of this is a tax-deductible donation to the seedling Foundation, which supports the arts at Stivers. All funds raised during the Sunday brunches will support arts instruction at the school.

This year’s menu has not yet been release, but based on last year’s menu you’ll have a choice from about 1/2 a dozen choices, from traditional breakfast meals, salads and entrees, including vegetarian options.  Mimosas and Bloody Mary’s will be available for an additional charge. Advanced reservations are required; and based on previous years attendance, these brunches will sell out.  Call 228-COCO (2626), or go online at www.228coco.com/brunch to reserve

 

 

Healthy Food Adventures at Flavor’s Eatery

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Flavors Eatery in Centerville

If you could use a little California sunshine in the midst of this cold Ohio winter, consider heading to Centerville ’s West Coast inspired FLAVORS EATERY.   Rich and Elaine LoRusso’s little eatery whose slogan is “LIVE, LOVE, LIFE,” has been a favorite dining spot in Centerville for several years.   Rich and Elaine had a successful string of restaurants in California , but decided to move back to Ohio to be closer to family.  Once they returned, they decided to open FLAVORS EATERY – a restaurant concept which provides diners with healthy menu alternatives in a fast-food-dominated world.  The concept worked and the restaurant has developed quite a following since its inception.

The Incredible House Garlic Sauce

The menu is dynamic and unique like the personalities of the charismatic owners.  The couple know their customers well and have developed many friendships with their returning clientele.  Once inside the restaurant, you are promptly greeted by the highly energetic Elaine LoRusso.

The atmosphere is casual and eclectic with music playing overhead and walls adorned with pictures of the owners with many legendary musicians.  The place has an artsy and relaxed West Coast vibe.

The food is totally unique and bursting with flavor. The menu consists of California-style wraps, homemade soups, subs, salads, smoothies, and burritos.  They even have ice cream and low-fat yogurt.  It is very easy to eat at FLAVORS EATERY if you are watching your weight!  Since both of us could be described as “husky”, this is one of our favorite dining spots.

Monterey Grilled Chicken

We have become addicted to the Weight Watcher friendly Monterey Grilled Chicken –a flatbread loaded with organic chicken and topped with fresh grilled veggies.  If you want a different flavor to your food, they will gladly accommodate your request.  If you love Thai food, ask Rich prepares his Chicken Monterey Grille with a little Thai sauce… delish!

The Big Ragu loves fish and always goes for the heaping Salmon Wrap.  They start off with a Honey Whole Grain Wrap and stuff it with salmon, black beans, organic brown rice, lettuce, and cheese.  The wraps also come with a side of tortilla chips that are topped with the House Garlic Sauce.  If you haven’t tried the House Garlic Sauce, then you are missing out!  We highly suggest you pick up a bottle to take home!  The house-made salsa is also very refreshing and unique as they change the vegetables with each batch!

If the large portions don’t quite fill you up, you can always try one of their many desserts. They offer espresso drinks, smoothies, baked goods, ice cream, and frozen yogurts. One of our favorite desserts is the large chocolate chip cookie warmed and topped with chocolate sauce and whipped cream.  Nothing beats a fresh, warm cookie!

Peanut Butter Cup Shake – click to enlarge

The Big Ragu goes the frozen route and orders up a milkshake.  His favorite is the Peanut Butter Cup Shake that is packed with huge chunks of peanut butter cups.  If you decide to try these desserts, you might want to spend a few extra hours in the gym to burn off the calories! Believe us, every drop of sweat will be worth it!

Flavors is open Monday through Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 6:15 p.m., Saturdays from 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and closed on Sundays.  A popular lunch spot, you might have to wait a little longer during the lunch rush, but the food is that good.  One taste of their unique food and you will be addicted too.  It’s easy to understand the loyal following FLAVORS EATERY has acquired. Check them out at www.flavorseatery.com or even better yet….stop in this restaurant and give them a try.  They are located at 865 East Franklin Street by Centerville High School in the Centerville East Plaza shopping center.

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The Marriage of Quality and Support for Local Producers is Quite a Delicious One

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Biscotti

Full-fledged perseverance has led Hilary Browning to her career as a baker, but truthfully, most of the credit for her success belongs to no one other than Hilary, herself. She is the most driven, inspiring person I have yet to meet, and it has been an honor to hear and write about her story. She is the owner and mastermind behind Thistle Confections, which supplies the baked goods for Ghostlight Coffee, but her newest addition to this one of a kind business is her booth at the Second Street Market, which will open February 11! She has finally made this “baking dream a reality,” as she puts it, and I was along to get the quite delicious dish on the details.

When looking up the term “self-starter” in the dictionary, one should find the name “Hilary Browning” listed. Just sitting down for this brief interview, I could sense her drive and determination, which no doubt has brought her this far in her baking career. The platform of her baking knowledge originated from her mother and grandmother, who were recent Italian immigrants. They supplied her with the basics, but from this jumping off point, Hilary is completely self-taught. She likes to deviate from traditional recipes, making them her own. As she explained to me, she finds “pride in the creative aspect of flavor.” And boy, oh boy! The Better Breakfast cookie I tried sure did pack a punch of flavor!

Hilary describes the line of events that led her to the present as a “natural progression,” all starting with her food blog in 2006, while she was studying at Ohio State for graduate school. This was her outlet for stress, a way to test recipes, and a chance to keep in contact with friends, as well as acquire new friendships. As Hilary explains,

Cinnamon Roll

“business grew from that.” After her transfer to and graduation from the University of Dayton, her husband was stationed at a military base, and she decided the timing was perfect to give her baking idea a try. Even her partnership with Ghostlight Coffee can be seen as part of this natural series of events, as her relationship with Shane as a neighbor and friend eventually evolved into this partnership. A partnership that has brought forth delicious, unique recipes and support for local producers, but not much sleep as she points out: “it’s a choice. You make choices, and you make sacrifices for those choices.” But she stands firmly behind her decisions, especially her commitments to quality and local producers, her two biggest concentrations when it comes to running Thistle Confections.

Whoppie Pie

“My goal is not profit.” This was one of the first things Hilary shared with me. Quality, as aforementioned, is one of her two greatest concerns when it comes to her creations. She has personally met and fed the chickens from the two farms from where she gets her organic eggs. “It’s a lot of work,” but it’s worth it for quality. Every baked good is made from whole grains, providing a healthy aspect. Hilary also doesn’t sell anything she has not tasted or include any ingredient from a box. Everything is made from scratch, using only organic ingredients from local producers who have gone through Hilary’s inspection. Another amazing aspect of Thistle Confections is that all goods are baked fresh daily. She specializes in nostalgic and savory pastries; reinventing old recipes are her specialty. Two such nostalgic baked goods are her “Whoopy Pie,” which actually came from Pennsylvania in the 19th century, and her cinnamon rolls, which are prepared using a technique from when the recipe was first brought to America! But she also has a lot of pride in writing her own recipes (which are 100% original or tweaked slightly and tested), which are available for purchase on her blog.

By reaching for quality, Hilary cares for local producers, as well. It’s quite a bit of work to research and taste everything, but by marrying these two principles she supplies her customers with delicious products, while also providing the economy with a little pick-me-up. As she puts it, “the heart of her business is local producers.” The ingredients can be traced directly back to local whole salers, making the goods more health-conscious and you more responsible for eating such deliciousness!

So now, it’s your turn! Help support the local economy and a worthy business owner by grabbing a delicious baked good from Thistle Confections! Ghostlight Coffee will still be housing Hilary’s creations, but make sure to check out the new booth at Second Street Market when it opens February 11! Doesn’t a salted caramel brownie sound scrumptious? Or a cinnamon roll with really soft filling? What about a piece of olive oil cake filled with rosemary and orange accents? Yum!

Thistle Confections  2nd Street Market 600 East 2nd Street Dayton, OH 45402  (937) 228-2088
Thistle Confections Blog

Ghostlight Coffee  1201 Wayne Avenue Dayton, OH 45410    (937) 985-2633

All pictures are credited to Nicole Hodac of hodacphotography.com

Bell’s Hopslam – Video Review

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This is the Snobby Beer review of Hopslam from Bell’s Beer, Inc. in Kalamazoo, Michigan. Hopslam is an American Imperial IPA ( or double IPA ) that gets tons and tons of hype when it is released each year. Hopslam is brewed with six different hop varieties and honey to create a complex flavor and body.Bell's Hosplam

There’s also a nice little shout out to the guys at the Better Beer Authority! Cheers, guys!

From the Bells website:

“Starting with six different hop varietals added to the brew kettle & culminating with a massive dry-hop addition of Simcoe hops, Bell’s Hopslam Ale possesses the most complex hopping schedule in the Bell’s repertoire. Selected specifically because of their aromatic qualities, these Pacific Northwest varieties contribute a pungent blend of grapefruit, stone fruit, and floral notes. A generous malt bill and a solid dollop of honey provide just enough body to keep the balance in check, resulting in a remarkably drinkable rendition of the Double India Pale Ale style.”

Questions? Suggestions? Let me know what you think! Grab a beer and leave a comment.

This post can also be found at Snobby Beer.

The Brew Kettle White Rajah – Video Review

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A fantastic beer made right here in Ohio!

This is the Snobby Beer review of White Rajah from The Brew Kettle in Strongsville, Ohio. White Rajah is an American IPA that has been getting a lot of attention. I feel like I don’t showcase enough of the fantastic beers from my home state of Ohio, so I’m trying to fix that!

From the Brew Kettle website:The Brew Kettle White Rajah

“A West Coast style IPA full of citrus-like and tropical fruit like hop flavor and aroma with an assertive yet smooth bitter finish….malt, take a back seat please.”

Questions? Suggestions? Let me know what you think! Grab a beer and leave a comment.

Austin Landing Lands 3 Independent Restaurants

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Tom Sand and Chef Anne Kearney

Successful Washington Township restaurant Rue Dumaine will be moving  to the new Austin Landing, where it will share a kitchen with a second more casual concept , Alligator Annie’s,  in a 10,600 square-foot building.  Thomas Sand Jr. and Chef Anne Kearney, founder and chef/co-founder of Rue Dumaine, hope to use their location at Austin Landing as a way build on their passion for food and a good experience.

“When you walk out of our restaurants at Austin Landing, I want you to say you had an experience,” Sand said. “We try to create a place where you can go and be treated the way you want to be treated, experience good food and good service, refresh and rejuvenate yourself and let the worries of the day disappear.”

Rue Dumaine will continue serving the American bistro fare inspired by French cuisine for which it has become known, while

Alligator Annie's

Alligator Annie’s will take the form of a casual Southern-style social club and will offer lunch and dinner service 7 days a week.

Since their departure from New Orleans, Sand and Kearney said they have enjoyed becoming part of the Dayton community and sharing a bit of themselves with anyone looking for a good meal. They said they look at the choice to open at Austin Landing as a decision to put down roots in a community setting in which everyone is there to benefit each other.

“We are making a commitment to this village, city, state and region we call home.” Sand said. “This venue will allow us to showcase the partnerships we have formed with our nearly 100 vendors, local farmers and artisans and provide our present and future clientele with more food options. We look forward to exploring all the possibilities.”

And in a long talked about expansion, The Dublin Pub will be opening a 6000 square foot second location.  “Since the day we opened up, we’ve always had a focus on expansion and growth,” Tieber said. “We know that a lot of restaurants make mistakes with expansions, but we’re doing this right. We knew with Austin Landing coming, it would be a perfect fit for a pub location.”

Tieber said The Dublin Pub would be partnering with other local restaurateurs Dan Apolito and Mike Fullenkamp of Archer’s Tavern with the intention to create their flagship Irish Pub with hopes of a multi-pub chain expansion. “Dan and Mike have over 40 years of corporate restaurant experience between them.  We knew combining our talents and over 60 years of experience would make the transition and growth to a second location successful,” Tieber said.

He said the newest location of The Dublin Pub would have the same beloved recipes and provide the same atmosphere and live music as the original Downtown Dayton location, making it a great fit for the Austin Landing development.  “We’re blessed with being a restaurant that caterers to a lot of different crowds,” Tieber said. “We are one of the few restaurant concepts that can transition well from being a perfect location for lunch for the business crowd and dinners during the week to becoming more of a bar atmosphere on the weekend.”

Randy Gunlock, president of RG Properties, the commercial real estate firm developing Austin Landing, said it is fitting that the first restaurants to open at Austin Landing will be independents.  “Rue Dumaine and The Dublin Pub have garnered excellent reputations throughout the community, and Alligator Annie’s is poised to follow suit, making all three restaurants a perfect fit with Austin Landing,” Gunlock said. “We all want a unique experience when we go out, and Austin Landing will be the place where people will come to enjoy that experience. “

Work is set to begin this year on construction of the restaurants, and RG is looking toward a spring of 2013 opening date for each.  Gunlock said RG Properties is active in conversations with a number of other restaurants, working to bring the best mix to the Austin Landing development. He said the company is targeting small and large chains as well as independents and hopes to settle on between four and five full-service restaurants and four and five fast-casual restaurants.

 

 

Food Adventure’s Small Bites for 1/19/12

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Every couple of weeks, your humble FOOD ADVENTURERS will offer a feature called

The Mushroom Swiss Burger

“Small Bites,” which is simply a quick take on some of our local food favorites.

Here are our “Small Bites” for 1/19/2012:

MUST EATS:

The MUSHROOM SWISS BURGER at GEORGE’S RESTAURANT:

For years, we heard about this great little restaurant up on North Dixie Drive called George’s Family Restaurant from our parents.  We decided to meet up for a lunch a few weeks ago. The waitress suggested the Mushroom Swiss Burger because they actually mix the mushrooms right into the hamburger patties. This was one of the tastiest and most juicy burgers that we have had in a long time.  We are not talking “juicy” in the sense that grease is dripping down your fingers, but a really good grade of beef.  Food Adventures Crew  also ordered a side of onion rings which I consider to be some of the best I have ever had.  These are not the frozen variety that they pull out of a box — they are hand cut, battered and deep fried to perfection.
We loved George’s Restaurant and cannot wait to come back! Just another example of how we should listen to our parents more often.
              
       
 FIG VANILLA BLACK PEPPER LATTE at GHOSTLIGHT COFFEE:

The Unique Fig Vanilla Black Pepper Latte

There is nothing like a great cup of coffee to warm yourself up in the cold winter months. I recently visited the newly established Ghostlight Coffee in Historic South Park and I believe I have found one my favorite lattes of all time. One may say that idea of black pepper in a latte isn’t very appealing, but with one taste of this unique coffee drink, you will be hooked. Ghostlight Coffee has a cool vibe and the baristas take pride in the drinks they create. Give this place a chance and support a local coffee house!   Check them out at 1201 Wayne Avenue or www.ghostlightcoffee.com

THE BIG RAGU SUGGESTS:

THE CROC BITES at CROCODILE LOUIES:

Croc Bites made from Crocodile meat

Have you ever eaten crocodile?   Well on Wilmington Pike in Kettering, you can get your chance!  Food Adventures tried the deep fried delicacy at Crocodile Louies and we loved them!  the bites are made from crocodile tail meat, and are tender and delicious.  The clincher is the spicy Thai sauce that is served with these bites for dipping purposes.  Try this value priced appetizer and you can have your own Food Adventure with the exotic taste of crocodile.  The casual atmosphere makes it easy to sit back and watch your favorite game with a cold beverage.

 

THE TUNA SUBS AT JERSEY MIKES:

Tantalizing Tuna Sub

Sandwiches are everywhere, so it really takes a special one to stick out.  Jersey Mike’s does just that with their on-site mixed tuna salad.  Known for slicing their deli meats as you order your sandwich, what you might not know about this sub shop in Centerville, is that they have a killer Tuna Salad.  The Big Ragu really likes the fact that there are no chunks of eggs in this tuna salad, one of his pet peeves.  We suggest ordering the medium sub for less than $6 and you will be full for sure.  We also recommend ordering it “Mikes way” which means with Onions, Lettuce, Tomatoes, Vinegar, Oil and Spices.  Looking for a cold, fresh, bold tasting sub?  Try Jersey Mike’s Tuna Salad Sub.  You can even order it in a wrap.

 

 

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Bistro Dinners at The Winds

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Are you one of those people who want to know what’s for dinner and how much it will cost before you go out to eat?  Then you’ll truly appreciate “Bistro Dinners” at The Winds Cafe and Bakery in Yellow Springs. They are offered most Tuesday’s through Thursdays (exceptions for Restaurant Week and holidays).

Your meal will include a salad, coffee or tea and a quartino (about a glass and a half) of red or white wine for $26.  Reservations are suggested and if you know you want the Bistro Dinner, reserve it, they are made in limited quantities, and often sell out.  Here’s the menu for upcoming Bistro Dinners:

January

17-19            Steak Frites with Spanish Fries
24-26            No Bistro – Restaurant Week
31-Feb 2       Salmon with Lemon Vinaigrette and Roasted Root Vegetables
 
February
 
7-9                Chicken Piccata
15-16            Shimp au Poivre with Garlic (no Bistro Valentine’s Day)
21-23            Lamb Tagine
28-March 1    Kim’s Duck Leg Cassoulet
 
March
 
6-8                 Italian Roast Trout
 
The Winds serves lunch Tues – Sat 11:30am – 2pm and Dinner from 5-10pm and a Sunday Brunch from 1oam – 3pm. They are located at 215 Xenia Ave in the heart of Yellow Springs. Call for reservations and more information at 937.767.1144