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DAI Oktoberfest 2010 – Bringing Together Art, Music and Beer!

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Yes, it is that time of year again – time for one of the biggest and most popular festivals in the Dayton Region… welcome to the DAI Oktoberfest 2010!  This festival is as old as me (now 39 years old) and happens 9/25 – 9/26 outside of the Dayton Art Institute, with a popular Friday night preview party the night before.  And DaytonMostMetro.com has FREE TICKETS to give away – details at the end of this article!

I had the pleasure of talking to this year’s co-chairs – Margo and Greg Rubertus, long-time volunteers and associate board members with DAI.  Oktoberfest is quite a production, with 15 subcommittees and over 800 volunteers.  In fact, this year so many people volunteered that they had to turn away around a hundred people!  This year the festival is presented by MillerCoors and features several domestic & specialty beers, 10 different craft beers, a cask opening (Saturday 1pm), beer & wine tastings and sixteen unique international beers with Spaten as this year’s German Beer Sponsor.  But this event is not just about beer – since it is a DAI event, one can find a dazzling display of artisan pieces, unique food items, kid-friendly art activities and live music on two stages.  And even if it rains, the tented area between the International Beer booth and the Main Stage has been extended to provide guests with a more enjoyable atmosphere, no matter what Mother Nature might bring!  A good thing, because the DAI Oktoberfest 2010 expects over 30,000 attendees!

Another great addition to this year’s event is a bigger, better-than-ever Craft Beer Tent. Both the size of this popular tent and the number of craft beers offered have been increased. Savor a delicious craft brew while catching the big game on a large-screen TV – it doesn’t get much better!

The Home Brew Beer Contest is back by popular demand, to highlight some of the area’s most talented artists in the libations medium. Though samples are not available for public consumption, pre-appointed guest judges will decide who has Dayton’s best home brew through multiple tastings at Oktoberfest!

The MeadWestvaco FamilyFest provides free art activities and games for the kids from noon – 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Kids may also sign up for the free ProLiance Energy Museum Kids Club.

Free parking and shuttle service are available for Oktoberfest on September 25 and 26. Park at Imperial Packaging Corp. on Edwin C. Moses Blvd. (about one mile east of UD Arena) and take the free shuttle to and from Oktoberfest. Visitors may also park downtown and take the free RTA Oktoberfest shuttle from stops along Main Street, Second Street and Fifth Street in the Oregon District.

Oktoberfest hours are noon – 11:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 25, and noon – 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 26. The museum’s galleries will be open noon – 6 p.m. on Saturday, with guided tours available from 6 – 7:30 p.m. The galleries will be open noon – 6 p.m. on Sunday.

Advance tickets for Oktoberfest are $4 for adults and seniors and $2 for students (ages 7-18). Tickets purchased at the gate are $6 for adults, $4 for seniors (60+) and $3 for students (ages 7-18). Children 6 and under are free.

Oktoberfest advance tickets may be purchased online at www.daytonartinstitute.org/oktoberfest, at the museum’s Visitor Services Desk during regular museum hours, or by calling 937-512-0136. Advance tickets may also be purchased at Arrow Wine & Spirits (all locations), Bee Gee’s Mini Mart, Culinary Company, Cuvee Wine Bar & Cellar, Dorothy Lane Market (all locations), Dublin Pub, LexisNexis and South Park Tavern.

The annual Oktoberfest Preview Party takes place Friday, September 24, from 7 – 11 p.m. Preview Party guests enjoy complimentary draft beer and wine, live entertainment by local favorite Velvet Crush, and great socializing and networking in a casual, less-crowded atmosphere. Guests will also have the first opportunity to purchase beautiful hand crafted wares by local and national artisans. The museum galleries, including the special exhibition Modern Masters from the Smithsonian American Art Museum, will be open to Preview Party guests from 7 – 10 p.m.

Space is limited and advance purchase of tickets for the Preview Party is recommended. Advance tickets are $45 for museum members and $55 for non-members. All Preview Party tickets purchased at the gate are $80.

Preview Party advance tickets may be purchased at the museum’s Visitor Services Desk during regular hours, by calling 937-512-0136, or online at www.daytonartinstitute.org/oktoberfest.

Oktoberfest 2010 receives support from Presenting Sponsor MillerCoors, Preview Party Sponsor Steve R. Rauch, Inc., Supporting Sponsors Clear Channel Radio, Liberty Savings Bank, MeadWestvaco and ProLiance Energy, and Patron Sponsors Arrow Wine & Spirits, Coca-Cola, Dayton City Paper, Grandview Hospital, Greater Dayton RTA, Imperial Packaging Corp. and Time Warner Cable.

AND NOW A CHANCE TO WIN FREE TICKETS…

We have SIX PAIRS & THREE FOUR-PACKS to give away, good for either Saturday or Sunday.  Simply comment on this post with your favorite things about Oktoberfest (or what you look forward to if you’ve never been) and we’ll randomly choose winners on Wednesday September 22.  Be sure to enter your correct email address, which will not be made public.

UPDATE (9/23/2010): Congratulations to Shana, CJ, Andrea, Mike, Brian, Kim, Melissa, Zack, Jane – you all have won DAI Oktoberfest tickets!

Sandwiches Now On The Menu!

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Downtowners just got another lunch option.  The  Boston Stoker on 2nd Street across from the Schuster Center will be test-marketing a limited lunch option.  You’ll be able to choose a mesquite turkey sandwich, a deluxe ham sandwich, and a veggie sandwich with hummus, sprouts and spinach. Prices will  be $6.95 for a half sandwich box lunch to $7.95 for a whole sandwich box lunch, which comes with a side of fruit or a bag of chips.  Company officials have had success with this program at their airport location and may expand this program to other existing stores in the future.

A Burger That’s Good For You?

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I’ve been hearing it for years, yet I’ve never actually had a buffalo burger.   Buffalo burgers have less cholesterol, less fat, and less calories than beef hamburgers and chicken hamburgers. The American Heart Association recommends buffalo burgers because they contain no hormones or antibiotics. The burger is high in nutrients such as protein, zinc, and vitamin B12. Buffalo burgers are more healthy than beef because a buffalo does not store fat.

According to a chef friend of mine, buffalo meat tastes better than beef. He says the flavor is similar but buffalo has a “lighter, sweeter flavor” and “doesn’t leave a greasy feel in your mouth.” He also reveals buffalo has a “much livelier flavor” but isn’t “gamy”- hmm -sounds worth trying!

If you’re curious about  Buffalo Burgers- you can try one this Saturday as Dorothy Lane Market hosts a cookout featuring the lean sweet meat from 11am – 6pm at all three locations. For more info.

All The Chili You Can Eat!

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This Friday the South Dayton Chapter of AMBUCS, a national charity that helps people with disabilites, will host it’s 25th annual Chili Festival and Casino Night at Polen Farms in Kettering.  Your $16 ticket includes as much chili as you can stomach, $8 in drink tickets, live music by Corky’s Old Time Rock and Roll and Las Vegas style casino games, bingo and door prizes, too!
Local eateries serving up chili include:

  • TANK’S
  • CHRISTOPHER’S
  • CHILI’S ON SR 725
  • AMELIA’S
  • HARRIGANS
  • DOT’S MARKET/THE BULL PEN
  • CHIMNEY’S INN
  • GEEZ BAR & GRILL
  • BEEF O’BRADY’S
  • CADILLAC JACK’S – KETTERING
  • BRUNCH CLUB/FAIRWAY INN RESTAURANT
  • SUGAR VALLEY COUNTRY CLUB
  • BENHAM’S CATERING
  • DAYTON COUNTRY CLUB
  • VINNY’S BAR AND GRILLE
  • ATRIUM GRILLE & DELI
  • DAYTON CONV. CTR./ARAMARK
  • MOMMA DISALVO RISTORANTE
  • TINK’S BAR AND GRILL

Guests will vote for the Best Chili!  Get your advance tickets online for $16 or pick up at the gate for $20.  Event runs from 6 -11pm.

Labor Day Weekend Pizza Sale

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Here’s a great chance to sample some amazing gourmet pizza’s as Spinoza’s will offer 25% off all their pizza’s this holiday weekend.  The staff favorite  Yin Yang is olive oil and garlic with fresh spinach, spicy chorizo sausage, gorgonzola cheese, glazed walnuts, mozzarella and provolone. Or try the Pizaro, which is Middle Eastern hummus topped with smoked Gouda cheese, Mexican chorizo sausage, grilled chicken, and roasted red peppers. Vegetarian fans will love the classic Margherita- Garlic infused olive oil, Roma tomatoes, mozzarella, provolone, and Romano cheese with fresh basil after the bake.  Can’t decide, just order 1/2 and 1/2!

Pizza’s are all hand-tossed and baked in traditional hearth ovens and you can even get a whole wheat crust.  Another thing to appreciate at Spinoza’s is the ever changing list of craft beers on draft.  No coupons are needed to take advantage of the 25% discount, but lunch specials are excluded.

Spinoza’s Gourmet Pizza and Salad
Friday, September 3rd starting at 4-10pm
Saturday 11:30am – 10pm
Sunday Noon- 7pm
Monday 11:30am – 9pm

The Mall at Fairfield Commons

Corner of North Fairfield Rd and Pentagon Parkway- Entrance B near Sears

937-426-7799

Fraze Hosts The Taste Thursday

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Over 40 restaurants will be serving up samples of their specialties at Lincoln Park Commons starting at 5pm on Thurs, Sept 2nd to benefit the Kettering-Moraine-Oakwood Chamber of Commerce.  As a past attendee of this event I can tell you that the $20 advance ticket price ($25 day of event) is a bargain, but be prepared to stand in long lines.

Some highlights to look for will be the debut of Joya’s Bistro, the new Italian pizza & pasta place that will be opening this fall at The Greene, newer restaurants Butter Cafe and The Hawthorn Grill are first time participants worth checking out, The Oakwood Club usually serves up some spectacular salmon,  and be sure to save some room for samples from ele Cake Company- best known for finger licking good buttercream frosting!

Expect the longest lines for Fleming’s grilled beef tenderloin in a peppercorn sauce, McCormick &

Photo by Peter Wine, MediaMoments.com

Schmick’s & City Barbeque, if history repeats itself. And ever year it amazes me the number of people that will line up for Krispy Kreme doughnuts, but they do!  Be sure to check out the silent auction, featuring incredible packages including Ohio State University Football Tickets and Tailgating, Kutn Loose Party Bus and Bar Crawl, Outdoor Living package including a paver grill surround with an inset grill and grill gazebo, University of Dayton Football Tickets, and a Relaxation Station including all the items you need to relax on your patio. There will also be raffle baskets, each with a minimum value of $1000.

22nd Annual  “The Taste“
Thursday, September 2- 5:00 – 9:00 PM
Adults – $20 in advance- available at Fraze Box Office, KMC Chamber office or Ticketmaster
$25 day of event; Children under 10 are $10 at the door
Fraze Pavillion, 695 Lincoln Park Boulevard, Kettering, OH 45429

12th Annual Dayton AleFest – Win Tickets!

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Dayton’s first annual Beer Week kicked off this past weekend with a “beer pride parade” down Fifth Street in the Oregon District, and it continues all week with several beer tastings, tappings and events happening at several venues across the Dayton Region.  The finale is of course the 12th Annual Dayton AleFest at Carrillon Park – one of the most popular festivals all year in Dayton (and if you’ve been to our many other festivals here you know that is saying a lot!).  Founder Joe Waizmann has been organizing these beer festivals in cities across the Midwest for many years including Columbus, Indianapolis, Cleveland and Chicago.  The festival’s homebase continues to be Dayton, with two additional annual festivals added here – Winter AleFeast (3/5/2011 – which pairs delicious craft beer with gourmet food) and Cask AleFest (4/30/2011).

The first Dayton AleFest was a small affair in Kettering, with 30 breweries, 60 beers and about 175 attendees.  This year, it is by far the largest beer event in Dayton with 100 breweries, 300 different beers and an expected crowd of over 4,500.  We have a ways to go before reaching the numbers of the Great American Beer Festival in Denver with over 2,200 beers and 49,000 attendees, but Daytonians do like their beer so anything is possible.

So how would you like to get your hands on a pair of free Dayton AleFest tickets?  We’ll be giving away a pair of free tickets ($80 value) to a lucky winner – simply take our DaytonMostMetro.com Reader Poll and choose your favorite place to drink beer, and then comment below that and let us know what YOUR favorite beers are.  Make sure you enter your email address – it won’t be published publicly but it is how we will contact you if you’ve won.  A winner will be drawn this Wednesday afternoon so be sure to check back.

Local Restaurant puts Dayton on the map in Bon Appetit

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In the September issues of this national food magazine, which will be on newstands soon, writers  highlight the best nightly specials at restaurants across the county.  On Monday they suggest Veal Schnitzel with Herbed Spaetzle in Dallas, Texas, Tuesday ‘s best bet, Roast leg of lamb, can be found in Brooklyn, on Wednesday it’s meatloaf in Philly.

The magazine, which dubs this their “restaurant issue” then names the 10 Spots for Fantastic Daily Specials and right there at #6 is Dayton’s very own Rue Dumaine. Those of you who’ve had the pleasure of dining here, will know that Chef Anne Kearney takes great pleasure in creating daily specials, which she sends out in her weekly email and posts daily via facebook and twitter.

To see if you agree with Bon Apetit check out this Saturday, August 21st’s special:

Pan-seared veal sirloin*, corn** pudding and a ragoût of tomato**, shiitake mushroom and Blue Lake green beans**-$27

And in Chef Kearney’s own words the asteriks denote “local – fine folks are making it happen for us and OUR OHIO community!”

This is not Chef Kearney’s first mention in Bon Appetit- you may have seen her listed in a round up of Chef’s sharing their favorite packaged recipe components .  Here was that mention:

16 Secret Supermarket Ingredients Chefs Love:

Anne Kearney, Rue Dumaine; Dayton, Ohio
WHAT Birds Eye frozen pearl onions, $3 for a 16-ounce bag
HOW For Sherry-braised veal shank with artichokes and grape tomatoes
WHY “Peeling fresh pearl onions is really time-consuming, and individually quick-frozen ones are surprisingly good.”
Visit Rue Dumaine:
1061 Miamisburg Centerville Road
Washington Twp, OH 45459-6711
(937) 610-1061 – reservations are suggested

Hours:

Dinner:
Tuesday thru Thursday: 5pm ‘til 9pm
Friday & Saturday: 5pm ‘til 10pm

Lunch: Every Friday
11:30am ‘til 1:30pm



Dayton Beer Week

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As Dayton’s beer connoisseurs get ready for the 12th Annual Dayton Ale Fest on Saturday August 28,2010, festival founder Joe Waizmann has announced the very first Dayton Beer Week, during which several local establishments will be featuring tastings, pairings, tapping and even parades that celebrate one of America’s favorite past times – BEER!

Prominent suppliers have been invited to participate & showcase their brands, and supportive distributors include: Heidelberg AB Division, Heidelberg Wine, Allied Division of Heidelberg, Premium Beverage Supply, Bonbright Distributors, & Cavalier Distributing.  Finally – all net funds will be donated to Miami Valley Restaurant Association ProAdvantage Scholarship Fund.

The following is a full schedule of all of the beer goings-on across the region, with links to our event calendar listings that you can share with your friends on FB, add to your own personal calendar with a single click, and get directions to the venues.

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Culinary Company: Sierra Nevada tasting from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM. For more info: (937) 433-4335.

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Beer Pride Parade: begins at 4:30 Thai9 parking lot. Join Mayor Gary Leitzell & Joe Waizmann on 4 block stroll through Oregon Historical District, led by Carillon Historical Park’s Model T draught truck,

Dave Greer’s Classic Jazz Stompers (unconfirmed as of 8.9.10), & numerous floats, followed by Thai Rob’s VW Van w/Nimrod Camper.  Wear your beer gear & be a part of this funtastic way to kick off Dayton Beer Week.

Thai9: Special Tapping/Opening Ceremonies- Bell’s Two Hearted Ale Cask & a number of exceptional craft draught beers will be tapped beginning at 5:00 PM. For more info: (937) 222-3227

Monday, August 23, 2010

Miami Valley Restaurant Association Beer Bus Tour: (working)

Chappys Tap Room & Grille: Sierra Nevada special tasting featuring 30th Anniversary Series-Fritz & Ken Ale, Charlie, Fred & Ken’s Bock, Southern Hemisphere Harvest, & Tumbler Seasonal Brown Ale with Lee Hill.  For more info: (937) 299-7427.

South Park Tavern: Special tapping of Stone, Dogfish Head, & Victory Beers. For more info: (937) 586-9526.

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

Biking for The Beer of It: Goose Island sponsored 10 mile loop from West Carrolton to A Taste of Wine in Miamisburg. Beer sampling & appetizers at midpoint. Starts: 6:00 PM Sharp, begins across from Roberd’s next to West Carrollton Post Office on East Central Avenue. Cost is $20 & is limited to first 50 cyclists.

All riders will receive a Goose Island 312 Pint Glass, 312 Water Bottle, & 312 T-Shirt upon return.

For reservations, email Eddie Anderson @ [email protected].

Blind Bob’s: Flying Dog Night, Firkin of Doggie Style with specialty draught including Dog Schwartz, Imperial Coffee Stout, and Hop Back Doggie Style. For more info: (937) 938-6405.

The Pub at The Greene: Brewery Ommegang tasting featuring Zuur, Tripel Perfection, Biere de Mars, and more with John Mediate from 6:00 to 8:00 PM For more info: (937) 320-1199.

Spinoza’s Pizza & Salads: Dogfish Head beer dinner with Donn Biechel Begins 7:00 PM.  Cost: $26.95. For more info: (937) 426-7799.

Chappys Tap Room & Grille: Founders beer dinner with John Host featuring a cask of Red’s Rye & Kentucky Breakfast Stout draught. For more info: (937) 299-7427.

Leaf & Vine: Brooklyn Brewery tasting of 8 beers includes pint glass. For more info: (937) 524-6443.

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Culinary Company: Beer & Wine Throwdown event with Eddie Anderson of Goose Island.

For more info: (937) 433-4335.

Thai9: Stone Beer Dinner with Jay Ashemore. For more info: (937) 222-3227.

Bruning’s Wine Cellar: Brooklyn Brewery tasting featuring Local 1, Local 2, Sorachi Ale, & Black Ops

with Greg Mohler from 5:00 to 7:00 PM. For more info: (937) 426-4950.

Chappys Tap Room & Grille: Stone 090909 Vertical Epic tapping at 9:09 PM with Jay Ashemore.

For more info: (937) 299-7427.

Fox & Hound: Brooklyn Brewery Oktoberfest Release Party with Greg Mohler from 8:00 to 10:00 PM.

For more info: (937) 426-4145.

Champps Americana: Introductory beer sampler program-any 6 draught samples.

For more info: (937) 433-2333.

Dorothy Lane Market Springboro: Dogfish Head beer dinner with Donn Biechel

from 5:00 to 8:00 PM. Cost: $35. For more info: (937) 748-6800.

South Park Tavern: Petrus Oak Aged Pale, 40th Anniversary draught &

cask/firkin of Flying Dog Gonzo. For more info: (937) 586-9526.

Thursday, August 26, 2010

Jay’s Seafood: North Coast beer dinner with John Bisson. For more info: (937) 222-2892.

South Park Tavern: Which Bastard are you, Dirty or Arrogant? Founders & Stone tasting with

Mike McAllister & Aaron Spoores. For more info: (937) 586-9526.

Kroger Fresh Fare @ Town & Country: Sierra Nevada Tasting with Lee Hill from 2:00 to 5:30.

For more info: (937) 299-7475.

Dorothy Lane Market Oakwood: Tröegs tasting with Mike Walters 5:00 to 8:00 PM.

For more info: (937) 299-3561.

McCormick & Schmick’s: Sierra Nevada Beer Dinner with Lee Hill from 6:30 to 8:30.

For more info: (937) 431-9200.

Trolley Stop: Bell’s The Big O Tasting with Veronica Sanders featuring Oarsman, Oracle, Oberon, Bourbon Barrel Hell Hath No Fury, & Cask of Bell’s Amber. For more info: (937) 461-1101.

Spinoza’s Pizza & Salads: Goose Island beer & cheese pairings with Lindsey Shafer 6:00 to 8:00 PM.

For more info: (937) 426-7799.

Kroger Marketplace Englewood: Stella Artois, Abbaye d’Leffe, & Hoegaarden

pairing with cheeses from Murray’s Cheese Shop with Jim Deis from 2:00 to 7:00 PM.

For more info: (937) 832-4060.

Tank’s Bar & Grille: Great Lakes Brewing Company pint night featuring

Aloha Summer Ale with Head Brewer Luke Purcell & Lisa Farmer from 8:00 to 10:00 PM.

For more info: (937) 252-2249.

A Taste of Wine: Featuring the beers of Mt. Carmel with Mike & Kathleen Dewey from 7:00 to 9:00 PM.

For more info: (937) 247-1120.

Manor Wine & Spirits: Goose Island beer tasting from 3:00 to 5:00 PM featuring

Pere Jacques, Sofie, & Matilda. For more info: (937) 254-5556.

Taffy’s: “Thirsty Thursday” 4:00 to 7:00 PM. 10% off any Beer (over 100 to choose from).

For more info: (937) 456-1381.

Friday, August 27, 2010

Thai9: Smuttynose Beer Dinner with Bob Gera. For more info: (937) 222-3227.

Trolley Stop: Extraordinary tapping of numerous rarities including beers from Founders, Bell’s, Victory, 21st Amendment, Dogfish Head, Thirsty Dog, & others TBA. For more info: (937) 461-1101.

Dublin Pub: Great Lakes pint night with Head Brewer Luke Purcell & Lisa Farmer from 8:00 to 10:00 PM.

For more info: (937) 224-7822.

The Pub at The Greene: Eurobrews Holy Grail & Hobgoblin draught &

special glassware with Larry Fletcher. For more info: (937) 320-1199.

5th Street Wine & Deli: Goose Island tasting with Lindsey Shafer. For more info: (937) 220-9333.

Brewtensils: Interview to be posted online with Luke Purcell, Head Brewer at Great Lakes Brewing Company begins at 2:00 PM sharp-limited space-please arrive early. For more info: (937) 252-4724.

Dorothy Lane Market Centerville: Great Lakes Brewing Company cheese & beer pairings with Lisa Farmer

from 5:00 to 7:00 PM. For more info: (937) 434-1294.

Taffy’s: Shrug Acoustic Live in Concert featuring Sierra Nevada brews begins 8:00 PM. For more info: (937) 456-1381.

Saturday, August 28, 2010

12 Annual AleFest Dayton & post AleFest celebrations at your favourite establishment throughout the city.

Taffy’s: James Murrell Live in Concert – Featuring Blue Grass Bourbon Barrel Stout. For more info: (937) 456-1381.

Weeklong Events:

Belmont Party Supply: Daily release of limited & rare aged beers.

Milano’s Atlantic East Coast Subs & Pizza (all Dayton locations): Various Sam Adams Seasonal draught

paired with Cheese Steak Pizza.

Harrigan’s South: $2 bottles of J.W. Dundee Honey Brown and J.W. Dundee Summer Wheat.

Buffalo Wild Wings (all Dayton locations): Stella Artois paired with wings coated with

Desert Heat Dry Seasoning.

Bunker’s Bar & Grille: Stella Artois paired with 3- Petite Pork Tenderloin Sandwiches

seasoned & grilled with French fries.

Buffalo Wings and Rings: $3.25 Pints of Sam Adams Boston Lager and Sam Adams Seasonal.

The Amber Rose: Stella Artois draught paired with sauerkraut balls select herb breaded &

Amberbock draught paired with potato pancakes garnished fully.

Clancy’s Tavern: German bucket week promo-St. Pauli Girl, St. Pauli Dark, Bitburger,

Hofbräu Original, & Hofbräu Hefe Weizen for $10.

Ned Pepper’s: Celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Boston Beer Company with

$3.25 bottles of Sam Adams Boston Lager or Seasonal.

The Dublin Pub: Czechvar paired with select food &

Goose Island Honkers Ale paired with select food.

Bar Louie: Brooklyn Brewery Lager Pint feature.

It’s a Firkin Tasting!

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Chin’s Ginger Grill will be hosting a beer tasting on Thursday August 17th and the star of the show is a firkin of Bells Amber Ale. Unlike most draft beers, cask ales, or firkin beers, are not injected with carbon dioxide, filtered, pasteurized, stored in pressurized kegs and served through gas-powered taps.  Instead, a firkin beer is unpasteurized, unfiltered and naturally carbonated, or conditioned, in its cask.

Along with the firkin of Bells Amber Ale, also on the tasting menu are:
Flying Dog Dogtoberfest Marzen…true German flavor!
The Brew Kettle Production Works Tunguska Imperial Stout...from Strongsville, distributed only in Ohip

Southern Tier Pumking….a pumpkin ale!

Founder’s Porter…an American porter

Other beers will be sampled and snacks will be avaliable. All beers tasted will be avaliable for sale and your $20 tasting fee includes a full pint of the cask conditioned ale.
Chin’s Ginger Grill
965 W. Main St.
Tipp City, Ohio

937-667-6664

Coco’s Cares- Dine For A Cause

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Coco’s Bistro has partnered with the Victoria Theatre Association’s Physicians for Kids Discovery Series to help raise funds by committing to donate $1/meal served from       August 16th – Sept 15th.

Through the Physicians for Kids Discovery Series, the stage becomes a classroom–a place where theatre professionals partner with educators and parents to ignite students’ quest to discover the world, each other, and most importantly, themselves.

Theatre naturally combines learning across disciplines. Where else do history, English, language arts, drama, music and fine art come together? Physicians for Kids Discovery Series performances are professionally produced theatre presentations designed to comply with the Ohio Department of Education Academic Standards and Benchmarks. Students and teachers can download detailed study guides to enhance their theatre experience. Workshops for students and teachers by theatre professionals, as well as scholarship and busing opportunities for schools with financial concerns, add to the extensive opportunities offered by the Physicians for Kids Discovery Series. More than 30,000 students annually attend the Physicians for Kids Discovery Series.

Coco’s Bistro
515 Wayne Ave
Dayton, OH 45410

937.228.Coco (2626)

Coco’s Hours:

Mon – Thurs:
Lunch:   11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Dinner:  5:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Fri:
Lunch:    11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Dinner:   5:00 am – 11:00 pm
Sat:
Dinner:  5:00 pm – 11:00 pm

The Brunch Club- NOT Just For Breakfast Anymore!

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Once known as The Breakfast Club, it changed ownership and was renamed The Brunch Club in November of 2007. Tomorrow will be another major change for this longtime Dayton restaurant.

As of Monday, August 9th The Brunch Club will begin serving dinner!  From 4pm t0 8pm Monday – Friday and until 7pm on Saturday, the new dinner menu has 8 choices, all quite affordable with the highest priced coming in at just $9.50.

Check out the Dinner Choices:

Grilled Chicken Breast: plain, BBQ or blackened .. $7.95

Chicken Fried Steak: deep fried and smothered with gravy .. $7.95

Chop Steak Dinner: 10oz. chopped sirloin topped with brown gravy ..$7.95
(add sauteed onions and cheese .. $8.95)

Smothered Chicken Breast: grilled breast topped with mushrooms, onions and provolone .. $8.95

Calves Liver and Onions: two 4oz. portions, grilled to perfection .. $8.95

Fried Fish Dinner: tasty Whiting served with tartar sauce .. $8.95

Fried Shrimp Dinner: large beer battered shrimp ..$8.95

Grilled Boneless Pork Chops: two 5oz. chops ..$9.50

Each dinner will be served with a house salad, home fries and garlic toast.  The Brunch Club was voted best breakfast spot in 2008 & 2009 in the Dayton Daily News pole, wonder how their dinners will stack up?
If you stop in for dinner comment below and let us know how it is!

The Brunch Club Cafe
601 S. Main St.,
222-7411

Mon – Fri:  7:00 am – 8:00 pm
Sat:  7:00 am – 7:00 pm
Sun: 7:00 am – 3:00 pm

Goose Island Beer Tasting in Troy

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When the first Goose Island Brewpub opened its doors in 1988, domestic, mass-produced beer was deeply ingrained in Midwestern culture. The craft beer industry was still in its infancy, with only a handful of brewpubs in existence in the Midwest. In his travels across Europe, beer-lover John Hall had enjoyed a distinctive local brew in each region he visited. Hall was convinced that Midwesterners could produce beers as good or better than those he’d tasted in his travels. Living on the shore of the largest system of fresh water on the planet Earth, in a city with rapidly evolving tastes – John decided that his hometown, Chicago, would be the ideal place to do just that.  On Wed, Aug 11th starting at 7pm  you’ll have the chance to check out half a dozen of their latest craft brews at The Caroline, on the square in downtown Troy.

Goose Island’s Lindsey Shafer, will be the hostess and The Caroline  will pair the beers with some really nice cheese and chocolates.   The following beers (with the below notes from Brewmaster Greg Hall) are scheduled for the tasting:

Goose Island 312- Densely populated with flavor, 312’s spicy aroma of Cascade hops is followed by a crisp, fruity ale flavor delivered in a smooth, creamy body. This gives 312 a balance of flavor and refreshment that never fills you up and won’t let you down.

Sofie-Fermented with wild yeasts and aged in wine barrels with orange peel, Sofie is a tart, dry, sparkling ale. A subtle, spicy white pepper note, a hint of citrus from the orange peel and a creamy vanilla finish make Sofie an intriguing choice for Champagne drinkers and beer drinkers who are fond of Belgian Saisons.

Fleur-A Belgian style pale ale blended with hibiscus and kombucha tea, Fleur is a beautiful, rose-colored ale with an aroma of strawberries and hibiscus flowers. Her flavor balance starts with a hint of sweet, ripe berry and finishes tart.

Demolition-Brewed to honor the brave souls who kept our brewpub open in the early 90’s while wrecking balls tore down the mall around us. Dry and smooth, with a grassy, citrus aroma and honey malt middle.

Matilda-Wild in character, with a slightly fruity aroma and a spicy yeast flavor that is as unique as it is satisfying – Matilda is an intriguing choice for beer and wine lovers alike. Dry and quenching, it’s the perfect accompaniment at the dining table or for casually socializing at the bar.

Pere Jacques-Brewed with loads of malt and Belgian yeast, Pere Jacques is a wonderfully fruity, malty ale. Pere Jacques’ complex flavors stand shoulder to shoulder with the Belgian Dubbels enjoyed in the world’s finest beer bars. At the dining table it’s the perfect alternative to a glass of vintage port.

The cost is attend is $17.50 per person and reservations are requested.   Tasting are set up family style, with appetizers passed in a casual, relaxed atmosphere.  Call Steve or Carly at 552-7676 to hold your spot.

Belly up to the bar at The Caroline


The Caroline
5 South Market Street
Troy, OH 45373

Dayton Brunch Spots

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Here’s a roundup of some of our favorite brunch’s around town.  We know there are more  our there so if you know a place that should be on the list just tell us about it in comments below:

The Meadowlark
2094 Miamisburg-Centerville Rd, Dayton, Ohio 45459
937.434.4750

Sunday 10am – 3pm
Featuring Shrimp & Grits, Huevos Rancheros, Mushroom Migas and more


The Barnsider
5202 North Main Street, Dayton, OH 45415
937.277.1332

Saturday & Sunday 9am – 2pm
Breakfast Buffet  $7.95, little ones $4.95

Bella Vino
495 N. Main Street, Springboro, OH 45066
937-748-3807

Sat  10am – 1pm

Brunch is only $15, and includes your choice of a Mimosa, Bellini, or ZingZang Bloody Mary (ask for the house made bacon-infused vodka in yours).  Kids under twelve $8.

Blind Bob’s
430 East 5th Street, Dayton, OH 45402-2912
937. 938.6405

Saturday & Sunday 11am – 3pm
Bob’s Benedict, Orange French Toast, Mango Oatmeal, a Fruit Plate, Rosemary potatoes and a Quiche Wrap are just some of the items that will be featured.

PhotoT he Brunch Club

601 South Main Street, Dayton OH 45402
937.222.7411

Mon – Sun 7am – 3pm

Christopher’s
2318 E Dorothy Lane, Kettering, Ohio 45420
937.299.0089

Mon – Sat: 7:30 am – 9 pm
Outstanding flavors with nutrition and value in a casual, friendly atmosphere. Christopher’s has also established a reputation for offering many vegetarian options.

Crown Plaza Brunch in the Stars Lounge
33 East 5th Street, Dayton OH 45402
937.224.0800

Sun 10am – 2pm

Breakfast with a view from the 13th floor includes omlettes made to order, bacon, sausage, ham lots of fresh fruit, waffles and an array of desserts.  $12.95 adults, 11 and under $7.95

The Dublin Pub
300 Wayne Ave, Oregon District, OH 454010

937-224-7822
Saturday & Sunday from 11am till 3pm
Featuring breakfast shepard’s pie, omelete’s, reuben & eggs…

Photo

Golden Nugget
2932 South Dixie Avenue, Dayton, OH 45409
937. 298.0138

A Dayton Tradition!


Hawthorn Grill
1222 East Stroop Road, Dayton OH 45429
209-2222

Sun 9am – 3pm

Roush’s Restaurant
305 W. Main Street, Fairborn, OH 45324
937.878.3611

Monday through Saturday
Breakfast served until 7am – 11am (til 1pm on Sat)

The Winds Cafe & Bakery

215 Xenia Ave
Yellow Springs, OH  45387

937.767.1144

Sun: 10am – 3pm

Yankee Trace
10,000 Yanke Tace, Centerville, OH
937.348.3585

Sunday 10am – 2pm
It’s a traditional buffet brunch,$15.95 adults, $8.95 for 12 and under, 5 and under Free

10 ?’s with The Hawthorn Grill Chef/Owner Candace Rinke

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Chef Candace Rinke found herself drawn to the kitchen at a young age. Her first award was at twelve when she won a blue ribbon for a decorated cake at the county fair. Fostered by her grandmother’s love of entertaining the family and inspired by travels through Europe, her food reflects both warmth and elegance.

While at the University of Michigan in the School of Engineering, Candace discovered she loved cooking more than she enjoyed physics and math. This realization led her down an entirely different path. She has since graduated from Oakland College with a degree in Culinary Arts along with certificates in Food Handling Safety and Nutrition.

Candace has been cooking both personally and professionally for almost 20 years. The Busy Gourmet was a natural outcome of Candace’s lifelong love of preparing food and entertaining. She  relocated to Ohio about 5 years ago and has been busy feeding people in the Dayton area ever since.  In 2006 she launched The Busy Gourmet, a small personal chef service, specializing in small parties and meal service.  While growing this business, Candace was continually looking for a restaurant location, knowing she truly wanted to be a restaurateur.  This past spring the short lived Soprano’s location became available and within a month of signing the lease, Chef had painted, set a menu, hired her staff and opened for business.  Having survived her first Restaurant Week to rave reviews  we think Rinke’s The Hawthorn Grill is fast establishing itself as a dining destination in Dayton.

Enjoy 10 Questions with Chef Candace Rinke:

Enjoy a recipe from The Busy Gourmet's party menu

Enjoy a recipe from The Busy Gourmet’s party menu

What is your favorite ingredient to cook with?
Butter, cream and salt – my family always teases me about this but come on…who doesn’t love a good Alfredo or creme brulee…can’t do those dishes without these wonderfully sinful ingredients!!!

What ingredient do you dread?
I can’t really think of anything I dread…I love to work with all kinds of fresh ingredients…the only thing that really comes to mind is soft-shell crab…I just can’t handle cutting off their little heads while they are still alive…!

What’s your favorite dish to make?
I don’t think I have a favorite – I just love food!  And part of the excitement of what I do is coming up with new, tasty dishes all the time.

What’s your favorite pig out food?
Chinese!  And Thai!  I love the complexity of Asian flavors – they’re so well balanced between sweet, spicy, salty and tangy…it takes a special skill to combine all those ingredients without one overpowering another.

What restaurant, other than your own do you like to dine at in the Miami Valley?
China Cottage in Springboro and Bahn Mai Thai in Centerville – see pig out comment above!

What’s your best advice for home chefs?
What grows together goes together.  Things that are in season at the same time tend to have a natural affinity for each other – like basil and tomatoes or cherries and apricots.  The Italians and French know this better than most of us – if things grow in the ground together and ripen at the same time, it’s likely that they’ll compliment each other on the plate.  Take chances and you’ll probably be delightfully surprised by the outcome!

If you could invite any 4 guests to a dinner party who would they be and why?
I think given the choice, I’d like more than four people – my ideal dinner party is a big group of family and friends sitting or standing around the bar in our kitchen eating and drinking until we can’t eat and drink any more!  I’m Polish so I learned early on about hospitality and the concept of “the more the merrier” – and my grandma taught me well how to cook for a crowd so bring it on!

Who do you look up to in the industry and why?
Takashi Yagihashi – I worked with him in Michigan where he won a James Beard Award.  He’s since opened restaurants in Las Vegas and Chicago.  Watching him in action was a real learning experience for me – in my earlier jobs, I saw chefs that screamed, yelled and threw sharp objects.  In Takashi’s kitchen, everything was calm and calculated and executed with the precision of an operating room.  He lead by example and his integrity was above reproach.  I hope I’m able to lead my staff in the same way.

What do you do in the Miami Valley on a day off?
Since we opened I haven’t had a day off (yikes!!!) but when I do get time away from the restaurant I like to spend it with my husband, Kurt, and my kids, Nick, Hayley and Noah – we like to go to Caesar’s Creek and bikeride by the river.

Share a kitchen disaster, lucky break or other interesting story:
My lucky break has been finding this space and getting it open in just a few short weeks.  I have been in Dayton for almost 5 years and in that time I worked very hard to develop a catering business out of my house.  After having my son, I was desperate to get out of my own kitchen and into a restaurant to which my husband’s standard answer was “Write the business plan first!”  I finally took a class at the Small Business Development Center in Dayton and after the eight week class and countless days and nights of studying, thinking, planning, researching and writing, I printed out a 37 page business plan outlining my lifelong dream of restaurant ownership.  Over the next year I searched for the perfect location (and waited for the stars to align themselves) and in the beginning of May, the opportunity presented itself at this location.  I signed the paperwork on May 18th and we hit the ground running.  It’s been great, and terrifying, and stressful, and wonderful and the culmination of a lifelong dream.  We’ve been very lucky so far and now we just want to keep going on the roll we’re on, serving people really good food with smiling faces in a pleasant, comfortable atmosphere.  If you leave thinking about the next meal you’ll have with us, we’ve done our job.

Visit The Hawthorn Grill at 1222 E. Stroop Road in Kettering

Tues – Thurs 4:30-9pm
Fri & Sat 4:30-10pm
Sun Brunch 9am – 2pm

Call 298-2222 for reservations!

Abita Brewery launches S.O.S. pilsner to aid Gulf Coast

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One of the Gulf Coast’s most famous breweries has crafted a new beer and promised to send a portion of the money earned on each bottle to oil spill relief efforts.  A bottle of Abita S.O.S. Pilsner will cost about $8, and 75 cents of each sale will go to a fund that will be used to support oil spill-related causes of the company’s choosing, she said.  According to Beth Harris, a public relations representative for Abita, the company used the 22-ounce bottles because it’s the quickest way to get the lager to market.

A 22-ounce bottle, sold as a single, requires getting only one label approved by the federal government, whereas a 12-ounce bottle requires approval for labels on the front, back and six-pack container.  The 22-ounce SOS brew has hand drawn images of what makes the Gulf of Mexico so unique. Illustrations like those of pelicans, fish, shrimp and fishing boats are arranged in the pattern of the timeless distress symbol: S-O-S. Marsh grass and a symbolic pair of white “shrimp boots” also are highlighted in the beautiful design.  The beer is an unfiltered  Weizen Pils made with Pilsner and Wheat malts. It is hopped and  dry hopped with Sterling and German Perle hops. It has a brilliant gold  color, sweet malt flavor and pleasant bitterness and aroma. The brew is  7 percent ABV.

The SOS – A Charitable Fund will assist with the rescue and restoration of the environment, industry and individuals fighting to survive the oil spill.  Related retail merchandise (hat, T-shirt, lapel pin, decal and car magnet) will be sold and 100 percent of net proceeds will benefit the SOS Fund. Abita Beer is the oldest and largest craft brewer in the southeast and the 17th largest craft brewer in the nation. Online donations can also be made directly to the fund.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Abita Beer launched Restoration Pale Ale and a related line of merchandise raising over half a million dollars for hurricane relief.

Post Your Own S.O.S.
An innovative new website has been created to support the charitable efforts. At SOS.abita.com consumers can discover additional ways to help, “post an SOS” within an interactive on-line coastal scene that doubles as a social sounding board. Consumers choose a shrimp boat, crab, fish or pelican to represent their post and write a short message of hope, inspiration or frustration. The message can also be shared with social media accounts to tell the world about what is happening along the Gulf Coast.

Locally you can enjoy your Abita S.O.S at Rue Dumaine, which has the beer exclusively until at least mid-month.   Additionally,  if you dine there on any Wednesday in August to satisfy your southern cravings, the RUE will donate $1 per person to the same charity.