Today I got a sneak peek of the new Centerville restaurant, that’s about a month away from opening. Manna Uptown, as it will be known, is Chef Margot Blondet’s newest creation that will feature a menu that is about 80% French inspired with a 20% Peruvian influence. Chef Margot was looking through the dictionary for a name for the new business when she came across Manna which means “food from the gods to feed the soul,” and knew that was it. What was originally conceptualize as a bar has morphed into a restaurant with multiple dining rooms, 2 bars and a patio, that was created by joining 2 houses together. One of the dining rooms will be the Versailles room, complete with a mural on the ceiling, mirrors and chandeliers. The main dining room, pictured below, will be upstairs and service by a 7 seat bar.
As described on their website, “Manna offers a taste of modern Europe and South America to any who extend a wanting hand. We aim to honor the artistry of the chefs and bar makers who’ve inspired us while defying tradition alongside.” expectation.
Inspired by the taste of modern Europe and the ambiance of the late 19th-century Victorian era, Chef Margot Blondet set out to create a sexy, sophisticated dining and cocktail experience.
Upon entering off the parking lot behind the building, you’ll enter the double doors and be greeted by staff as this antique desk.
Salar GM Brandie Perrine
Nestled in Centerville’s historic Uptown neighborhood, Manna offers its guests a journey through time and culture. The property maintains its original, historic architecture while housing Manna’s sleek, sensual cocktail bar and modern Victorian-era dining room both peppered with carvings, sculptures, chandeliers, and marble from Blondet’s travels across the globe.
The main bar has seating for 26, while the restaurant will seat about 150.
Chef Margot has again brought in Creative Cocktail Consultant Brian Van Flandern (who was the original trainer of the Salar bar staff) to create a menu of exotic cocktails, as well as train the staff in fine dining service standards, most commonly referred to as Michelin Three-Star service.
Brian was named America’s Top Mixologist by The Food Network as well as one of the top ten bartenders and mixologists in the world. He’s worked at Michelin Star restaurants, has a top-selling cocktail book and been featured in notable publications such as the New York Times, USA Today and beyond!
Perrine shares, “we are lucky enough to have Brian in town this week training the Manna Uptown Front of House staff.” He started by teaching liquor history, sharing the backgrounds on the spirits, and paring theory and as I was leaving today the staff were arriving for service training that will allow Manna to offers a luxury experience to their guests.
It will be up to bar manager Jackson Wolph to maintain the standards Van Falndern is creating for the bar. The bar will end up staying open a couple hours later than the dining room and having upscale cheese and charcuterie boards to serve once the kitchen is closes.
Chef Donivan Preston, who originally opened Table 33, has spent the past 4 1/2 years as the Sous Chef at Salar and will lead the kitchen at the new place.
He teased me with few menu items, including butter seared filets, prawns flamed in Hennessey and Beef bourguignon.
He also shared their pastry chef will be making a dessert using a recipe from Chef Margot’s grandmother- as well as a Lucuma ( a native fruit of Peru) Profiterole.
Perrine shared that they are planning a fundraising party for the leukemia and lymphoma society, where ticket proceeds will be donated to the charity.
Chef Margot has created a very upscale eatery and I can’t wait until they are serving! See you there!
Manna Uptown
61 W Franklin St.
Centerville OH 45459
937-972-1215
Hours:
Sunday – Thursday 11am – 9pm
Friday – Saturday 11am – 10pm
Bar will stay open an hour (or tw0) after dinning room- still working on details.
Breath-Taking, Jaw-Dropping, Show-Stopping! Dayton Live put the word out about their upcoming season last night in style. Starting off with a fun scavenger hunt of titles, people were invited to make their way through the catacombs of the Schuster’s back stage, stopping intermittently to ‘guess a show’! For my friend Amy and me, it was fun challenge. Being that we both love Broadway, and are always up for some trivia, we gave it a whirl. I missed one….Amy did as well…..that doggone ‘Grinch’ and his theft of Christmas stumped us…we were sure it was Elf, The Musical! Nonetheless, we scored well with the other 5….and YOU WILL , TOO! What a fun, ambitious, diverse season is in store.
On the first two nights of the holiday, a ceremonial meal called Seder is observed.
Ellie’s Restaurant
5474 North State Route 48
The Human Race Theatre Company announced their upcoming season Monday night at the Loft Theatre! The theme is ‘Stories in Motion!‘ Marking the event, fans and friends of the HRTC were invited to grab a glass of their favorite beverage (Pinot Grigio for me…), find a seat and prepare to hear about the six shows that will make up their 2023/2024 season. In a fun, right off the bat twist, the audience was made aware that this time around, the stories may seem familiar…but the telling is somehow a surprise! That surprise is one that must be experienced…and how better than at the HRT itself.
The Dayton937.com Social Media @wards has officially launched and is accepting nominations until April 2oth. This event is all about honoring the best in social media communications and rewarding the individuals, companies, and organizations who are using online platforms to communicate in fresh and innovative ways in the Miami Valley!
David Portnoy is an American blogger and founder of the sports and popular culture blog Barstool Sports. One Bite with Davey Pageviews is an internet show that Portnoy created, which consists of him reviewing pizza restaurants around the world ranking them for 0 to 10.
In town for the NCAA basketball he asked on Twitter for pizza recommendations in Dayton to do his One Bite reviews. His first visit was to the the 
