Dayton937

Things to do in Dayton | Restaurants, Theatre, Music and More

Archives for January 2019

Porchfest Call For Musicians

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Porchfest is a day of free mini concerts held on porches throughout St. Anne’s Hill. Dayton Porchfest was founded in 2017, inspired by the original Porchfest, which was started in 2007 in Ithaca, NY  and Larchmere Porchfest in Cleveland, which was started in 2009. Today there over 125 Porchfests throughout the United States and Canada. Dayton was the 95th Porchfest!

https://vimeo.com/298367454

(Video by Jason Shea/Old Fremont Films: http://jasonshea.wixsite.com/oldfremontfilms)

Dayton has a rich musical history and active music scene, which continues today. Dayton Porchfest is committed to reflecting that in its selection of musical artists, from funk and blues to indie rock and jazz, classical and country, to bluegrass and old timey that has deep Appalachian traditions here. We also celebrate the ethnic diversity of the region, a reflection of our “Welcome Dayton” spirit that has contributed to a significant influx of immigrants and refugees over the past decade.

​After curating Dayton Porchfest for it’s first two years, the music team has decided to put out a call for musicians. The date this year is Saturday, August 24th. Porchfest is an all-genre, family-friendly festival open to musicians from the Dayton-region. Here are the basics:

• Dayton PorchFest is a tips-only Festival. We supply the 
Tip Jars and aggressively promote tipping the performers.
• Bands are welcome to sell CDs snd merchandise.
• For 2019 we will be selecting 45-50 performers.
• Selection of artists will be based on curating five-musically diverse music blocks.
• Sets are 45-50 minutes and start at 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 PM.
• Application deadline is March 31, 2019.

https://daytonporchfest.wixsite.com/home/application

Dayton Porchfest is an initiative of and a fundraiser for The Collaboratory, a civic innovation lab that moves ideas to action. The Collaboratory provides infrastructure for people and organizations to collaboratively develop community initiatives that generate new economic, civic and creative opportunities and value. The result is a healthier, more thriving region.

Luminaries of Dayton: Anthony C. Brown

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Anthony Brown was born in Sussex County, New Jersey on September 15, 1816. He came to Ohio in 1817 with his parents and settled in Greene County in 1825. He arrived in Dayton in 1851 with his brother, Henry M. Brown. Together they established a hat store in 1837. Anthony inherited the hat store in 1861 after Henry died. The business was located on North Main Street where a full line of hats of the very best quality and of the latest styles were kept.

Anthony C. Brown died on October 17, 1891 at the age of 75. The memorial stone of Anthony C. Brown as noted in geological information taken from Professor Michael R. Sandy’s Guidebook No. 8, 1992 is of Sharon conglomerate, of Pennsylvania age, that crops out in northeastern Ohio. The bolder was transported by and deposited as the Pleistocene glaciers melted.

Anthony C. Brown is located in Section 101 Lot 1808.

Woodland Cemetery, founded in 1841, is one of the nation’s five oldest rural garden cemeteries and a unique cultural, botanical and educational resource in the heart of Dayton, Ohio as you will see as you read through this new MostMetro.com series. Visit the cemetery and arboretum and take one of the many tours Woodland offers free of charge. Most of Dayton’s aviation heroes, inventors and business barons are buried at Woodland.

Woodland Cemetery and Arboretum is located at 118 Woodland Avenue off of Brown Street near the UD Campus. The Woodland Office is open Monday through Friday 8 am to 5 pm and Saturday 8 am to 12 pm. The Cemetery and Arboretum are open daily from 8 am to 6 pm. The Mausoleum is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm. For more information, call 937-228-3221 or visit the Woodland website.

Dare to Defy Productions Presents: Assassins

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A multiple Tony Award-winning theatrical tour de force, Assassins combines Sondheim’s signature blend of intelligently stunning lyrics and beautiful music with a panoramic story of our nation’s culture of celebrity and the violent means some will use to obtain it, embodied by America’s four successful and five would-be presidential assassins. Bold, original, disturbing, and alarmingly funny, Assassins is perhaps the most controversial musical ever written. Assassins lays bare the lives of nine individuals who assassinated or tried to assassinate the President of the United States, in a one-act historical “revusical” that explores the dark side of the American experience. From John Wilkes Booth to Lee Harvey Oswald, writers Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman bend the rules of time and space, taking us on a nightmarish roller coaster ride in which assassins and would-be assassins from different historical periods meet, interact with and inspire each other to harrowing acts in the name of the American Dream.

Cold Weather Day Hiking 101

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Come learn the basics of preparing for cold weather environments, whether you are day hiking or camping out, these tips are sure to warm you up.

This FREE class covers the following content:
• How we get cold
• How cold effects how we operate
• How to dress for the weather for both hiking and camping
• Other tips for keeping warm
• Info on some local hikes!

Postage Stamps Go Up to 55 Cents Sunday

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It will soon cost 55 cents to mail a letter. The Postal Regulatory Commission has announced the new prices take effect on Sunday, January 27th. So we suggest you stock up  now on Forever stamps, which can be used to mail a 1-ounce letter regardless of when the stamps are purchased or used and no matter how prices may change in the future, according to USPS.com. Forever stamps have been in existence since 2007.

There is some good news though – not all prices are rising. Some will remain the same. These include the cost to mail a postcard (still 35 cents) and the cost to mail a 1-ounce letter internationally (still $1.15).

Also, the price of an additional ounce — meaning the additional postage needed to mail a 2-ounce letter — is decreasing from 21 cents to 15 cents. So, the total cost to mail a 2-ounce piece of mail, such as a typical wedding invitation, will actually fall from 71 cents to 70 cents.

The flat-rate retail prices for domestic Priority Mail that are rising include:

  • Small box: $7.90 (up from $7.20)
  • Medium box: $14.35 (up from $13.65)
  • Large box: $19.95 (up from $18.90)
  • Regular envelope: $7.35 (up from $6.70)
  • Padded envelope: $8 (up from $7.25)

Battle of the Businesses Lip Sync Battle

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If you work downtown Dayton and you would like to compete for the top spot of lip sync extraordinaire sign-up today! We are hosting our 4th lip sync battle and can’t wait to see what Dayton has in store for us this time. Gather your troops and start practicing your best dance moves because there will be some tough competition.

McDonald’s To Host ‘Bacon Hour’

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MickeyD’s will be hosting a bacon happy hour  on Tuesday, January 29th from 4-5pm !

That’s right, for one hour only, the fast-food chain will hold a “Bacon Hour” so customers in participating stores across the country can put free thick-cut, Applewood-smoked bacon on anything they order from the McDonald’s menu.

Yes you read that right, free bacon.

On anything.

In the entire McDonald’s menu.

Want bacon on your Chicken McNuggets? Sure thing, buddy, go knock yourself out.

Bacon on a Filet-O-Fish? Aquaman just might approve.

Bacon on a Hot Caramel Sundae? Surprisingly salty stuff goes really well with sweet treats.

The limited time event is meant to promote the Jan. 30 nationwide launch of McDonald’s new trio of bacon items: the Big Mac Bacon burger, Quarter Pounder Bacon burger and Cheesy Bacon Fries. Both burgers will come with three slices of bacon each while the Cheesy Bacon Fries will come with bacon bits.

 

OMP – Oh My Pie !

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One of our Food Adventures to Partial to Pie Bakery

Pie season began around Halloween and in Dayton, it is still flying high into 2019, partly due to a new bakery on Shroyer Ave.

If you’re one to follow the news about the places to eat in our area, by now you’ve probably heard of a local bakery that has been named “Best Pie Shop in Ohio” by USA today only five month’s after it’s opening last summer. Partial to Pie Bakery has taken Dayton pie lovers by storm!  The Food Adventures Crew went to check them out and it was clear as to why this place is loved so much by Dayton’s foodies.

 

HERE’S THE SKINNY on PARTIAL TO PIE BAKERY:

—Local father-daughter team, Mike and Marie Clark have been keeping family recipes alive for their whole lives. What started out as baking for friends and family, eventually grew into baking for festivals and events. It was clear that they were onto something special.

The menu of pie offerings

—The Clarks opened up their brick and mortar location on July 31, 2018. Since the article in USA today ran, Partial to Pie Bakery has been selling out on a daily basis and has been working hard to keep up with the demands of Miami Valley’s appetites!

—Marie stated that they get to the bakery at about 5am every day to prep and then continue to prepare pies for the next day after they close.

Comfortable and casual dining

—When you walk into their shop (located at 200 Shroyer Rd), you feel as though you’ve stepped back in time.  The tables and chairs are like those from our grandmother’s kitchens. And we were smitten with the old dishes and mugs that the pies are served on!

— Our biggest tip is GET THERE EARLY !
Hours are:
Tuesday-Friday 7am – 5:30pm
Saturday 7am – pm
CLOSED Sunday and Monday

And then, there are the pies. Oooooo my.

Partial to Pie prides themselves on using local ingredients whenever possible. Their creations range from fruit pies to cream/custard pies and even savory quiches!  You have the option of buying a whole pie, slice, mini pie, or a pie pocket (which is like a handheld pie you can eat on the go!).

 

MUST EATS at PARTIAL TO PIE BAKERY:

 

BLT Quiche –  The Star of the Show

—THE BLT QUICHE:
This quiche is so light and tasty! Filled with bacon, leaks and tomatoes, it’s the perfect meal for any time of day!  We had a slice, but we could see ourselves getting an entire pie for a family dinner.  This was one of Jackie’s favorites and arguably their best menu item.  It was cooked perfectly leaving a nice flaky crust and a slightly crunchy top.  We had to have a moment to take this one all in.

 

—THE APPLE CRUMB PIE:
This pie took us back to our grandmother’s kitchen! The crumb topping was fantastic and crispy! It melted in your mouth. A Food Adventure time warp for sure.  OMP !  That’s OH MY PIE !

She’s my Cherry PIe

—CHERRY PIE:
Slightly tart, slightly sweet, this one surprised us a bit. Packed with cherries, was extremely flavorful and perfect with a glass of milk. It didn’t last long on the Big Ragu’s plate! A rare treat and a must eat.  It will have you singing in your chair that 80’s tune Cherry Pie by Warrant.

 

 

Banana Cream Pie

—BLUEBERRY PIE POCKETS:
Jax’s kids devoured these mini treats! You can’t beat the flaky crust on these!  They are not only perfect for  little ones (not so messy), but they are great on the go.  Take one with you on the drive to work when you are in a hurry.  Soft, flavorful goodness that will have you making yum yum noises.

 

Blueberry Pie Pocket

—THE BANANA CREAM PIE:
This was the Big Ragu’s favorite. It has it all, creamy pudding, bananas, a wonderful crust and that layer of whipped cream. Each forkful is a dream. Served chilled the cold pie hits your mouth with a refreshing burst of silkiness. Get a whole pie, like now … before they run out.

 

—THE BLACKBERRY PIE:
We got this to go for another Food Adventure, because even though we tried the whole menu, you cant eat 14 pieces of pie in a sitting (although we came close). This was the best of the ones from our next trip. The blackberry pie is surprisingly one of the last remaining pies and we cannot figure out why. It is absolutely delicious with the berry taste, slightly exotic and a small bit of seed crunch. Again the balance of tart and sweetness is perfect and the crust is cooked perfectly. They have the formula down for fruit pies.

Blackberry Pie

Honorable Mention:
Sweet Chorizo Quiche – this is a limited time special! The savory chorizo is balanced out with sweet potatoes and onions. Fantastic for brinner (That’s Brunch and Dinner). If you ask us to share we will tell you to Quiche our azz.

 

They offer so many options from Peach Mango to Special pies you can request for a future pickup.  Tell you what, it’s better if you just trust us and head on down there asap!

We came, we saw, we conquered

One important thing to note. Planning on ordering a pie for a special occasion? You’ll need to do so 2 business days out.

 

Partial to Pie has been selling out so fast, there is no guarantee that whole pies will be available when you visit. It’s best to order ahead of time if you know you are wanting one for a certain day. Think of the time you’ll save for the holidays!

 

Finally, two things we can assure you of: we are partial to pie, and we will be back!

Thank you for reading this week’s Food Adventure feature article.  Check back for our column, each and every week, exclusively, right here on DaytonMostMetro.   Follow Food Adventures on Facebook by clicking HERE.

Feel free to browse more photos below from our trips to Partial to Pie Bakery.

 

 

 

 

Display Case

Logo

Mugs and plates borrowed from grandmas houses

This little girl picked out her pies and walked out like a boss

We came, we saw, we conquered

Have a slice

WOWSA

Blackberry

Peach PIe

 

 

People from around the world gathering in Dayton to celebrate Blacks in Dance!

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This week, Dayton Ohio has the privilege of hosting the 31st Annual International Association of Blacks in Dance Conference and Festival from January 22 – 27, 2019, in partnership with Dayton Contemporary Dance Company. This gathering is the broadest of black dance professionals in the US and internationally, including attendees from 8 Countries – Canada, England, Germany, Ghana, Jamaica, Norway, Senegal, and the United States. The conference hosts 19 hours of dance per day featuring 48 performance groups, 43 teaching artists, 25 dance styles, as well as 21 premiere ballet companies participating in The Equity Project: Increasing the Presence of Blacks in Ballet.

This exciting conference is also a fabulous way to celebrate DCDC’s 50th Anniversary season! There are lots of ways for local Daytonians to get involved, from attending a performance featuring these phenomenal artists, to taking master classes, to volunteering to help out! Keep reading to find out more…

What is the International Association of Blacks in Dance?

The International Association of Blacks in Dance, Inc., (IABD) has a vision for dance, by people of African ancestry or origin, to be revered, respected, and preserved in the consciousness and cultural institutions of all people. The organization offers a full range of services and programs that are dedicated to championing the work of dance artists, educators, leadership, researchers, scholars, students, and supporters. The Association provides a network, formal newsletters, choreographers directory, published papers and is the raison d’être for the annual conference and festival. The Association also responds to and initiates dialogue around issues that impact the black dance community, as well as the dance community at large.

For Volunteers

IABD is currently looking for reliable and dedicated individuals who are interested in being an Ambassador for the City of Dayton and our activities. Volunteer tasks include, but are not limited to: registration, ushers and ticket takers, classroom monitors, production and guest liaisons. Volunteers will be needed for a variety of tasks and at a variety of locations. Please note any disability that would affect where and how we would be able to utilize your time (i.e. must be able to sit, etc.). All volunteers will be given an IABD apron to wear during their volunteer time, please dress business casual (no jeans and t-shirts). You will be notified by our IABD Volunteer Coordinators with more information about days, times, and duties. For more information, please click here.

For Dancers (Youth, Pre-Professional, Professional) and Teachers

Over four days, participants will engage in invaluable professional opportunities. Workshop, panel sessions and master classes will provide examples of successful new and innovative models. Dialogues with legends and next generation artists will inspire new thinking for a vibrant future for Dance. Career pathway workshops, and post career guidance will also be offered.

The Conference and Festival also offers scholarship auditions for summer intensives and university dance programs as well as a multi-dance company auditions for professional dance companies in ballet, modern, and contemporary dance. IABD offers the largest convening of dance directors, programs, and companies that offer persons of color these kinds of opportunities in a central setting.

For an overview of the schedule, please click here.

3 Days of Phenomenal Performances

Thursday, January 24 kicks off three days of performances at the conference, starting off with the youth and collegiate groups, followed on Friday January 25th and Saturday January 26th, with the established, professional dance companies (see schedule below – some performances on available to those attending the conference). For locals, not attending the conference, tickets for both Saturday performances can be purchased via Ticket Center Stage here, with additional details below.

“Whether you are a seasoned aficionado or new to seeing dance, there is an undeniable feeling of wonder and excitement when excellence is placed on stage before you. Imagine, you take your seat, the lights dim, and you hold your breath in excitement and anticipation of the first sight of dancers on stage.” -Denise Saunders Thompson President & CEO, IABD

“I am absolutely thrilled to present this conference in partnership with the International Association of Blacks in Dance! We are dedicated to bringing the best of the best together in this field. Bringing this event to Dayton as DCDC celebrates it’s 50th is amazing. This is a celebration of Black that this community does not want to miss.”
Debbie Blunden-Diggs, Artistic Director of DCDC

SCHEDULE

Youth Members Performance *
Thursday, January 24, 2019 | 2:00 PM
at the Theatre at the Dayton Convention Center

Featuring performances by: Chicago High School for the Arts, Dallas Black Dance Theatre’s Allegro Performing Ensemble, Dance Institute of Washington, Detroit School of the Arts, Divine Dance Institute, Duke Ellington School of the Arts, Iibada Dance Company, Inspire 2 Move Dance Company, Lewis Cass Technical High School, Stivers High School, Tri-C Creative Arts Dance Academy

Collegiate Members Performance *
Thursday, January 24, 2019 | 7:30 PM
at the Theatre at the Dayton Convention Center

Featuring performances by: Alabama State University, Howard University, Miami Dade College, Ohio Black Dance, Ohio State University, Seals Dance Project. University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Wayne State University, West Las Vegas Arts Center

Established Members Performance *
Friday, January 25, 2019 | 7:30 PM
at the Theatre at the Dayton Convention Center

Featuring performances by: Atlanta Dance Connection, BaKari I. Lindsay, Ballethnic Dance Company, Collage Dance Collective, Cleo II, DBDT: Encore!, DCDC2, Elisa Monte Dance, Eleone Dance Theatre, Joel Hall Dancers, L’Acadco: A United Caribbean Dance Force, Ronnique Murray, Urban Jazz Dance Company

Dayton Contemporary Dance Company “Onyx” Performance with many special guests from the IABD Conference & Festival
Saturday, January 65, 2019 | 2 PM & 8 PM
at The Victoria Theatre. Tickets range from $19-$45

Featuring performances by: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance, Dallas Black Dance Theatre, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, Deeply Rooted Dance Theatre, Forces of Nature Dance Theatre, Lula Washington Dance Theatre, Philadanco!, The Philadelphia Dance Company, Robert Moses’ KIN, Ronald K. Brown/Evidence, A Dance Company

* Performances only available to full Conference and Festival registrants. Full Conference and Festival registrants will receive tickets to the 8:00 PM show at Victoria Theatre.

 

Dayton At Work and Play: Wilson Football Factory

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The footballs used in the Super Bowl have the names of the two competing teams, so they couldn’t be made until late yesterday. Like all NFL footballs, they are made in the Wilson plant in Ada, Ohio. A work crew showed up there yesterday during halftime of the game between the Patriots and the Chiefs. They had some pizza and watched the rest of the game. Then when they knew who would be in the Super Bowl they started making footballs.

They worked all night, and early this morning they were replaced by a new crew. Sometime this afternoon they will send 108 footballs to the Los Angeles Rams and another 108 to the New England Patriots.

Wilson Football Factory Tour

217 N. Liberty St., Ada, OH

Hours:Tours must be booked in advance.
Phone:419-634-9901
Admission:Adults $5.

All footballs used in the NFL and NCAA are produced in this little factory in Ada. The tour is very interesting and thorough. You get a souvenir football-shaped piece of pebbled leather, and there is a “gift shop” bin of footballs at the end of the tour if you’d like to take one home. The amount of hard work, done by hand from start to finish, is amazing. Tours are given by actual factory employees and there’s lots of interaction.

 

Who Makes Daytons Best Bloody Mary?

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The Bloody Mary Showdown coming up Sunday, January 27th at the Mandalay Banquet Center, is a competition amongst area bartenders seeking to find Dayton’s  features Chicago’s Bloody Mary.  Guest will get to sample the  bloodies from the competitors and vote on their favorite, crowning Dayton’s best Bloody Mary. The competition is sponsored by Svedka Vodka, which will be provide to all the contestants, the mix and the garnish will be where each bartender can differentiate themselves.

Scott Conrad, retired Champion

In the first showdown, Mack from Mack’s Tavern was crowned champion, the next year there was a tie between Mack and Scott Conrad from The Vue.

Last year Scott Conrad reigned supreme and this year Scott has retired from competition to promote and distribute his RADS award winning mix,  but will still be on sight sampling his Bloody Mary.
That leaves the field wide open in for bartenders eager to showcase their coveted concoctions to claim the crown
in this 4th year of competition. Besides bragging rights, the winner walks with $500.  Prizes are also awarded for best Garnish and best table decor.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Participants for the 2019 Showdown are:

 

Aaron and Victoria Archer’s Tavern
Aimee Plesa Bargo’s Grill and Tap
Gina Brixx Ice Company
Shaun Craig Calypso Grill and Smokehouse
Dan Mahoney Dewberry 1850
Mary Van Kirk Fifth Street Brewpub
Nick Brandell & Brad Hull Jimmie’s Ladder 11
Nik Hunt Meadowlark Restaurant
Shawn Pence Miami Valley Gaming
Tara Goffe Milanos
Charlynda Scales Mutt’s Sauce LLC
Vicki Wedworth Papi Joe’s Tennessee Pepper Sauce Company
Jenna Reinhard The Barrel in Springboro
Jenn Elsass TJ Chumps
Brook Paxson Troll Pub
Mary Grahm Trolley Stop
Brittany Nicely Tuty’s Bar & Grill
Drew Mains Wheat Pennny

Tickets for the Showdown are available online and proceeds of the Bloody Showdown help a different nonprofit each year.  In previous years the event has benefitted ARC Ohio (now Equitas) the Greater Dayton LGBT Center, The First Tee of the Miami Valley  and for 2019 FilmDayton will be the beneficiary.

proceeds benefit FilmDayton

VIP Tickets $50
Include a buffet breakfast, entry at 11am and 12 tastes

General Admission Ticket $25
include entry and 8 tasting tickets

Designated Driver $5
This ticket gives you entry into the event but does NOT include drinks.

ARTIST OF THE WEEK: Brother John Lemker

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ARTIST OF THE WEEK Brother John Lemker 

with one of his photos currently being exhibited at Gallery St. John (4400 Shakertown Road in Beavercreek).

I have been a fan of Brother Lemker’s work for years. He taught a photography course for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute a few years ago.
I tried to take that course but it was closed out by the time I applied. I am similarly late in telling you about Brother Lemker’s exhibition.
The last time it’s open to the public is Sunday from noon to 3 pm. If the weather isn’t too bad that day you should check it out.
If that doesn’t work just wait a year and he’ll have another show at that gallery.

I asked Brother Lemker to pose with a photo I love called “Reeds and Reflections.” It looks more like an abstract painting than a photograph.

“That photo sort of put me on the map,” he told me. “I submitted it to the Sierra Club and they included it in their calendar. I must have gotten
100 letters about that photo, and a lot of requests to use it in other publications. I took the photo at a small lake where I was camping. That’s what
I used to do when I was younger. I would camp at a spot and wait until the conditions were perfect for a photo. Now that I’m 88 I don’t camp like I did,
but this show includes a lot of nature photography I’ve done right here in Dayton.”

“Five artists, each a Marianist Brother, share this gallery. We each have one exhibition here every year.
So as soon as this show closes I will start work on next year’s exhibition.”

Warped Wing Celebrates 5th Anniversary

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Warped Wing Brewing Co. to celebrate their 5th anniversary with their annual Anniversary Beer Bash on Saturday, January 19th.  In a statement they sent out they shared:

“We can hardly believe it’s already been 5 years since we first opened the doors to Warped Wing – and that calls for a little celebration! We hope you’ll join us on Saturday, January 19th, starting at noon for our 5 Year Anniversary Beer Bash. We’ll be tapping various beers from our library throughout the day as well as releasing limited barrel aged bottles & draught of our signature Anniversary brew, Baltic Argonaut Baltic Porter. All bottles are $9.99/each (375ml) and will be available for purchase starting at noon. See you there!”

BOTTLES

• Baltic Argonaut Baltic Porter aged in Port Wine Barrels – 8 bottle limit

• Baltic Argonaut Baltic Porter aged in Rye Whiskey Barrels – 8 bottle limit

• Baltic Argonaut Baltic Porter aged in Tennessee Whiskey Barrels – 8 bottle limit

CELEBRATORY TAPPING SCHEDULE

• 12pm – Baltic Argonaut Baltic Porter aged in Port Barrels

• 1:30pm – Flying Heads Dubbel Pumpkin aged in Bourbon Barrels

• 3pm – Baltic Argonaut Baltic Porter aged in Rye Whiskey Barrels

• 4:30pm – Esther’s Li’l Secret Milk Chocolate Brown Ale (Vintage 2015)

• 6pm – Baltic Argonaut Baltic Porter aged in Tennessee Whiskey Barrels 

Warped Wing Brewing Company

26 Wyandot St, Dayton, Ohio 45402
(937) 222-7003
Tuesday 5PM-10PM
Wednesday 5PM-10PM
Thursday 5PM-10PM
FridayTODAY 3PM-12AM
Saturday 12PM-12AM
Sunday 12PM-8PM

Caribbean African Fusion Eatery Now Open in West Carrollton

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The Barnes family, Theresa, Samenah, Sam and Samyatta

Since she was 10 years old Theresa Barnes has dreamed about having her own restaurant.  Learning  family recipes working in the kitchen with her grandmother and mother in Sierra Leone in West Africa she was already planning for her restaurant.  Just weeks ago, Theresa’s dream came true  and she and her family opened the doors  to Eden Spice on Dixie Drive in West Carrollton, next to Holly’s Home Cooking.   The menu is a blend of African and Caribbean specialties like red snapper, curry goat, oxtail and mango ginger chicken.  You can pick your heat, form mild, spicy or African hot on many of the dishes.

Since I’m not very familiar with African food, I asked Samyatta, Theresa’s 20 year old daughter who was working the counter, for her recommendations.  Their 13 year old daughter Samenhah also helps out on the weekends.  I ended up trying the jerk goat with jollof rice (a Nigerian  staple that is flavored with Maggie) and fried red snapper with plantains and red beans and rice. You can see the entire menu here.

Red Snapper with plantains

While I was waiting for my food to be cooked, everything is made from scratch here, nothing sitting in steam tables, Samyatta shared with me about her Mom’s dream to open the restaurant.  She shared with me how for the last couple of years her mom had been cooking and perfecting her recipes and feeding everyone they knew, taking  dishes to her job at Synchrony (where she still works part time) and even knocking on strangers doors to have them try her food.

After cooking my food Theresa joined me in the dining room sharing her joy in finally being to live her dream with the restaurant.  She and her teenage sweetheart Sam married and came to America about 25 years ago.

Sam’s Jerk Goat

She’s been working with her cousin, who has catering contract with schools in Columbus, Cincinnati and Dayton for the last few years, always talking about her desire to have a restaurant.  Finally her cousin Florence told her she had located the perfect spot for Theresa’s restaurant.  The location was a former Subway restaurant in West Carrolton and Theresa just knew it was the perfect place.  She still does catering  out of the kitchen, cooking breakfast and lunch, delivering about 700 meals to 3 area schools.

Theresa told me about her decision to serve the snapper with the head on, staying true to herself, knowing that many Americans might not eat it, but that the head is the best part of the dish for her and back home they eat it all, including the eyes.   I wasn’t quite brave enough to eat the head, but did enjoy the snapper, using a fork to pull the meat off the bones, and then flipping it over to enjoy the other side.

She’ll continue to make those meals as she grows her business, serving lunch and dinner Tuesday through Saturday, but never on Sunday, as that’s the day she and her family dedicate to their Far Hills church family.   She explained to me how the menu came about with the African recipes, which feature spicy and salty flavors, and lots of Thyme, and green onions, while the Caribbean entrees tend to be sweeter, with both cuisines including a lot of rice.  Goat was the most common meat in her African home, and the meat she is serving at Eden Spice is Hallal, lawful to eat according to  traditional Islamic law.  While she was raised in a Christian home, some of her extended family were Muslim and she wants to make sure her restaurant is welcoming to all.  Which is why she also offers baked chicken as well as wings, and steak kabobs. Serving Vimto, an African soda made from juice of grapes, raspberries and blackcurrants, flavored with herbs and spices is a nod to a treat from her childhood.

Mac & Cheese, red beans & rice

As we were talking she was pulling together her fresh produce and spices to make her jerk seasoning and emphasized how all her meals are based on family recipes and made from scratch.  She has to travel to the African store in Columbus to get many of her spices.  As business picks up she has plans to offer more African specials on the weekends and is also looking forward to doing catering.

Theresa’s parting words to me were that in her culture they didn’t give physical gifts often, but instead they shared their love by cooking for others and she is looking forward to sharing that love with the Miami Valley.

Eden Spice
501 E. Dixie Drive Dayton, Ohio 45449

Theresa & Sam Barnes

937-247-9116

Tuesday – Friday: 11-8pm
Saturday  11-9pm

 

Freebies for Furloughed Government Employees

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For all of you out of work during this record-setting government shutdown, these Miami Valley businesses  have your back. Below are  deals federal employees in a pinch can take advantage of. Hang in there!

Azra’s Mediterranean Cuisine

2nd Street Market
600 E 2nd St
Dayton, Ohio, 45402
(937) 830-3887

Azra’s is  giving away a free soup or sandwich with our signature cookies to any federal employee who has been furloughed without pay! This includes those who work at IRS, TSA , anyone who has been left without pay. We know it’s difficult to to make ends meet for a lot of Americans affected by this, and we want to show support in a small way.

Rahn’s Artisan Breads

2nd Street Market
600 E 2nd St
Dayton, Ohio, 45402

(937) 602-3422

If you are a government employee / contractor / or whatever who is not receiving a paycheck during the current government shutdown, you can come to the second street market during regular business hours and receive, free of charge, ONE of the following:

One loaf of bread,
Three small pretzels,
Four bagels.

Honour system here, we are not going to ask for proof. We are trying to do a nice thing here, and hope that the spirit of our intentions is understood. Please have patience with us if this blows up.

Uno Pizzeria & Grill

126 N Main Street
Dayton, OH 45402

(937) 910-8000

Uno’s Pizza is offering a free pizza lunch Monday- Friday for furloughed federal employees.  Enjoy any individual deep dish or Chicago thin crust pizza, no purchase necessary – just present a valid federal government I.D.

 

The Dayton Art Institute
456 Belmonte Park North
Dayton, OH 45405

937-223-5277

The DAI will waive its suggested general admission fee for furloughed federal employees and one guest when a valid federal ID is shown at the museum’s Guest Services Desk. Museum general admission is always free for college students (with valid ID) and youth ages 17 and under.

 

“We thank our local federal employees and offer them something to do while they are on furlough or working without pay,” said Director and CEO Michael R. Roediger. “This is a very stressful time for these workers and their families, and we hope they are able to enjoy a relaxing, tranquil break in our galleries. Federal employees and their guests are welcome to visit as often as they like through the end of January. If the shutdown continues past the end of January we will extend this offer.”

 

A list of art museums offering free admission to furloughed federal employees may be found on the Association of Art Museum Directors website.