Things to do in Dayton | Restaurants, Theatre, Music and More
Chef Franco Gallo grew up in a small town in Italy by the Adriatic Sea in Brindisi, where he got his first taste of the restaurant business doing every job imaginable alongside many Italian Chefs in his hometown. He also served in the Italian Army and was trained in culinary art to serve the high ranking officer staff. He met his wife in the Navy, stationed in Italy where they met and he followed here here. His most recent experience was being the Head Chef at the Dayton Bicycle Club for 15 years. Last summer the stars aligned with the opportunity to open Franco the Foodie, where he is the now the owner and Chef, creating a unique rotating menu every week and catering for parties and events. His family is all involved in the business with his wife and one daughter works in the kitchen, while his other daughter works the front of the house.
What is your favorite ingredient to cook with?
Garlic is one of my favorite ingredients. It is simple, flavorful and fragrant, adding a lot too many dishes. After all, I am 100 percent Italian, born and raised in Italy. They put garlic in our pacifiers.
What ingredient do you dread?
I don’t dread any ingredient in particular, although I am not a fan of peeling beets, although I do love to eat them.
What’s your favorite dish to make?
My favorite dish to make is homemade pasta. To me there is nothing better than making homemade pasta. I find it therapeutic and the end result is pure delicious in a variety of sauces and options. It also takes me back to my childhood when I first was introduced to making pasta with my mother and grandmother in Italy.
What’s your favorite pig out food?
Fried calamari and shrimp, with squeeze of lemon on top and fresh parsley. I could eat that all day long. Growing up by the Adriatic Sea in Italy it was a common street food that always brings me back home.
What restaurant, other than your own, do you like to dine at in the Miami Valley?
Lily’s Bistro and Meadowlark are 2 of my favorite restaurants. I like how they utilize seasonal fresh ingredients, and the dishes are often creative and enjoyable.
What’s your best advice for home chefs?
Simplicity goes a long way. Don’t overdo it and think that adding too many ingredients makes things better. Less is often more when it comes to cooking. And YouTube can often be your best friend when learning how to use new ingredients or trying a new recipe.
If you could invite any 4 guests to a dinner party who would they be and why?
My mother, who lives in Italy and I don’t get to see her very often. My father, who passed away several years ago. My grandmother, who taught me a lot about cooking. And my wife, who tells me she is my biggest fan, so I better include her so she doesn’t divorce me.
Who do you look up to in the industry and why?
My brother Tony, who is a Chef in Italy. He has a reputation for making some amazing food and pizza dough in Brindisi, where we grew up. He recently came to visit and spent time working with me and showing me some tips and cooking techniques. One thing that I learned a long time ago is that a Chef never stops learning and I appreciated him sharing his knowledge with me.
What do you do in the Miami Valley on a day off?
I don’t have many days off, but when I get a chance to relax I like to watch a movie, or play online nerdy games, such as World of Warcraft.
Share a kitchen disaster, lucky break or other interesting story:
Approximately 6 months ago I had the opportunity to open Franco the Foodie. It has been a dream of mine for many years to have my own restaurant. You could call this my lucky break, as everything aligned at the right place at the right time. I have greatly enjoyed the challenge and look forward to growing the business, also recognizing it is not always easy. But it is extremely satisfying getting to know the local customers and welcoming them like family.
Fleming’s Prime Steak House and Wine Bar is featuring a 3 course meal that includes Filet Mignon paired with a North Atlantic Lobster Tail only on Sunday’s.
You’ll start your meal out by choosing either a Fleming’s Salad – walnuts, tomatoes, dried cranberries, red onion, lemon balsamic vinaigrette or a Caesar Salad – romaine, parmesan, fried capers, crispy prosciutto.
Your main course will be a petite filet mignon (8 oz) and north Atlantic lobster tail for $75 or upgrade to a main filet (11 oz) for $82.
Fleming’s Prime Steak House and Wine Bar
4432 Walnut Street
Dayton, OH 45440
937-320-9548
Sun: 4PM–9PM
Mon–Sat: 4PM–10PM
This groundbreaking Obie-winning Off-Broadway smash also won multiple awards for its hit film adaptation. It tells the story of “internationally ignored song stylist” Hedwig Schmidt, a fourth-wall smashing East German rock ‘n’ roll goddess who also happens to be the victim of a botched sex-change operation, which has left her with just “an angry inch.”
Trigger Warnings: discussion of sexual assault, transphobia, foul language, and substance abuse.
If purchasing a VIP ticket, please arrive to the theatre 10 minutes prior to house open as you will have early seating and a Hedwig swag bag.
Produced and presented by TheatreLab Dayton.
The winner of this round earns a spot at the Dayton Battle of the Bands Finale, among other prizes! The grand prize is an EP session at *Dayton Sound Studios*- the title sponsor of this event. The grand prize winner also gets to perform at Levitt Pavilion Dayton during the summer 2023 concert season!
Doors open at 7pm (due to equipment load in, we cannot let patrons in earlier than 7pm). Show 7:30-10:30pm. Please be prompt to see all the bands performing!
Tickets are $10 advance / $15 at the door. Advance tickets are recommended. Note – Ticket sales are used to cover production costs and prizes. Thanks for contributing!
Sip, savor and celebrate the new year.
This class will consist of traditional belly dancing moves, shimmy, hip pop combinations including working with a veil scarf and we will cool down with traditional ballet barre stretches for the entire body.
Section A: Thursdays, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM, Jan. 12 – March 2, 2023.
Section B: Thursdays, 6:30 PM – 7:30 PM, March 9 – April 27, 2023.
Fee: $48/resident; $58/non-resident
Location: Rosewood Arts Center
Instructor: Nancy Boss
It’s always interesting to look back at our most read stories from 2022. While some of our most read stories include our round-ups of restaurants open holidays like Thanksgiving, Christmas and Mother’s Day we’re not included them on this list. We have listed in reverse order, the top stories you all clicked on last year. Enjoy this little stroll down memory lane!
Farmer Matthew Keener Starts A Nonprofit To Donate Beef To The Needy
And as it turns out, they took the business off the market, and reopened the kitchen and have continued to be a well loved community bar and eatery.
And the story you all clicked on and read the most in 2022 was:
The Neighborhood Leadership Institute (NLI) is an annual 13-week program that trains Dayton residents for current or future leadership opportunities in city communities. Workshops are held at various locations and presentations cover topics such as Dayton’s history; the role of City government, the criminal justice system and cultural diversity; skill-building components such as public speaking and small-group dynamics; and a bus tour of Dayton neighborhoods. Class members also complete field assignments to expand their knowledge of Dayton, City government and the community at large.
NLI offers the opportunity to meet and talk with government officials and other decision-makers. It encourages participants to develop a citywide perspective and establish a network of activists across the City.
The application deadline for the 2023 Institute is April 7. Click here for an application.
For further information, contact Mike Squire at 937-333-3203 or email.
I admit I was a girl scout. And for those of you who know me, it will come as no surprise that I was determined to sell more cookies than any of the other girls. I went up and down my street, knocking on doors for orders. I called all my relatives and perfected my telemarketing skills. I asked my dad to get his co-workers to buy from me. And he said NO! But he did offer to take me to work so I could ask for the order. I worked hard and sold hundreds of boxes and was sure I’d win the Cookie title.
Well as it turns out, I didn’t. Some little girl named Susie did. She lived down the street from me and I never saw her ask any of our neighbors to buy cookies. I asked her how she did it and she said it was easy-her mom and dad got all the orders for her. I was mad and didn’t think it was fair and complained to my dad about it. He told me life wasn’t fair, never would be, but that I’d really won, and I’d appreciate it some day when I realized that I had gotten much more out of it than Susie had. Not what a 9 year old girl wants to hear. So I’m sure I sulked around for a while, until something else captured my attention.
But now many years later, I get it. My dad was right- I had won! I’d learned how to set a goal, prospect customers, perfect my sales pitch, work on my organizational skills, plan the logistics of delivery, handle money, make change and enjoy quite a few cookies, too!
And that’s why I implore you to only buy cookies from Girl Scouts. I know there are many well intentioned parents that want to help their daughters, and help support the troops so they can put on all the programs they have scheduled; but please help them by letting them sell! And I still pledge to buy cookies from any girl scout who asks.
Gluten free? Try Toffee-tastic cookies.
Vegan? Try Thin Mints
Kosher? Halal? Try them all! Every flavor variety is kosher and Halal certified.
While door to door sales do still happen, most girl scouts have moved to calling or texting for sales or even setting up online sales sights. Cookies will begin being delivered the week of Feb 12th. Don’t know a Girl Scout? Fill out this form to be connected. Troop booths at local retailers will be held starting February 17th.
Do you know what’s even sweeter than Girl Scout Cookies? Every box of cookies you buy from your neighborhood Girl Scout stays local. Proceeds from your purchase help fund incredible adventures like camping and bold ideas like a local recycling program. The Dayton region has over 5000 girl scout that will benefit from your support when you purchase cookies from a local Girl Scout today!
Earl Landes, began butchering pork and taking it to local markets in the 1940’s. With family values at the core, Landes has continued to grow and expand into the meat processing industry. Today, the Landes Fresh Meats brand is well established in the wholesale market place and is providing the same down home quality meat to many corporations across the United States. The fourth generation of the family operates Landes Fresh Meats in Clayton, providing bacon and sausage for both retail and wholesale customers.
They announced yesterday, via their Facebook page the closing of their retail outlet.
Landes Fresh Meats
9476 Haber Road
Clayton, OH,Wed- Fri 9am – 6pmSat 9am – 3pm
Karen Jaffe
Our Winter’tainment Series has been a serious HIT! And Speaking of serious, there’s little of that in any conversation with Dayton’s Consummate Comique…Karen Jaffe. I was so lucky to catch up with her just before she headed into the UPS store! We had the perfect chit-chat and it went something like this:
Josh: KAREN! Over here girl. SO glad I ran into you. Wondering….would you have time for a quick interview for Winter’Tainment?
Karen: I would love that!
Josh: Hallelujah! So, tell me about the comedy scene which you are such a part of here in Dayton!
Karen: (smiling wide). Comedians in this town are so lucky…there is so much support here! We have 2 really great Comedy Clubs (Wileys, Oregon District and Funny Bone, the Greene) which showcase a lot of area talent. Wait, Josh, did you know that Wiley’s is the oldest comedy club in Ohio? (I shoot a look of shock!) And, think about it, there are plenty of open mic nights in the area, and great venues to play as well. The other nice part is Cincinnati, Columbus, Indy and Louisville are down the street. Each of these cities has great stage time for comedians.
Josh: I know many of them come here to perform in Dayton. Which of course, you are really a major player in our town. Quite popular! (She smiles again.) Do you think it is different for women…I mean comedy! (Smile fades.)
Karen: I actually have a love/hate relationship with this question, because I get it a lot. I think generally it can be more difficult to be a woman in comedy, for a lot of reasons. But I have been super fortunate in that I came into comedy when I was older and had a thicker skin and a better sense of who I was as a person, so my experience hasn’t been as difficult as some other people have had it. And I also have been lucky that Dayton’s comedy scene has been a safe and supportive place for me. Sometimes when I travel out of town, I meet comedians from other places who aren’t as fortunate and maybe are more disrespectful of female comics, but I like to think it comes from a competitive place rather than a real “women aren’t funny” mentality. As for the audiences, in Dayton or anywhere else, I like having to work a little harder to get them on my side.
Bob the Drag Queen and Jaffe
Josh: I completely get that. Y’know being a drag queen sometimes, I work my ass off to get a buck or 2. Where does your comedy come from?
Karen: My comedy largely comes from my own life, and the people I encounter on a daily basis. I try to be really careful not to “punch down” and make fun of people; I try to make myself or my reactions the butt of my jokes. I typically steer clear of politics and religion, because they’re both polarizing and kind of boring to me. I would much rather talk about the different ways I’m handed Cologuard boxes at work.
Josh: OMG. (Giggles.) The Cologuard gig…I can’t take it. HILARIOUS! I’m sure you included some of that on your comedy album you just cut. Congratulations by the way! That’s an accomplishment!
Karen: Thank you! I recorded my first album as a sort of challenge to myself. It was scary and also not really, because I had so much support! I got to do it in my home club, with an amazing production team behind me, and I felt so incredibly lucky. I don’t know the release date yet, but you’ll definitely hear about it on social media!
Josh: Well, best to you on that. Are we out of time? Do you need to go weigh packages or tape stuff? Or can we keep talking?
Karen: (Side eye) I have time!
Josh: What can we look forward to in the comedy world around here….and do you have comedians who inspire you?
Karen: If you want to learn about comedy and you are interested in the art form itself, you should try checking out a local showcase, or buy tickets to see someone you haven’t necessarily heard yet. There are so many incredibly talented people who come through Dayton that haven’t had their big break. For me, there are 2 favorites I will mention…although there are others. Meg Stalter, who is from Dayton and is one of the kindest, funniest, most talented people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing (and thankfully all the right people in Chicago and New York and Hollywood all noticed when they met her, and now she is super famous and even more beautiful than ever). And my other all-time favorite comedian is probably one you haven’t heard of: Stewart Huff. He’s a touring comic who lives in Georgia, and he’s the smartest comedian I have ever met. Buy all his albums. See him whenever you can. And please tell him I said hi when you do.
Jaffe in Lights
Josh: So, I personally find you to be so uplifting and fun. Can you tell when the audience feels it, or maybe doesn’t (Eyebrow lifts)?
Karen: After doing this for thirteen years or so, I can tell when a crowd likes me or doesn’t, or when one or more of my jokes falls flat. There’s nothing like the feeling you get when every word you say is HILARIOUS to people. It’s like a high! Conversely, it never feels good when the audience isn’t really enjoying it, but it’s really helpful to find out what doesn’t work so I can change something. I do have one punchline to a joke that no one appreciates as much as I do, but I keep telling it because I think it’s funny, and I really don’t care if no one else agrees.
Josh: Good for you! Stand your Ground KAREN! So, I know you are traveling with your comedy and have played all kinds fo places….do you have a preference?
Karen: Oh wow. It really depends on my mood, or what I’m working on. Some of my jokes have a lot of physicality to them, and I use weird facial expressions, so it helps when the audience is more intimate and can see me to appreciate what I’m doing. But I have been on stage for over 800 people before, and getting that many people to laugh was incredible. My only preference is that the people in the audience are there to see comedy, no matter how many of them there are. I am not a big fan of bar shows where the audience isn’t even aware there’s a comedy show going on and they feel like hostages because they just wanted to go out and drink and talk to their friends. I used to love the challenge of getting those people to pay attention and laugh. Now I just feel sorry for them and want to put a stop to it!
Local Comedians!
Josh: (Laughing) You are a gem lady! Thank you for taking a minute with me. Everyone out there….Keep your Eyes Peeled for Karen’s upcoming shows! I wish you the best! And with the album!
Karen: Love you Mr. Stucky! And to everyone wanting to do comedy, whether it’s something you want to check off your bucket list, or something you’ve always really wanted to try, Dayton is the perfect place for it! We’re all rooting for you.
1 Admission to the Fish Fry dinner, including fish, 3 drink tickets each (more are available for purchase) and dessert.
And back by popular request – the Bourbon Raffle!! See below to purchase tickets for a chance to win Bourbon!
New this year – our Silent Auction is online!
Check out the available items for bid here:
Dayton’s long running band (20+ years!) brings you all the Rock/Pop/Dance/Country/Rap hits!!
***NO COVER***
First show of 2023
Crooked Handle Brewing Co. will feature a taproom seating over 150 people with a full-service bar and kitchen, in addition to an event space seating 160 people and an outdoor patio with a full view of the Great Miami River, Moore said.
Guests will be able to order from a variety of spirits, craft cocktails, seltzers, wines and 16 beer taps, he explained. The kitchen, which is four times bigger than their Springboro kitchen, will serve pizza, sandwiches, burgers, wings, nachos and more.
The Piqua brewery is located in a 11,000-square-foot building that previously housed Piqua Granite and Marble Company.
The brewpub will anchor the redevelopment of the Lock 9 Park on the corner of Water and Main Streets. He said the park, which is a DORA or “Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area,” is expected to have a splash pad, amphitheater and much more.
Starbucks rings in 2023 with the debut of its new winter menu featuring the return of Red Velvet Loaf and fan-favorite Pistachio Latte alongside new Pistachio Cream Cold Brew.
Here’s a closer look at Starbucks’ winter menu:
Pistachio Cream Cold Brew features the brand’s signature Cold Brew sweetened with vanilla syrup, and is topped with silky pistachio cream cold foam and salted brown-buttery sprinkles.
Returning for a third year is the fan-favorite Pistachio Latte, featuring flavors of sweet pistachio and rich brown butter paired with espresso and steamed milk. The beverage is available hot, iced or as a Frappuccino blended beverage.
Returning to the bakery case is the Red Velvet Loaf, a vanilla cake swirled with classic red velvet cake and topped with white chocolatey icing.
Starbucks winter menu food and beverages are available at participating locations nationwide for a limited time, while supplies last.
Three special whole bean coffees will be available this season: Starbucks Tribute Blend at all Starbucks stores, and two Starbucks Reserve coffees – new Starbucks Reserve Guatemala Lake Atitlan and Starbucks Reserve Ethiopia Yirgacheffe Chelelektu – available at select Starbucks stores and Starbucks Reserve locations.
Starbucks is also introducing a new line of drinkware in pastels and fresh florals to brighten the new year. Ready to keep fans’ cold beverages chilly and hot beverages cozy, the winter collection includes stainless steel tumblers, ceramic mugs, beloved cold cups, and more in a variety of cup sizes. As always, Starbucks Rewards members who bring a clean, personal reusable cup into participating cafes will earn 25 Stars in addition to 10 cents off their beverage.
Starting February 13, Starbucks reward members will need 100 stars — Starbucks’ term for points — to get one cup of hot or iced coffee or tea, a baked good, a packaged snack or a to-go cup. Members will need 200 stars to get a latte or Frappuccino or a hot breakfast item, and 300 for a salad, lunch sandwich, protein box or packaged coffee (like a bag of beans).
