It was just over ten years ago that we wrote about “a new cool pizza-centric restaurant featuring rustic, creative dishes and a bar that serves up fresh, handmade cocktails-brought to you by the culinary-minded folks at Meadowlark Restaurant!”
From the beginning Wheat Penny has made being involved in the community a party of their DNA. Even before they opened the doors to the public, they hosted a series of sneak peek events for charities like the Artemis Center, SICSA, and the Food Bank. In 2017 they hosted a dining event to support the families in need of help from all the fires in Sonoma & Napa Valley and each year they participate in the Whoo Cooks For You dinner that benefits The Glen. In 2021 Valenti was honored with the “Nourishing the Community Award” which honored her dedication, excellence and service to her peers, communities and beyond.
This weekend Wheat Penny Oven and Bar is celebrating their 10th anniversary and we asked Chef/Owner Liz Valenti to reflect on that last decade.
How has Wheat Penney changed in the last 10 years?
LV: I think that our core has remained solid- committed to our staff and customers, cooking from our hearts with integrity, challenging each other to grow and evolve in the restaurant and outside in the world. As time as past, we have grown into more than a pizza place with a few other items. We make our own cheese, fresh pastas, breads, desserts and our bar program has evolved into one of the finest in Dayton.
LV: I think that our core has remained solid- committed to our staff and customers, cooking from our hearts with integrity, challenging each other to grow and evolve in the restaurant and outside in the world. As time as past, we have grown into more than a pizza place with a few other items. We make our own cheese, fresh pastas, breads, desserts and our bar program has evolved into one of the finest in Dayton.
Best selling Taylor Street pizza – Italian pork sausage, spinach & garlic-braised mushrooms
What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned over the years?
LV: Recognizing that there is no complete play book for a restaurant. Going through Covid made that abundantly clear. We are constantly planning as a team, striving to do our very best each and every day and still we sometimes stumble, but we always help each other up and move forward. I am so grateful for all of the people over these last ten years who played an important role in helping us to become the Wheat Penny Oven and Bar that we are. No doubt our biggest asset is our incredible staff!
LV: Recognizing that there is no complete play book for a restaurant. Going through Covid made that abundantly clear. We are constantly planning as a team, striving to do our very best each and every day and still we sometimes stumble, but we always help each other up and move forward. I am so grateful for all of the people over these last ten years who played an important role in helping us to become the Wheat Penny Oven and Bar that we are. No doubt our biggest asset is our incredible staff!
What is YOUR favorite menu item?
LV: This is a tough one, but I still love our meatballs that are from a recipe that my mother taught me as a child. When they get cooked off every day the kitchen smells like home. 🙂
LV: This is a tough one, but I still love our meatballs that are from a recipe that my mother taught me as a child. When they get cooked off every day the kitchen smells like home. 🙂
What are some of Wheat Penny’s best sellers?
LV: Wheat Penny Manhattan, Basil Smash, Eggplant Fries, our green lasagne, Taylor Street Pizza, Chicago style chicken parmesan sandwich, Grilled Shrimp, Broccolini and Peppers with Polenta, Crispy Brick Chicken Thighs, our seasonal caprese salad, housemade buckeye ice cream, Cauliflower T-Bone with Olive Pistou and our mini Detroit pizza- just to name a few!
LV: Wheat Penny Manhattan, Basil Smash, Eggplant Fries, our green lasagne, Taylor Street Pizza, Chicago style chicken parmesan sandwich, Grilled Shrimp, Broccolini and Peppers with Polenta, Crispy Brick Chicken Thighs, our seasonal caprese salad, housemade buckeye ice cream, Cauliflower T-Bone with Olive Pistou and our mini Detroit pizza- just to name a few!
Eggplant Fries
To help celebrate their first decade, Wheat Penny is offering 10% off select Wheat Penny Classics on Sat, Aug 26th!
Wheat Penny Oven & Bar
515 Wayne Ave
Dayton, OH 45410
Dayton, OH 45410
(937) 496-5268
Hours:
Tuesday – Thursday
11am – 9pm
Friday and Saturday
11am – 10pm
Nosh and nibble on these snacking superstars loaded with artichokes, savory slices of salami and pepperoni, chunks of cheese, green olives, and fresh basil or try the Caprese Kebabs, made with simple ingredients, like plump cherry tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and fresh basil, these skewers make for a great summer appetizer!
Swordfish is marinated in the Jack’s Grill Honey Ginger Teriyaki Grilling Sauce and threaded onto a skewer along with fresh pineapple. Juicy, tender, marinated grilled chicken meets refreshing cucumber, Kalamata olives, artichokes, and tomatoes in the Greek Chicken Kebabs
The Bakery is joining in on the kebab fun with these stunning sweets! Buckeye Kebabs are the most delicious combination of peanut butter and chocolate, showcasing decadent buckeyes, pieces of Peanut Butter Killer Brownie®, and rich, fudge brownie. The Tropical Kebabs are loaded with luscious chocolate-covered strawberries, bites of Creamy Orange & Passionfruit Killer Brownie®, and delicate French macarons.
Juicing Jammers Juice and Smoothie Bar, which started out in 2007, as Dayton’s first Black owned and woman owned mobile juicery. Owner Tawnni Miles is a registered Nurse who started her business in 2017 with a small refrigerator in Tae Winston’s Entrepreneur Shop. She then purchased her trailer in 2020. She’s been operating at events and farmer’s markets around town. Now she’ signed a multiple year lease with Wright Dunbar, Inc. Tawnni shared that it’s surreal to now have this location, where she first now house her shop.
Still haven’t seen “Barbie” or “Oppenheimer”? This Sunday, you’ll be able to catch up for $4 a ticket in movie theaters nationwide.
Some of the chains even have deals on concessions. AMC is offering a small-popcorn-and-drink combo for $5; at Regal, the same combo is only $4. You can get a drink at Angelika for $4, and Cinemark is giving every guest a dollar off any popcorn, soda, or candy.
Waydo’s Sand Bar in Xenia has been a long time coming, but its finally opening tonight, Thursday Aug 24th, as well as Friday & Saturday evening for a 3 night Grand opening event that will run each night from6pm-2:30am. They’ll have door prizes & drink specials, as well as a food truck outside & pizzas inside.
Magnolia Theatre Company, a female driven theatre organization, announced its highly anticipated 2023-2024 season. With a focus on showcasing powerful female voices and presenting thought-provoking new works, Magnolia Theatre Company returns to the forefront of the Dayton theatre scene.
Gina Handy Minyard, Founding Artistic Director of Magnolia Theatre Company, expresses her excitement about the upcoming season: “We are proud to present an exhilarating lineup of plays that celebrate the diversity and power of female voices. Our collaborations with the University of Dayton and our commitment to showcasing new works ensure that our audiences will be treated to an unforgettable feminist theatrical experience.”
