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The Big Ragu gets Endless Tail at Red Lobster

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Endless Teriyaki Grilled Shrimp

Shrimp, that delicate food that can be served so many ways as Bubba told us in the movie “Forrest Gump.”

One of the best ways Food Adventures like it served, is endless.  Fortunately, Red Lobsters in the Dayton area are running the “Endless Shrimp” special right now.   For just $14.99 you can gorge yourself on 5 types of shrimp: Teriyaki Shrimp, Parmesan Shrimp, Garlic Shrimp Scampi, Shrimp Linguini Alfredo and Hand Breaded Shrimp.  Try as much as you like, any way you like it!  The dinner special also comes with salad and the addicting Cheddar Bay Biscuits!

The Fried Shrimp is Endless too !

The Big Ragu is happy that the special is supposed to run through November 11th.  Sure, we normally feature Food Adventures about mom and pop places, but sometimes a chain restaurant does something that is worth a mention.   Be warned, if you visit Red Lobster over the next 2 months, you just may see our waitress running for refills!

Have you tried ENDLESS SHRIMP at RED LOBSTER?  What are your thoughts about this promotion?  Please comment below !

“Like” Food Adventures on Facebook by clicking HERE

[album: http://www.daytonmostmetro.com/wp-content/plugins/dm-albums/dm-albums.php?currdir=/wp-content/uploads/dm-albums/EndlessShrimp/]

Raiders of the Lost Ark and Discount Days + TICKET CONTEST

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Hello Dayton! This week brings a special event that’s on the IMAX screen at the Greene.  For those of you who haven’t seen an IMAX movie…it’s awesome! Stunning visuals on a gigantic screen with an excellent sound system, it’s definitely something to try! Now on with the show….

On September 7 to September 13th, 2012 The Greene 14 will be showing Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark for a one week special engagement only. The original film has been completely digitally remastered with stunning visuals. Add in the one of a kind sound system IMAX provides and audiences are able to feel that they are actually part of the movie…that’s a BIG boulder Indy!

In the story, Indiana Jones, an archaeology professor who finds himself in the midst of exciting, edge of your seat adventures, goes in search of an old relic to be able to obtain the power of the Lost Ark before the Nazi’s beat him to it. Originally released in June 1981 and winning four Oscars, this one week event is sure to be a fun adventure for everyone involved.

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DISCOUNT DAYS AT RAVE CINEMAS

Did you know Rave Cinemas offers a bunch of discount days for everyone? With today’s economy, everyone is looking to save wherever they can and Rave is providing ways for people to still catch the latest movie while keeping some cash in your wallet!

For the early risers, Rave Cinemas offers Early Bird specials. The shows before noon (on weekends and weekdays when available) are only $5 each ($8 3D)!

Not an early riser? Come to $5 Tuesday at Dayton South or Huber Heights or $5 Wednesday at the Greene. Any 2D movie all day long is only $5! For 3D it’s only $8. That’s a saving of over 50%! The Greene also has IMAX deals on Wednesday too!

If you have a student/military ID we offer you a lower pricing daily.

And finally…Senior Day! Any 2D movie is $5 for those patrons 55+ and $8 for any 3D movie on Wednesday at Dayton South only.

ALCOHOL AT RAVE CINEMAS      

The Greene also has a full service bar and Dayton South has four selections of draft beer, five red and white wines, and frozen margaritas/Bacardi and cokes. These tasty treats allow patrons to be able to relax and have a drink while enjoying the show.

That’s all for now but stay tuned to look for more upcoming events and specials! Have a great week everyone!

For showtimes… http://ravecinemas.com/theater.aspx?id=47

ENTER TO WIN TWO MOVIE PASSES!

this post and fill out the form below (don’t forget to answer the trivia question), then leave a FB comment telling us that YOU want to win a pair of movie passes from Rave Cinemas Dayton South. From the list of correct trivia responses with post, we will randomly draw a winner and notify same. Contest closes Wednesday 08/29/12. Passes awarded will be valid for 30 days from close date at Rave Cinemas Dayton South only and must be used by then or will be forfeited. Valid for any showing, except special events. Please bring ID to verify your name and just ask for a manager when attending informing them you won the Dayton Most Metro contest.

Trivia Question: In the beginning of Raiders of the Lost Ark, the Paramount Studios logo dissolves into a real mountain – in what real country is this jungle?

CONTEST CLOSED

Congratulations to Janie Hummel – she is this week’s winner!

New Pop-Up Shop “Sew Dayton” to Open in Downtown Dayton

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A new business will open downtown on Friday, Sept. 7, as part of the third phase of the Pop-Up Project, part of an initiative to fill downtown storefronts called Activated Spaces. Sew Dayton, owned by two seamstresses, will offer fabric and patterns, custom party dresses, bags, and a variety of accessories, as well as offer classes.

Sew Dayton will pop up for an initial six months at 16 Brown St. in the Oregon District. The store will be open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Hours will be extended to 9 p.m. during First Fridays and Urban Nights. The store’s number is 937-234-7938.

Tracy McElfresh, left, and Jesy Anderson are opening Sew Dayton, a new Pop-Up Shop operated through Activiated Spaces. The store, which will host a soft opening during the Sept. 7 First Friday, will offer sewing classes, custom clothing items and accessories.

Sew Dayton is a collaboration between two existing businesses, Dresses by Tracy McElfresh and JKessel Design. McElfresh is a third-generation seamstress. Her business partner, Jesy Anderson, began sewing three years ago and has not stopped. Together, the pair is excited to bring their love for fabric to a downtown storefront as they continue to offer their custom-designed products and as they teach the art of sewing to others.

Sew Dayton also has a Kickstarter fundraising webpage, and its $5,000 goal has been met through pledges by more than 70 backers. In return for their pledge, these backers will receive anything from handmade zipper pouches or headbands to private sewing lessons, depending on their level of investment.

The opening of Sew Dayton builds on the success of the Pop-Up Project’s first two phases, launched in November 2011 and May 2012. Two of the initial three businesses in the pilot are approaching their one-year anniversary: Beaute Box, 116 W. Fifth St., and Peace on Fifth, 519 E. Fifth St. All three shops from the second phase remain open for business and include: American π, 37 S. St. Clair St., Arin, 27 S. St. Clair St. and Vintage Barbershop, 110 W. Fifth St.

Two more Pop-Up Shops will open as part of the third phase of the project. They will be announced soon and are anticipated to open this fall.

Activated Spaces’ Pop-Up Project, which helped fill 5,730 square feet of retail space during its first two phases, is led by volunteers from the young professional organizations Generation Dayton and updayton. The project is a strategic effort to fill vacant street-level space and spur interest in opening a business downtown that’s part of the Greater Downtown Dayton Plan, a strategic blueprint for the future of downtown.

“The Pop-Up Shops have helped enliven downtown while building on growing momentum for the center city,” said Tom Razauskas, who owns the building housing Beaute Box and Vintage Barbershop. “It has been refreshing to work with volunteers and business owners who really believe in downtown and are excited about its future.”

“The Pop-Up Project provides a low-risk, low-cost, flexible way to showcase local businesses while adding vibrancy to downtown,” said Shanon Potts, a past chair of Generation Dayton and Activated Spaces volunteer. “The long-term goal of the project is to convert temporary leases into traditional leases, while establishing downtown as a regional destination for shopping for one-of-a-kind items and retail services.”

“This project also supports local, creative entrepreneurs as they take a risk and test out their business concepts while bringing renewed life to downtown storefronts,” said Scott Murphy, immediate past chair of updayton and Activated Spaces volunteer. “Visitors who support these pop-up shops will help to spur a more permanent retail environment in our downtown ― the next step in downtown revitalization.”

Visit www.activatedspaces.org or e-mail [email protected] for more information about Activated Spaces.

Food Adventures Meets the Gem City Rollergirls

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The Action was Fast and Furious !

Entering the Orbit Fun Center in Huber Heights, chants could be heard on the other side of the ticket booth wall.  Walking into the arena,  The Big Ragu and the Food Adventures Crew thought “what the hell have we gotten into?”  The answer: The Gem City Rollergirls!  Nothing is more “Dayton” than these hometown roller derby divas!  Even though we had arrived early, the roller girls were already stretching out while their competitors, the Youngstown Little Steel, were skating laps warming up.

Sweaty concession stand hot dogs !

We made our way past the droves of fans and said hello to some of our rollergirl friends like “Racey Rocker,” “Outer Spacey,” “Manson’s Maiden” and “Cozza Frenzy.”    We then walked past the crowd to the concession stand.  After all, we are foodies in our forties.  We grabbed a hot dog, some drinks, and a slice of pizza from the friendly Orbit Fun Center staff.  we talked to some hardcore fans and then made our way to the seating area.

The Filling Station on Linden Ave: Gem City Roller Girl’s “Home” Bar

There were fans encircling the entire skating rink.  Some held signs, some cheered on their favorites, others just took it all in.  We even sat next to a bachelor party!  Then, the lights dimmed and introductions began.  We recognized names like “Supersonic,” Flirtini Tease”, “Punky Rooster” and “Demolition Curvy.”  The action began shortly after introductions and we learned this game requires a lot of skill and talent.  The match was full of speed and quick moves.  The match also had it’s share of bumps and bruises.  There were elbows, hip checks, blockers, jammers and the action was fast and furious.  The Big Ragu and Food Adventure Crew had a blast as we watched the Gem City Roller Girls win their hard fought match!  The event benefited “Luv-a-Bulls” which is a Pitbull-Bulldog-Mastiff rescue organization.  What a great way to support a great charity!

After the match,  the local superstars invited us to an after party, so of course we turned it into a full blown Food Adventure!!

Raspberry Walnut Salad at the Filling Station

The Gem City Roller Girls’ “home bar” is The Filling Station on Linden Ave.  This eatery is known for it’s bar, food and game room.  There were some great drink specials at The Filling Station, including $9 buckets of beer.  On the awning outside, we noticed print that read “unforgettable wings.”  We decided to try the Habenero BBQ wings, southwestern egg rolls and a raspberry walnut salad.  The food was great, and the beers were cold!  It was a perfect end to our action-packed evening.  We had a blast pairing our Food Adventures with another Dayton Original, the Gem City Roller Girls.   The Big Ragu is definitely a fan who highly recommends this experience !!

Want to experience Dayton’s own Gem City Roller Girls?  The next match is at the Orbit Fun Center in Huber Heights on September 8th  vs. Heart of Appalachia (Charleston, WV).

Click through the photos below to check out the rollergirls and some great photos from the Filling Station.

Please “Like” Food Adventures on Facebook by clicking here

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Obama America and Fatboy Slim at Rave Cinemas + TICKET CONTEST

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Hello Dayton! Back to  school has started and the summer blockbusters are starting to slow down.  However, there are still plenty of special events to come see at Rave Cinemas. Now, on with the  show…

Opening 08/24 at  Dayton South, 2016 Obama’s America,  this film takes audiences on  a gripping visual journey into the heart of the world’s most powerful office to reveal the struggle of whether one man’s past will redefine America over the  next four years. The film examines the question, ‘If Obama wins a second term,  where will we be in 2016?’

Across the globe and in America, people in 2008 hungered for a leader who would unite and lift us from economic turmoil and war. True to American ideals, they invested their hope in a new kind of president, Barack Obama. What they didn’t know is that Obama is a man with a past, and in powerful ways that past defines him–who he is, how he thinks, and where he intends to take America and the world. Immersed in exotic locales across four continents, best-selling author Dinesh D’Souza races against time to find answers to Obamas past and reveal where America will be in 2016. During this journey he discovers how Hope and Change became radically misunderstood, and identifies new flashpoints for hot wars in mankind’s greatest struggle. The journey moves quickly over the arc of the old colonial empires, into Americas empire of liberty, and we see the unfolding realignment of nations and the shape of the global future. Emotionally engaging, 2016 Obamas America will make you confounded and cheer as you discover the mysteries and answers to your greatest aspirations and worst fears.

Love him or hate him, you don’t know him.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-G1OT5gzb48′]

FROM THE OLYMPICS CLOSING CEREMONY TO THE WORLD’S BIGGEST CINEMA DANCE PARTY – FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY ON AUGUST 31ST 10pm @ DAYTON SOUTH AND THE GREENE .

Having entertained billions worldwide at this year’s spectacular Olympics closing ceremony with his anthems Praise You, Rockafella Skank and Right Here, Right Now, Fatboy Slim gets set to go global once more on August 31st with the world’s biggest cinema dance party.

The latest of his legendary Big Beach Boutique parties is to be shown at cinemas across the globe on August 31st giving party lovers the chance to experience the biggest and best Big Beach Bootique production yet, on the big screen and in
incredible 5.1 surround sound.

Fatboy Slim Live:  From The Big Beach Bootique was filmed at the Amex football stadium
in Brighton, home to Fatboy Slim’s beloved Brighton and Hove Albion FC and a venue that’s close to his heart. A state of the art production playing to over 40, 000 fans across two nights, Fatboy Slim Live: From The Big Beach Bootique features a 600 square metre LED video wall stretching the length of the stadium pitch, spectacular lazer and light show effects, thrilling pyrotechnics, eye popping visuals and a soundtrack featuring his latest material and greatest
hits.

Responsible for such international anthems as Rockafella Skank, Praise You and Right Here Right Now, Fatboy Slim remains one of the most sought after DJs in the world.  He’s also worked with some of cinema’s biggest talents.  Academy Award nominated director Spike Jonze directed Praise You and the seminal video for Weapon Of Choice took full advantage of Academy Award winner Christopher Walken’s dance background and won 6 MTV Music Video Awards in one night.

Fatboy Slim Live: From The Big Beach Bootique brings fans together for the world’s biggest cinema dance party.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsBPaHrGtas’]

That’s all for this week, stay cool Daytonians and enjoy what’s left of summer!  Many thanks for your continued support and we
will see you at the pictures that are moving!

Click for showtimes…

ENTER TO WIN TWO MOVIE PASSES!

this post and fill out the form below (don’t forget to answer the trivia question), then leave a FB comment below telling us that YOU want to win a pair of movie passes from Rave Cinema Dayton South. From the list of correct trivia responses with post, we will randomly draw a winner and notify same. Contest closes Wednesday 08/22/12. Passes awarded will be valid for 30 days from close date at Rave Cinemas Dayton South only and must be used by then or will be forfeited. Valid for any showing, except special events. Please bring ID to verify your name and just ask for a manager when attending informing them you won the Dayton Most Metro contest.

CONTEST CLOSED
Congratulations to Melanie Zavakos – she wins this week’s pair of movie passes!

Why you should “give a dam” about the River Run project

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A rendering of the River Run project downtown.

If you’re no stranger to this blog, you’re probably familiar with the Last Dam Summer campaign that kicked off about a month ago. If not, the Cliff’s Notes version is that Five Rivers MetroParks is planning to remove the low dam near the Dayton Art Institute and install bank stabilization features along the Great Miami River that will pull double duty as kayak play areas. This is all part of the Greater Downtown Dayton Plan, which includes other totally cool projects like the Patterson Corridor improvements that will connect the Oregon District to RiverScape MetroPark and Fifth Third Field.”

“Sounds interesting, Ms. Beerbower, but I gotta ask, ‘what’s in it for me?'”

I’m very glad you asked that because you stand to receive benefits directly AND indirectly! No coupon required!

First, let’s explore the direct benefits. If you’re even the slightest bit intrigued by paddle sports, such as kayaking and canoeing, you’re going to love the 7-mile stretch of water trail you can explore once the low dam is removed. Low dams are dangerous to paddle sport enthusiasts because of the under current the flow creates, which sucks you in and keeps you underwater. Low dams are not part of the larger flood control structure, so let’s not even go there. (Plus I’m pretty sure the Miami Conservancy District would have words with us if we screwed up their anti-flood management system that’s been working for about a century now.)

“Hey wait a second, I don’t own a kayak, nor do I possess the skills required to navigate our region’s plentiful water trail system, even though it looks like a lot of fun. Now what’s in it for me?”

Place making: All the cool kids are doing it!

Another great question, friend. Now it’s my turn to ask a question — what are some of your favorite hang-out spots? What do you love about them? Any spots on that list qualify as a cool place for “people watching”? This concept of place making is just as important as an indirect benefit of the River Run project. People like to be where there are other people (generally speaking). If you’re hungry and you pull up to a street with two restaurants side-by-side that are indistinguishable from physical appearance, yet the parking lot of one restaurant is packed and the other is not, which restaurant do you choose? They must be doing something right at the first restaurant, otherwise, why would the parking lot be so crowded? The social creatures we are, popularity or even just the suggestion of broad social acceptance is enough to make us aspire to be like that person, or in that place. That’s the indirect benefit of creating an attractive place for people to hang out — more people will want to hang out!

Pull the scope up even higher, and the longer-term implications include new businesses, specifically retail and dining options, along the river corridor. What’s that old saying? “Wherever two or three are gathered…someone will try to sell them something?” OK, not exactly, but that’s the basic principle behind this if-you-built-it-they-will-come strategy.

The benefits aren’t restricted to us bipedal residents, either. Wildlife living in and around the river will enjoy nicer digs thanks to restoration efforts. Re-emergence of larger river-dwelling predators like great blue heron or otters is an indicator of a highly stable, healthy river.

“OK, I concede that the warm- and cold-blooded residents of Dayton could gain much from the River Run project, but I would feel more enthusiastic about it if I could be a direct beneficiary.”

What’s stopping you? Paddle sports are a fun and low-cost way to enjoy the abundance of waterways in our region. Save up some cash for the up-front costs, like the boat, a paddle and a life jacket. Beyond that, it’s up to you how intense you’d like to get. There are retailers like Whitewater Warehouse and Great Miami Outfitters who have the gear you need to get on the water. Five Rivers MetroParks can hook you up with paddle sport programs that will progress you from novice to river jockey in no time. Our retailer friends also have classes, so access to info is no excuse!

Photo courtesy Leah Stahl. Rent kayaks Saturdays now through Labor Day from Ride the River Rentals at RiverScape MetroPark.

If that still seems too daunting, try getting your feet wet (guffaw!) by renting a kayak this Saturday. Kayak rentals are available from Ride the River Rentals at RiverScape MetroPark now through Labor Day. Kayaks are available Saturdays, and bike, tandem bike, kiddie trailer or roller blades may be rented Saturdays and Sundays. Plunk down a ten spot and try paddling around the Great Miami River for a half hour and see if you like it. There’s no better way to get a taste of the future of downtown Dayton than from your (slightly damp) seat on the river. One word of warning — there have been many land-lubbing skeptics converted to kayak junkies along the river’s mighty shores. But at least you’ll be in good company!

The project has raised $3.8 million in private funds, and now it’s your turn to give a dam. Give a dam because you care about safety. Give a dam because you love watching birds and beavers, or because you love to fish. Give a dam about creating a sense of place for Dayton residents and visitors to our fair city. Give a dam for economic growth from those visitors. Give a dam for outdoor recreation and living a healthy, active lifestyle. Whatever your reason you give a dam, be sure to give.

I’ll see you on the water!

Urban Mosaics: Being Natural = Being Empowered

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As I sit here in my new salmon-colored t-shirt, sporting the word “honey” across the front (a term of endearment used for fly girls) I realize this is exactly the feeling Stacy Edey was trying to achieve when she set out to start her own innovative t-shirt company: I feel beautiful; I feel comfortable; I feel like me. According to Edey, her clothing line, Urban Mosaics “promotes the indefinable beauty of natural textured hair signified by abstract works of wearable art, and instills a paradigm shift in the conscious mind.”

What does all of that mean? It means that Stacy figured out a way to encourage African-American women to be comfortable with who they are at their roots – literally.

“I would say that the majority of black women’s hair is not naturally straight. The process of relaxing hair involves a harsh chemical called lye, which changes the chemical compound in hair and straightens it,” says Edey. Stacy explained that the process of straightening dates back hundreds of years to when it was widely believed that it was more acceptable for black women to have straight hair rather than kinky hair because it made them look more like everyone else. But Edey references a favorite quote from Marcus Garvey that she believes says it all: “Take the kinks out of your mind instead of your hair.”

With a professional background in Human Resources and a graduate degree in Management, in 2011 Stacy felt it was time for a change. She went back to her roots by making the Big Chop- cutting off all chemically-straightened hair. “It was a very liberating experience; I had about “that much” hair,” Stacy says as she pinches her thumb and index finger together. “I had what’s called a TWA- a teeny weeny Afro.” In addition to feeling liberated, Stacy explained that it was a struggle not knowing how people would react to her new shorter haircut, and as it grew out, her natural, textured hair. “There were a lot of pressures compounded on me. I didn’t know how to care for my natural hair. I didn’t even remember what my real hair texture was like- I was probably about 8 years old when my hair was introduced to chemical relaxers. I had no idea what to expect.”

As Stacy’s journey continued, she found a t-shirt online that simply said, “Love your roots.” The artwork on the shirt depicted a tree trunk in the shape of a woman’s face and leaves and branches that symbolized her hair. Edey adds sentimentally, “I thought it was so profound, and I realized how it made me feel when I wore it out in public. When I wore that shirt I felt a sense of empowerment. This is my hair. This is who I am. I love my roots-my heritage.”

Edey began to have an affinity for t-shirts with statements such as “Same Girl, Different Hair.” Edey explained, “I liked the way the shirts changed my disposition,” and claimed she wants to be able to share her perspective of natural beauty with the world while offering shirts that portray a unique type of artistry as well. To this end, Edey has enlisted the help of Cleveland, Ohio sneaker artist Van Monroe to create most of the designs, has them printed on 100% organic cotton shirts, and sells them on her website: Urban-Mosaics.com. A portion of the proceeds is then donated to Stivers School for the Arts, as Edey encourages women of all ages to believe in themselves and believe that they can impact positive change in the world through their passions and views.

Through Urban Mosaics, Edey strives to be a catalyst for change; she endeavors to change the way people feel and think about their hair, their heritage and ultimately themselves. Edey believes that despite initially appealing primarily to African-American women, her shirts will transcend nationalities- that anyone will be able to wear them, regardless of ethnicity or heritage because believing in who you are- at your roots- is a universal concept.

Edey recalled an anonymous quote she once read, “Being natural is not a statement. It’s the closest to being who I am,” and added, “I found a way to create a business that surrounds my passions. I know it’s a cliche to believe in your dreams, but if you have passion and surround yourself with the right people, you can make your dreams come true.”

 

Beer, Food & Fun at the GermanFest Picnic!

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Weinerschnitzel Sandwich -Incredible !

The Dayton Liederkranz know how to throw a party.   This year’s GermanFest Picnic, held  August 10th -12th was no exception.  The festival was hosted by the German Club, to promote and preserve German culture and traditions in the Miami Valley, and it was a playground for your favorite Dayton foodies, the Food Adventure Crew.   The 29th annual event included food, drink, kids areas,  and a 5k event.  Having German roots in both of our Food Adventure families, we appreciated the genealogy assistance area for help with your family tree

We strolled the grounds looking for craft beers and food booths.  We enjoyed tasting various German treats, after all it is our heritage.  Our favorite snack of the day was the Weinerschnitzel Sandwich, which is pretty much a fried pork cutlet.  The tasty treat was topped with onions, sauerkraut, mustard and more.  Some of our favorite beers offered included Paulaner, Widmer Brothers HefeWeizen, and Hofbrau Dunkel.

Bavarian Pork Chops – grilled to perfection

Food vendors also served authentic root beer, and local restaurant Smokin BBQ was in attendance.  Culp’s Cafe had a presence at the festival serving sweet potato fries and various burger options.  Ullery’s Ice Cream was making handmade ice cream on site.  There were numerous other food vendors and we took our time to explore each one.  Near some of the no-food vendor tents we even met the owner of  Miss Riley’s Cookies.  Her almond flavored, highly decorated cookies hit the spot!

Another attraction of this festival was the recognition of German influence on Dayton history.  Inside the Museum lobby, their were displays of Beer history around the Miami Valley as well as local author Curt Dalton who was displaying his historical novels about the Dayton area.

What is a German Fest without Pretzels ?

At each corner of Carillon Park we tried German Beers and a German Potato Sundae.  The cinnamon almond roasted nuts were fantastic, and the aroma from thje grilled Bavarian Pork Chops filled the entire festival.  From pretzels to dried sausages that tasted like beef jerky, the German Fest Picnic is a Food Adventure for the whole family.   The Big Ragu even received a massage at a vendor booth.  An Italian getting a massage from a Thai woman at a German festival.. only in Dayton.  Make sure you visit this annual event, just follow the lederhosen.

 Did you visit the 2012 GermanFest Picnic ?  What did you think?

You can find Food Adventures on Facebook and “like” us HERE..

 

[album: http://www.daytonmostmetro.com/wp-content/plugins/dm-albums/dm-albums.php?currdir=/wp-content/uploads/dm-albums/GermanfestPicnic/]

 

Mystery Science Theater 3000 AND Singing In The Rain at Rave Cinemas Dayton South + TICKET CONTEST

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Good day Dayton! This is the first of many blogs to come where we will inform you about special content that we will be showing at Rave Cinema Dayton South.  We show more than just the latest Hollywood Blockbuster!  I look forward to chatting and reading the comments with you all.  Now, on with the show…

Rave Cinemas Dayton South and Huber Heights is proud to present a very special showing of Mystery Science Theater 3000 on August 16th at 8pm. This will be for one night only as Michael J. Nelson (head writer of the original series from 1993-1999), Kevin Murphy and Bill Corbett of RiffTrax.com bring their outside the box sense of humors for hilarious commentary on a terrible movie. These three are known for their sarcastic and gut wrenching shots at science fiction B-movies. Their peanut gallery style commenting is the only thing that can make the movie more tolerable! During this special event they will be reviewing “Manos: The Hands of Fate” which is widely known as being one of the worst movies to ever be made and brought up to a cult status just for being on Mystery Science Theater 3000. This is the only time this crazy funny feature will be on the big screen.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MckN7UGFINE’]

Also showing, due to such popular demand, an encore showing of Singing in the Rain! This lovable classic will be back on August 22nd at 7pm. Showing for the 60th anniversary and presented by NCM Fathom and Turner Classic Movies, the feature has been digitally re-mastered and looks fabulous on the big screen. Known to many as one of the best musical movies ever made, not only do you get to see the original stars, but Debbie Reynolds will treat viewers to a special behind the scenes interview with NCM host Robert Osborne. Synopsis; When Don Lockwood (Gene Kelly) makes the transition from silent film to a musical, he meets Kathy Selden (Debbie Reynolds), who is an aspiring actress and brought in for her ability to sing. Don falls for Kathy and a heartfelt romance blossoms.

[yframe url=’http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ec2beAQ3W6U’]

ENTER TO WIN TWO MOVIE PASSES!

this post and fill out the form below (don’t forget to answer the trivia question), then leave a FB comment telling us that YOU want to win a pair of movie passes from Rave Cinema Dayton South.  From the list of correct trivia responses, we will randomly draw a winner and notify same.  Contest closes Sunday 08/19/12.  Passes awarded will be valid for 30 days from close date at Rave Cinemas Dayton South only and must be used by then or will be forfeit.  Valid for any showing, except special events.  Please bring ID to verify your name and just ask for a manager when attending informing them you won the Dayton Most Metro contest.

[form 32 “Contest Entry – Rave Cinema 8/13/2012”]

Thyme for a Food Adventure

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The Cheesesteak at Steak Thyme

Have you tried Steak Thyme on Wilmington Pike in Kettering?  If not, you are missing out on a sub shop and so much more.  As you may know, The Food Adventure Crew are not food critics, we are just people who love to eat, and we found a gem of a place.  This family owned restaurant has been cranking out good food for the past 8 years.  Steak Thyme’s menu features various Philly cheesesteak style sandwiches.  These sandwiches start with 100 percent pure angus beef and are cooked with a special thyme seasoning from which the eatery gets its name.  The tasty subs are then topped with fresh toppings depending on what was ordered.  Not a steak lover?   Steak Thyme offers ham, chicken, or turkey as your meat substitute instead of angus.  Types of subs range from the Greek Chicken Philly, topped with feta and olives, to the BBQ Cheddar Steak.  Fresh cut fries or onion rings add the perfect side to these comfort food specialties.Thyme Seasoning on the Angus Burgers

Steak Thyme’s menu also offers 100 percent certified Angus Burgers sprinkled with the special Thyme Seasoning.  In fact, many of the menu items have this Thyme Seasoning infused in them.  Gret tastes and we love the great values that really stretch your dollar!  Looking for a great deal?  The current special is the Gyro combo for only 6 bucks!  Additional lunch or dinner choices include salads, wraps and Cincinnati Style Chili Cheese Dogs that melt in your mouth.

Steak Thyme is a little known secret, but regulars realize it is a great place to get a quick, delicious meal.  They even have a convenient drive thru. The Big Ragu is a big fan of Steak Thyme.  It is a great place for certified Food Adventure!  If you have not tried this casual dining spot, it’s thyme you went there!

Their Chili Cheese Dogs are Big !

Have you had a chance to eat at Steak Thyme? 

What are your thoughts on this “mom and pop” place?

Dont forget to “like” Food Adventures on Facebook by clicking HERE.  Stay tuned to DaytonMostMetro.com for more Food Adventures from these Dayton Foodies

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The Food Adventures Crew Dive Into “Olive” + DMM CONTEST

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Incredible Tasting Seared Ahi Tuna over Noodles

(Contest details below the article)

For over a year, a new, popular, and  locally immersed gourmet restaurant has generated a lot of buzz.  The Big Ragu wanted to see what all the excitement was about.  We knew a Food Adventure was imminent, but we decided to wait until the dust settled.

The name of this trendy spot is  Olive, an Urban Dive and is located on East Third Street in the refurbished former Wympee building .  The Big Ragu first experienced the brilliance of Owner Kim Collett and the staff of Olive at the “Dayton’s Most Delightful Dessert” contest at Carrillon Park.   Olive won critics choice and peoples choice awards for best dessert, essentially sweeping the event.

First off, this place is unique.  The outside decor is a cool retro vibe, while the interior is a warm inviting modern atmosphere.  Olive even has a patio with fresh herbs growing on the perimeter. The friendly serving staff is knowledgeable.  They know a lot about the food and enjoy eating at Olive themselves.  The menu has a grass roots flair and offers many choices to vegans and gourmets alike.

Food Adventures like places that keep things local.  Olive, an Urban Dive does this by using local produce and meats whenever possible.  Supporting local farmers is a good thing!  Olive make’s their hot chocolate using Esther Price chocolate. The restaurant offers wedding cake every day for dessert! They serve grass fed beef and only use free range chickens or as Olive’s advertising says “we chase chickens.”  Something to be aware of: they do not serve alcohol or syrup drinks, but have a BYOB policy so you can bring in your own favorites.

Our tip: visit them for lunch to get the best bang for your buck.  Weekday lunch hours are 11am-3pm and they have a popular brunch on Saturdays from 10am-3pm.  Olive only serves dinner Thursday – Saturday from 5-10pm.

The Urban Burger – Local, Grass-Fed Beef

The best way to see what Olive has to offer is to look at each of the pictures we have posted in the albums.  Our favorites were the mozzarella cheese bites, seared ahi tuna, fried leeks, grilled tuscan cheese and the summer squash soup.  Make sure you click on each picture and browse our photo album, the food speaks for itself.

 Have you been to Olive, An Urban Dive?  Please comment below and tell us about your experience!

Don’t forget to “like” FOOD ADVENTURES on FACEBOOK by clicking HERE !!

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 Dayton Most Metro Contest

We have a $20 gift certificate to give away to a lucky winner – simply fill out the form below and then leave a comment telling us if you’ve ever tried Olive, An Urban Dive.  We’ll pick a random winner some time over the weekend – GOOD LUCK!

Contest Closed

Congratulations to Hunter Johnson – he is our winner!

The Anatomy of Dayton Fashion Week: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly (Part 1)

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Lawd a mercy…where do I even start??  When I first heard that someone was trying to bring a Fashion Week to Dayton in September of 2011, I immediately got excited and went to work on trying to find out who this Junda Morris-Kennedy person was, I called, I wrote, I googled, I Facebooked, pretty much I stalked her until she finally responded!!  I offered my assistance thinking that this Dayton Fashion Week thing was just going to be a cute little fashion show—BOY WAS I WRONG because This “Dayton Fashion Week Thing” turned out to be an International Fashion Spectacular that can only be summed up into three categories:  The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly…of course there was more Good than anything else.(que Ennio Morricone please)

The Good

The Friendships: Excuse me while I get a little teary eye’d  and sappy but in the course of the past 10 months I had the opportunity to meet some of the most wonderful people and even better we became more than friends we became a family.

To the models, I want you to know how much I love and respect each and every one of you! As a former model myself, I set out to do for all of you the things that I wish I had accomplished in my career!  Modeling isn’t an easy career to break into and all too often your hard work, passion, and dedication are dismissed and go unappreciated because you are “just a blank slate” and I want you to know that you are more than that. From the very first calls that we made to you after the casting calls and hearing your excitement and even tears of joy made me feel like a Fairy Godmother making a dream come true. And every event thereafter you went out and represented Dayton Fashion Week and let the whole world know that we had officially arrived on the Fashion Scene.

To the designers, WOW is all that I know to say!!  Actually Wow and Thank You!  It wasn’t an easy process finding designers to be a part of the first year of Dayton Fashion Week.  I remember sitting at Junda’s house going over plans for the casting call and being really worried about the lack of commitments that we had from designers and doubting whether or not we could go on as planned with DFW.  But in true DFW style we continued to reach out and slowly but surely you all answered the call, stepping out on Faith and risking your names and reputations to be a part of this Inaugural event.  To say that I was  blown away by your presentations throughout the week would be the understatement of the century!  Your drive and push to make this event the success that it was will never be forgotten.  I’ll be hitting some of you up soon for my custom orders!!

To the Photography team, Lamar Pacely, Robert Coyle, Pete Bradow, Krissy Mills, Cj Kim, and Cliff Fennell, I don’t know very many if any photographers let alone photographers as talented as you all are, who are willing to give up so much of their time voluntarily. You rose to the occasion with each phone call and yes even the last minute cover shoot calls!! If a picture tells a thousand words then your efforts made it a thousand and one!

To the Hair and Makeup Team— Great job Angelica Ross DFW’s Creative Director of Cosmetics, Elite Hair Academy, Stacia McVey, and The Hair Gallery.  McKinnley Pierre of Inside Couture said it best, “Dayton Fashion Week’s Hair and Makeup team was better than any such teams that I’ve seen in Miami Fashion Week, Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, and L.A. Fashion Week, so my hat’s off to them.”  What more can I say?

To Maha Kashani—thank you so much for welcoming me to your hood!! lol   From the very moment that I contacted you about DFW. You jumped on board and worked your butt off to make sure that this event was a success. You are Dayton, you are the bomb, you are the best, you are amazing, you are fabulous, and all of the positive adjectives that you can name but most importantly you are my friend.  Without you and your work there wouldn’t be a Dayton Fashion Week.

To Junda Morris-Kennedy—We did it!!  This was not an easy journey, we climbed up the rough side of the mountain together and I’m honored to call you more than a friend you are my sister.  We put in countless hours in planning, we worked together, cried together, we even disagreed a couple of times, and when push came to shove…we always had each others back and like real sisters we toughed it out, stepped out on faith, kept God first, and kept on climbing to the top of that mountain.  Thank you so much for taking me under your wing and teaching me another side of the industry, for believing in me, and allowing me to be a part of a positive event for the city I love!  I love you from the bottom of my heart.

The Bad

In the days and weeks leading up to Dayton Fashion Week we were rocked by a series of tragedies that shook us to the core.  Junda suffered the loss of several family members back to back and 6 days before the Kickoff to Dayton Fashion Week on July 18 at the age of 37, Junda suffered a stroke.  I was thrown into the leadership position and was faced with answering a challenging question…Will DFW continue? Not knowing all of the details of the business end of things, I called a last minute emergency meeting that was opened with prayer led by DFW Event Manager Cindy Gaboury and the number of people that showed up and the outpouring of support I received gave me the strength to go on and reaffirmed that cancellation WAS NOT AN OPTION!!

On Friday July 20, DFW’s Executive Producer and MTV’s Made Coach Kyle Haggerty, called his best friend to pick him up to take him to the airport to fly into Dayton and help with Dayton Fashion Week’s preparations. The weather was bad that day and his friend never arrived because he had been killed in a car accident on his way to pick up Kyle leaving him completely devastated and cancelling his trip to be a aprt of DFW.

On Sunday July 22, our Director of Public Relations Tamieka Kent had to step down from her DFW duties when she received a phone call requiring her to leave town to be at her mother’s side who had emergency open heart surgery.

The Ugly

I’ll keep this short,in the days leading up to DFW and when Dayton Fashion Week was struggling to survive after being rocked by back to back to back tragedies there were attempts made to kick us when we were down by those who we bent over backwards for the most to help and accommodate.  Did I mention those were FAILED ATTEMPTS??

Back To The Good

Surely you didn’t think that I was going to let the ugly outshine the good right?  As McKinnely Pierre the Executive Producer of Inside Couture told me when he called to check on me the other day.  “Don’t let a couple of barking dogs steal your joy, especially when you have hundreds of silent ones standing behind you who have your back”. This is only the beginning  and you know my motto Dayton Fashion Week #ItJustKeepsGettinBetter 2013 here we come!!  News Flash WE ALREADY HAVE DESIGNERS FROM BRAZIL, LONDON, SOUTH AFRICA, INDIA, JAMAICA, AND YES DAYTON GETTING READY FOR 2013

Stay tuned for Part 2 and be sure to check out our Facebook Page to see all of the wonderful images captured by Dayton Fashion Weeks Photographers at Facebook.com/daytonfashion.

Downtown Buildings Will Be Lit Friday for Photo Contest

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Amateur winner Bruce Soifer's photo of the Dayton skyline, taken during downtown's light up night in 2011.

From 8 to 11 p.m. this Friday, Aug. 3, most of downtown’s buildings will be lit for photographers who would like to capture city nightscapes to enter in the photo contest Downtown in Focus. While photographers can enter photos taken during the night or day, tomorrow evening will be an opportunity to take shots when downtown Dayton’s skyline will be brightly lit.

The owners of 27 downtown buildings — including the Kettering Tower, KeyBank Tower, CareSource building and new Premier Health Partners Center — have agreed to light up for the evening.  A complete list follows, and photographers interested in knowing if a specific building will be lit up can visit www.downtowndayton.org or contact Anna Beyerle at 224-1518, ext. 235.

Downtown eatery Smokin' BBQ lights up near the Oregon District.

The buildings will be lit during First Friday, downtown’s free monthly art hop. This week’s event will feature a free concert by Stranger at RiverScape MetroPark from 5 to 7:30 p.m., as well as gallery openings at locations throughout downtown, a variety of roaming entertainers, and much more from 5 to 10 p.m. Click here for details about events taking place during this month’s First Friday.

The Downtown Dayton Partnership, City of Dayton, Kaplan College and Dayton Daily News are sponsoring Downtown in Focus. One amateur winner and one professional winner will be selected in each of the following categories:

  • Downtown Festivals: Images showcasing individuals or unique moments at any of downtown Dayton’s summer events or festivals.
  • Active Downtown: Photographs featuring people participating in active lifestyle activities, such as biking, kayaking, dancing and running in downtown Dayton.
  • Scenic Downtown: Creative images featuring buildings, architecture, skylines, parks, the river or any other picturesque view of downtown.
  • Best in Show (selected by the judges)

CareSource Management Group's building is a staple among downtown's bright lights.

A panel of judges will select the winners in each category and award a $250 cash prize to the Best in Show winner in each division. Honorable mentions also will be awarded at the discretion of the judges. Contest winners will be recognized at the Sept. 14 Urban Nights and all entries will be displayed in a special exhibit during Urban Nights.

The deadline to submit photos is 5 p.m. Friday, Aug. 31. Official contest guidelines and entry forms are available at www.downtowndayton.org.

Chipotle vs. Qdoba: Who’d You Rather ?

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Fajita Ranchera Burrito at Qdoba

In the world of Food Adventures, we rarely hit the chains.  But once in a while, we give our spin on some familiar favorites.  How about some feedback from the thousands of Dayton Foodies out there?  That’s right, The Big Ragu and the Crew want to know what DaytonMostMetro fans think.  What do you like better, Chipotle or Qdoba and why?

Jax’s take: For me it is Qdoba for the simple fact that there are more choices.  More options mean a better variety in my effort to be more health conscious.  The tastes are similar but there are more soups, quesadillas, etc. at Qdoba.  This discussion makes me miss the Baja Fresh restaurant !

The Big Ragu’s take:  I would rather go to Qdoba for two reasons.  First, Qdoba offers a ground beef meat option, while Chipotle does not.  Also the chicken at Qdoba is white meat, while the chicken at Chipotle is a white/dark mix.  Since I am “weird” when it comes to meat, the decision is a no brainer for me.

A Burrito Bowl at Chipotle

We are not food critics, or journalists.  We are just passionate foodies that love to eat! Visit us at www.DaytonFoodies.com, your source for Dayton food since 2008.

Check out FOOD ADVENTURES on FACEBOOK and “like” us by clicking HERE !!!

Everyone has an opinion and we want to hear yours.  Please comment below and let us know your thoughts…

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Aug. 3 First Friday to Feature Free Kayaking and Cycling, Live Music, New Art Exhibits, and Much More

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Downtown’s next free First Friday art hop will be held from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday, Aug. 3.

RiverScape MetroPark will host the final First Friday @ 5 concert in this year’s series, with Stranger performing from 5 to 7:30 p.m. The park’s concession stand will be open and beer will be sold from 5 to 7 p.m. MetroParks employees will demonstrate various kayaking skills on the river and free kayak rentals will be available, courtesy of Cox Media Group Ohio. Free bike rentals will be available, courtesy of AAA, and the Junior League of Dayton will sponsor free bike helmets and fittings.

At the event, RTA will debut its new “On the Road” bus, a hands-on, retrofitted bus available for tours. The bus has special features, including computer kiosks for website training, interior LCD monitors with video montages and an exterior monitor for outside viewing. The bus is part of a mobile community outreach program that connects RTA to special events in the Dayton community.

Kayak raffle tickets will be sold to raise money for the Last DAM Summer, the fundraising effort for the RiverScape River Run project.

Also during the First Friday @ 5 concert, guests can show they give a DAM about the RiverScape River Run project by making a donation to the Last DAM Summer fundraising campaign. Basho Apparel will be at RiverScape hand printing special I Gave a DAM T-shirts. The shirts usually are reserved for those who donate $100 or more to the project, but only during First Friday @ 5, the shirts will be available to those donating $50 or more. In addition, Whitewater Warehouse will be selling raffle tickets for $10 each or three for $20 to win a Perception Prodigy 10 kayak the business has donated, with all proceeds going toward the River Run project.

This is the last summer a dangerous low dam in the Great Miami River will stand in the way of paddlers and others who want to enjoy the river. River Run, the next phase of development at RiverScape MetroPark, includes the removal of the low dam, making a seven-mile stretch of river navigable from Eastwood MetroPark to Carillon Park. In place of the dam, two smaller drops will be installed upstream near The Landing and RiverScape. These peninsulas will span the river and be notched with two openings where water will pass — an easy pass-through for novice paddlers and a more challenging route for skilled paddlers. The River Run project has some DAM good benefits for downtown Dayton and the region, including a safer river, improved water quality and aquatic habitat, and the creation of a regional destination for outdoor recreation.  Call 224-1518 for more information.

During First Friday, saxophonist Tyrone Martin, magician Scott Miller and steel drum performer Joseph Glenn also will provide entertainment while roaming the streets of downtown.

Tyrone Martin, a saxophonist, will perform as part of First Friday's roaming entertainment.

Club Masque, 34 N. Jefferson St., will host the Theme Release Party for AIDS Resource Center Ohio’s 11th annual Masquerage from 6 to 8 p.m. Masquerage raises funds to provide HIV/AIDS outreach, prevention programs, free HIV testing and counseling to the Dayton area. The release party will feature a fashion show by the Rubi Girls, produced by Square One Salon and Spa, as well as drink specials and hors d’oeuvres. Tickets are $20 before the event and $25 at the door. Tickets for Masquerage will be available, and the cost of the $20 release party ticket can be applied toward the $50 Masquerage ticket. Theme Release Party tickets can be purchased at masquerage.org or by calling 461-2437.

Tap into your inner artist

Several of downtown’s art galleries will be hosting special events and openings for August’s First Friday. Blue Sky Project, will host the opening of a collection of work by Adam Parker Smith in Blue Sky’s 8 N. Main St. space and a showing of art by Charlotte Gordon in the 33 N. Main St. space. CADC, 35 S. St. Clair St, will feature mixed-media furniture and paintings by Christy Jennewein and music by classical guitarist Eric Loy. Guests can sign up for September furniture classes taught by Jennewein. Color of Energy, 16 Brown St., will display works of art by gallery owner Mike Elsass. The Dayton Society of Painters and Sculptors, 48 High St., open 5 to 8 p.m., hosts the opening of an exhibit of landscape paintings by Sinclair Community College students and a preview of the Plein Air exhibit opening Aug. 19. Vega, Chaminade-Julienne High School’s a Capella group, will perform at 6:30 p.m.

The Dayton Visual Arts Center, 118 N. Jefferson St.:, open 5 to 8 p.m., will host a gallery talk featuring artists from the 21st annual Open Members Show, starting at 6:15 p.m. Artists include Matthew Burgy, Steve Hill, Kelly Joslin, Martin Hunter, Terry Welker and Jud Yalkut. Gallery 510 Fine Art, 510 E. Fifth St., will show new work by ceramist Tim Carter and laminated wood turnings by Tom Drummer. H. David Clay Studio, 33 S. St. Clair St., featuresFunctional and decorative pottery made on the premises. Lastly, K12 Gallery for Young People/TEJAS, 510 E. Third St., hosts the opening of “Distance,” a contemporary photography show from 6 to 9 p.m. The exhibition will feature more than 40 national and local artists.

Rock out with live music

Hey There Morgan performs at the First Friday @ 5 concert series at RiverScape during July 6, 2012's First Friday. This month's concert features local band Stranger, as well as free kayak and bike rentals.

The music doesn’t end after the First Friday @ 5 concert! Explore downtown’s other rockin’ live music spots. Blind Bob’s, 430 E. Fifth St., will have live music at 9 p.m., featuring GB&AJ, Gold Shoes and Hazy & the Rugged Child. Jay’s Seafood, 225 E. Sixth St., will host Puzzle of Light at 9 p.m. Omega Music, 318 E. Fifth St., also will have live music starting at 7 p.m. Trolley Stop, 530 E. Fifth St., hosts live music by the Andy Shaw Band beginning at 9:30 p.m.

Food and drink specials

If you’ve worked up an appetite during some fun downtown activities or want to quench your thirst with a drink special, we have plenty of choices for you. Many downtown restaurants offer dinner and drink specials for First Friday patrons.  Smokin’ Bar-B-Que, 200 E. Fifth St., Uno Chicago Grill, 126 N. Main St. and Franco’s Ristorante Italiano, 824 E. Fifth St., feature 10 percent off food. Coco’s Bistro, 515 Wayne Ave. and Thai 9, 11 Brown St., both offer 15 percent off food. Sa-Bai, 200 S. Jefferson St., offers 15 percent off food and a $5 Long Island Iced Tea. Dublin Pub, 300 Wayne Ave., has no cover and 20 percent off food. Deaf Monty’s Wine, 22 Brown St., features $5 for a 6-ounce glass of red or white wine.

De’Lish Café, 139 N. Main St., will host “Meet the Mixologist,” a meet-and-greet event from 6 to 10 p.m., during which De’Lish’s new drink menu will be unveiled. The event will feature hors d’oeuvres and wine and cocktail tastings. Lucky’s Taproom and Eatery, 520 E. Fifth St., will have dinner specials, along with the special tapping of a firkin of craft beer. Olive, an urban dive, 416 E. Third St., will feature Jeni’s Ice Cream and broadcast Rev. Cool’s “Around the Fringe” show on 91.3 WYSO-FM. Oregon Express, 336 E. Fifth St, will have a happy-hour band and half-price pizza from 4 to 8 p.m., with additional live music at 9:30 p.m. The Vault, 20 N. Jefferson St., has extended happy hour until 10 p.m., a live band and free food.

Entertainment for all ages

If you want to experience something different – like a bike ride, walking tour or indie film – downtown has options for you as well. The Ghosts, Cemeteries and Murders Walk of Downtown Dayton will begin at 7 p.m. at Courthouse Square, Third and Main streets. All walks are $10 per person, and advance reservations are required. Contact tour guide Leon Bey at 274-4749 or email [email protected]. At Don Crawford Plaza in front of Fifth Third Field, 220 N. Patterson Blvd., the monthly Courteous Mass Ride will meet at 5:15 p.m. for a ride through the city. Garden Station, 509 E. Fourth St., will host auditions for Dayton Out Loud, a variety show to be performed during the Sept. 14 Urban Nights. Open auditions begin at 7 p.m. for acts less than three minutes, including a Cappella, spoken word and poetry, and comedy. To sign up for an audition time, e-mail [email protected].

Visitors observe paintings at Gallery 510 Fine Art. This month, the gallery will feature ceramist Tim Carter and laminated wood turnings by Tom Drummer.

Grass Roots Enrichment and Wellness Center, 400 E. Fifth St. Suite C, open 5 to 8 p.m., will feature art by Scott Ryan and have information about upcoming programs for children, teens and adults in the center’s new space above the Record Gallery in the Oregon District. Kids can enjoy hands-on activities and light refreshments will be provided. To check out a movie at The Neon, 130 E. Fifth St., call 222-SHOW (7469) for films and show times. Urban Krag, 125 Clay St., will have the climbing gym open until 11 p.m.

The Victoria Theatre, 138 N. Main St., will play the 1962 film “Murder on the Orient Express,” part of the theater’s Cool Films Series at 7:30 p.m. Free popcorn and soda served starting at 6:30 p.m.; tickets cost $5. Wiley’s Comedy Niteclub, 101 Pine St., will feature comedian Touchee Jackson, with opening acts by Adrian Cosby, Greg Sparks and Jack Wilson. Show begins at 9 p.m., tickets are $15. The Yellow Cab Building, 700 E. Fourth St., will host an art show featuring Robert Blackwood working on a 3D installation piece called “Crystal Vision,” from 6 to 11 p.m. Visitors can watch Blackwood work on the sculpture, which will be completed in time for the Sept. 7 First Friday.

Shop ‘til you drop

Many downtown retail shops have sales and special events during First Friday. From clothing to music stores, check out these downtown deals. Beaute Box, 116 W. Fifth St., will have free makeup lessons. Clash Consignments, 521 E. Fifth St., is hosting a celebration of the store’s one-year anniversary and move to its new location in the Oregon District. Live music by Infidel-icious, Ronin Ichi and Black Lotus Clan will start at 6 p.m., as well as henna by Lily Whitehead. Elysian Fields Books, 436 E. Fifth St., will have a book signing and reading at 7 p.m. by children’s author Scott Mallory, who recently released “Bad-Off Boris and the Cupcake Cave-In.” Hangar18, 114 N. St. Clair St., features 15 percent off all items.

 

Peace on Fifth, 519 E. Fifth St., will host a fair-trade food tasting. Record Gallery, 16 Brown St., will feature 20 percent off collectable albums and 10 percent off general merchandise. ReCreate, 438 E. Fifth St., will have a sale on select items, including new and used instruments, other music-related items, and original artwork. Amore! Designer Consignment Boutique, 16 Brown St., Bonnett’s Bookstore, 502 E. Fifth St., Feathers Vintage Clothing, 440 E. Fifth St., Found Treasures 4 You, 502 Wayne Ave., and Jimmy Modern, 605 E. Fifth St., will be broadcasting Rev. Cool’s “Around the Fringe” show on 91.3 WYSO-FM.

The First Friday @ 5 concert series is sponsored by Five Rivers MetroParks, Clear Channel Radio, Bud Light Lime and the Downtown Dayton Partnership. First Friday is presented by the Downtown Dayton Partnership with support from the Oregon District Business Association, the Ohio Arts Council and WYSO-FM 91.3. The Downtown Dayton Partnership’s website has a complete list of downtown’s arts and cultural amenities, as well as a dining guide, parking map and much more.

Nick’s Restaurant in Xenia, a Must Eat !

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Nick’s French Onion Soup -one of the best, ever

One of our goals is to inform Dayton Foodies about fantastic dining spots that they may not be aware of.  One of the best examples of a Mom and Pop place that is off the beaten path, featuring incredible menu items, is Nick’s Restaurant.  Located  in Xenia, it is a place with a style all it’s own.  Style is one thing, but Nick’s also has irresistible, addicting food throughout the menu.  The restaurant was started in the 1940’s by the late owner Nick Malavazos and was formerly called “Say How Do.”  Since Nick’s passing, the local ownership has changed the restaurant name, but kept the tradition alive with great eats and friendly service.

How good is their food?  At the recent Kickin’ Chicken Wing Festival at Fraze, Nick’s won 5 out of the 6 awards, including Best Side, People’s Choice Award, Best Wing, Best Sauce, and Best Booth.   The Big Ragu loved their wings and would recommend their “Secret Sweet Hot Damn Sauce.”  Wings are only a small portion of their offerings, and this was just the start of our menu exploration. Nicks has a full bar and has that type of watering hole atmosphere that spills into the dining area.  The drink offerings are vast, but we were here for food.

The Award Winning “Sweet Hot Damn Wings”

We tried some unique appetizers including fried smelts.  For those who do not know, smelts are small fish about the size of sardines that are fried whole, but headless.  They are usually served with tartar sauce.  The Big Ragu loves smelts our guests took a bite of the little fish and liked them so much that we had the waitress sit down and try them as well.  Food Adventure accomplished!  Nick’s Restaurant has another spectacular appetizer, the hand breaded deep fried mushrooms.  Light and crispy, our mushrooms were cooked perfectly.  The waitress then  brought out one of the best french onion soups we have ever eaten.  We also enjoyed some freshly cut potato chips.  There are a ton of good appetizers to choose from! Your Food Adventurers were already very impressed, and we had not yet tasted an entree.

The staff then brought out our dinners which were piping hot.  The Big Ragu ordered Pan Fried Walleye.  The piece of fish was huge and overlapped the plate like Ragu’s belly on his belt.  The walleye was superb and served with freshly hand breaded onion rings.  This dinner will satisfy big appetites and we loved every bite.  We tried an entree of Filet-Mignon.  The large steak was grilled to perfection and wrapped with bacon.   Ragu smiled after trying a bite of the steak and devouring a plate of smelts.  Obviously the kitchen knows what they are doing, and it shows in each and every entree.  We upped the ante by trying a unique side of purple pickled eggs and beets.  It was pretty tasty!

What’s a Food Adventure Without Purple Pickled Eggs?

Our meals, menu sampling and Food Adventure was a complete success.  We love this place!  The staff and owners of the restaurant could not have been more attentive.  Good restaurant service is an art, and you will find assertive waitresses and waiters here.  Nick’s has a reputation for great food, and we discovered why they have such a loyal following.  When  you go Nick’s, it is obvious they take pride in what they bring to diner’s tables.  The variety is there, and the taste is there.  Can you think of another restaurant that has purple pickled eggs, beets AND smelts on their menu?  It is truly a unique eatery! Nick’s is another perfect example of why Food Adventures exists, and we are happy to shed light on this unbeaten stairway to taste heaven.   We were very impressed and now we understand why Nick’s website is gotonicks.com.  It is because you HAVE to go there !  It is American style pub food with a gourmet twist.  Trust us on this one, a jaunt down North Detroit Street is your ticket to a meal that will fill you up and have you raving.

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Have you been to Nick’s Restaurant in Xenia?  Then tell us what you think below !!