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

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Jane’s Best Bets (11/16 – 11/20)

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Photo Credit: Alli Shillito

Life is busy with the holidays drawing near, but hopefully you still can find time to get out and enjoy some of these events! 

On Wednesday, you’ll have an opportunity to eat some delicious food!  In the morning/mid-morning, eat some made from scratch waffles at Christ Episcopal Church for their 82nd Annual Waffle Shop.  In the evening, make your way to the Greenfire Bistro for a dinner to benefit Aullwood, Giuliano for their Lasagna Dinner, or to Jay’s for their Kokomo Wine Dinner.  Afterwards, make your way to The Loft Theatre to see Caroline, or Change or to the University of Dayton, as Cityfolk will be presenting Bassekou Kouyate and Ngoni Ba. 

On Thursday, attend the Junior League of Dayton Town Hall Lecture & Luncheon at Sinclair entitled, 55 Years in the Making: A Celebration of Tradition and Transformation with Daryn Kagan.  Head to Deaf Monty’s Wine, The Wine Loft, A Taste of Wine, or Arrow Wine in Centerville for “Beaujolais Noveau”.  I figured “Beaujolais Noveau” was important since it was happening at so many of the places around town where you go to get wine, but I had to google what it meant.  For those of you wondering, it’s a special type of wine whose arrival means that Thanksgiving is one week away…gobble gobble!  If you love the movies, be sure to make your way to The Neon for the Media That Matters Short Film Festival.  At the Schuster Center, catch the DBJ Business of the Year Awards.  And if you’re interested in theater, check out Caroline, or Change at The Loft Theatre.

On Friday, chocolate lovers should make their way up to Greenville for the Greenville Chocolate Walk.  And beer lovers should get their fill at the Dayton Liederkranz Turner German Club’s Fall/Winter Bierfest.  If you love theater, there are plenty of opportunities for you, including The Seussification of Romeo & Juliet at Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School; The Ladies Man at Centerville Schools Performing Arts Center; Violet: The Musical at Hugh G. Heiland Theatre (Wilmington College); and Caroline, or Change at The Loft Theatre.  At the Schuster Center, listen to the sounds of the Dayton Philharmonic with Promethean Exploits.  And if you are a young professional, you can get a special “Encore Friday” deal!  And finally, even though it isn’t even Thanksgiving yet, you can make your way to Springboro for their famous Christmas in Historic Springboro Festival. 

On Saturday, take your kids to the Dayton Art Institute for their Family Workshop with Children’s Book Illustrator Tim Bowers.  If you’re a yogi (not the bear kind), then make your way to Practice Yoga on Fifth for GROOVE + FLOW: Power Yoga with live beats by DJ HyFi.  At UD, check out their Dance Ensemble Fall Concert.  Theater options include The Ladies Man (Centerville Schools Performing Arts Center), The Seussification of Romeo & Juliet (Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School), Violet: The Musical (Wilmington College’s Hugh G. Heiland Theatre), and Caroline, or Change (The Loft Theatre). At the Schuster Center, you will still be able to listen to the Dayton Philharmonic’s Promethean Exploits.  You will also again be able to attend the Christmas in Historic Springboro Festival.  The Salvation Army’s Kroc Center is also starting Christmas early, so bring the whole family there for Christmas at the Kroc 2011: Believe.  And finally, if you enjoy good food, good drinks, and Dayton history, be sure to get your tickets to Ringing in the Holidays at Carillon Park, which I am told is an awesome event! 

On Sunday, get moving for the Hometown Holiday Walk in the heart of Centerville.  If you have or know someone who has a child with autism and would like to get his/her picture taken with Santa, bring him/her to the Dayton Mall for Sensitive Santa for Children with Autism.  You will still be able to catch a couple shows you may have missed over the weekend, including Caroline, or Change at The Loft Theatre and The Seussification of Romeo & Juliet at Chaminade Julienne Catholic High School.  And finally, don’t miss your opportunity to see American Chronicles: The Art of Norman Rockwell at the Dayton Art Institute!

And now it’s time for the Dumb Joke of the Week.  Drum roll please…

What do you call a deer with no eyes?  No ideer…

These are just a few best bets from the DMM Calendar.  There are plenty more events listed there, so if you haven’t, I encourage you to check it out today!  Also, if you have an event to share or promote, please submit it– it’s great marketing and better yet, it’s FREE!  And finally, if you have a dumb joke to share, I’m all ears!

Have a great week Dayton!

Roost Modern Italian: The New Kid on the Block in the Oregon District

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13hs8lz520xiogyqmpr70hmjzjeikcfaYou know what goes well with Tuesdays? Italian. More specifically, a refreshing, upscale take on traditional Italian dishes. And I can tell you the perfect place to get just that—Roost Modern Italian, a brand new restaurant opening today at 524 E. Fifth St. in the Oregon District. The owners, Dana Downs and Beth Hirschbach, had a dry run last Friday, and Dana was “beyond pleased it went so well.” This event allowed the owners to completely perfect the menu in time for their opening today. According to Dana, whom I had the pleasure of speaking with over the phone this afternoon, “you have to be a little crazy to open up a restaurant!” But this “crazy” duo seems to have a copy of the recipe for success; the ingredients consist of an original idea, a great location, and a lot of hard work and dedication.

Dana and Beth started off this journey in the food industry in 2009, when they opened their own catering business, Veritas Foods. They decided to get their name out by using a booth at the Second Street Market, but unfortunately, no booths were available so they began selling frozen Italian food. Today, Black Rooster Pasta Bar consists of two booths at the Second Street Market, where they create a variety of pastas catered to the customers’ wishes. The next rung in the ladder consisted of opening their 397844_312391075470636_1815886819_nown restaurant. And thus, Roost Modern Italian was born on this Tuesday, the fifteenth of November.

Roost? Yes, that’s correct. The rooster theme of both Black Rooster Pasta Bar and Roost Modern Italian originated from Dana’s love of Italian wine. On the foil of a bottle of Chianti Classico wine, the label includes a picture of a rooster. So from this spun the memorable and unique theme of a rooster in both eateries’ names.

Capesante in Crosta

            Why Italian, you may ask? Well, Dana spoke of having experience cooking Italian for years, but she and Beth aspired to create something unique—a modern twist on Italian. “The dishes go beyond traditional pasta and pizza,” explained Dana. Roost’s selection has been described as “refreshing” when referring to the new techniques and presentations of their cuisine. This eatery also offers an adult beverage list that was specifically selected to complement the food being served; this includes craft beers and high-class Italian wine. The owners specifically focused on featuring Italian wines connoisseurs will enjoy. And although this is considered a high-class restaurant, the prices are reasonable across the menu.

Alright—so we’ve got great cooking and beverage selection. Check. But in order to truly enjoy a venue’s selection, the dining

Sorbetto Stuffed Lemon

experience must be superb as well. This is something Dana and Beth truly understand. When I was speaking with Dana, she emphasized how Roost has a great location; the neighboring restaurant owners have been very supportive and welcoming, and Roost is in a great position to inherit a lot of foot traffic. The setting within the restaurant itself is very quaint, but “[felt] like big-city” to many attendees this past Friday. The energy within the space makes the dining area seem larger than it really is, while the inside eating scene is complemented by a great patio, which will eventually become the site of spring wine tastings. This ideal setting adds class and comfort to Roost Modern Italian, providing a great atmosphere for the enjoyment of great food.

Lastly, the recipe for success could not be complete without a lot of dedication and hard work put in by the owners. Dana described opening a restaurant as “building a concept you need people to fall in love with. In the end, it’s all you. You receive tons of help, but you have to get it off the ground exactly the way you want it while on a budget.” Dana and Beth have put in many hours preparing for this day, and soon it will all be worth it.

Black rooster statue in Chianti, Italy

“You just have to trust your gut on things.” This piece of advice Dana has acquired from her success in the food industry thus far. It has brought Beth and her to this day, a completely different world than where they were just two years prior. Roost Modern Italian is officially open for business, providing a delicious modern take on Italian dishes, while also presenting a comfortable, high quality dining setting. Roost will be accepting a few reservations (so call in quick!), while also providing catering services and gift certificates. So come join the festivities! Crack open a bottle of Italian wine and enjoy a dish, such as the Capesante in Crosta (Crusted Sea Scallops) or Arrosto alle Erbe T-Bone (Herb roasted T-Bone Steak). No matter your choice, you are sure to bite into a savory bit of unique Italian cuisine.

And in the words of Porky the Pig—“Th-th-that’s all, folks!”…But only after dessert. I’ve got my eye on the Créme Brule del Giorno.

Roost will be open Tues – Thurs for dinner from 4pm – 10pm, and stay open an hour later on Fri and Sat.  Sundays they’ll serve brunch  from 10am – 3pm, appetizers from 3-5pm and a dinner menu from 5-8pm.   They will be closed on Monday.  Call for reservations at 937.222.3100.  And yes, you can still visit them at the 2nd Street Market Thurs- Sat.

CJ Chan: Embodying the True Trifecta of a Quality Dining Experience

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“CJ Chan provides delicious food with a smile and serves the best sushi in Dayton,” testified Alex DeJulius, a University of Dayton senior studying Finance and Economics, who definitely can be considered a regular at this venue since its opening last November. From the outside, it may appear like your typical take-out Chinese restaurant, but step inside their doors, and you realize this experience is anything but typical.

CJ Chan has been open for exactly one year this month. This cozy little restaurant is owned by Him Chan and Juan Zhang; I had the pleasure of sitting down with Juan this last Friday to get some behind-the-scenes perspective. The couple is very hospitable and truly cares about providing for the customer’s needs. Because of this, their restaurant focuses on three main aspects: the best selection, the in-house dining experience, and affordable prices. All three of these things bundled into one enjoyable meal makes for some pretty good eats.

ONLY THE BEST—that’s what you can expect from the selection at CJ Chan. This restaurant is both Chinese and Japanese. Juan explained to me that the name CJ Chan actually stems from this: C for Chinese, J for Japanese, and Chan for Him’s family name. In offering this dual cultured cuisine, CJ Chan stands apart from any other restaurant in the Dayton area. The couple decided their restaurant needed to offer the customer with more choice. Their menu offers over eighty dishes “ranging from the traditional Chinese favorites and innovative specialties to classic from across Asia.” The kitchen at CJ Chan also prides themselves on using only the freshest, most natural ingredients, which further enhances the quality of their selection. The menu also gives customers the option to create-your-own dish, ensuring satisfaction. Located up the hill from the University of Dayton, the owners’ choice to include beer and wine on the menu was also very intuitive. Their food—arguably the most important part of a restaurant—is only complemented by the dining atmosphere this eatery provides.

QUALITY SERVICE—CJ Chan’s in-house dining experience offers you just that, the second key to running a successful restaurant. Juan and Him didn’t want a typical Asian restaurant; they wanted to provide unbeatable service in a setting that is comfortable and enjoyable for the customer. CJ Chan is mainly a sit-in restaurant, though they do provide call-in and pick-up service for those with busy lifestyles. Okay, who am I kidding? We all have busy lifestyles nowadays, but the festive wooden furniture and Chinese and Japanese decorations that line CJ Chan’s walls, as well as the employees’ smiling faces, coax you to sit down and stay a while; and believe you me, you won’t regret it. When I had the chance to sample some of CJ Chan’s selection, I was amazed at how quickly the food was brought to our table. The presentation, by no means, looked rushed, either. Their timely service, as well as accommodating staff make you feel at ease and satisfied, which quite frankly makes it a lot easier to truly enjoy their food. Sure, it may be nice to go to a fast-food restaurant where you can get your grub and go, but those restaurants only care about that one thing: fast service. Wouldn’t it be more worth your time and money to be able to have timely service at a restaurant where the quality of their cuisine is just as important as the time it takes for your meal to be placed in front of you?

AFFORDABLE PRICES—The last of the trifecta embodied at CJ Chan. The owners wanted their customers to be fully satisfied, and this really wouldn’t be possible if they were being offered the best service and best food, but their wallets were still being torn to shreds. So CJ Chan focuses on providing affordable prices for quality meals. Juan emphasized how they specifically focused on making sushi affordable, it being something that many people love but can’t afford to eat on a regular basis. For busy families and the average poor college student, CJ Chan’s prices won’t rob your piggy bank and the food and service will be more than worthy of the price.

As is expected of any business, competition is present for CJ Chan, but “within this first year, the business has been pretty good,” explained Juan. As the word spreads about the whole package this cozy eatery is offering, their consumer base continues to grow. Juan mentioned how they are hoping to expand their restaurant to include the next door property sometime next year; this would offer more dining space for customers and allow their kitchen to grow as well. I’m excited to watch the size of this restaurant grow in the upcoming years, but it is questionable if it is even possible for CJ Chan’s physical size to match the size of the amount of care that truly goes into this business.

Many say, “Good things happen in three’s.” This holds true for CJ Chan, but the only true way to understand the excellence of this trifecta is through experience. So next time you’re craving Asian cuisine, stop on in and stay awhile. They are located conveniently on Wilmington Avenue, and their healthy, affordable Chinese and Japanese concoctions are sure to put a smile on your face and keep some green in your pocket.

In the words of my wise father—“That’s all I got to say, and I’m stickin’ to it!”

CJ Chan is located at 536 Wilmington Ave Dayton OH 45420.

Homemade Deliciousness and Genuine Care: The Perfect Recipe

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The warmth of the sun’s rays kissing my cheek, the smell of homemade goodness embracing me as I push open the entryway, and the friendly smile of the woman behind the counter all contribute to my gentle coaxing into this cozy shop in the middle of Oakwood. This woman, Theresa as I will come to know her, is the owner of Ashley’s Pastry Shop, and located all around her is heaven on earth—homemade pastries.

Now, I’ve always been blessed with a very intense sweet tooth (…or is it a curse?), so as you can imagine I was more than overjoyed to have the chance to “do my homework”, as we shall say, in order to write this article. But it wasn’t only the sweet treats that will bring me back to this bakery in the future; it’s also the people. The friendly environment and observable relationship between their customers and workers contribute to the little shop’s homey character. I felt like I wasn’t just another dime in the bucket, but an actual person whom they were excited to treat with the most satisfying treat possible. Once I arrived, Theresa very kindly offered me her most recommended pastry—a cheese Danish—which I can honestly say is the best I have ever tasted. It didn’t have that pre-packaged quality we have all experienced when biting into a mass-produced name-brand goodie. This Danish was the real deal. And shortly after I found out exactly what the secret is to the decadent sweets made exclusively in house at Ashley’s Pastry Shop.

The owners, Greg and Theresa Hammons opened this shop twenty-nine years ago and named the bakery after their first daughter. Greg’s family had owned bakeries throughout his life and when the opportunity arose for the Hammons to open their own in Oakwood on Park Avenue, they jumped at the chance. “It has allowed us to bake, be creative, and show our passion for the love of baking, while being part of the community,” explained Theresa. And over the years, this cute little shop has definitely become sewn into the fabric of the community. Ashley’s Pastry Shop now supplies many surrounding restaurants with pastries, such as the delicious bread at The Pine Club and Old Hickory Bar-B-Que. Ashley’s also gives all of their unsold bakery items to Catholic Social Services daily. This bakery may be little, but it has the biggest heart. When I spoke to Theresa, she emphasized how she believed we all have an obligation to give back to the community: “it is much better for a lot of people to do little things, because when it comes down to it, we may not have the means, time, or talent to do one big thing if we wait.” And let me tell you, these gifts that Ashley’s is giving to deserving charities and non-profit clubs are no little thing—a lot of time and effort goes into each pastry made in their kitchen.

Ashley’s Pastry Shop is very fortunate to have a great group of employees, most of them considered family now after being together over twenty-five years. A crew comes in at 11 o’clock each night and begins to bake for the next day. There are no cake mixes or prepackaged crescents behind those kitchen doors. Every item in their display cases and every wedding cake that appears on that couple’s special day are baked from scratch on site. Now that’s an amazing, and delicious, feat. Ashley’s is one of the few remaining bakeries that offer such a large homemade selection, ranging from Danishes to cookies to wedding cakes to donuts—anything catered to the customer’s desire. That’s another wonderful thing about this quaint, cozy shop; they are more than willing to work with the customer to fill any need, just itching for the opportunity to put their creativity to use. They are truly at your service, and trust me, you really can’t go wrong with any pastry you choose.

So next time you have a special occasion, or maybe you need something sweet to brighten your day, or hey, maybe it’s just a Tuesday, I highly recommend meandering over to Ashley’s Pastry Shop.  You could have the pleasure of sinking your teeth into a sand-tart cookie—a classic favorite that was actually shipped to three different coasts just last Friday! Or you could start your morning off right with a breakfast treat, like their cheese pocket (I know…I’m getting hungry, too). With the season being fall, Ashley’s is also featuring a lot of homemade pumpkin pastries. I assure you whichever you end up choosing will be pristine and truly a treat. Really, your taste buds might not be able to take the deprivation much longer, which is truly what it is considered if you haven’t yet savored a pastry from Ashley’s. It’s homemade goodness away from home, baked with love and care, and probably even a hug if that’s what the customer needs.

Doesn’t it just make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside?

Ashley’s Pastry Shop
21 Park Avenue
Dayton, OH 45419
937.293.1719

Hours
Tuesday-Friday 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday  7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday-Monday  Closed

Jane’s Best Bets (11/2 – 11/6)

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Photo Credit: Alli Shillito

Happy November everyone!  I hope everyone had a fabulous and safe Halloween…and that your kids (or your neighbors’ kids) shared their candy with you!  Even though there may not be any more opportunities to dress up in costume for a while (unless you’re an actor), there are still plenty of opportunities to have fun in Dayton this week!

On Wednesday, get a jump start on your holiday shopping by visiting the ARTtoBUY Holiday Gift Gallery at the Dayton Visual Arts Center or the Give Art! Gift Gallery at the Cannery Art and Design Center.  Or make your way to the Oregon District for some good fun – head to the Trolley Stop for the Old Time Acoustic Jam, Oregon Express to listen to The Doug Hart Band, or to Blind Bob’s for Karaoke with DJ Nancy.

On Thursday, purchase a holiday gift or a piece of artwork for your home or apartment at the 9th Annual Holiday Student Art Sale at Sinclair.  Listen to the music of Khalid Moss and Michael Bashaw as part of the Vectren Just Jazz Series at the Dayton Art Institute.  Have you ever wondered what a near-death experience is like?  Learn Everything You Wanted to Know about Near-Death Experiences from someone who has been researching this topic for over 20 years.  If you feel like your day has gotten off to a “rocky” start, then make your way to Bullwinkle’s in Miamisburg for Guilty? Or Not – A Mystery Dinner Theatre, to benefit the Children’s Performing Arts of Miamisburg.  Does the thought of dating and relationships leave you feeling confused like the rest of the world?  If so, make it to Sinclair’s production of I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change.  Yes, I know love sometimes “cuts like a knife.”  Others are “all for love.” Regardless of your attitude towards love and relationships, you will not to want miss seeing music legend Bryan Adams perform at the Taft Theatre!

On Friday, make your way downtown for First Friday, the fabulous art hop that occurs once per month.  They always say men won’t go to the doctor, so please help raise funds and awareness for men’s cancer/research by participating in the Movember Mustache Ride.  And men – if your lady doesn’t like a little stubble on your face, just let her know it’s for a good cause!  In addition to growing a mustache for a good cause, you will also be able to drink some great beer for two great causes!  Attend the AutoberFest Craft Beer Tasting at Taj Ma Garaj to support Dayton History and the Epilepsy Foundation.  There are lots of theater options throughout the weekend, including I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change at Sinclair Community College;  Pinkalicious the Musical at the Schuster Center; ‘Master Harold’ …and the Boys at the Dayton Playhouse; Caroline, or Change at The Loft Theatre; and Lost in Yonkers at the Dayton Theatre Guild.  And if you enjoy music, there are plenty of opportunities for that as well!  Check out the Pride of Dayton Marching Band at UD; Lynda Carter: The Wonder of Song at the Schuster Center; or Chamber Orchestra Kremlin as part of the Vanguard Concerts at the Dayton Art Institute.

On Saturday, participate in Hospice of Dayton’s 7th Annual 5K Remembrance Walk (which means you don’t have to be a runner!).  Get a start on your holiday decorations by participating in the Gingerbread House Making Workshop at the Dayton Cultural Center.  If you’re a train fanatic (not the music group kind, although you can like them too), then chugga chugga choo choo your way to the National Model Railroad Association Dayton Train Show at Hara Arena.  Visit We Care Arts’ art gallery and gift shop as part of their Holiday Open House.  There are several theater options including those mentioned under Friday, as well as My Fair Lady at Kuss Auditorium in Springfield.  If you would like a show that will have you rolling (hopefully with laughter!) and dancing, then make your way to Victoria Theatre for BAM Percussion:  The Blue Barrel Show.  Halloween may be over, but at the Schuster Center, you will be able to see “Wonder Woman”  Lynda Carter perform.  And at the Taft Theatre, Lily Tomlin will be performing…and that’s the truth.

On Sunday, you will still be able to check out some of the events/shows that have been going on throughout the weekend, including the National Model Railroad Association Dayton Train Show (Hara Arena), BAM Percussion:  The Blue Barrel Show (Victoria Theatre), Caroline, or Change (The Loft Theatre), and I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change (Sinclair).  At UD, attend the Family Pops Concert featuring the University of Dayton Symphonic Wind Ensemble.  Or get in the spirit of the holidays by attending Holidays in the Heartland at the Schuster Center.

And now it’s time for the Dumb Joke of the Week. Drum roll please…

What do you call a train loaded with toffee?  A chew chew train.

These are just a few best bets from the DMM Calendar.  There are plenty more events listed there, so if you haven’t, I encourage you to check it out today!  Also, if you have an event to share or promote, please submit it– it’s great marketing and better yet, it’s FREE!  And finally, if you have a dumb joke to share, I’m all ears!

Have a great week Dayton!

Jimmie’s Last Call

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The iconic ceiling at Jimmie's Cornerstone

Last call…

(And… Soon…Welcome HOME)

Last Call at Jimmie’s Cornerstone Bar and Grille… and all that history at Brown and Wyoming!

Last Call for Jimmie and sons, and the whole wonderful gang of friendly wait staff, cooks and… who knows… a coupla’ ghosts and goblins who show up ONLY at Hallowe’en… Las Call at Jimmie’s Cornerstone Bar and Grille is… well, Hallowe’en. October 31st. The “evening and “morning” before” All Saints Day.

Get your drinks and food one more time… before… silence falls at Brown and Wyoming.

That silence… that’s gonna be… Well, complicated.

For Jimmie and Sue Brandell and their sons Nick and Jason… Well. For them it’s been a sort of virtual second home: dad Jimmie shows up at 5:30 a.m. or so (that, of course, won’t change in the NEW home) and maybe leaving at… Gosh: a visitor to the “Bar and Grille” will find Jimmie still around at 5:00 or 6:00 or… whenever he can lead. And that ALSO won’t be changing. Wife Sue helps out with — well, handles, in lots of ways — things like radio/TV advertising, wine selections and… WeeElks football players, too. Oh: and the “real” home, too.

Plus saying “hello” to old friends while she walks to a meeting about… things like radio/TV advertising, wine selections. Oh: and let’s not forget making sure Jimmie, Jason and Nick are happy, too.

The “total family effort” is what it takes to keep me ‘n’ you and all the rest of his steady customers. In this “high tech” world we’re getting used to, there’s now “double click” to get a hamburger just right or get the “french” in the potato fries on the tables. For all of us folks waiting for the “just right” burger or the hot from the deep fryer…

Hmmm… If we’re on a tight schedule to get back to work, we might be just a “tad” annoyed. For Jimmie and company and for the whole rest of the “food industry” getting it out of the kitchen and on the tables in just… business as usual.

But last call. Last call: like we said: that’s complicated. All that silence that’ll never end, even as what was once the home of good food, good company, some music and that weird, weird ceiling that you had to know about to even look up at it… Well, the next noises that will come from that building after last call will be the sounds of workers taking that building apart so that all that wonderful activity… the good food, good company, loud music and all… That will gone.

Something will turn in to… Nothing. No patio. No pool tables or posters on the wall, no “band stand” doubling as an elevated eating area when the music ends.

And Jimmie’s Cornerstone Bar and Gille and all that history beginning in 1868 when liquor was first tipped and from the 1930’s when it was “Stoecklein Cafe and many other bar/restaurants) will be gone. (Oh: and if you’re reading this and remembering the “1001 Club” or any others, just add your memory to the “Comments section” of this website!)

So back to that “virtual home” concept. Jimmie lives at the “Bar and Grille” probably a bit more than he gets to relax at this “real” home. Oh: and another thing about that “virtual” home? Talk to Jimmie and Sue and you get to hear the stories of pratfalls involving hidden accesses to the basement for beer and such, stories of tiny couches that offered a night’s sleep to Jimmie… And on and on and on.

Again: it has been sort of the family’s virtual home. For the record, for the past seven years. Coming to an end on Hallowe’en…

So, finally: NEXT.

“First Call: In the Company of Heroes.”

Yep: Ladder 11. A whole new place… a place for new memories to begin… A place with old memories, by the way, and we will begin to learn about those. About those heroes, too. And if you can contribute a story or two… or THREE… about the days when it was “just” the firehouse at Brown and Wyoming: well, add those to the “Comments Section” as well.

So now we’re here at “Last Call” and soon…

First Call.

See you there.

FoodAdventures Dives Into Papi’s by the Lake

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What do you get when you cross an abandoned school gymnasium in the Waynesville/Harveysburg area and a veteran of butcher of 40 years.  No, this is not the plot of a bad horror movie, but an incredibly unique restaurant called Papi’s by the Lake.  Located near Caesar’s Creek, as in salad, this “everything from scratch” restaurant is located in the antique, sauerkraut and Renaissance Festival mecca of the world.   Food Adventures will now think of good food when we hear the words Waynesville or Harveysburg.

For the past couple of months, our friend Kim has been telling us that we have to come to Papi’s by the Lake, and try their homemade food.  She would know, Kim works there as a waitress.  We finally decided to take the plunge and dive into the lake.   So, we got into our cars to find out where the heck Harveysburg is located.  Eventually, we found our way to the restaurant, which is near the Caesars Creek bridge.

Yes, This Restaurant is in a School Gymnasium !

When we pulled up to the restaurant we gasped.  This was not like any place we have ever seen.  The modest handmade sign, guarded the entry to an old abandoned high school gymnasium.  We noticed immediately that the parking lot was packed with customers.  We knew at this moment we were in for a seriously good Food Adventure!  As we walked in, to our surprise the restaurant and kitchen were inside the gym!  We strolled into the gym like the King and Queen of the prom (please post your comment on who you think the Queen would be).  We were greeted by an antique moonshine still, that to our dismay was not in operation.  Our friend Kim took us to our table, and introduced us to owner Mike “Papi” Hatfield, who promised us a great homecooked meal.  “Papi'” explained to us that he was a former butcher for 40 years, and after cooking at various festival booths, he decided to open his own place.  The city of Harveysburg welcomed the new restaurant with open arms.

Why the name Papi’s?  Because his grandchildren call him Papi, and let us tell you, this restaurant has a family feel to it.   Some of the friendly workers are family members, and the patrons are as jovial as the staff.  We interacted with various customers and staff alike, and not one person was offended by us, in fact they all participated in our Food Adventure.

First we were given a basket of hot, homemade dinner rolls drizzled with butter, that would have made Paula Deen proud.  As or food arrived Papi explained he likes to serve large salads since his homecooked meals can sometimes take a few extra minutes to prepare.   We enjoyed our salad under the basketball nets and scoreboard, and out came the parade of entrees.

Keep in mind we only ordered 2 dinners, salmon and a cheeseburger.  Those meals were followed by samples of fried shrimp, a pulled pork sandwich, and a grilled butterflied porkchop. The large piece of lemon pepper salmon was cooked to perfection, and would rival any restaurant.  Ragu went the more casual route and tried the cheeseburger, which Papi’s himself ground in the back from black angus top rounds.   Ragu was again for murdering the hamburger with condiments, and he even involved Papi in the argument.  If the school was still in function, Papi would have given Ragu detention for sauce violations.  Ragu also enjoyed the freshly cut fries that were sliced and cooked minutes earlier.

The couple of fried shrimp we had were good, but you will have to ask our waitress how they were, as she sat down at our table and ate most of them.   Papi’s also offers chilled shrimp cocktail with his own homemade cocktail sauce.  This was a great treat.

Their Burgers are Ground Fresh Daily From Black Angus Rounds

The “sample” porkchop we received compliments of Papi, was a huge butterflied chop, that carnivore we dug into. and left his baked potato unfinished.   Not only was this dish good, but Papi’s pulled pork sandwich was incredible and we would put it up against any BBQ in the Dayton area.

As we talked with Mr. Hatfield, we walked up to the kitchen carving area, which was located near the visitors bench.  They had incredible looking prime rib, large grilled steaks, carved whole turkeys, and whole roasted chickens coming out of the kitchen.  Their chicken is never frozen, they use a local bakery for their bread, and they buy local produce whenever they can.  The staff told us every Thursday is sausage gravy night with Papi’s own hand ground sausage gravy.

The front of the kitchen and cashier area is a table display of homemade desserts.  Papi’s wife, Lynne, makes the pies and cakes from scratch.  They had berry pies, pumpkin pies, carrot cake and our favorite, the peanut butter cake.  This peanut butter cake is one of the greatest creations known to man.  An already stuffed Food Adventure Crew still could not stop eating this rich cake, and it made Lynne smile.

This Peanu Butter Cake Made From Scratch is Legendary

For those penny pinchers, you will like Papi’s as well.  Every item on the menu is under $10 except the nightly specials which are around $15.  For homemade, fresh from scratch meals, it is a great deal.

Papi’s on the Lake is a perfect example of why we do Food Adventures.   People need to know about good places like this.  This is a mom and pop place in a friendly small town, that is a hidden secret.  Papi’s by the Lake is a one of a kind, home cooking restaurant.  Whether you are near Caesars Creek for  the day, or live a good 20 minutes away, this place is definitely worth a visit.  Do not be put off by the fact it is in a high school gym, in fact it give Papi’s its charm.  It has personality, and substance.  Papi promised us a great home cooked meal, and he delivered.  We would gladly go back to this eatery in a heartbeat.  As for the restaurant in a gymnasium, Papi scored a slam dunk on this one.  Light up the scoreboard!

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Comment below, have you been to Papi’s on the Lake?  What did you think?

 

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Murder on The Menu every Monday

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Looking for a fun and mysterious way to spend your Halloween evening? Dress up in your best Halloween costume and head to Dayton’s Spaghetti Warehouse to enjoy Mayhem & Mystery’s hilarious and interactive dinner theater show.  Guests will enjoy a full meal while getting involved in a spooky yet humorous murder mystery that is sure to entertain family members of all ages.

Mayhem & Mystery is an Ohio-based acting company that was founded about 12 years ago. The actors perform an improv show while guests enjoy a salad, a main course, and dessert. It is a very interactive experience – actors never break character, even while having individual conversations with the audience members. The audience participates in games and contests throughout the show and are asked to solve the murder mystery at the end. Three winners are chosen and each receives a certificate and a prize. Each show is themed for the season and runs for two months, allowing time for six different productions each year. It is now operated by Tamra and Jerry Francis, who have been with the company since it began. Tamra and Jerry write all the scripts themselves while also participating in the shows, and rotate the rest of the cast between four or five actors.

“We’ve never repeated a script,” says Tamra.

I attended the Halloween-themed show entitled “Costume Carousing,” where guests were invited to Morana Toggery’s annual costume party and encouraged to wear their Halloween costumes. We were seated at long tables in a back room, giving a true party-like atmosphere to the experience.

Guests were enjoying their salad when a tall woman dressed entirely in black entered the room and welcomed all of us to her Halloween costume party. Morana Toggery, continued on to introduce herself and inform us about her dark family history and hidden family fortune. We were soon joined by her neighbor, Dolorous Peacock, who wasted no time in showing us her dark and dry sense of humor and love for all things eerie and weird. A loud, obnoxious woman entered the party, belting out country tunes and introducing herself to everyone as Ethel Mae Chatman. The actors bantered back and forth with each other and with the crowd, decorating each table and guest with cobwebs and dust in order to set the Halloween mood. Morana’s husband – a tall, Frankenstein look-alike named Frank – joined the party and provided endless comic relief with his corny jokes and loud, entertaining demeanor.

After introducing themselves to the audience, the actors exited while dinner was served. The cast returned later and wasted no time in making the guests feel right at home – guests were chosen at random to participate in games such as a costume contest, and were constantly interacting with the actors. The dark and witty humor entertained the audience and kept us laughing throughout our meal, while also introducing a mysterious storyline and prepping the audience for what was to come. The actors played off each other and the guests, bouncing back and forth from well-rehearsed lines to on-the-spot jokes and conversations. I do not want to give away the end of the show, but as is custom for Mayhem & Mystery, one of the actors was “murdered” and guests were asked to solve the crime. I was one of the three winners for the night! I received a Comedic Criminology certificate signed by the cast and a free ticket to attend another show later this year.

“It’s a part time fun job and hobby,” says Tamra. “It’s still a production, we still have a script, but it’s a different show every night.” All shows are written to be family friendly, and audience members of all ages are welcome.

The next Costume Carousing Halloween-themed show is on October 31st at 7 p.m., at the Spaghetti Warehouse in downtown Dayton. The cost of a ticket is $25.95 and covers the meal and the show. Mayhem & Mystery perform their shows in Dayton on Monday and Friday nights and perform in Columbus on Tuesdays. They perform these public shows and also at hotels, catering companies, and corporate events.

The holiday show, Forties Yuletide Frolics, will begin on November 7th and run through New Year’s Eve. Tamra says the holiday show is her favorite show of the year, and the cast puts in a little something special for the show on New Year’s Eve. Wednesday night performances at the Dayton Spaghetti Warehouse are added in December, but Tamra warned me that tickets sell out quickly during this time, so hurry and make your reservations while they’re still available!

If you’re interested in booking Mayhem & Mystery for an event, attending a show, or auditioning for the cast, contact Tamra Francis at [email protected] or check out the website at www.mayhemmystery.com.

Jane’s Best Bets (10/26 – 10/30)

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Pumpkins Courtesy of My Mom

Halloween is right around the corner!  Hopefully you have your costume and are ready for some good scares this week…as well as some good fun!

On Wednesday, hang out in Oakwood for The Nights of the Arts.  Do all those political commercials have you confused on how to vote on election day?  If so, make your way to the Updayton Candidate Forum.  Or make your way to the Schuster Center for Tyler Perry’s ‘The Haves and the Have Nots’.

On Thursday, support a great cause by attending the Clothes That Work Fashioning Futures Modeling Success Luncheon at Sinclair’s Ponitz Center.  Get out that Halloween costume and join some great young professionals for the Generation Dayton Costume Party at The Moraine Embassy.  Enjoy Half-Price Wine Night at Coco’s Bistro…”wine not?”  At the Dayton Racquet Club, enjoy their Dinner & Goose Island Beer Tasting with New Chef Jack Skilliter.  And at the Victoria Theatre, you will be able to have An Evening with David Sedaris.

On Friday after work, participate in the Oregon Arts District Walking Tour.  There are plenty of spooky/Halloween-themed activities on Friday including the Halloween Party Wine Tasting at Emporium Wines/Underdog Cafe; Horrorama 2011 at Englewood Cinema; Ghosts, Cemeteries and Murders Walk at Courthouse Square; the Haunted Butcher House; Mayhem & Mystery Dinner Theatre: ‘Costume Carousing’ at the Spaghetti Warehouse; the Land Of Illusion Haunted Scream Park; and Slasher: A Horrifying Comedy at UD…I think I would need the comedy to put up with the horror.  And finally, in theater news, you will be able to see Lost in Yonkers (Dayton Theatre Guild) or Opera Theatre: Opera Scenes (Wright State).

On Saturday, if you’re a 5K runner with an extreme sense of adventure, then you will want to participate in the Swamp Stomp Mud Challenge Event.  You may not be able to afford a trip to Italy so instead, make your way to Jay’s Restaurant for their Italian Wine Luncheon.  Saturday is also all about Halloween, as it is the night for the famous Hauntfest in the Oregon District.  In addition to Hauntfest, there are many other Halloween-themed events/activities for Saturday including the  ‘PhilharMonster’ Halloween Concert at the Schuster Center; the 1st Annual Tailgate of Terror at the Yellow Cab Building; the 3rd Annual Boo & Bruise in the Oregon District; a Ghosts, Cemeteries and Murders Walk at Courthouse Square; Spooktacular at SideBar; the Dayton Philharmonic’s Bride of Frankenstein at the Schuster Center; and Howl-O-Ween at the Boonshoft Museum (a family friendly event).

On Sunday, make your back to the Oregon District (if you even left from Saturday night) for a Walking Tour.  Get a group together and enjoy a Segway Tour of Downtown Dayton.  (I was actually just talking to some people who went on one of these and said it was a fun experience!)  And if you enjoy theater, then check out Lost in Yonkers (Dayton Theatre Guild) or Monty Python’s Spamalot (Schuster Center).

And now it’s time for the Dumb Joke of the Week. Drum roll please…

What do you call a witch at the beach?  A sand-witch.

These are just a few best bets from the DMM Calendar.  There are plenty more events listed there, so if you haven’t, I encourage you to check it out today!  Also, if you have an event to share or promote, please submit it– it’s great marketing and better yet, it’s FREE!  And finally, if you have a dumb joke to share, I’m all ears!

Have a great week Dayton!

Food Adventures Heads South of Dayton to Kyojin Sushi Buffet

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The Raw Sushi Buffet Bar – click to enlarge

Sushi, one of your Food Adventurer’s favorite foods.  Let’s get this straight up front, not all sushi is raw.  There are many types of cooked sushi that involve shrimp and crab for example.  But, we crave it all, specialty rolls, sashimi, hand rolls, nigiri, you name it.   So you can imagine our delight the first time we heard about a sushi buffet south of Dayton off of I-71 near Cincinnati.  We know, this is DaytonMostMetro.com, but once in very blue moon, we spread our wings and have to tell our fellow foodies about a special place outside the Dayton area.  This is one of those times.

The place is called Kyojin and it is a truly unique place.  They have sushi, lots of it, probably 40 different kinds of rolls on their buffet, and for dinner they add more items including sashimi, raw scallop, flying fish roe, and giant clam sushi.  Please check out our picture album below and you will see the vast variety of items.  When we first tried this restaurant, we ate so much, we had to go directly to IKEA to walk it off.  So here is a tip, if you go .. pace yourself!

The Dinner Buffet Includes Seared Ahi Tuna, and Tuna Sashimi

The restaurant is setup with 5 buffet bars and a dessert cabinet and ice cream freezer.  The 5 buffet bars are a sushi roll bar, a raw sushi bar, a Chinese food bar, a shrimp/mussel appetizer bar and a salad/fruit bar.  There is even an area for edamame(soybeans), tofu, and a wasabi and ginger area.  In the evenings, the dinner menu includes a hibachi option as well as skewered duck, squid and shrimp offerings on the side hibachi area.  We also love the steamed mussels and peel and eat shrimp available,and we have never seen a raw calamari nigiri offered anywhere else.  Other items of interest include raw calamari rolls, and the dinner treats of flying fish roe, raw scallop rolls and seared ahi tuna sashimi.

Kyojin is truly a dream for the seafood and sushi lover, and the prices are not bad either.  For lunch the price is $9.95 and dinner is $16.95.  But here is a tip, on their website kyojinohio.com you can show them the online coupon on your phone and get $1 off each lunch and $2 off each dinner purchased.  We think it is a good value.  Is it the best sushi we have ever had? No, but it is pretty decent.  It is actual sushi chefs preparing good food.   It is not comparable to the Chinese buffets that offer the side sushi.  This place is much better than that.

Kyojin offers the normal soft drinks, and they offer $5 specialty cocktails.  Kyojin is one of our guilty pleasures, especially for the Big Ragu, as some like the traditional sushi bars and their offerings.  We challenge the “sushi snobs” to try this place and let us know what you think.  But Kyojin is a great place for a sushi novice to finally try a lot of different types of sushi, cooked, or raw and see what they like, without having to order an entire roll.  They even have some vegetarian rolls and seaweed salad with pasta for you non meat eaters.  We even saw a sushi roll with chicken!

Our most recent trip to Kyojin was a challenge, while Ragu was challenged by  Shawn to a sushi eating contest.   Shawn stopped in his 40 something piece to go get some Chinese food, while Big Ragu matched his football number by eating 71 pieces of sushi.  It was our comic relief for the day watching the “sushi eat off.”

There is something for everyone at this place.  The Big Ragu’s favorite items on the buffet are raw salmon on rice, the kani (crab nigiri) and the raw tuna roll.  We enjoyed the shrimp tempura roll, the Cincinnati roll, and coconut shrimp on the Chinese food bar.

Big Ragu called his plate “Mount Va-sushi-us”

Do you love sushi?  Have you ever tried it? Sushi pro or sushi rookie, Kyojin is worth the trip.  Take a drive south on I-71 and the Fields Ertel exit, and Kyojin is just a minute away.  It is an incredible deal to get all the good sushi you can eat.  Check it out, you will be glad you gave it a chance.  All you can eat sushi, that’s how we “roll.”

Become an “Official” fan of Food Adventures by clicking here and visiting their page on Facebook !

Have you been to Kyojin?  What did you think?  Please comment below.

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Kyojin Japanese Buffet
12140 Royal Point Drive
Cincinnati, OH 45249
P: 513-683-2628
kyojinohio.com

Get Your Spook On at Spinoza’s

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It’s that time of year again. The time to flaunt that Dracula cape or dress your little one in her favorite princess gown. The time for parents to walk the neighborhood while little Buzz Lightyear is sprinting with all his might to get to the next candy bowl. The time when everyone regrets how many sugary treats they just wolfed down.  It’s a time for crazy costumes, haunted houses, and genuine fun. We all remember the glorious days of trick-or-treating, and if those days still constitute your present, all the better! But not all the fun of Halloween is wrapped inside those treats vanishing into what may seem like thin air. Actually, a local restaurant, Spinoza’s, is putting together a special pre-Halloween celebration for adults. Accompanied with live and entertaining music, this local pizzeria is serving up six special beers by Wychwood Brewing Company, (how perfect a name!) all paired with delicious eats. So all you twenty-one and uppers, climb into that storage closet and put some life back into that fang and cape duo on October 25th—Spinoza’s is even giving away special prizes for guests who appear in costume!

This six course meal is the perfect way to celebrate Halloween a tad early; what better to pair fun with than delicious food and beer? Plus live music by the Evil Jim Volk! Let me tell you—you’re in for a treat. Wychwood Brewery has fully embodied the spirit of Halloween with their clever names of the featured ales, while Spinoza’s has carefully matched the prepared cuisine to stimulate your taste buds. But before we dive into the logistics of the meal, let’s indulge in a bit of a history lesson about both of these fine companies. How did they come to be?

This is Glen ↑

Glen Brailey, the owner of Spinoza’s, has been in the pizza industry for many years. He began his adventure at Domino’s while attending college, and after a few more adventures and thirteen years at Pacchia Wood Fired Pizza, which he opened, he found an empty pizzeria in the Mall at Fairfield Commons, located in Beavercreek. “The space was great, the rent was right, and I was yearning to toss dough again!” wrote Brailey in a blurb on Spinoza’s website. After aging the dough, using the freshest ingredients in their sauce, the “finest (and most expensive)” cheese, and topping it all off with all-natural pepperoni, this pizza is sure to be like nothing you’ve ever tasted before. And the fact that a mouth-watering brew is to be served alongside this gourmet pizza—this will constitute the ultimate testimony that beer and pizza were a match made in heaven.

Now for the second half of this dynamic duo—Wychwood Brewery. After perusing their Halloween-decorated, interactive website, I was briefed on Wychwood’s history. This company is located in the heart of Witney, in Oxfordshire, England—a town famous for its brewing. The brewery acquired its name in 1990, actually named after the Wychwood Forest which is located on the outskirts of Witney. “By 1997, Wychwood Brewery was producing nearly 30,000 barrels a year…” according to wychwood.co.uk. That’s extremely impressive, and a whole lot of beer! Today, Wychwood is famous for their hand-crafted ales, and exports all over the world. Just thinking about the combination of fine pizza with hearty beer—isn’t your mouth watering already?

So I’m sure you’re biting at the bit to know what exactly is on the menu for the Halloween Beer Dinner next Wednesday at 7 PM. Well, let me tell you.

Warning: The following description may cause a severe longing and appetite that can only be satisfied by attending Spinoza’s on Wednesday, October 25th.

Welcome—The evening will begin with Wychwood’s “Wychcraft” 3 Hopped Golden Ale. It has been described as “bursting with succulent citrus and lime hop character”. This unique ale will be paired with Spinoza’s Crispy Deviled Eggs with pistachio, bacon and chives.

Appetizer—Immediately following, Wychwood “Scarecrow” Organic Pale Ale will be served alongside “Finger” Sandwiches of spicy capicola, peppered salami, pepperoni, fresh mozzarella, and garlic aioli. The Brewery describes this pale ale as having a “refreshing citrus and delightful malt flavor, rounded off with a spicy bittersweet finish.”

Salad—Next, we will be served the salad portion of the meal, consisting of shaved harvest salad with Fuji Apple Dressing and Spanish Marcona Almonds. The drink of choice will be St. Peters India Pale Ale, whose brewery has been in business for over 700 years

Pizza—To begin our fourth course, we will be graced by a draft of Wychwood’s most famous ale—“Hobgoblin” Dark Ale. This very smooth ale acquires its flavors from “chocolate and crystal malts”, and will be paired with Spinoza’s Sicilian Poutine Calzones with Sweet Potato, Snake River Farms Ground Beef, Wine-infused Marinara, Basil Pesto Sour Cream, Jumbo Ripe Olives, and Shredded Parmesan.

Cheese Course—Wychwood “King Goblin” Special Reserve Ale will be served beside Black Label Cambozola with Quince. This ale has a very rich character, while still being smooth.

Dessert—And last, but certainly not least, is dessert. Yes, you read dessert. Spinoza’s is putting together house-made “Blood Red” Velvet Doughnuts with honey glaze and toasted almonds. Complementing this decadent dessert is a “deep chestnut beer…with hints of coffee, banana and licorice”, titled Monty Python’s Holy Grail “Dark Knight Reserve”.

This menu and more can be found at spinozas.com

Now, try to tell me your mouth isn’t watering right now. Are you even still with me or are you already slipping into that witch’s hat and attaching that ugly green mole to your nose? Honestly, this is a Halloween celebration you and your taste buds can’t afford to miss. So what are you waiting for? Give Spinoza’s a call RIGHT NOW to put in your reservation for this epic night. Better hurry before they are booked. I’ve even made it convenient for you and included the number:

937.426.7799

spinozas.com

So here’s how the scene should ultimately play out. You arrive in your decked out Dracula ensemble and casually stroll into Spinoza’s. And when the hustle and bustle has finally died down and the waiter comes to serve you your first course, you quote this famous line from 1992’s Dracula:

“They say you are a man of good…taste.”

Then proceed to cackle in the most evil way imaginable. Oh, and then dig in!

The Formal Name… the “Gateway Arch…”

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Call it the city with a handle… Or MAYBE the city with just a little bit of an identity crisis?

Is it “St. Louis,” as in… oh, say the St. Louis Cardinals (now referring ONLY to a baseball team, now that the pesky “football Cardinals” moved on to some southern hospitality… not to say southern MONEY). Or is it “Saint Louis,” as in… Well, the newscasts who spell out the name. ESPN, for example, when they tell us how things went sports-wise. Baseball and such.

So, yeah. TV spells it “Saint Louis.” Newspapers spell it “Saint Louis.” Only radio sticks with “St. Louis…” (At least, that’s what it sounds like to me!)

Yep: I was born and raised in good ole’ St. Louis… south St. Louis, to be specific. And, yes… St. Louis. Yep: pesky habit, to this day. Still… at one point, my home sweet home when was a kid.

Oh. And I was kind of sure St. Louis was gonna’ be where I lived for my whole life.

Didn’t turn out that way, though. Nope.

If whatever powers that be have decided these days to get real real holy and proper about spelling the name of the place… the LAST batch of “powers that be,” the ones who were in control for most of my life, decided that St. Louis was… appropriate. That’s the word.

Worse… Whoever “they” are… Well: they also decided that St. (or Saint) Louis would grow OUT. Not UP. Out, by the way, as in “way WAY out.” Drive a long way “way WAY out.”

So here’s where little bitty (then and VERY MUCH now) Dayton comes in.

Having graduated with “yet ANOTHER” degreee from the University of Dayton, I was headed back “home,” to Saint (or St.) Louis University to work on a Doctoral degree, to begin life as an even MORE grown up person. First step: become a “teaching assistant” at “SLU.” Pronounced… well, “SLU.”

What it all meant I thought… naive little me… I BELIEVED I was finally home from my life’s travels.

That FEELING of “being home” lasted for exactly ten days: TEN DAYS.. Ten days of going down to to “SLU” from my childhood home in the “suburbs…” and ten days, one after another, in which I witnessed fatal auto accidents on what “we” Saint Louis-ans (I guess that’s correct)… what we called the “Mark Twain Expressway.” Yep: ten days, one after the other. Watching cars crash and people dying.

My home sweet home.

On the “Mark Twain Expressway…” aka: Interstate 70.

That’s when I knew I was NOT going to live there, but that I’d go back to Dayton as fast as possible when the whole education trip was over. Now, it’s not that I suffered or anything for the next two and a half years. Nope: it’s just that I consciously lived as a tourist. I went to Gaslight Square and enjoyed good jazz, went to Hrdlicka’s. and enjoyed a fantastic local restaurant specializing in “deep fried in beer batter chicken,” which did make me think about buying my own franchise (for Dayton, of course). I went to the wonderful “Muny Opera” in Forest Park, enjoyed the free seats as off-Broadway” musicals were presented (in case you’re curious: in Dayton, I would discover, we called this “The Kenley Players”)

Best of all that, though, was that I DID get reacquainted with lots and lots of my huge circle of relatives who had, when I was a kid, lived within blocks of our family “flat” in South St. Louis (from here on in, if you want it to be “Saint Louis,” you’ll have to do the transform yourself). That St. Louis, I think it’s safe to say, was small in size, still small enough for a kid to go VISIT anyone of the friends and relatives by walking.

But when I got back… aunts and uncles who had lived down the block or around the corner or next door in the same flat as my family lived in… well, now these aunts and uncles lived thirty… forty… even FIFTY miles away. Still in “St. Louis County,” but far, far away in the County. Well, you know: none of us, in those wonderful late ’60’s day, knew anything about “urban sprawl.” All those aunts and uncles and cousins and friends had just… moved. And it was never REALLY far… “why,” they’d say, “it’s just off highway 70.”

Of course, back then we didn’t complain about the amount of gas it took to make a hundred mile round trip to visit an aunt or an uncle. Nope: we always had gas wars to keep the “price at the pump” dirt cheap. No, the only thing we decided not to notice was how long an afternoon visit would really take.

But when I’d drive up with my wife and kids to VISIT good ole’ Dayton… well, people were nice and lived close even though there was this thing called “Interstate 75.” Sure, it was there. You just didn’t have to USE IT. The Interstate was for folks going to Florida from Michigan or vice versa.

In St. Louis, a traffic jam on OR off the freeway could take an hour or so to unwind. BUT Dayton… Dayton’s traffic jams?? Back then — and even NOW — traffic jams off the freeway back then and now take ten minutes or so to unwind.

But all in all, in a few very short years, St. Louis drew itself into being a big, big city: even had a new stadium back then — as it does now, as a matter of fact: a NEWER new Stadium — and a good thing back then was I could go see the Cardinals play in the World Series a couple of years in a row. But… the Cardinals and the NEW new stadium. You know what: that’s another story.

Oh. And another OTHER story was living with all those little restaurants in some of the living rooms in neighborhoods of… well: politely now. Italian Heights. Yep: helped my mom even back then kick the cooking habit. But again: you know… That’s another story.

But here in Dayton: it’s the same old story.

Yes sir. Yes INDEED.

Jane’s Best Bets (10/19 – 10/23)

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At the Ghosts N' Goblins 5K - Can you guess my costume?!?!

Even though Halloween is about two weeks away, the Halloween festivities have officially begun with the Ghosts N’ Goblins 5K downtown on Tuesday night!  There are many more great Halloween themed, as well as non-Halloween themed options for this week!

On Wednesday, if you love a good scare, then be sure to make your way to the Haunted Butcher House.  To be honest, the name of it alone scares me!  In addition to seeing lots of Halloween decorations this time of year, you also see lots of political signs, commercials, etc.  The task of choosing who to vote for or how to vote on certain issues can be daunting.  Get some help by attending the Voters Guide LIVE at Stivers.  History buffs should make plans to attend Soaring at Kitty Hawk, 1911: Buster’s Vacation at The Engineers Club of Dayton.  At the Dayton Convention Center, attend the TechNet-Aero Conference if you work in or are interested in business and defense information technologies (hopefully if you work in it, you are also interested in it!).  And finally, I hope you were lucky enough to get tickets to the sold out Mix 107.7 Concert For A Cure at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, with some great acoustic performances by Safetysuit, Christina Perri, and Andy Grammer.  And if you weren’t, it’s okay.  As Andy Grammer would say, “you gotta keep your head up.”

On Thursday, make your way to the Dayton Racquet Club for their $10 Wine Tasting.  Afterall, what could be better than sipping some great wine and enjoying their amazing views?!?!  Head to Victoria Theatre for the Dayton Ballet’s Sleepy Hollow & Hyding Inside.  And if you would prefer to celebrate in honor of the ballet, then dress in your favorite black and white costume and participate in the Ballet Barre’s 2001 Halloween Pub Crawl, which will take place in the Oregon District.  Or wear your Halloween costume for Boo in the Burg in Downtown Miamisburg.  If you want to do something fun with the kids, then take them to see Disney On Ice – Mickey & Minnie’s Magical Journey at the Nutter Center.  And if you can’t take them Thursday night, there will be shows all weekend long!

On Friday, get a start on your holiday cooking plans by attending Tasty Party Appetizers at 2nd Street Market.  It is FREE!  Attention all you yoga lovers – make your way to Practice Yoga on Fifth for the screening of the new documentary ‘Yogawoman’ to benefit the YWCA of Dayton.  If you have never been to the opera, now is your time, as the Dayton Opera will be presenting La Bohème at the Schuster Center.  In addition, they are offering “Friday Nite Tweet Seats” for members of area Young Professional Networking Groups and their guests.  These seats are valued at $66 but are being sold at the promotional rate of $15!  So, if you think the arts are too expensive for young professionals, think again!  At Victoria Theatre, you will be able to see the Dayton Ballet’s Sleepy Hollow & Hyding Inside.  There are a couple other shows you can catch on Friday as well, including Lost in Yonkers (Dayton Theatre Guild) and The Crucible (Sinclair’s Blair Hall Theater).  And if you prefer to have fun in a less formal environment, then check out my friend’s band Buddha and the Boogie Down as they play at Flanagan’s!

On Saturday, start the day off high on carbs with the Centerville Rotary’s 11th Annual Pancake Breakfast.  Then, make your way to The Salvation Army Kroc Center for their Chili Cook Off.  In the afternoon, take the kids to Victoria Theatre for the Dayton Ballet’s Children’s Halloween Party.  And in the evening, take your date to Victoria Theatre for the Dayton Ballet’s Sleepy Hollow & Hyding Inside.  Head to the Miami Valley Symphony Orchestra’s Fall Concert at Shiloh Church.  At Schindler Banquet Center, get a new wardrobe without spending a fortune as part of the 3rd Annual Fashion Swap ‘N Shop.  If you are Irish (or just like Irish music), then purchase tickets to see bohola, featuring dancers from the Richens/Timm Academy of Irish Dance at Stivers School For the Arts.  Theater options will still include Lost in Yonkers (Dayton Theatre Guild) and The Crucible (Sinclair’s Blair Hall Theater).  And finally, support United Rehabilitation Services, a wonderful organization who works to enhance the quality of life for children and adults with disabilities, by attending their 55th Anniversary Gala at Sinclair’s Ponitz Center.

On Sunday, listen to the Duquesne Tamburitzans at the Centerville Performing Arts Center, the Miami Valley Symphony Orchestra at Kettering Fairmont, or to the sounds of the Dayton Opera as they perform La Bohème at the Schuster Center.  Watch the Dayton Ballet’s Sleepy Hollow & Hyding Inside at Victoria Theatre or the Dayton Theatre Guild’s performance of Lost in Yonkers.  And finally…if you have been craving chocolate, you are in luck as there will be an All You Can Eat Chocolate Party at the Bellbrook Chocolate Shoppe!

And now it’s time for the Dumb Joke of the Week. Drum roll please…

Why didn’t the skeleton go to the movies?

Because he had no body to go with.

These are just a few best bets from the DMM Calendar.  There are plenty more events listed there, so if you haven’t, I encourage you to check it out today!  Also, if you have an event to share or promote, please submit it– it’s great marketing and better yet, it’s FREE!  And finally, if you have a dumb joke to share, I’m all ears!

Have a great week Dayton!

Wine Tasting For A Cause Thursday

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If you’re an alumnus of Wright State University, currently working in the nonprofit field, or if you just enjoy testing out a good wine now and then, don’t miss the Wright State University Alumni Association’s Nonprofit Leadership Alliance wine tasting and silent auction fundraiser on Thursday, October 20, from 6:00-8:00 p.m.

The Nonprofit Leadership Alliance is a national organization that helps students make connections within the nonprofit sector. The Nonprofit Leadership Alliance offers a national nonprofit management and leadership credential, the Certified Nonprofit Professional (CNP). In order to become certified, students must meet a number of requirements, which includes taking three required courses and attending one management institute. Through the Alliance, students can strengthen their leadership abilities, gain access to internship opportunities, learn more about the world of nonprofits, and enjoy many other benefits.

According to Sarah Williams, the Associate Executive Director at the Dayton Christian Center, the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance exists to “helps develop students who are going through the certification process.”  One of the most significant ways that the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance helps students is by raising money for the Alumni Society and the Student Alumni Association.  The money raised goes towards scholarships and funds events organized by the students. There is a management institution that takes place every January, and a portion of the funds “help provide a little assistance” to students who would like to attend. There are also workshops held in the fall and in the spring that are orchestrated by students, with the help of money raised by the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance.

For more information on how to join the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance or to check out the other fundraising events that will be taking place, visit http://webapp3.wright.edu/web2/americanhumanics/.

As a fairly new organization, the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance at Wright State University is excited about trying their hand at new events, such as the wine tasting and silent auction that is taking place later this month. The organization is specifically reaching out towards alumni who are currently working in the nonprofit field.

“[We are] looking to expand our horizons,” said Williams. “We’ve had a good response from the alumni thanks to our great partnership with the Alumni Association.”   Alumni of the program include Lindsay Ackley, recently named Executive Director of Clothes That Work, Debbie Fox, Grants Manager at Levin Family Foundation, and Mary DeMar, Annual Fund Manager at Goodwill Easter Seals Miami Valley.

If you’re interested in coming out to support Wright State alumni or students who are looking for work in the nonprofit sector, you can register for the wine tasting and silent auction at https://www.wrightstatealumni.com/component/registrationpro/event/148/Nonprofit-Leadership-Alliance-Wine-Tasting-and-Silent-Auction.html. The event will be held at the Therapy Café in Dayton, located at 425 E. Third Street. Tickets cost $20 and include four wine tastes and hor d’oeuvres. Fifty percent of the proceeds from the tickets will go towards the Alumni Association. If you would like to show support but cannot attend the event, feel free to purchase a ticket anyway! If you purchase a ticket but do not attend the event, the Alumni Association will receive 100% of the profit.  Any and all support is appreciated – it’s guaranteed to be a tasty time!

Jane’s Best Bets (10/12 – 10/16)

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Photo Credit: Alli Shillito

I hope you have been able to enjoy these nice fall days!  And even if the weather does get bad this week, there are some indoor options along with the outdoor options!

On Wednesday, attend The Fundraiser’s Guide to Social Media at the main branch of the Dayton Metro Library.  This is great (and free!) opportunity, particularly if you serve on a board or work for a non-profit.  And in the evening, you’ll be able to support one of those non-profits, Agape for Youth, by attending the Fostering Changes for Future Generations Gala at the Schuster Center.  At Wright State, listen to Arlene B. Mayerson, a national expert on disability rights law, as part of the Wright State University’s Presidential Lecture Series.  Listen to classical music as the Tiberius String Quartet from Rumania performs at the University of Dayton.  And if you want music you can jam to, then make your way to the Oregon District’s Trolley Stop for the Old Time Acoustic Jam or to Oregon Express to listen to The Doug Hart Band.

On Thursday, bring your kids to the 2nd Street Market for Pizza Making for Kids.  You’ve been making dinner for them for a while, so why not let them learn how to make dinner for you for a change?!?!  If you consider yourself a “techie,” then make your way to Brixx for Tech Town Thursday.  Attention all you vegetarians out there – don’t “wine” because there aren’t any food options for you, as McCormick & Schmick’s is offering a Vegetarian Wine Dinner.  In Centerville, listen to the music of Sean Jones (R&B and Soul) presented by the Miami Valley Community Concert Association.  Join some great young professionals in the area with Generation Dayton’s Thirsty Thursday at The Wine Gallery.  At Oregon Express, catch Theology on Tap.  Or make your way to the Schuster Center to listen to the Dayton Philharmonic’s performance, Romeo, Juliet & Prokofiev.

On Friday, aspiring artists should make their way to Wright State for Draw on the Walls.  If your kids love animals but you don’t want to bring them into your house (the animals that is, not the kids), take them to the Bison Hayride Tour at Heaven’s Corner Zoo.  Halloween is right around the corner, so make your way to the Spaghetti Warehouse for their Mayhem & Mystery Dinner Theatre: ‘Costume Carousing’.  If you get a laugh when Jay Leno and David Letterman make fun of all things political, then be sure to make your way to Springfield to see The Capitol Steps, as they will take on a variety of current events…including the Octomom.  Head up to Yellow Springs for Fling in the Springs.  At the Schuster Center, listen to the Dayton Philharmonic with Prokofiev Meets Shakespeare.  You may have read the Cliff Notes in high school, but what is even easier (and more entertaining) is watching The Crucible live at Sinclair’s Blair Hall Theater.  And if you enjoy being scared, then make your way to the Land Of Illusion Haunted Scream Park.

On Saturday, get your girlfriends together and participate in the Girlfriend Ride Dayton to benefit the Artemis Center.  This won’t just be any ride, as some stops along the way include a hand massage station, a chocolate fountain, and a wine tasting.  Or make your way to Fifth Third Field for the 2011 Making Strides against Breast Cancer Walk.  At the 2nd Street Market, it’s Fall Family Fun Day, so be sure to bring the kids!  Typically, it would be inappropriate to bring your kids to the Funny Bone (unless they are your adult children).  However, in the afternoon, you will be able to take them there for the Family, Food, & Fun Comedy Magic Show.  And if you don’t have any, I have friends that would probably be happy to lend theirs to you.  If you live up north, make your way to the HarvestFest Street Fair in downtown Tipp City…it sounds like fun and it’s free!  In addition, in the evening, you will be able to hear live music by the 80s cover band Stranger.  In Yellow Springs, you’ll be able to attend Fling in the Springs.  If you enjoy German music, head to the Dayton Liederkranz Turner German Club for their German Fall Concert.  Have some fun and support the Epilepsy Foundation of Western Ohio with the Fall Treasure Hunt Road Rally…sounds like a mini amazing race!  You will be able to listen to music at both the Schuster Center (Romeo, Juliet & Prokofiev) and Victoria Theatre (The Legendary Count Basie Orchestra).  And finally, put on your mask and attend a major party in Dayton – ARC Ohio’s Masquerage…a decade of decadence, which will benefit the AIDS Resource Center.

On Sunday, make your way to Garden Station Sunday Market, which is the only Sunday Farmer’s Market in the area.  If you like to write, then attend the Second Sunday Free Writers’ Workshop at Books & Co.  It says “free writers” so I wonder if they’re in jail for something.  Make your way to Belmont for their Neighborhood Jam Fest, which will feature food, music, drinks, artists, and a car show.  If you enjoy shopping, head to The Event Connection for the Home, Lifestyle and Craft Expo…after all, it’s not too early to start your Christmas shopping!  Listen to the sounds of the University of Dayton Orchestra and Symphonic Wind Ensemble at South Park United Methodist Church.  At Sinclair, catch a performance of The Crucible.  And if you’re looking for a little Sunday fling, then enjoy Fling in the Springs.

And now it’s time for the Dumb Joke of the Week. Drum roll please…

What did the mother buffalo say to her little boy when he went off to school?  Bison.

These are just a few best bets from the DMM Calendar.  There are plenty more events listed there, so if you haven’t, I encourage you to check it out today!  Also, if you have an event to share or promote, please submit it– it’s great marketing and better yet, it’s FREE!  And finally, if you have a dumb joke to share, I’m all ears!

Have a great week Dayton!

Food Adventures Spice Things Up at Amar India

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Indian food.. some people love it,  some people cringe, others have never had it.  Being Food Adventurers means we try and experience many culinary things in life, some out of our comfort zone.  Enter Amar India, one of the fancier Indian restaurants in Dayton, located across from the Dayton Mall.

The Big Ragu and Crew have developed a taste for Indian food over the years, and for us it started with Amar India.  If you have never tried Indian cuisine, let us recommend this restaurant for your American pallet.

A great way to experience some Indian food and see what you like, is to go to their buffet lunch, where you can sample a number of dishes (usually appetizers and chicken and vegetarian entrees).  The buffet lunches are fairly cheap and again it is a great way to get a variety of items.  Dinner at Amar India is ordered off the menu only.  Amar India’s menu is fairly extensive, but to sort it out, the dishes are basically four types: vegetarian, chicken, lamb, and fish.  Each dish may be ordered on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the spiciest.

Our latest visit to Amar India started with our incredibly friendly and passionate waiter, Regendier.  He welcomed us and recommended a few menu items and was happy to be a part of our Food Adventure article and photos.  In our conversations with him, he shared his love for food, Indian culture, and Pro-Wrestling.  After some fun conversation, your humble F decided to order.

Vegetable Pakora is served with 3 tasty sauces

We started out with an appetizer, ood AdventurersVegetable Pakora.  For all intents and purposes it is a vegetable fritter or hushpuppy.  The Big Ragu was ecstatic because the item was deep fried.  We explored the accompanying sauces.  This appetizer was served with a tray with 3 cups of sauces.  The sauces were a green mint sauce, a spicy chunky sauce, and a sweet bbq-like sauce.  We thought the mint sauce was the best.

Then we saw a sight for sore eyes.  Our waiter was bringing out an order of our favorite side item, Garlic Nan Bread.  Amar India offers different types of Nan bread, which are homemade pita breads with different flavored ingredients cooked right into the bread.  We cannot stress enough, that an order of Garlic Nan bread is a MUST.  When coming to Amar India, we can’t function without it.

The Garlic Nan Bread Appetizer is Addicting

We have always had a love for an Indian dish called Saag Paneer.  It is a funny sounding dish, with a big taste.  It is fresh homemade cheese cubes cooked in spinach & light cream.  It was a perfect storm of spice and flavor.

The Big Ragu ordered Fish Masala.  This dish is marinated fish,  pan fried with tomatoes, curry and cream.  Ragu ordered spice level 4 and was sweating the whole meal.  The dishes are all served in oval metal bowls that look small, but the food is filling.  They serve the meals with a white rice that has some Indian flavor.  We were both stuffed after dinner.

Top to Bottom: Fish Masala, White Rice, Saag Paneer

Our check arrived with a candy treat, small little fennel pellets.  They taste like licorice, or as Ragu said “mini good-n-plenty.”  We asked our waiter if he would take a photo with us after the dinner.  He told us his heritage was Punjabi, and he primped his moustache before the picture by curling it with his hands.  He smiled, flexed and helped us cap off a great night with a few laughs.

Whether you have acquired a taste for Indian food or not, you really need to give Amar India a chance.  The dinners are reasonable at $13-$16 on average for the unique dining experience.  If you have not been there, it will be an experience your tastebuds won’t soon forget.

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