Dayton

Hasty Tasty Waitress Enters 41st Work Year

January 29, 2015 By Dayton937 2 Comments

Betty Has Served over a Half Million Customers in 41 Years !

Sometimes on our Food Adventures, we run into a personal story that is extraordinary. Such is the story of a waitress at the Hasty Tasty Pancake House on Linden Avenue. Her name is Betty (last name witheld by request). She, herself is an icon at one of the most iconic eateries of Dayton. For 41 years she has hustled and bustled, promptly serving food to patrons. Now 75 years old, she shows no signs of slowing down and still runs circles around people half her age.

Betty’s tale is one of hard work and dedication. She is very humble and never seeks praise or admiration. Betty never complains and very rarely calls in sick.. She is a throwback to when waitresses were truly career waitresses. She possibly holds the record for current servers in the Miami Valley for longevity. We know of no other current server who boasts 41 years at the helm. What an amazing accomplishment!

She has seen owners of the restaurant come and go, and has served many regular customers, some of whom have since passed away. She has been the constant in the revolving world of pancakes, sausage and “Tasty Burgers.”

The Food Adventures Crew is honored to present the scoop on the legendary “Betty from The Hasty Tasty Pancake House.”

HERE’S THE SKINNY:

— It all started in September 1974, when Betty, formerly a stay at home mom to 5 boys, took a job as a waitress in the same year her first grandson was born.

— If you want to visit Betty, she works Tuesdays – Saturdays, 3pm -10pm

— Betty made a conservative estimate, telling us she averages about 50 customers a day. Food Adventures did some math and figured 50 customers a day, 5 days a week, for 40 years, means she has served approximately 520,000 people. That’s enough customers to fill up the Nutter Center 50 times.

Click to Enlarge These Magnificent Pancakes

— Her most famous customer? Red Allen, a famous Bluegrass singer. Betty says he was a good ole’ Kentucky boy who loved to regularly order beans.

— Her oldest customer? A man who lived to the ripe old age of 103 years old. He was a regular at the Hasty Tasty Pancake House, which gives many of us foodies hope that pancakes are healthy for you!

— Although Betty does not own the Hasty Tasty, it is like a family business to her. Her son Chuck, is one of the cooks on staff

— Her secret to success? She drinks a lot of Kool Aid and has fun at her job. “Your job has to be fun,” she says with a smile.

Betty has a great sense of humor, and is one of the sweetest, most attentive servers we have ever encountered. Congratulations Betty on starting year #41. We wish you many more years of success and happiness.

Is this article making you hungry? Are you craving the food at Bunny’s Hasty Tasty Pancake House?

Then let’s not waste anytime showcasing Food Adventures patented list of MUST EATS at the Hasty Tasty !

MUST EATS:

— THE PANCAKES: This is a no brainer. This place is a Dayton icon named the pancake house.. you get the pancakes, Einstein.

— THE TASTY BURGER: Hasty Tasty’s slightly bigger version of the Frisch’s Big Boy sandwich. And guess what, it is just as good, right down to the tartar sauce… if not better.

— ALL U CAN EAT FISH FRY: $7.25 for all you can eat deep fried pollock filets. You get sides like homemade bread and the incredible cole slaw. Add a side of shrimp for 99 cents !

Betty and Her Son Chuck who is a Cook at Hasty Tasty

— THE PECAN WAFFLES: This one also blew us away. The bottom line is they do breakfast right. Available all day, every day. Oh so good.

— FRIED CHICKEN DINNER – This is the Parkmoor’s original recipe. For those that don’t know, Parkmoor was a Dayton restaurant icon in the 1960’s. The chicken is crispy, delicious and a HUGE serving !

— CHICKEN AND DUMPLINGS: Thursday night special that will bring you back to your mom’s or grandmas kitchen table. So much comfort food, so little time. We found paradise on a plate. Keep the trendy, pretentious stuff. This is where their staff eats after work.

If you have not visited The Hasty Tasty Pancake House, get your butt in there. It is a greasy spoon with great eats and cheap prices. Tell Betty we sent you !!

Want more foodie fun? Join the thousands following The Food Adventures Crew on FACEBOOK HERE . Catch all the food filled antics of Chef House, The King, Hungry Jax and The Big Ragu. We don’t visit a place one time. We make multiple Food Adventure trips to an eatery before these articles are written, so you get a real feel of the entire menu and restaurant. True foodies, we devour it all, NO RULES !

Please browse our photo gallery below from our Food Adventures to Bunny’s Hasty Tasty Pancake House.

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Archer’s Tavern Announces Menu for “50 Shades of Grape” Event

January 20, 2015 By Dayton937 Leave a Comment

Not “tied up” on February 10th ??

Then you should know that the Food Adventures Crew is teaming with Archer’s Tavern and Dayton Most Metro for a one-of-kind Wine Pairing Dinner on that night. Dubbed a “50 Shades of Grape Food Adventure Event,” it promises to be at sold out capacity, with tickets being pre-pay only.

The dinner is a brainchild of Food Adventures with Big Ragu and the Crew, and is obviously timed with the release of the popular book to movie release, “Fifty Shades of Grey.” Archer’s was the perfect venue for this event. Partner Dan Apolito and manager Myron Yoder worked with the kitchen staff to develop a menu that rings true with fans of the book. The result is a 4 course dinner, paired with 4 glasses of wine. The powers that be have chosen to keep the wine pairings a secret, much in the spirit of the blindfolds in the book’s story line.

It should be an exciting night with many door prizes, gift certificates, and giveaways, including 2 tickets to the upcoming movie “50 Shades of Grey.” As always, these Food Adventures always hold many surprises. This one may include a blindfold taste test or two.

Wanna join us?

HERE’S THE SKINNY :

WHEN: TUESDAY NIGHT, FEB 10th, 2015 from 6:30pm – 8:30pm

WHERE: ARCHER’S TAVERN in CENTERVILLE

WHAT: 4 FOOD COURSES, 4 WINES

COST: PRE-PAY ONLY – LIMITED SEATING $35 per person, includes the tip

HOW: TICKETS MAY ONLY BE BOUGHT ONLINE THROUGH Dayton Most Metro –> CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS BEFORE IT SELLS OUT !

MENU ANNOUNCED !!!

COURSE # 1: BACON WRAPPED MISSION FIGS STUFFED WITH BLEU CHEESE, to be served with a mystery wine #1

COURSE # 2: SEASONAL MELON AND PROSCIUTTO SALAD, to be served with mystery wine #2

COURSE #3: COCOA AND CHILI RUBBED FLANK STEAK, WTH A COCOA MERLOT REDUCTION SAUCE, to be served with mystery wine #3

COURSE #4: LEMON SYLLABUB, a light and creamy parfait like dessert, to be served with wine #4

We are excited to be a part of the menu showcases of Archer’s on this fun filled evening. Get your tickets before they sell out !!

The entire Food Adventure Crew of Chef House,The King, Hungry Jax, and The Big Ragu will be in attendance autographing any of your fuzzy handcuffs, gray ties and boxer shorts that you bring to the dinner. We are also happy that Dayton Dining’s Lisa Grigsby will be joining us!

If you are a Dayton area foodie, then make sure you like Food Adventures on Facebook HERE !

Feel free to browse our photo gallery below .. Mr Grape will see you now ….

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Welcome to The Collaboratory!

January 19, 2015 By Brian Petro

Cities are amazing things. Their growth during the 17^th and 18^th centuries helped lay the foundation for some of the largest leaps in thought in that era, and have continued to be a source of innovation ever since. A conversation in one of the booming coffee houses in 17^th century London lead to the writing of Newton’s Principia; another chat lead to the creation of Lloyd’s of London, the world’s first insurance agency. The Industrial Revolution grew slowly within cities, drawing people in with opportunities for economic growth. The density of people in urban centers helped to spread ideas by developing a fertile environment for it. The more seeds of ideas that are planted in one area, the better the chances those thoughts will bump into each other and spawn completely new, innovative thoughts. The internet may have us more connected to more resources than ever before, but there is still something special about meeting people face to face. Adding a personality and a voice to all those interesting Facebook posts and LinkedIn updates. That is where The Collaboratory, a new place for people to connect, share, and develop, comes in.

The Collaboratory is located at Courthouse Square, the hub of downtown Dayton, and provides a space for everyone to use. There is a wealth of talent in this area, and we are seeing it grow in leaps and bounds. It is being developed in homes and small offices through the city, people working long days on labors of love. The Collaboratory is a space for people who are looking for more tools, a change of scenery, and more access to expert advice on building a business. It is for entrepreneurs who are just starting out and looking for help and for established businesses needing a place to work on larger projects. Being downtown encourages a wider group of people to come and utilize the space, attracting politicians, students, non-profit experts, and civic leaders to interact and develop new ideas to enhance the Miami Valley. It is within walking distance to many resources, like the Metro Branch of the Dayton Public Library, Sinclair Community College, and Boston Stoker. Physically, it offers one of the largest white boards in the Miami Valley, as well as internet access, public and individual tables, and the ability to be reserved for morning and evening meetings. All of this access costs just $5 and a mention on social media!

Connect and collaborate for the cost of a few beers. What could be better?

This venture has been spearheaded by Peter Benkendorf, someone who has believed strongly in this community since he moved here in 2008. He is head of Involvement Advocacy, a group dedicated to encouraging collaborative efforts and creating support systems for those seeking to build a better Dayton. By developing spaces and events that bring people together, better known as Collaborative Infrastructure, Involvement Advocacy is looking to put our city on the map with St. Louis, New York, and Oakland as leaders in innovation. Spaces like this foster interaction with thinkers in diverse industries, ones that may not otherwise have a chance to sit down at a table together. This is where new concepts are developed, ones that can add a fresh sparkle to the Gem City.

Cities are engines for developing new ideas, and Dayton has the talent and imagination to make its own future. The Collaboratory wants to collect that imagination and turn it into businesses, actions, and inspiration to go out and connect with members of your community. There are many places in Dayton you can go outside of your office to get some work done. There are few where you have all of the resources you need to assemble something new. This space will be open on Monday, January 18^th from 10 AM to 4 PM. We look forward to seeing and reporting about all of the phenomenal new ideas to come out of The Collaboratory! What will you be heading downtown to build?

Acclaimed FOXCATCHER Opens Friday at THE NEON!

January 13, 2015 By Jonathan McNeal

Hello Everyone,

It’s Oscar Season, and it’s time to get moving with new films. If you haven’t had the chance to see WILD (or you need to see it again), you’ll need to hurry down to THE NEON…Thursday will be your last chance to catch it with us. On Friday, we will open the much-acclaimed new film FOXCATCHER – starring Steve Carrell, Channing Tatum and Mark Ruffalo. THE IMITATION GAME will continue its hugely successful run. Remaining showtimes for this current week can be found on our website at www.neonmovies.com.

Synopsis for FOXCATCHER: “FOXCATCHER is a psychological drama directed by Academy Award nominee Bennett Miller (MONEYBALL & CAPOTE) and starring Steve Carell, Channing Tatum, Mark Ruffalo, Vanessa Redgrave and Sienna Miller. It tells the story of Olympic Gold Medal-winning wrestler Mark Schultz (Tatum), who sees a way out from the shadow of his more celebrated wrestling brother Dave (Ruffalo) and a life of poverty when he is summoned by eccentric multi-millionaire John du Pont (Carell) to move onto his estate and train for the 1988 Seoul Olympics. Desperate to gain the respect of his disapproving mother, du Pont begins ‘coaching’ a world-class athletic team and, in the process, lures Mark into dangerous habits, breaks his confidence and drives him into a self-destructive spiral. Based on actual events, FOXCATCHER is a gripping and profoundly American story of fragile men who pinned their hopes for love and redemption on a desperate obsession for greatness.” (taken from Sony Classics) Click this LINK to visit the film’s official site.

Patrick Larreategui is trying to bring a special screening of CHARLIE VICTOR ROMEO to town. If 68 tickets are reserved by Feb. 6, the screening will move forward – scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 19 at 7:30. “When you board an airplane, who are those people in uniform to whom you entrust your life? What do they really do when things go horribly wrong? Derived entirely from the ‘black box’ transcripts of six major airline emergencies, CHARLIE VICTOR ROMEO puts the audience inside the tension-filled cockpits of actual flights in distress, offering a fascinating portrait of the psychology of crisis and a person’s will to live to the last second. This chilling and groundbreaking production stretches the boundaries of film, theatre, and the traditional documentary with [the filming of] a stage play that recreates transcripts word for word.” Tickets are $10 each and reservations are required via the official link. (You credit card will only be charged if enough reservations are made in order for the event to move forward as scheduled.)

Oscar nominations will be revealed this Thursday. In addition to several films that we’ve already played, we have a lot of contenders coming down the road – including the Oscar Nominated Shorts. We’ll keep you posted. And speaking of Oscars, Many thanks to the folks at ThinkTV – who have once again agreed to help us get a signal for our FREE screening of the Academy Awards. More details will be shared in the coming weeks.

Thank you for your continued support.

Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Friday, Jan. 16 – Thursday, Jan. 22:

THE IMITATION GAME (PG-13) 1 Hr 54 Min
Friday & Saturday: 12:00, 2:30, 5:00, 7:30, 9:55
Sunday: 12:00, 2:30, 5:00, 7:30
Monday – Thursday: 3:10, 5:30, 8:00

FOXCATCHER (R) 2 Hr 13 Min
Friday, Saturday: 1:00, 4:00, 7:00, 9:40
Sunday: 1:00, 4:00, 7:00
Monday: 4:00, 7:00
Tuesday – Thursday: 2:45, 5:20, 7:50

COMING SOON:
(All Dates Are Tentative. Dates Often Move And Sometimes Disappear.)

TBD – OSCAR NOMINATED SHORTS
TBD – FORCE MAJEURE
TBD – MR. TURNER
TBD – STILL ALICE
TBD – OSCAR NOMINATED SHORTS
TBD – TWO DAYS ONE NIGHT
TBD – LEVIATHAN
TBD – WILD TALES
TBD – THE SECOND BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL

Flavors in Centerville Offering Healthy Meal Plans “To Go.”

January 10, 2015 By Dayton937 1 Comment

Zucchini Boats from Flavors are Delicious !

Today, The Food Adventures Crew shows you an easy way to keep your New Year’s resolutions for healthy eating. Flavors in Centerville continues to launch their “Meals by Flavors” option, where you can plan your healthy meals for the week. You can pre-order 1 meal, or as many as you want. Imagine that, full on, healthy Food Adventures in convenient packages!

We all love Flavors Eatery for their one-of-a-kind, healthy food specialties, that taste delicious. They have so many dishes that taste amazing, yet are low calorie, low carb and packed with nutrients. When new owner, Ryan, bought the Centerville location from Elaine and Rich, he stayed true to their menu. One of his visions was adding this meal program that helped him lose weight.

Now, you can get certain meals “to go” and keep your waistline healthy throughout the week. With “Meals By Flavors” you can turn your resolution, into a lifestyle.

To stay skinny you gotta know the scoop.. so here it is…

HERE’S THE SKINNY:

Centerville Flavors Owner, Ryan and his son

— The concept is simple. Stay on track with your diet by substituting legumes and vegetables for your favorite carb foods. The idea is to “fool” your tastebuds into thinking you are eating your favorite foods. A perfect example is using shredded Zucchini noodles instead of spaghetti or pulverized cauliflower instead of rice. The menu is developed to taste good, and deliver all the nutrition and protein your body needs, in a low fat meal. Simply stated, the flavors are so good, you don’t miss a thing because it satisfies your cravings.

— You must email [email protected] to request a menu, and to place your orders too . Orders take approx 48 hours to prepare, and may be picked up at the Centerville location at 865 E. Franklin St.

— Orders are typically packaged in air tight containers, so that when refrigerated, they will last a few days. Some dinners will last longer than others, depending on ingredients and packaging.

— Menu prices typically run between $6 – $12, depending on the dish. Please note: the $12 meals were sometimes enough for two meals, and we have big appetites.

Now, we present a Food Adventures first. Our all-time healthiest list of “Must Eats,” thanks to “Meals By Flavors”

MUST EATS:

— ZUCCHINI PIZZA BOATS with TURKEY PEPPERONI & MIXED GREENS SALAD: Hulled zucchini filled with marinara sauce, spinach, fresh basil, fresh oregano, and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese. The boats are then topped with a little bit of thinly sliced, fresh mozzarella and turkey pepperoni. (In the past we have also seen these offered with lean ground beef). The result is a cross between a pizza and a potato skin, with hardly any calories. Fantastic must eat, at the top of our list.

Stuffed Green and Red Peppers

— FISH TACOS: The fish offered is usually Salmon and/or Tilapia, and sometimes Wahoo whitefish. The fish is seared and served with a cup of spicy Boom-Boom sauce, two low-carb tortillas, and Flavor’s signature salsa loaded with lime and fresh cilantro. It also comes with a side of apple and vegetable slaw lightly seasoned and placed on a bed of fresh baby spinach.

— CHUNKY CHICKEN SALAD: One of our Food Adventure faves, right off the flavors menu! It starts with spinach and romaine salad with hand-pulled roasted chicken. Also packaged are black beans, apple and veggie slaw, sunflower seeds, cheddar-jack cheese, and of course, Flavors House Sauce. Light, fresh and delicious, this chicken salad is a must eat, no brainer.

—ROASTED RED PEPPER PIZZA: The dough is actually a low carb tortilla. It is then loaded with spinach and roasted red, green, and yellow peppers. Add to that a generous portion of chicken and cheddar-jack cheese blend. This meal is served with a side of buttered, poached carrots.

— AVACADO COOKIES: Made with nothing except Avacado these dark black cookies are amazing and a guilt free treat.

Honorable Mention: Red and Green Stuffed Pepper Dinner: A big meal of peppers stuffed with homemade refried beans, roasted chicken, spinach and topped off with salsa. It is served with a side of mixed veggies.

Also the Smoked Brisket Salad deserves a mention. Thinly sliced smoked brisket on a mix of romaine and spinach leaves. Meal also includes apple-veggie slaw. The salad is also topped with a bed of black beans, sunflower seeds, and Flavors House Sauce!

Flavors Eatery always pleases, and their “Meals By Flavors” program is no different. Brillant usues of legumes, vegetables and sauces make guilt free seem so easy.

But our article doesn’t end here…. With Flavors Eatery there are 3 other important things we would like to mention.

**** 3 OTHER THINGS TO NOTE ***

1) The Flavors Eatery in Centerville now serves dinner every day until 9pm, except Tuesday and Sunday. This is great news for many of us that enjoy flavors, but wished they had extended hours. Our prayers have been answered!

2) There is a Flavors Eatery now in Downtown Lebanon, at 4 South Broadway, where Rich and Elaine have expanded their franchise! They are running the new restaurant just like the original ! Stop in and say hello to this great mom and pop team !

3) Bottles of FLAVORS AMAZING HOUSE GARLIC SAUCE are available at Dorothy Lane Market. What are you doing sitting there? Grab a bottle already ! This sauce goes great on anything from chicken and seafood, to salad and nachos.

So get on your computers, email [email protected], and tell them you want the “Meals by Flavors” menu. For those of us with a busy lifestyle, it keeps your diet on track during the week!

Want to keep on track with all the foodie happenings in Dayton? Then “like” Food Adventures on Facebook, and join the thousands that know, we set the cutting edge trends that other follow. Keep up with the Food Adventures crew of Hungry Jax, Chef House, the King and the Big Ragu and comment on your favorite eateries.

Also – check out our 50 photos below of Flavor’s best items !

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2 Big Hits & A BIG Thank YOU from THE NEON!

December 30, 2014 By Jonathan McNeal

Hello Everyone,

This past weekend was really big at THE NEON! In fact, it was our third best weekend of the year (GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL holds the title for “Best Weekend Ever” and the weekend we opened AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY as well as INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS was our second best of the year). Needless to say, we’re going to hold both THE IMITATION GAME and WILD for another week. Remaining showtimes for this current week can be found on our website at www.neonmovies.com

To learn more about each film, visit our site…or each of the film’s official sites: THE IMITATION GAME and WILD.

Below are a couple featurettes about each of our films. Take a look!

It is now 100% official that 2014 has been our Best Year Ever at THE NEON! Thank you so much for making that happen. Without customer loyalty and positive word of mouth, we could not have reached such success. THANK YOU!

On December 23, Sony Pictures revealed that they would move forward with screening the controversial film THE INTERVIEW at independent cinemas on December 25. Immediately following that announcement, we had numerous phone calls and emails asking if we would be playing the film. With only 2 screens, making such drastic, last-minute changes was out of the question for us. We told the press that we were investigating the possibility of bringing the film for select screenings during the first weekend of 2015…but that was misconstrued by many as “THE NEON is going to play THE INTERVIEW.” As it turns out, Sony refused our offer. Because they refused our offer and because the film is available on so many VOD platforms, we are no longer pursuing and engagement of the film. Thanks for your understanding.

KRW Cycles is attempting to bring another motorcycle-inspired film to town. “ON ANY SUNDAY: THE NEXT CHAPTER is an exploration into the pursuit of excitement, passion and life in the two-wheeled world of motorcycle riding. Experiences that are as relatable to a rider as a day with friends, others that explore human triumph and overcoming fear, and some which occur once in a lifetime. One moment of riding a motorcycle – On Any Sunday.Critically acclaimed director Dana Brown (“Step Into Liquid” and “Dust to Glory”) teams up with his father, Academy Award Nominee Bruce Brown (“The Endless Summer” and “On Any Sunday”) to journey deeper into the humanity, thrills and excitement of the global culture of motorcycle riding; those who are bonded by their passion for the race, the love of family and friendship, and on a deeper level – their quest for the thrill of the next ride.” This is a tugg event. The movie is scheduled to screen on Thursday, Jan. 15 at 7:30. If not enough reservations are made by Jan. 2, the event will be cancelled. Visit this LINK to reserve your ticket.

Thank you for your continued support.

Wishing you the happiest of holidays!
Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Friday, Jan. 2 – Thursday, Jan. 8:

THE IMITATION GAME (PG-13) 1 Hr 54 Min
Friday & Saturday: 12:00, 2:30, 5:00, 7:30, 9:55
Sunday: 12:00, 2:30, 5:00, 7:30
Monday – Thursday: 3:00, 5:30, 8:00

WILD (R) 1 Hr 55 Min
Friday, Saturday: 11:45, 2:15, 4:45, 7:15, 9:45
Sunday: 11:45, 2:15, 4:45, 7:15
Monday – Thursday: 2:45, 5:15, 7:45

COMING SOON:
(All Dates Are Tentative. Dates Often Move And Sometimes Disappear.)
Jan. 9 or 16 – FOXCATCHER
TBD – OSCAR NOMINATED SHORTS
TBD – FORCE MAJEURE
TBD – MR. TURNER
TBD – STILL ALICE
TBD – OSCAR SHORTS
TBD – TWO DAYS ONE NIGHT
TBD – LEVIATHAN
TBD – WILD TALES
TBD – THE SECOND BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL

Ashley’s Pastries: Rob Lowe & Martin Sheen Love ’em Too!

December 30, 2014 By Dayton937 Leave a Comment

The Sandy Tart Cookie was a favorite on the set of the “West Wing” TV show

“A” list celebrities like the Martin Sheen, Rob Lowe, and of course the Food Adventures Crew, love Ashley’s Pastry Shop in Oakwood.

A small but bustling shop, this family business has developed a loyal following through quality baked goods of all kinds. From cookies and cakes, to pastries and specialty items, this place is a treasure trove for a good Food Adventure. Our own Chef House has been visiting Ashley’s Pastry Shop for decades, and introduced The Big Ragu, Hungry Jax and The King to this place. Now, after a couple months, we are hooked too! It seems the secret to the pastry shop’s success is hard work, friendly service, and the most delicate and delicious pastries in the Dayton area.

HERE’S THE SKINNY:

— Owners Theresa Hammons and her husband Greg, opened the shop in 1982 and named it after their newborn daughter, Ashley. The place is always busy with patrons dropping in and leaving quickly with their bag of goodies, and a smile on their face.

— Ashley’s Pastry Shop has lots of trademark items that are available year round, but they also have an endless array of custom made items. Also, some of the pastries available, change to fit the particular season of the year.

— Professional service and quality foodstuffs make them an easy “go-to” for personalized cakes and cookies for any occasion. They also make homemade pies, dinner rolls and breads in-house!

Theresa Hammons has sent her pastries from Hollywood to Broadway

— The company prides itself on community involvement, and supports many local charities.

— The quaint storefront is located at 21 Park Ave, in Oakwood, and also offers catering, delivery and wedding cake services.

With the literally hundreds of items at this pastry shop, it can be hard to sort through favorites. It will take months of visits before you hone in on your faves. There are so many original items, and that’s one of the reasons that we love this place so much. They set the trends, no copycat stuff here.

Let’s explore those one-of-a-kind items that surpass the best of the best. We present our patented, “MUST EATS !”

MUST EATS:

— GLAZED CROISSANTS: Hands down, the best croissant we have ever eaten. It is part croissant, part doughnut. Light, yet filling, this is a sinful take on the French pastry. Ah, Mon dieu !! Oui, Monsieur. We have never had anything like it anywhere else. Made fresh daily, they produce a ton of them, but they go fast ! Grab one and then thank us later, because this is the “piece de resistance.”

— “YUM YUMS”: A Dayton original. A doughnut folded inside itself, is the only way we can explain it. It is a rich glazed doughnut with a unique design. It pulls apart from your hand to your mouth like a string of cheese pizza sometimes. It is a masterpiece of glazed magnificence, and a MUST EAT on any Food Adventure visit to Ashley’s Pastry Shop.

— SANDY TARTS: A unique twist on a sugar cookie. Cinnamony (is that a word), with a touch of chocolate mousse-like, creamy topping make the cookies irresistible. The cookie is another Dayton Original, like no other. These are the cookies that the TV Show the WEST WING would have delivered to the set on a weekly basis during the show’s run. The cookies were known to be favorites of Martin Sheen, Rob Lowe and Allison Janney, who, of course, are all Dayton natives. We don’t know if “Scrawny Arms Rob Lowe,” ” Hairy Rob Lowe,” or “Creepy Rob Lowe“ like the cookies too.

— THE PECAN SLICES: A Pastry that is part danish and part pecan pie. Again, We have experienced nothing like this breakfast dessert. The pastry is drizzled with icing and topped with pecans. We believe there may be a slight touch of caramel involved too. Original in design and big on flavor, it is a melt in your mouth, flaky slice of love. It is sturdy enough to dip in your coffee. Go for it, the worst that could happen is you knock a little pecan flavor into your cup.

The Glazed Croissant is the best croissant you will ever sink your teeth into

— CARROT CAKE CUPCAKE: There is a reason we give you must eats. Because you might not have never tried this one. Are you a lover of carrot cake? Well this is the flavor and richness of an entire cake in the confines of a huge cupcake. Iced on top with a decorative carrot, the inside is a perfectly moist creation. It is one of those food that when you eat, and try to tell people how good it is, but you just get out a mumbled “oh my gaaaa.” A glass of milk is the perfect compliment to this delicious dessert.

— THE BLUEBERRY DANISH: Made from scratch by people who know the craft. Not an original idea, but one of the sweetest, and flakiest slices of deliciousness we have ever eaten. As you take a bite, the pastries delicate fluff yields to the gobs of blueberry filling staring you right down the pike. Truth be told, we could each probably eat 4 of these. All the flavors of danish are insanely good here. Just keep away from our pile, ok ?

We wanted to throw out a quick “thank you” to the attentive staff who is always so friendly and helpful when we visit, even though they are extremely busy.

There are so many other amazing items at this bakery, that you must see it for yourself. From gingerbread houses, to packed display cases of cookies and cakes, it is a sight to behold. The Food Adventures Crew loves to see places like Ashley’s Pastry Shop thriving after 32 years in Dayton. Stop by the little shop in Oakwood and see how originality, hard work and friendly service has produced magical results.

Please check out our HUGE PHOTO GALLERY below of pastries and more from Ashley’s !

Are you a Facebook foodie? “Like” Food Adventures on Facebook by clicking here, and find your paradise.

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Top Ten for Dayton Visual Arts, 2014

December 28, 2014 By Guest Contributor

For the second year in a row, Shayna V. McConville, Cultural Arts Manager for the City of Kettering, has put together and shared with us her look back at the best of 2014. We hope you enjoy it!

Another year of amazing art exhibitions, artists and events! Although I couldn’t make it to everything and even putting this list together was challenging because of the many, many terrific activities of 2014, this does offer a glimpse of a great year of creativity in Dayton. Enjoy!

The Motel Beds and We Care Arts
January 18
Yellow Cab

We Care Arts, a nonprofit organization supporting artists with disabilities, and The Motel Beds, a Dayton-based rock/indie band, collaborated on an art/record series that would in turn support the WCA mission. WCA clients created 500 unique LP covers for the release of the Motel Beds’ “These are the Days Gone By.” A fundraiser, live performance and exhibition, the record release/art exhibition celebrated the musical and visual community in an accessible, meaningful evening, celebrating so many things that are great in Dayton.

Benjamin Entner and Steven H. Silberg
April 21 – May 16, 2014
Rosewood Gallery

The artwork of Benjamin Entner and Steven Silberg were refreshing examples of artwork not meant to hang on a gallery wall or sit on a pedestal. Entner’s singular piece Colossus was a larger-than-life, realistic inflatable black marker drawing of the artist, the figure’s feet crushing against one gallery wall and his head another. Floor to ceiling, the sculpture’s unexpected scale was awe-inspiring, as was encountering the subject himself, clad only in socks. Silberg, on the other hand, works primarily with the pixel, transforming vernacular pieces of technology into interactive artworks. When a viewer entered the gallery, a video camera activated and recorded movements throughout the space. These movements were translated into layers of color and form on a projection, thrown onto a large gallery wall. The longer the visitor was active in the space, the more complex the composition became, capturing layers upon layers of imagery. Read more about the exhibitions here.

Migiwa Orimo, Adornments
Dayton Art Institute’s Experiencenter
May 10, 2014 – April 12, 2015

Ordinary household items find transformation into beautiful, fancy objects, in the series Adornment. Migiwa Orimo, an artist known for her work exploring humanity and narrative through thoughtful, carefully constructed installations and paintings, created a subtle and exquisite body of work with these altered, everyday objects. Tassels, gemstones and ribbons adorn gloves, mop head yarn and mirrors; a carefully constructed cape and a banner; all pieces perfectly neutralized in immaculate white and frames.Architecture Week Kettering Art Tour
May 12, 2014

AIA Dayton celebrated Architecture Week 2014 with many activities, including a night of contemporary art and mid-century modern design. Organized by AIA member and artist Terry Welker, the private mid-century home of painter Susanne Scherette King was opened to participants, with architectural details, period furnishings, and her own contemporary paintings on display. Following King’s home, Studio 4095 at Town & Country Shopping Center, one of the first suburban shopping centers of its kind in the US, highlighted both the revitalization of an older Kettering landmark as well as the artwork of painter Ron Rollins and sculptor Terry Welker. Read more here.

Third on Third
Front Street

Rediscovering a place lost in the busy hum of a city is an exciting moment, particularly when it’s assets and vitality are brought into focus by a fresh, timely resurgence of activity. This is the beauty of the monthly Third on Third events, taking place both in an outdoor market on Third Street and also the Front Street Warehouses. With studios open to the public, the third floor of Front Street is suddenly a lively, creative place, allowing access to established and new artists and gallery spaces. Spearheaded by Peter Bekendorf of the Collaboratory, Third on Third is creating a new momentum for this arts destination.HWD Regional Sculpture Competition
August 25 – September 26, 2014
Rosewood Gallery

Featuring sculpture by artists from Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, Pennsylvania and West Virginia, this year’s HWD Regional Sculpture Exhibition was an incredible variety of materials, techniques and concepts. Particularly interesting where the sheep rug, bear skin, aviation inspired sculptures and the use of common materials transformed into dense, lovely sculptures. Read more about the exhibition here.

Variations on Likeness: Keliy Anderson-Staley, Glenna Jennings, Julie Jones and Daniel McInnis
September 5 – October 18, 2014
Dayton Visual Arts Center

A curated selection of photographic portraiture including tintypes, installation, and large format pieces, the exhibition was thoughtfully selected and interesting in content, technique and formats. Anderson-Staley’s tintypes were mesmerizing visions into the faces of people from around the country, through the use of an intimate, romantic process; McInnis’ large format portraits captured individuals and couples in their own environments in great detail with clarity and vulnerability. Read more about the exhibition here.

Mary Ellen Croteau and Locked-In
Yellow Springs Arts Council Gallery
October and November 2014

Chicago-based artist Croteau inspired many artists and visitors this fall with her installations created from found plastic objects. Collecting thousands of bottle caps and disposable shopping bags, Croteau has built new worlds out of plastic waste, drawing attention to the excessive materials utilized for each installation. Bottle cap paintings and recreations of a corral reef out of woven plastic bags were exciting and easily translatable to DIY art projects (although perhaps not at the same level of Croteau’s mastery). As Croteau’s exhibition came down, “Locked In” began. Three artists were selected to live in the gallery space with the following rules: 3 Days Locked In to Create an Art Installation, 3 Art Tools Each, 3 Boxes of Unknown Stuff to Work From, 1 Videographer 24/3 Filming It All. It was an unusual premise with incredible negotiations, ideas and processes, resulting in a successfully unique experiment. Read more about Croteau’s exhibition here.

Dick Black Estate Sale
October 24 – 25
Dayton Visual Arts Center

For over five decades, Richard Black churned out illustrations, graphic designs, paintings and drawings as a prolific artist and arts educator. When he passed away early in 2014, he left behind a massive collection of thousands of artworks. A weekend sale purged this collection—walls were filled from floor to ceiling with paintings, tables were layers deep in illustrations and sketches, and portfolios were bulging with graphic design work. The sale was a remarkable event, an uncurated view into the reality of an artist’s lifetime of production. Oddly, we were witness to work that was never meant to find an audience alongside work that put Black on the national art scene. The display of the bad, mediocre and the gems made this artist suddenly vulnerable but also allowed us a deeper understanding of his world.4th Annual Art Off
November 14
K12 and Tejas

An annual fundraising event for the K12 and Tejas scholarship program, Art Off was a lively, participatory event featuring artists of all ages. Painting over the course of a few intense hours, spectators watched and even voted for their favorite artist. Finished pieces were auctioned off, with an elementary school and high school “artist” taking first and second place for their innovative, unexpected and passionate paintings. Proclaiming this as the “Iron Chef” style battle for visual artists, the energy, variety of skills, diversity of participating artists and clear passion for art made this event dynamic and celebratory.Bonus Picks:

Beth Holyoke
Dayton Visual Arts Center
January 17 – February 28

Whimsical, funny, dramatic and sincere, Holyoke’s ceramic portraits touched upon a multitude of ideas of self, ethnicity, origin and color. A part of the REACH conference, which explores cultural similarities and differences, Holyoke’s work was a testament to the diversity of humanity, beyond her masterful ceramic techniques. Read more here.

Materialized
October 27 – December 7
Robert and Elaine Stein Galleries at Wright State University

McArthur Freeman II, “Pine App,” 2014. Cast bronze from 3D

Featuring 58 artists incorporating three-dimensional printing into their artwork, this exhibition was a glimpse into the present and future of this tool.Deco Japan
November 15, 2014 – January 25, 2015
Dayton Art Institute

A traveling exhibition featuring the decorative arts from an era marked by cultural shifts and Western influence, Deco Japan brought another world to life through prints, textiles, ceramics, metals, jewelry, painting and sculpture.

Merry Shish-mas ! Who wants a $20 gift Card to Shish Wraps?

December 19, 2014 By Dayton937 22 Comments

You Spin Meat, Right Round Baby right Round, like a record baby, right round, round round

Twas the night before Shish-mas, and all through the house, stomachs were growling, even your spouse. The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, in hopes that Shish Wraps Gift Cards, soon would be there.

Food Adventures has your chance to win a $20 Gift Card to Shish Wraps, and check out their fairly new menu. All you have to do is comment on the story below to be entered in the contest. A winner will be drawn next week at random.

Shish Wraps took a hiatus earlier this year to completely revamp their menu. We took this opportunity to write another article about one of our most beloved Dayton places. A second helping of shish for you all, if you will.

They have stayed true to the traditional essence of their food, keeping old favorites and expanding the Mediterranean choices to include more delicious items.

HERE’S THE SKINNY:

The Gyro meat is freshly shaved, like Big Ragu’s back

— Shish Wraps restaurant is located at 1200 Brown Street near the University of Dayton. It is owned by 2 brothers Simon and Tony Abboud, who are Univ. of Dayton graduates who grew up in Centerville.

— The food is fresh and practically everything is made from scratch, from the sauces to the hummus. We are talking the real deal here, with freshness you can taste in every bite. Along with freshness, they promote healthy eats.

— There are now 2 ways the meats are cooked at Shish Wraps:

1) On a spindle called a vertical broiler. This is how the gyros and shawarma are cooked

2) Over flame, on rotating kabob skewers for a char-grilled taste. This is how the Chicken Kebobs and Kafta (ground beef strips) are cooked.

— Affordable cuisine, with meals averaging 6 to 8 bucks.

MUST EATS:

SHISH HAPPENS at Food Adventures: The King, Shish owner Simon, and Hungry Jax

— CHICKEN SHAWARMA: This is the wrap that hooked Hungry Jax on Shish. The chicken breasts are marinated for 24 hours with 7 secret spices. It is then stacked on the vertical cooker and away we go … When someone orders this wrap, they freshly shave the meat off of the rotating spindle. The wrap is filled with french fries, pickles and more. Simon tells us this is the traditional way they eat it in the Middle East. Not only do we love eating it too, we just like saying the word shawarma, .. shawarma,… shawarma, sha, warm, a… Little drummer boy, if you are going to bang the independent restaurant drum, come here instead of eating that dark meat chicken mix crap at Chipotle every week. No rice filler, just good shawarma.

— TRADITIONAL GYRO: Freshly shaved gyro lamb meat, off the spindle is the main muscle for this sandwich. Served in a traditional gyro pita, with tomatoes, onions and house tzatziki sauce. Filling and addicting, this flavor packed gyro has a future brighter that Rudolph’s nose. The King loved his so much, he is craving another one now ! For those who are fowl fans, the chicken gyro is almost as amazing.

Baba Ganoush, All I Want For Shish-mas … is You !

— HOUSE MADE HUMMUS: Only 4 ingredients in this hummus. The biggest ingredient is crushed chick peas. This is real authentic hummus. Shish owner, Simon tells us the store bought stuff is flavored so much, and so much junk is added, it isnt even hummus anymore. Stick with the expert. Try this appetizer, that is light and airy like Santa’s sleigh across the winter sky. An appetizer that is simple, yet authentic.

— BABA GANOUSH: The base is pureed eggplant and Big Ragu’s favorite. Trust us, it is beyond amazing. It is a smoky, hummus like dip, served cold or at room temperature. The appetizer is accompanied with pita chips. This is another item at Shish Wraps that we like to say as much as we love to eat, especially while watching Wedding Crashers.. or A Christmas Story. Baba Ganoush, ba ba gaaa noush

— SHISH CRISPS: Deep fried pita chips, tossed in cinnamon and sugar. Right now they are served plain, but they are toying with serving them drizzled in a caramel sauce, or side of chocolate dipping sauce. Stay tuned for improvements on this delicious dessert.

We also have to stress that the staff is friendly, helpful and informative on the nutritional value of the ingredients. A big thanks to Simon Abboud who is always welcoming when we visit.

Honorable Mention Foods: Tabouli – a healthy choice of parsley dashed in olive oil and garlic, that is freshly chopped in-house. Spices right off the vine, and no canned tomatoes here! It is seasoned with the perfect amount of lemon juice.

Click to enlarge this juicy Kafta, cooking on an open flame

The Kafta Plate – Kafta roasting on an open flame, Jack Frost nipping at your nose. Served with 2 sides, it is delicious. Or try Kafta Wrap which is pretty much a beef shawarma, with a kafta beek link for the meat. Deliciousness on the go.

Speaking of which, it is time for us to go, but before we do….

Chef House, The King, Hungry Jax and The Big Ragu wish you and your family a safe and wonderful holiday season….

And the Food Adventurers exclaimed as they drove out of sight “Merry Shish-mas to all, and to all a good bite !”

Sink your teeth into more Food Adventures HERE ON FACEBOOK !

Check out our photos below from our many trips to Shish Wraps.. If you havent been there, you gotta try it, you won’t believe this shish …

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Beer & Dinner Event Gives Chance to Meet Brewery Owners

December 12, 2014 By Dayton937 Leave a Comment

Six Ohio Beers, Four Dinner Courses, One Night Only

Ever wanted to meet the owner of your favorite local or regional brewery? December 18th may be your chance.

Big Ragu and the Crew and Dayton Most Metro are teaming up again to bring you another EXCLUSIVE, one of a kind, Food Adventure. The result is a “craft beer lovers dream come true.” They are partnering with some of the areas best breweries and restaurateurs for a unique experience.

Stone House Tavern in Waynesville is hosting this first ever, IPA HOLI-DAZE Beer Tasting and Dinner Course Pairing. The ONE-NIGHT-ONLY event is an educational celebration of Ohio beer and some of the best India Pale Ales.

HERE’S THE SKINNY:

— Dan Apolito, part owner of Stone House Tavern, and his staff have coordinated with 6 breweries. The result is a once in a lifetime showcase of the region’s stellar IPA’s, paired with Stone House Tavern’s popular menu.

— The Food Adventure event will be held Thursday evening, December 18th, 6:30-8:30pm at Stone House Tavern, in Waynesville. Many attendees will stay after the event mingling for a meeting of the “beer minds.”

— The intimate setting will allow each brewery owner and/or brewmaster to explain the origins of their brewery, and the various steps in creating their distinct beers. There will also be a chance to ask questions and mingle with the masters. When else will get you get a chance to give input, ask questions or pick the brain of Ohio’s best brewers?

— Each attendee will be treated to 6 beers and 4 dinner courses, for the price of $30, which includes the tip! A great deal for an opportunity of this kind.

— Door prizes, souvenirs and giveaways will be provided by Food Adventures, Dayton Most Metro, Dayton Dining, Stone House Tavern, and the breweries.

— Tickets are pre-pay only and seats are limited (no refunds). Get yours before it sells out. Tickets may only be bought online BY CLICKING HERE Makes a great, unique Christmas Gift!! As of Friday afternoon 12/12/2014, less than 20 seats were available…

THE SHOWCASED BREWERIES THAT WILL BE ON HAND INCLUDE:

*** YELLOW SPRINGS BREWERY, YELLOW SPRINGS, OHIO:
NATE CORNETT, Owner and Brewmaster will be at the tasting presenting his India Pale Ale.

*** RIVERTOWN BREWERY, CINCINNATI, OHIO:
JASON ROEPER, Owner and Brewmaster will be sharing info on his nationally recognized beers.

*** DAYTON BEER COMPANY, DAYTON, OHIO:
PETE HILGEMAN, Owner and Brewmaster is going to be at the event, with his special take on brewing.

*** LOCK 27 BREWING:
STEVE BARNHART, Owner and Brewmaster will explain his journey into beer making, and his philosophies on craft beer.

*** WARPED WING BREWERY, DAYTON OHIO:
One of their Brewmasters will be on hand to interact with the crowd and discuss their popular product.

*** MADTREE BREWING COMPANY, CINCINNATI, OHIO:
One of their special Brewmasters will be at the event, informing attendees about their Ohio brewed IPA.

THE PLANNED MENU PAIRING IS AS FOLLOWS (subject to change)

What is better than beer and wings ?

*** COURSE # 1: Stone House Tavern Spinach Salad with a special homemade, house dressing

*** COURSE # 2: White meat, Boneless Wings tossed in a Signature Spicy Garlic house sauce

*** COURSE # 3: Philly Cheese Steak Sandwich with sauteed onions and peppers

*** COURSE # 4: Homemade Cinnamon Bread Pudding from scratch

This event is an informative, fun setting which promises to be a blast. Do you love craft beer?

If so join the Food Adventures crew of Chef House, The King, Hungry Jax, and The Big Ragu and enjoy an unforgettable night of celebrating Ohio’s best India Pale Ales, and learning insider scoop on some of the regions most popular breweries!

For more insider scoop on Food Adventure events, “LIKE” Food Adventures at www.facebook.com/foodadv

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Holiday 2014: Give the Gift of DAYTON FOOD !

December 11, 2014 By Dayton937 Leave a Comment

New Flavor from Boston Stoker: Killer Brownie, available at Dorothy Lane Market

Stumped on Christmas gifts this year? Tired of the same old, same old?

Today, the Food Adventures Crew offers up some unique Holiday Gift ideas, guaranteed to please any foodie on your list. Heck, it will please anyone on your list who eats.

The King, Hungry Jax, Chef House and The Big Ragu have gotten their list of foods and they’ve checked it twice.

So without further delay, check out the new styles on display as Food Adventures presents the….

** 2014 CHRISTMAS “MUST TREATS” – Our favorite Dayton Food gifts for the Holiday season.** (and even a couple gifts just outside Dayton)

— BOSTON STOKER’S KILLER BROWNIE FLAVORED COFFEE: Two Dayton originals collide to form a chocolaty, caramel flavored coffee that is brand spanking new. Grab some at your local Dorothy Lane Market’s Boston Stoker coffee desk, where is it flying off the shelves. At $15 bucks, the 12 ounce bag should last into the new year, without breaking the bank. With that being mentioned, we all agree, you cant’ go wrong with ANY coffee gift from our hometown favorite, Boston Stoker. Speaking of Killer Brownies….

Killer Brownie Tray at Dorothy Lane Market

— KILLER BROWNIE TRAYS FROM DOROTHY LANE MARKET: They cut the brownies into fourths for tiny bites of the most rich, delicious brownie on earth. And you can ship this sinful treat nationwide. Have a family member that doesnt like chocolate? Ship them some Blonde Killer Brownies. Hungry Jax ships her mom some of these every year. Dorothy Lane can be the mecca of local gift food ideas.. like our next item for example.

— LAURA’S COOKIES at DOROTHY LANE MARKET: Yes, there is a Laura and she has been baking her recipe cookies at Dorothy Lane Market since 2000. Eat them local, or ship them nationwide. Discover why DLM sells 40,000 of these cookies each December. Laura’s Cookies are sugar cookies with almond flavoring, and topped with icing. Icing designs can be Christmas and holiday trademarks, or even animals and sports themed. While you are at it, get something for the party. Just go a few yards across the store and get some DLM Spinach Dip for the crowd pleaser in you.

—PIG OF THE MONTH BBQ: Local entrepreneur Lea Richards cooks up perfectly smoked barbecue ribs, award winning pulled pork, specialty sausages, gourmet bacon, BBQ sides, and lip-smacking Award Winning BBQ sauces— and they’ll ship them right to your loved ones . Their Pig Starter kit includes a rack of ribs, Pig of the Month Jerky, a pound of bacon and a pound of pulled pork- what meat lover wouldn’t want to open up that package? For real decadence, their chocolate covered bacon is a must! And speaking of holiday giving- check out the DaytonDining facebook page as we kick off our 12 Days of Giving for a chance to win a $25 gift certificate to Pig of the Month!

— GROWLERS FROM ARROW WINE: Arrow Wine has a great little growler station where you can fill up a bottled gift for your local friends or family. It typically features local beers, Ohio beers and other regional ‘hard to get’ favorites on taps. As you may know, many of the local breweries and restaurants also offer growlers to go. Chef House says Toxic Brewery and Boston’s Bistro in North Dayton are on top of her list for growler choices. Opening today, Germantown’s Mudlick Tap House is just one of the 35 places in the region to fill a growler.

You can ship Cassano’s Pizza’s nationwide for Christmas gifts

— CASSANO’S HOME EDITION PIZZAS: Yes, the frozen version of Cassano’s Pizza makes a great gift for that thin crust lover. They have 3 pizza types available: Cheese, Pepperoni and Deluxe. Call ahead a day or 2 and they will have your order ready at the Stroop Rd Headquarters Location. These pizzas are 80% cooked and you just need to warm them in the oven for that great Cassano’s taste. You can give this gift to any local foodie, or have these pizza’s shipped nationwide in dry ice. Get your order in by Dec 15th ton ensure delivery by Christmas. For more info go to Cassanos.com

— GLAZED CROISSANTS FROM ASHLEY’S PASTRY SHOP IN OAKWOOD: Want heaven in a pastry? These croissants are amazing and the perfect treat for Christmas Morning. Wrap them up for a present, or keep them for yourself. Go ahead and be selfish, we won’t tell Santa.

— DAVE’S DAWG SAUCE: The mustard sauce that is made in Centerville is sweeping the area. The stadium mustard style sauce comes in “Spicy Hot” or “Mild Medium”. It is fantastic on, of course, hot dogs. It is tangy and delicious. But why limit it there? Try it on Reubens, or hot ham and cheese sandwiches during the winter months. There are so many applications for this. Heat up someone’s winter with a squirt of Dave’s Dawg Sauce. Give the gift of Dayton in a bottle ! There is a reason the domain name is theworldsgreatestsauce.com

Dave’s Dawg Sauce – Made in Centerville, Ohio

— DISALVO’S DELI & ITALIAN STORE: An incredible array of Italian wines, meats and cheeses. This is a perfect place for that gourmet gift you are looking for. They will custom make Christmas Baskets for you, or you can buy one of their pre-assembled ones. Uniqueness points here, for sure.

— WARPED WING BREWERY’S CANNED BEERS: Any local grocer has these 4 pack cans of beer in three flavors: Ermal’s Belgian Style Cream Ale, Flyin’ Rye IPA, and 10 Ton Oatmeal Stout. This gives you a variety of choice for the gift recipient. Does the person like hoppy beer? Go for Flyin’ Rye. Do they like lighter beers, hit them up with Ermal’s. Dark beer lover? That calls for a 10 Ton Stout. All of these beers are brewed and canned in Dayton. That is something that hasnt happened in the Gem City for many decades. In fact, this is the first Christmas since 1950, that canned Dayton beer is available for Christmas.

Custom, Hand Made Boxes of Candy from Esther Price lets you Customize Your Gift

— CUSTOM MADE BOXES OF CANDY FROM ESTHER PRICE: Ok, we know Esther Price anything is a big Christmas hit, but did you know you can create your own custom made box for $18. The candy box is the typical size you see in grocery stores, not the small one, but not the big one either. Hate coconut creams, or always wanted to throw out certain candies form the assorted pre-made boxes? Where here is your chance to make a box of candy tailored to your loved one or a friend. Maybe they love milk chocolate covered cherries and turtles, or the dark creams and peanut butters best. Whatever the combination, you will be their new hero when they see that familiar red bow, and realize it is a custom made pack tailored to their tastes!

Hot Honey Sauce from Housemade Sriracha – Perfect gift for your foodies friends

— HOUSEMADE HOT HONEY SAUCE and HOUSEMADE SRIRACHA SAUCE: These sauces are the hottest thing in Dayton, and we mean popularity wise. Stores can hardly keep these sauces in stock, so you better grab some where you can. THIS LINK will help you find the sauces. The Sriracha won a hot sauce contest in Louisiana, and the honey sauce won 1st place at Jungle Jim’s Weekend of Fire, so the reputation is there. Let us be honest, we loved this sauce before Chef House was a part of the Food Adventures crew. Now, we just are more on top of new products and sauces! Are the Housemade sauces hot? Yes, but not crazy, so you can control the heat in any circumstance. What will steal your heart is the taste. Flavor is everything, so give the gift of Dayton’s hot sauce, this cold winter.

— DAYTON GIFT BASKETS FROM DOROTHY LANE MARKET: The baskets are typically made up of Montgomery Inn Sauce (yeah we know it is Cincinnati), Jump’s Peanuts, an Esther Price box of candy, Pine Club House Dressing and some Dorothy Lane Market Potato Chips. These run about $40 or you can make a custom basket, and prices would vary. The good news is it is already wrapped and you can ship them anywhere. Check with a DLM staff member for details.

Now for Honorable Mention, we have a couple of ideas just outside of Dayton, that still make great gifts…

— THE SPICY OLIVE in WEST CHESTER: This is a quaint olive oil and vinegar shop in a northern suburb of Cincinnati, and it is worth the trip. It is a perfect place to find gifts, and our friends and family treasure these gifts as some of their favorites. Click here for their website and address.

Dayton Gift Basket – customizable or pre-made at Dorothy Lane Market

—BROTHERS DRAKE APPLE PIE MEAD: Take a trek to Columbus to visit this Meadery. They make their products using local honey, and the result is a one of a kind spin on wine making. It is a Food Adventure in a glass. They never use sulfites and pride themselves on premium ingredients. Check out their website here for address and more info. While in Columbus, you might want to stop by….

— MIDWEST SPIRITS‘ OYO WHISKEY: Here is a little known secret to Daytonians that is an hour away. Love Whiskey? Why drive south to a distillery, when you can get the good stuff in Ohio? Looking for a perfect gift for that boozehound on your list? Look no further. Your Christmas shopping just got a whole lot easier. So smooth you will crave it, so good you will obsess over it.

One last suggestion, and this one comes from “The King.” Don’t get your loved ones a fruitcake under any circumstances .. at least not until we find a good local one that will set your world “a glow.”

There are many more places to find great food gifts in Dayton. From the 2nd street market, to gift certificates to many locally owned, incredible restaurants. This article could go on for days. But these are a few of the holiday suggestions we have at a glance.

Do you have any suggestions for great Dayton Food Xmas Presents? Please comment below!

NOW, GIVE US A CHRISTMAS GIFT – “Like” us on Facebook by clicking HERE. You can also follow us on Instagram at #dayton_foodies

Browse the photo gallery below for more Food Adventure fun. As always, these are our original photos.

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New Owners at Jimmy’s Italian Kitchen, Same Great Food

December 4, 2014 By Dayton937 1 Comment

Mira is the new owner of Jimmy’s Italian Kitchen. But it’s o.k., she is family!

Italian Food in an old Taco Bell Building? Answer: Hell Yes !

Would you ever think a full service Italian spot would work in an atmosphere like this? Jimmy’s Italian Kitchen is doing just that. They pull it off, and the food will soon make you forget about anything else.

The restaurant has just changed ownership, but Jimmy has kept it “all in the family.” And in Italy, the family is a good thing. What can you expect with the new ownership? The answer is the same filling, homemade Italian comfort food that Jimmy has been cranking out of that kitchen for years.

So, you want a Food Adventure like the Old World that you can sink your teeth into? Then get ready to experience a diamond, that not many Dayton foodies know about.

But you.. you know.. because your Food Adventures Crew has the scoop from many visits to Jimmy’s.

HERE’S THE SKINNY:

— Mira is the new owner and a relative of Jimmy. She took over the restaurant about 2 weeks ago, so Jimmy could focus 100% on his new restaurant in Huber Heights called “DeRoma.”

— The family who owns the restaurants immigrated to the United States over the past 15 years. They are part Italian, part Albanian and part Croatian. They cooked in Italy for decades before moving to Dayton. Their time in Europe is the biggest influence on the restaurant’s Italian and even NY Style recipes.

The Fried Calamari appetizer will go fast at your table !

— The same family owns other popular Italian places in town like Palermo’s and Troni’s

— Yes, the restaurant is a former Taco Bell building on 3002 Woodman Dr., but don’t let that stop you from visiting

— Jimmy’s Italian Kitchen has a decent wine selection, Italian Beer, and freshly prepared daily meal specials. The specials are mouth watering, one-of-a kind creations.

— All dinners are served with a choice of salad or homemade soup (chicken vegetable or tomato barley). Take a tip from Hungry Jax – get the chicken veggie soup. It is from scratch and like your grandma used to make.

— Due to limited seating and a cult following of regulars, it is best to call ahead and make reservations, especially for groups of more than four.

Whether a birthday party, or a quiet dinner for two, you gotta know what to order. So, here are the best of the best. Or as we say, our patented.. “Must Eats.”

The Pepperoni Roll from Jimmy’s Italian Kitchen. We feel a dip comin’ on…

MUST EATS:

— CALAMARI APPETIZER: Squid loops deep fried to perfection and served drizzled with olive oil and dashed with Parmesan cheese. Crunchy, rich deliciousness that must be dipped in the accompanying side of marinara made in-house.

— PEPPERONI ROLL: You hardly see these in Dayton. And this one might be the the best one in town. Pepperoni and sausage rolls are common place in New York City or Upstate NY. In Ohio, they are hard to find. Try this specialty that is usually only found at Italian house parties.

We’ve got eyes for their Pizza Pies ! And mouths too…

— MANICOTTI: or “monocot” as some Italian foodies say, is a must eat at Jimmy’s Italian Kitchen. These tubes of cheese filled pasta come with choice of meat side (a meatball or Italian sausage). This meal is served scorching hot, and fresh from the oven. Good thing they serve those addicting buttery rolls to dip in the sauce to test the dish until it cools. Although he loves all of Jimmy’s must eats, The Big Ragu says this is his favorite dish.

— PIZZA: From pepperoni to anchovies, you cant go wrong with this crust, made fresh daily. The key to their great pizza? It’s the tangy, housemade tomato sauce. “The King” goes on record as this being his favorite must eat at Jimmy’s Italian Kitchen.

— EGGPLANT PARMESAN: A real, authentic recipe that is phenomenal. This huge meal consists of Fried Eggplant doused in mozzarella cheese and marinara sauce, with a side of pasta. This delicious plate is guaranteed to fill up even the biggest appetites!

Holy Moley, That’s a Good Cannoli !

— CANNOLI: Jimmy’s spin on the traditional Italian dessert is a heavy drizzling of chocolate sauce on top. Everything else is pretty much traditional, especially the mascarpone-ricotta cream filling. Mangia ! whoops, wrong country …Eat up!

Honorable Mention: A non traditional dish, popular in Poland sticks out on the menu, PIEROGIES. They are divine. These potato filled dumplings are not common in Dayton area restaurants. These are worth a try for those who are true Food Adventurers.

Stay tuned in coming months for a non-traditional menu addition by Mira…. homemade cabbage rolls.

The taste of Italy is in every bite of Jimmy’s Italian Kitchen. The dishes are hearty, from the pasta choices to the soups. Get your carb fill, or go for a soup and salad. Either way the key ingredient is good tasting food in an unique building on Woodman Drive. Ciao, from Food Adventures Crew !

Check out the photo gallery below where we ate it all from Stromboli to Wheat Gnocchi and even Veal Marsala !

Want more Food Adventure fun from The King, Chef House, Hungry Jax and The Big Ragu ? Then join the masses following our Facebook feed by clicking HERE !

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A Glimpse Back in Time Inspires Dayton’s Tipping Point

December 3, 2014 By Guest Contributor

Dayton, we’ve reached the tipping point.

Over the last two decades there’s been a number of significant blips on the radar that have suggested downtown still has a pulse.

Since I moved out of the suburbs and into Dayton in 2007, I’ve been one of the dedicated many shouting that battle cry.

I think those blips have hit a threshold. I think that momentum is finally reaching something special.

I’d like to thank America’s brewery boom and reaching back to our roots. This year the number of breweries in the U.S. topped 3000 for the first time since the 1870s.

The Dayton area itself has experienced much of the same. For downtown’s sake, it got its first neo-foray into brewing when Toxic Brew Company opened in 2012. Toxic brought Dayton its first brewery since the closure of the Dayton Brewing Corporation in 1961.

This was another blip on the radar, albeit a very important blip that led up to this year.

I’m not sure where I had read it, but I remember hearing something about a brewery in the old foundry building on Wyandot Street.

In college my band had played a show at The Foundry, and while Dayton wasn’t ready for it then, you couldn’t deny the industrial feel was something special.

Every time I passed it, I gazed inside and wondered if it, like many grandiose Dayton dreams (The Merc), were big plans that didn’t pan out for one reason or another.

Then, out of nowhere on Twitter I read “Hey! this Warped Wing place is opening in like two weeks!”

After catching The Coens’ “Inside Llewn Davis” at The Neon, a friend and I ventured over to Warped Wing for their opening day.

Much of the place was just as I remembered it, a wide-open, factory-like space, constructed mostly of concrete, only the stage was replaced by a large 30 barrel brewhouse and three 60 barrel fermenters.

The turnout was great. It wasn’t overwhelming, but a steady crowd of mostly Gen X’ers slowly introduced themselves to a fine new establishment deeply rooted in Dayton’s history.

That’s where I think the buy local trend and Warped Wing have meshed so well that a firestorm of momentum is moving this city forward.

Inside everything Warped Wing has to offer, there is a story, rooted in Dayton, its innovation, and its past. The brewery itself is named after the breakthrough concept in wing construction, discovered by Dayton’s own Wright Brothers while developing their famous Wright Flyer.

So they’re a brewery, what about their beer, what makes this place special?

Again, it’s the storytelling. Ermal’s Cream Ale? An homage to Ermal Fraze, who invented the pop-top in Dayton in the 1950s. The Flyin’ Rye IPA? Another tribute to the Wright Brothers, and Dayton’s rich history in aerospace. How about the 10 Ton Oatmeal Stout? An homage to the 10 ton box crane inside the building itself, that was part of the foundry when it was constructed in 1937.

If you want to learn about the power of storytelling, any Peter Gruber or Jim Signorelli book is a great read, but what good is storytelling if it stays inside the walls of the old iron foundry warped wing operates in?

The key connecting all the dots has been Warped Wings mindblowing ability to distribute its product. When the president of your company is the brains behind Dayton’s wildly popular AleFest, you know you’re off to a good start, and Joe Waizmann has shown just that.

Within two weeks of opening I needed more than two hands to count the numbers of bars and restaurants that proudly served Dayton’s own Warped Wing beer.

Then summer arrived and Warped Wing can 4-packs were a real item you could go to your local grocery and buy Dayton’s own. Each can, brilliantly illustrated, tells its story of how it came to be.

I headed south to a party with friends in Cincy and gave the birthday girl a 4-pack for her birthday. EVERYONE wondered when they too could get Warped Wing at their grocery store.

Not only are they just telling amazing stories, they’re working with other Dayton originals and creating new ones. Dayton’s own Press Coffee? Why not make a beer with them. Dayton’s renowned Century Bar? Of course you HAVE to create a beer with them.

Their partnerships are not just reserved for the cool places in town, how about Esther Price, a staple in Dayton since 1926? Of course, Warped Wing has created a beer with them also.

All of this brings me to this past weekend. Thanksgiving weekend, when everyone journeys in from the current place they call home to return to the first place they called home.

The tasting room at Warped Wing isn’t small by any means. Friday I stood in line, shoulder to shoulder with strangers when I ran into some old friends, and a group of guys I went to high school with.

One of the guys I went to school with has been living in Chicago for some time, and he asked some questions about Warped Wings beers and by the end of this conversation he arrived at stating “Man, this place is almost too good to be true for Dayton, isn’t it?”

A few minutes later, I ran into the old friends I hadn’t seen in a while, one of which has been living in DC. Big smile on his face, he says “This place…this place is great.”

This was probably the tenth time I’ve been to Warped Wing in the nine months its been open, and it’s a rare occasion I see someone I know there, but that’s what makes the place so special.

It’s not just a hipster place where the kids are hang out; there are just as many people from the 35+ crowd. EVERY TIME I’m there, I see new faces I don’t see elsewhere downtown.

It’s completely realistic that on any visit you could share a pint, and make a friend, Warped Wing’s motto.

This is the place that is finally luring people out of the the suburbs to visit and try Dayton’s own Warped Wing.

In the scheme of things Warped Wing is just another brewery that sells beer, but this brewery has done something much more important, it’s inspired Dayton.

Hopefully you’ve all seen the Dayton Inspires campaign, it’s awesome, but I think a lot of the real problem has lied somewhere else…

No one has inspired Dayton.

Warped Wing has instilled a sense of pride in people. They can visit their local bar or restaurant, and order Dayton’s own and watch it come right of the tap next to the big dogs of Anheuser-Busch.

People can throw a a barbeque and offer friends a pint of beer proudly rooted in Dayton’s history.

It doesn’t have to be Tumbleweed’s famous “Dayton’s alright if you haven’t been anywhere else” sticker anymore, it’s alright to take pride in Dayton again.

People are holding their class reunions at Warped Wing, they’re showing it off to their families, and it’s the new place people want to check out when they’re in town for the holidays.

Warped Wing absolutely isn’t leading this resurgence alone. Dayton continues to step up with monumental improvements in key areas, like the ball park area for instance…

Over the last 5 years the Litehouse and Simms townhomes nearby have exploded onto the scene.
Water Street is primed to be the new jewel of the Gem City.
Riverscape has made tremendous progress and River Run will be here in no time.
Chris Wire’s Proto Build Bar is a fresh, and innovation concept.
Finally the old mendelson building by the ballpark is going to be developed into something I have no doubt will be amazing.

The Dayton Dragons and the Schuster Center were huge players in laying the framework to create districts people want to visit, and with the Downtown Dayton Partnership and the Greater Downtown Plan working full steam ahead to connect those, you can already start to see the dominoes falling.

While these huge investments were necesary to the viability of downtown, they haven’t created an experience that is uniquely Dayton; they’re more a means to providing exceptional entertainment from around the country.

I would argue Dayton has almost always had great local entertainment options, but since everyone moved to the suburbs over 50 years ago, Dayton-area people have needed a little help believing in what downtown has to offer.

Ironically, we had to go back 150 years to an industry forgotten in Dayton to retell the city’s story, to reaffirm it’s something to be proud of, and that Dayton does in fact inspire.

Alex Smith is a marketing and communications specialist with 3+ years of experience in managing strategic marketing efforts, media relations, and social media.

For a little over the past year he’s served as project manager on multiple marketing efforts at Kettering Health Network.

In the past he’s worked in a media relations, as well as contributed web content for a local tv station. In print, he’s contributed to local and national publications about anything from local events, to the importance of college, and how to prepare for the job market.

Thanksgiving Leftovers? Try These Recipes!

November 27, 2014 By Dayton937 Leave a Comment

Got gravy and a few other leftovers? We’ve got a plan for you!

Turkey Day is upon us. The food, the trimmings and all the good things that go with it. But eventually, the holiday Food Adventure turns into a food hangover. The “tryptophan” in the turkey will do its trick, leaving you sleepy and stuffed. Speaking of stuffed, your fridge will be stuffed with leftovers. But don’t worry, we got your late night cravings and “day after” menu covered.

Hungry Jax, Chef House, The King and The Big Ragu share their best leftover recipes that will keep your stomach growls to a minimum into the weekend after Thanksgiving.

You should be able to make all of these dishes with your leftovers and a few things you may have laying around in the ‘fridge or pantry. Substitutions are welcome and encouraged if you have similar ingredients in the recipes listed below.

**Note: We suggest eating these dishes in your stretchy pants or sweats while relaxing alone or with family. That’s the way comfort food is meant to be enjoyed.

Hungry Jax has some Thanksgiving Leftover tips !

Now…. without further delay.. Food Adventure’s presents our….

“MUST EAT, RE-HEATS” for THANKSGIVING DAY LEFTOVERS !!

First up, our resident mom in the kitchen,

HUNGRY JAX has listed her trifecta of favorite leftover recipes from Turkey Day…

— TURKEY SPINACH WRAP with CRANBERRY MAYO
Mix together 1/2 cup mayonnaise and 1/3 cup cranberry sauce.

You can also add some fresh herbs as well to this to give it some more flavor (fresh mint or sage is always delightful!) and salt & pepper to taste!

Take one whole wheat burrito sized tortilla and spread some of the mayo on it. pile on some shredded leftover turkey, spinach and goat cheese. Roll up and enjoy!

— TURKEY PANINI

Grab yourself a couple of slices of good hearty bread.

Layer on them sharp white cheddar cheese, cranberry sauce, caramelized onions and shredded turkey (you can even add some mashed potatoes!).

Lightly butter the outsides of the bread and place into panini press or even a George Forman Grill!

If you don’t have something like this you can always just cook it stove top like a grilled cheese sandwich.

Dunk into gravy when eating! You can truly put anything between two slices of bread and grill it! Get creative!

— OPEN FACE LEFTOVER TOWER

Take a large sturdy piece of bread.

Toast and then rub a garlic clove against the bread (this gives it a great subtle flavor!

Cut the clove in half and rub the cut side against the toast).

Top the toast with any and reheated all leftovers.

Drown in gravy. Grab a large fork,knife and go to town!

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Chef House with a Leftover Turkey Recipe you will Gobble up !

Next we pass the foodie baton to

CHEF HOUSE, who is sharing her expertise for a leftover masterpiece…

It is always a fun challenge to whip up the Thanksgiving leftovers into something totally different and fun.

This time, I am taking you all back to my culinary school days of living in Louisville KY.

It’s Hot Brown time Chef House style !

— HOT BROWN (Open faced sandwich named for the Brown Hotel in Louisville)

Ingredients:

Stuffing (this year I made an apple, sausage and leek stuffing, this should go great with the feta on top of the hot brown).

Turkey

Gravy kicked up with cream and locally produced HouseMade Sriracha

Bacon

Cheese

Crisp up your stuffing in the oven at 375 degrees.

If you are making this for a group of people, use a casserole dish. If the leftover party is for one, then a plate should suffice.

Once the stuffing is hot and crisp cover it with shredded turkey.

Wisk your gravy with a little cream and HouseMade Sriracha (it needs to be spicy!) and pour over the turkey.

Add chopped bacon and cover with cheese. I like using farmers cheese and feta.

Bake until bubbly and the cheese is starting to brown.

This will be the perfect meal before heading out with family and friends Friday and Saturday night. SPEAKING OF WHICH – there is a local happening at TOXIC BREWERY those nights.

Join me (CHEF HOUSE) at Toxic Brewery’s Porn or Prawn beer release party. This is another unveiling of a spicy concoction of beers using HouseMade Sriracha. Big beers call for a big meal beforehand. Enjoy!

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Still hungry?? Let our eater from the Air Force, THE KING, satisfy your hungry pains, while warming your heart with this recipe:

Try this Incredible Turkey Soup Spin on Leftovers

— LEFTOVER TURKEY SOUP:

SIMMERING INGREDIENTS
2 quarts chicken broth (or mixture of vegetable broth, chicken broth & water)
1 turkey carcass, all meat removed
1 onion, halved
1 carrot, halved lengthwise
1 whole stalk celery
1 bay leaf

STEP 1. PREPARE BROTH: Put chicken broth and other simmering ingredients into a large pot.

Bring to a boil, then simmer about 1 1/2 hours.

Remove turkey carcass from pot with tongs (and discard).

Strain the broth through a fine sieve and discard the solids.

Transfer the broth to a bowl; cover and set aside. You can also prepare the broth the night before and store it in the refrigerator until the next day.

INGREDIENTS NEEDED TO FINISH THE SOUP:
2 Tablespoons olive oil
2 garlic cloves, smashed
1 medium onion, minced
1 large carrot, peeled and minced
1 large stalk celery, minced
1 medium sweet potato, peeled and cubed
1 Tablespoon chopped fresh sage
1 bay leaf
1 cup trimmed green beans, cut into 1-inch pieces
3 cups shredded or cubed turkey meat

Turn your leftovers into a Food Adventure ! No rules !

STEP 2. MAKE THE SOUP: In a large soup pot, heat olive oil and heat garlic cloves until lightly browned.

Add minced onion, carrot, celery and sweet potatoes.

Saute over medium-low heat until softened, about 7 or 8 minutes.

STEP 3. ADD THE BROTH YOU MADE AND SPICES

Add chopped sage to the soup pot along with the TURKEY BROTH YOU MADE and the bay leaf.

Bring to a simmer. When simmering, add green beans and turkey meat to the soup.

Simmer for about 5 more minutes, until sweet potatoes are tender.

Wanna make things fancy schmantz? Add some hot sauce and Fritos or tortilla chips and you can call it TURKEY TORTILLA SOUP !

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Lastly, do you need an idea for a leftover dessert?

THE BIG RAGU has a recipe that is the apple of his eye …

— BAKED CINNAMON SUGAR APPLES

Got some apple leftover from an apple pie, or some fruit laying around from the previous week?

This is a simple recipe with a big pleasing ability..

Ingredients

1/4 cup brown sugar
4 apples
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2 Tbsp butter
3/4 cup boiling water

Have some apples left over from that pie? The Big Ragu has a simple recipe with a gourmet dessert taste !

Preheat your oven to 375°F.

Rinse and dry the apples.

Using a sharp paring knife or apple corer, cut out the cores, leaving the bottom 1/2 inch of the apples intact.

If using a paring knife, first cut out the stem area and then use a small metal spoon to scoop out the seeds.

Cut the holes so that they are an inch or so wide.

Place the brown sugar, cinnamon, in a small bowl and stir to combine.

Put the apples in a baking dish and stuff each apple with the sugar stuffing mixture.

Place a 1/2 tablespoon of butter on top of the sugar.
Pour the boiling water into the bottom of the baking dish.

Bake at 375°F for 35 minutes, until the apples are cooked through and tender, but not overcooked and mushy.

When done, remove the apples from the oven and baste them with the juices from the pan.

Terrific with a side of vanilla ice cream. Other optional ingredients include raisins and pecans/nuts

There you have it, fellow foodies…. The 2014 Food Adventure guide to leftover Thanksgiving Recipes..

The key is to be flexible, experiment and use the ingredients you have and give them that new twist.

Do you have a killer leftover recipe? share it in the comment section below !!

Can’t get enough of food in the Dayton area?

Then “like” us on Facebook here and feed your addiction…

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The Second Century

November 26, 2014 By Brian Petro

Shhhhh…they’re sleeping.

Bourbon is complex. It starts off as any ethanol does, trapped in corn kernels and barley shells. Those grains, the proportions of which are known as a mash bill, are warmed up to release the sugar. While the meal is still warm, the yeast and a little sour mash feast on it in stills made of a variety of materials. The completed wash is then poured into unused, charred white oak barrels, where they take a nap of two years or more. After that long nap, they are usually blended from their 65 percent (130+) proof) or higher barrel strength down to a more drinkable 40 to 50 percent (80 to 100 proof). The aging process at that point it stopped, and it is ready to be enjoyed. According to Travel and Leisure, in Dayton you can enjoy it at one of the best bourbon bars in the country, The Century Bar on Jefferson. Joe Head, the driving force behind that bar, has been patiently guiding it for over a decade to where it stands now. Where it stands now is changing.

The changes started to occur around the end of summer/beginning of fall this year. “It was time to get into the cocktail world,” states Joe. Through the urging of Molly Wellmann, a Cincinnati-based purveyor of bourbons and fine spirits at places like the Old Kentucky Bourbon Bar and Japps Since 1879, and his own exploration of craft cocktails, he discovered one he had an affinity for. The venerable whiskey sour rose above the rest. Joe’s reasons are ones that many loves of this cocktail site. “It is light and airy, and the egg white adds some smoothness to it. The ingredients are simple and fresh, so you know where they come from.” This led to the creation of Whiskey Sour Sundays at The Century, as well as a seasonal craft cocktail menu. “The bartenders decide the whiskey sour we are going to feature. It gives anti-sport fans something to look forward to on Sunday,” he states. By the look of some of the images they have posted on their Facebook page, they have some innovative sours. Joe’s favorite sour is the traditional one, but of the ones his staff has created, the Smokehouse Sour stands out most in his head. It features smoked sugar and vanilla, with fresh lemon juice.

The whiskey sour is making a triumphant return to the bar scene.

The fall season is ending, so it is time for a new seasonal menu! That menu will be introduced after Thanksgiving, and will feature “drinks that make sense for that time of the year.” It will have figs and other popular winter flavors on the menu, as well as spirits other than bourbon. According to Joe, “We use a variety of spirits, but on a limited basis. Summer is going to be for gin. We are going to use spirits that enhance the cocktail, not just using them for the sake of making a cocktail.” You are not going to see any recommended brands, either. What you will see, though, are cocktails with eggs in them. Turning through the pages of any classic cocktail book, you will see many recipes with eggs as an ingredient. The Century makes their sours with egg white in it, to enhance the richness and the mouthfeel of the drink. Their customers enjoy them as well. “You have a better chance of choking on a bar nut than getting sick from eggs,” Joe states with a wide smile. They shake it warm as well, to minimize and possible risk of illness.

The shift to the craft cocktails, among other pursuits, reflects a shift Joe sees in the clientele. “People are drinking differently,” he notes. “They used to drink to get drunk. Now they are drinking for an experience. They want to watch their drink being made. They want to be educated on what is going into it.” The foodie culture is making its way into the cocktail realm, and just knowing the ingredients is not enough. They want to know where those ingredients are coming from, how they are made, and what is unique about them. That is another angle that lead to the creation of the cocktail menu and its seasonal rotation.

Bourbon barrels, as mentioned earlier, can only be used once for the creation of bourbon. After that, they are typically sold to a variety of industries to be reused for other purposes. One of those purposes is to rest another liquor in it. Most of the flavor components that give bourbon its caramelly, sweet flavor have been extracted, but all of the bourbon has not. Even after pulling out the excess liquor from the staves, some of the flavor still remains. Joe and Tim Fry of The Century Bar recently collaborated with John Haggerty of Warped Wing Brewing to create Whiskey Rebellion. Using barrels from Angel’s Envy, they married bourbon with a locally brewed Russian Imperial Stout, creating a beer with a delightful bitter chocolate flavor backed with a sweet bourbon finish. It has been available locally at many brewpubs and bars, including Warped Wing, The Century, Chappy’s and soon at Fifth Street Brew Pub for an event with ARC Ohio!. The beer has been immensely popular, not only for the outstanding flavor but the limited availability as well. Joe and his team did not stop there. He is also working with the team at Toxic Brew Company on another bourbon barrel beer, this time utilizing a Belgian quad (much like Toxic’s Abby XXXX) and used barrels from StillWrights in Fairborn. It will be released exclusively at Toxic in early December, so keep an eye out for an early holiday present!

The collaboration with Warped Wing, Whiskey Rebellion, was a hit.

Cocktails…beer…there is plenty going on with Joe Head. He has his eyes set on more things as he prepares for 2015: expansion. “We need to expand, as it makes sense for us to do it. Some people will not go downtown, and there are some limits to our downtown location that prevents us from exploring certain concepts.” The second location of The Century is going to be in the south of the city, near the Dayton Mall. It will have two patios, one for smoking cigars and one for the non-smokers just wanting to enjoy a fine bourbon outside on a warm summer evening. Another expansion in the works is not as far from their current location. In fact, it is right next door to it. “There is going to be a speakeasy attached to The Century, with a false store front and a secret entrance in the back of our bar. We are only going to have it open on Friday and Saturday only with reserved bar stools, so we can know the numbers better. That will allow us to know how much we need to prepare and keep all of our mixers fresh. Because it is a speakeasy, it should also be something that is a little elusive.” And if that is not enough on his platter, he is also considering a tequila and taco bar on a corner near The Century.

The Century Bar’s Joe Head

More locations for any business means hiring more staff. One of the hallmarks of The Century, and what keeps people coming back night after night, is not just membership to the Century Club. It is the atmosphere that the employees have created of educating their customers, not just serving them. It is talking with the customers and finding out what bourbons they enjoy, suggesting similar bourbons, and making non-bourbon drinkers feel right at home at the bourbon center of Dayton. “We have an apprenticeship program for anyone who wants to become a bartender here. I need to know that when I am away from the bar, the brand is still being well represented.” Joe requires that anyone interested in becoming part of the team to work as a bar assistant for six months, learning not only the technical specifications of the cocktails and bourbon, but the culture that The Century has developed. “I want to see that you can educate and entertain the customers while you make the drinks. There will be timing for the drinks, but I want to hear how you speak and interact with people.” The final test is over 150 questions, in front of a panel of judges. The Century’s move to the south does not mean you are going to get less of an experience. The quality is expanding too.

Joe, The Century Owner Diane and Tim

“The Century will always be about whiskey. The cocktails will make us well rounded.” Joe was very matter of fact about what was important to him: no matter where he expands to, from collaborations to new locations, the quality of the product stays the same. The Century had twenty bourbons when he began, and he has grown the small bar to over one hundred bourbons and a top stop in the country for bourbon enthusiasts. The respect he has for the industry, his guests, and his community is evident. It is one of the pieces that makes The Century such a great place to sit down and have a bourbon, beer, or any cocktail with friends. And say hello to Joe while you are there. He would love to make a few more friends over a nice glass of whiskey.

Oscar Hopeful THEORY OF EVERYTHING Opens at THE NEON!

November 25, 2014 By Jonathan McNeal

Hello DaytonMostMetro Fans,

I’ve got good news. WHIPLASH and BIRDMAN will be able to share a screen starting this Wednesday. That said, if you need to see either of these films, I’d suggest hurrying down. They may not last more than one more week. Tomorrow (Wed, Nov. 26), we will open a film that I know many of you will embrace – THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING. When I saw this film at the World Premiere in Toronto, the auditorium was packed with stars who were anxious to see the film – including Jon Stewart, Julie Taymor and Andrew Garfield. The standing ovation was remarkable, and hearing Eddie Redmayne (who deserves the Oscar for this performance) speak about the process was incredible. I hope you’ll be anxious to see the film with us this weekend.

Synopsis for THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING: “Starring Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones, this is the extraordinary story of one of the world’s greatest living minds, the renowned astrophysicist Stephen Hawking, who falls deeply in love with fellow Cambridge student Jane Wilde. Once a healthy, active young man, Hawking received an earth-shattering diagnosis at 21 years of age. With Jane fighting tirelessly by his side, Stephen embarks on his most ambitious scientific work, studying the very thing he now has precious little of – time. Together, they defy impossible odds, breaking new ground in medicine and science, and achieving more than they could ever have dreamed. The film is based on the memoir Travelling to Infinity: My Life with Stephen, by Jane Hawking, and is directed by Academy Award winner James Marsh (MAN ON WIRE).” Click on this LINK to visit the film’s official website.

The Annual Family Holiday Film Series, presented by The Dayton Holiday Festival, The Downtown Dayton Partnership, Channel 99.9 and THE NEON, has secured titles for this year’s line-up. Films will screen at Noon on December 6, 13, & 20 – and the price is absolutely amazing. Admission is FREE for kids 12 & under and only $2 for general admission. ELF will play on December 6, THE MUPPET CHRISTMAS CAROL will play on December 13, and the Cary Grant classic THE BISHOP’S WIFE will play on December 20. Tickets will only be available starting 45 minutes before each screening, and children must be present to claim free tickets.

Last year, THE NEON hosted a few screenings of THE TRIUMPH for a local non-profit. On December 10, 4Mary.Org will bring back this documentary another time. “THE TRIUMPH is a powerful new documentary film about a prophecy unfolding right now, before our very eyes. From Medjugorje, a tiny village in Bosnia-Herzegovina, comes a message from the Mother of God. Does this woman really know mankind’s future, as millions believe? Decide for yourself.” (taken from press notes) Tickets are $10 each and can only be purchased in advance by visiting the official site. Click this LINK to purchase tickets and this LINK to check out the trailer.

As we head into the holiday season, I want to take this opportunity to express my great thanks for your patronage. We’re trending to make 2014 a banner year, and we wouldn’t be in this great place without your enthusiasm & support. In addition, I want to thank Diana Cordero – our assistant manager. Diana has been right beside me for over 13 years at THE NEON, and I couldn’t do it without her. Thank you!

Wishing all of you a great Thanksgiving!

We hope to see you soon,

Jonathan

SHOWTIMES for Wednesday, Nov. 26 – Thursday, Dec. 4:
PLEASE NOTE: This schedule is more than a week!

THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING (PG-13) 2 Hr 3 Min
Wednesday & Thursday: 2:45, 5:15, 7:45
Friday & Saturday: 11:45, 2:15, 4:45, 7:15, 9:45
Sunday: 11:45, 2:15, 4:45, 7:15
Monday – Thursday: 2:45, 5:15, 7:45

BIRDMAN (R) 1 Hr 59 Min
Wednesday & Thursday: 2:40, 7:30
Friday & Saturday: 2:40, 7:30, 9:55
Sunday – Thursday: 2:40, 7:30

WHIPLASH (PG-13) 1 Hr 47 Min
Wednesday & Thursday: 5:10
Friday, Saturday, Sunday: 12:20, 5:10
Monday – Thursday: 5:10

COMING SOON:
(All Dates Are Tentative. Dates Often Move And Sometimes Disappear.)
Dec. 5 – CITIZENFOUR
Dec. 25 – THE IMITATION GAME
Dec. 25 – WILD
Jan. 9 or 16 – FOXCATCHER
TBD – FORCE MAJEURE
TBD – HOMESMAN

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Beer & Dinner Event Gives Chance to Meet Brewery Owners

Holiday 2014: Give the Gift of DAYTON FOOD !

New Owners at Jimmy’s Italian Kitchen, Same Great Food

A Glimpse Back in Time Inspires Dayton’s Tipping Point

No one has inspired Dayton.

Thanksgiving Leftovers? Try These Recipes!

The Second Century

Oscar Hopeful THEORY OF EVERYTHING Opens at THE NEON!

Trivia Night at Alematic

Art Start Pre-School Storytime

Open Coworking

Launch Pad

Fun Trivia! Prizes!

Dayton Air Show