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Dayton Dining

Buy it for 1/2 Restaurant Deals

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2You’ve heard them on the radio, tv and even the newspapers have gotten into the discounted restaurant gift certificate business. You might wonder if these deals are legitimate.  They are! In exchange for the promotional value the eateries get from the advertising of these products, you get double your money’s worth in certificates. The most common offer is two $25 certificates for just $25, plus a couple of bucks for shipping and handling.  Most are valid for about six months.

The catch- be sure to read the fine print-at some restaurants they are only valid for food, not alcohol, most will not give you change back, so be sure to use the full amount and most usually have a one certificate per visit limit.

Upcoming Offers:

Dublin Pub– on sale Wed, Sept 9th  at 9am

Jay’s Seafood on sale Thurs, Sept 10th at 10am

The China Cottage on sae Thurs, Sept 10th at 10am

Michaels Dining & Jazz currently available

Madison’s Bistro – currently available

Los 3 Amigos– currently available

Julia Child’s Imposters Wanted

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images-12Enter the area’s first “Fake-Off” Contest in conjunction with the Little Art Theatre screening of Julie and Julia. The event begins 0n Friday, Sept 4th with “Cocktails with Julia” at 6:30pm at the Winds Café featuring Julia Child inspired hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar. Then head down the street to the Little Art Theatre for a Julia Child “Fake-Off” Contest at 7:40pm. Contestants will dress up as Julia Child and offer a favorite Julia quote, cooking tip, or short skit. The screening audience will judge the contestants. The cocktail hour and contest will be hosted by special guest, Julia-Jean Child (actress, Rani Crowe). Winners will receive gift prizes. Come as contestant or spectator. Call the Winds Café to reserve your “Cocktail with Julia” (937) 767-1144. Event tickets are $20 (includes cocktail event, contest and screening). Tickets are $7 for Yellow Springs premiere screening of Julie and Julia and contest only. Winds Café, 215 Xenia Avenue, Yellow Springs; Little Art Theatre, 2 Xenia Avenue, Yellow Springs.

Julie & Julia, The Movie (taken from the film website)
Meryl Streep is Julia Child and Amy Adams is Julie Powel in writer-director Nora Ephron’s adaptation of two bestselling memoirs Powell’s Julie & Julia and My Life in France by Julia Child with Alex Prud’homme.

Based on two true stories, Julie & Julia intertwines the lives of two women who, though separated by time and space, are both at loose ends…until they discover that with the right combination of passion, fearlessness and butter, anything is possible.

Finally a Food, Wine & Beer Festival north of town

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corks&forkslogoCelebrating  Fine Wines, Cool Brews & Tantalizing Tastes in a casual environment to benefit local charities, Corks & Forks will  debut Sunday, Sept 20th from 1-4pm. With over 100 wines being poured, a Belgium Beer Cafe, Chef Demonstrations and tastes from local restaurants, this first time festival is shaping up quickly.

Confirmed restaurants include The Buckhorn Tavern,
The Caroline, Chin’s Ginger Grill, Michael Anthony’s at the Inn at Versailles, Sopranos, Thai 9, TJ Chumps and Tony’s Italiain Kitchen, with more to come.  Miami Valley Grown, a new local foods initiative, will be showcasing farm fresh foods with local chefs presenting recipes that highlight the flavors of garden fresh products.

To help raise funds for the Blake LaForce and Wahid Abdullah Fund’s as well as Miami Valley Grown, a silent auction will also take place.  Some of the early highlights of the auction include a weekend use of a BMW convertible with picnic basket, UD basketball tickets with $100 to dine at The Pine Club, and gift certificates to local restaurants, shops and shows.

Tickets are just $45 in advance and can be bought online or at Cork & Vine Wine Market and Lounge.  Tables of 10 can also be reserved for just $500.  Day of event tickets will run $55, if still available.  Ticket include beer, food and wine samples as well as souvenir glassware for all guests.

Experience Oregon’s Award Winning Wines

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2001Even though Adelsheim wines–the pinot noir especially–rank among the very best that Oregon produces, David Adelsheim didn’t know, when he and his wife bought 19 acres on a hillside in 1971, that he was going to start a winery.   Says David: “When we started planting grapes, we sort of fantasized that we might make some wine down the road.”

Now,  Adelsheim wines are praised by widely as some of the best wine Oregon produces.  The Adelsheim Vineyard estate includes nine vineyard sites on the Chehalem Mountains, totaling 168 acres, and annual production has grown to 40,000 cases.

Second generation wine maker, Michael Adelsheim will be at Arrow Wine in Kettering on Sept 3 from 5-7pm hosting a tasting of their Willamette Valley wines.  Don’t miss this chance to taste some of Oregon’s best wines and while you are there have Michael sign a bottle or two for your collection.

Versailles FareFest-Food, Beer & Wine Festival

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farefestBilled as the First Annual Versailles FareFest, West Main Street in V-town will be blocked off for an event the likes of which have probably never before been witnessed in their quaint little village.  as they play host to an invasion of oenophiles from all over the Upper Miami Valley on Saturday, August 29th.

Now don’t be scared.  Oenophiles are not something found on cable television’s SyFy.  Nor are they are related to the dreaded Emerald Ash Borer.  And shame on you for thinking they might be seen on Dateline NBC!  Believe it or not, we have plenty of oenophiles in our very midst, and they are not scary at all.

To the uninitiated, an “oenophile” is a lover of fine wines.  These aficionados don’t just dwell in places like LA, NYC, or CHI-town.  Yes, they live in Darke County, too.  And they have been waiting patiently for this opportunity.  From 2:00-5:00 in the afternoon, the area around Fountain Square in beautiful downtown Versailles will come alive with activity.  There will be cool music, great wines, cold beers, and scrumptious food available for three of the best hours any late-summer afternoon could offer.  Want some details?  OK.

The price of admission for this prestigious happening is a mere $35 presale ($40 at the door).  Events such as this one customarily cost twice that amount and are wildly popular in such faraway realms as Lima and Dayton.  For that ONE LOW PRICE, FareFesters can sample wines from dozens of different vendors, hosted by our very own Winery at Versailles.  Up to 300 different wines will be available–all right there under the tents on West Main Street.  Wineries committed thus far are: Trinchero, Menage A Trois, Don Sebastiani, Wente Family, Foster Wine Estates, Penfolds, Rosemount, Louis Latour, E&J Gallo (premium), Louis Martini, Alamos, Easley Winery, Kenwood, Valley of The Moon, Lake Sonoma, Korbel, Specialty Wines (Italy), Banfi, Napa Ridge, Columbia Winery, Georges Dueouf, Volteo, XYZin. Just wander through the various booths and ask the pourers to fill your very own souvenir wine glass with a sparkling potable.  There is no limit.  Sample to your heart’s content!

Maybe wine is not your particular favorite beverage.  Beer, you say, is what you drink at any celebration such as this one.  Well, the FareFest will gladly take care of your request.  Whether you prefer an easy-drinking smooth brew or a glass of something a bit heartier, it will most likely be available from one of the many beer distributors on site.  Goose Island, Stella Artois, Leffe, Hoegarrden, Becks, Samuel Adams, and the ever-popular Wooden Shoe will be there, along with a plethora of pilsners from all four points of the compass.

Of course, one must have something in his or her stomach in order to comfortably consume wine and beer for three hours.  Never fear.  The  Inn at Versailles will be the host restaurant for a profusion of top-notch chefs from all over.  A partial listing of restaurants that plan to be present with their own specialties includes:  Coldwater Café (Tipp City), The Main Street Bistro (Lima), Coco’s (Dayton), Ghyslain’s (Union City/Richmond/Indy), The Montage (Greenville), The Bistro (Greenville), Bake House Bread Company (Troy), Caroline’s (Troy), Davis Meat Co. (Sidney–doing BBQ), Toone P. Wiggins (Sidney) and obviously Michael Anthony’s at the Inn (Versailles).

If you still want more, here it is.  Higgins-Madewell, a very popular duo  will be performing on Fountain Square all afternoon.  Their folksy/bluesy style has been a big favorite at all sorts of venues from West Milton to New York City.  Just perfect for a brand new festival desiring to be just a bit edgy in terms of food, wine, beer, and music!  Maybe it’s time for you to broaden your horizons just a little.  Unlimited food, beer, wine, and music for only $35.  Wow!

The Versailles FareFest is sponsored by the Versailles High School Alumni Association, with proceeds going toward college scholarships.  Tickets can be obtained by visiting The Inn at Versailles or by calling (937) 526-3020 or by going online to www.innatversailles.com

Beer Drinkers Unite!

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alefestblog1This Saturday, Aug 29th, over 3000 HopHeads and Beer Geeks will head to Carillon Park for the 11th edition of AleFest Dayton.  Joe Waizman founded this festival “to share my love of beer with others.”  He hopes folks  “will discover that AleFest and craft beers are an enjoyable & educational culture.”

With over 100 beers to choose from, having a strategy on how to experience AleFest is best. I asked local beer expert, Aaron Spoores (who sells beer for Cavalier Distributing and hosts beer tastings across the Valley) for his suggestions:

TIPS FROM AN EXPERT:

  1. Upon entering make your first beer be the one closest to you.
  2. Find a place to sit and examine the tasting guide, highlighting beers you want to taste and map out a plan.
  3. Taste from light to dark.
  4. Drink lots of water, in between beers and take a break to grab some food, too.  There’s plenty of beer, so enjoy and remember to take care of yourself.

Waizman adds, “Talk to the knowledgeable pourers & let them know your beer, wine, &/or food tastes so they can make recommendations. This is an excellent opportunity to sample beers  & styles you’ve not previously experienced, so step outside your list of favorites.”

TIPS FROM A CASUAL BEER DRINKER- My suggestions from attending the fest in the past:

  1. If there’s a huge line, there’s probably something special being tasted- check it out.
  2. Create your own rating system and take notes on your tasting guide.  (Things you remember  may not help the next time you go to order-Wild Blue sticks out in my head- but it was because I hated it…too fruity!)
  3. Bribe a teenager to pick you up when the event is over- you won’t want to drive home.
  4. Don’t make plans for going out that night- you’ll probably want a nap and a mellow night on the couch.

Look for an expanded offering of draught beers this year – about 30 will be available including Great Lakes Oktoberfest, Grassroots Saison, Eliot Ness Amber Lager, & Admiral Perry IPA, Chimay Trappist White, Goose Island Matilda, Pere Jacques, & 312 Urban Wheat.

Special  LIMITED Goose Island EDITION DRAUGHTS:

  • 2:30-Night Stalker Imperial Stout
  • 3:30-Demolition Belgian Strong Pale Ale
  • 4:30 Fleur Belgian Sour Ale With Hibiscus

TO GO: Sat, Aug 29th 2-6pm (they often let folks in at 1:30 so arrive early)
$30 in advance-they can be picked up at 30 bars & wine stores around town or  buy online, $35 day of event.
Admission includes 20 samples of craft beer, tasting glass and guide & live entertainment. Designated driver/non-drinker $10.00 – purchase at the gate. Admission includes a bottle of water and an AleFest sampling glass as you exit. Must be 21 years of age to attend.

Dayton Food Blogs are Blowin’ Up

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Dayton Food Blog Buffet

While I was working on our Dayton Blogroll I couldn’t help but notice that out of the blue we have a gajillion Dayton food blogs!  Esrati announced the new Diving Through Dayton blog (as in restaurant dives), but there are actually quite a few – some that have been on the scene for a while and some that just popped up.  Here is what we have discovered so far:

Dayton Dining

Dayton Dining

Dayton Dining is brought to you by Lisa Grigsby – former director of the Miami Valley Restaurant Association and expert foodie.  In addition to some fun posts about Dayton restaurants and food in general, she also lists some area Early Bird and Happy Hour specials, as well as various food and drink events happening in the Dayton Region.  Lisa is also a friend of mine and I can attest that she knows about everything there is to know about what is happening in the Dayton restaurant scene.

Dayton's Diners and Dives

Dayton's Diners and Dives

Dayton’s Diners and Dives was created by Romas Neal who started posting in January of this year with a review of  The 4200 Place in Moraine.  As the title suggests, Romas will be reviewing the Dayton Region’s greasy spoons as well as posting menus from the places he visits.  There are only a couple reveiws so far, and unfortunately he did not appear to like one of our favorites – The Brunch Club.  But we’ll continue to keep an eye on this one, as this region is probably full of fantastic yet unknown diners and dives.  A tip for Romas – try Tanks for breakfast!

Dining in Dayton

Dining in Dayton

Dining in Dayton started this past December by “Mr. D” and has a wide range of restaurants reviewed – from popular independents like the Meadowlark and Dublin Pub to chains like J. Alexanders to some lesser-known spots like George’s Place and Slyder’s Tavern.  He has quite a few posts in the short time the site has been up, and let’s hope he continues the pace.

chilli

Diving Through Dayton

Diving Through Dayton is a fun new addition to the Dayton food blogosphere.  Created by somebody who goes by the name “The Goat’s Stomach”, you can probably assume this is a guy who likes to eat.  He started his reviews with one of our favorites – Terra Cotta Cafe, and has a funny post about Wah-Fu.  I wouldn’t call Terra Cotta Cafe and Flavors (in Centerville) “dives” though so perhaps this will include all types of restaurants.  The site could use some different formatting and pictures, but the posts have personality – which is more important anyway.  We’ll be looking forward to more posts, and we hope he continues the humor.

We round out the list with the Dayton Daily News multiple offerings.  First up is our favorite in the DDN line-up:  The Leadbelly Boys!  Brother Ron (Rollins)  is another friend of ours and along with Brother Ray and Brother Jim these guys have been doing fun restaurant reviews in Dayton for quite a while now.  If you want info on pizza, burgers and chili then these are the experts to read.  Next are two different blogs from DDN’s Mark Fisher – Taste: Dayton Food & Restaurants and Uncorked.  Taste is not so much a review site as it is a information site about Dayton area restaurants and food news in general.  Uncorked is a valuable blog about wine, and it is definitely worth reading if you are a wine connoisseur.  Both are good blogs.  Finally, the DDN’s ActiveDayton.com has a restaurant review section that also includes pictures and standard info on each restaurant covered.  It looks like anybody can sign up to be a reviewer but it doesn’t appear that they get much action there.  Probably because anybody who wants to write restaurant reviews simply starts their own blog – hence the creation of this post.

Finally – a plug for our own DMM Forum – Food & Drink section where several of our over 300 members have been talking about various restaurants and other food news in Dayton.  At the time of this post we have over 60 topic threads with over 450 posts.

If you know of any additional Dayton food blogs then please share them here and we’ll add them to our blogroll.  Until then, get out there and enjoy some of the great food Dayton has to offer.  And if you want to know one of our personal favorites then check out Taqueria Mixteca – when it comes to Mexican, there is nothing else that compares.  Buena Comida!

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