Dayton Most Metro

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

Lily's Bistro

Local Restaurants Take Winter Break

By

Restaurants have just completed their busiest month of the year,  hosting holiday gatherings, catering parties and feeding so many of us as we celebrated the holidays.

So now for many of our local eateries, they are taking some time off to recuperate from the hectic holiday season and do a little celebrating of their own with family and friends.  So just a heads up of the extended closings for the following eateries:

 

Lily’s Bistro  – will reopen for lunch on Friday

Mamma DiSalvos– Opens on Jan 9th at noon

The Tavernette – will open again on Saturday, January 5th

The Winds Cafe -Opens Tuesday, January 15, 2019 – beginning with lunch and our new winter menu.

Twist Cupcakery – will reopen on Jan 8th

Watermark – Opens on January 8 for Burger Night!

 

And while not a restaurant, we thought we’d let you know Dayton Pedal Wagon is on break until Jan 13th.

Your Guide to Fine Dining for New Year’s Eve

By

New Years Eve is just  five days away- have you made plans yet?

December 31st  is a night that should be spent out on the town. DMM has compiled lists of restaurants that will be celebrating the end of the year in style. Some may serve a multi-course meal with dancing to follow, while others may offer a more intimate setting to share a  Champagne toast with someone special.  All of the events we’ve listed here end well before midnight, which will let you make plans to pop by another party or if you prefer, make it home in plenty of time to toast the new year in your pj’s.

Looking for a place to ring in the new year?  We’ve got a list of those for you on our MostMetro.com calendar.

 

 

Mudlick Tap House
December 31 @ 4:00 pm – 10:00 pm

They say the way you spend New Year’s Eve is the way you’ll spend the rest of the year so make it one to remember and join us at Mudlick Tap House for an evening of sensational food  with a very special New Year’s Eve menu!

Festive Libations:
Glass of Champagne $7
Bottle of Champagne $24

Santa’s Little Helper
Cranberry Smash
Jingle Balls Nog
Starters:
Beets Meat Salad-  Golden and ruby beets, watercress, mache greens, roasted walnuts, local capriole goat cheese, pomegranate vinaigrette 19French Onion Soup- Thyme, sherry, beef broth, onions, crostini, Jarlsberg cheese
4 cup  7  bowlShareables:
Seared Scallop in the Shell-  Pan Seared Jumbo (U7) Scallop, asparagus mousseline, romanesco, osetra caviar 20$Parsnip and Yukon Gnocchi- Large parsnip shaped gnocchi, pan seared, finished with golden and ruby beet syrups, lardons, local chive microgreens. 16$

Pork and Plant-  Shredded plantain cakes topped with pan seared pork belly and sunny side up quail eggs, leek puree. 22$

Entrees:
Pan Seared Free Range Chicken Breast-  Ed Hill Airline Chicken Breast, dusted with cajun spice, pan seared, sweet and spicy balsamic sauce, jersey sweet potato hash, roasted cippolini onions, romanesco 32$

Slow Roasted Prime Rib of Beef- 10 oz cut served au jus horseradish cream, loaded baked potato (cheddar, scallions, lardons) baby tri-colored carrots. 35$

Petite Filet of Beef with Crabcake-  5 oz Prime filet steak with sautéed trumpet royale mushrooms and truffle butter, pan seared crab cake, sautéed wax beans, roasted fingerlings. 39$

Pan seared Duarade- Fresh Duarade filet pan seared, roasted heirloom tomato, lemon roasted asparagus almondine 28$

Encore:
Tuxedo Lava Cake-  Fluffy White cake with a dark chocolate “molten” center, Luxardo cherry cream, Luxardo cherries, Marcona almonds.  12$

Peanut Butter Cookie Sundae  9
Warm Ashley’s Pastry Shop peanut butter cookies with vanilla bean gelato, chocolate curls, and peanut butter whip!
**GLUTEN FREE

Gelato flight- Killer Brownie gelato, pumpkin amaretto gelato, chocolate gelato, Vanilla bean gelato 10$

Jag’s New Year’s Eve Celebration

Jag’s Steak and Seafood
December 31, 2018 @ 4:00 pm – January 1, 2019 @ 1:00 am
$85 – $110
After you’ve opened your gifts, you won’t want to miss the region’s biggest New Year’s Eve bash! Get here at 4:00 p.m. and stay past dinner to ring in 2019 with 3-Piece Revival and a special menu to make it a night you won’t forget. Entry is $85 per person, which gets you a four-course meal and live music until 1:00 a.m. Wine pairings are included for just $25 more.

A NOLA New Year’s Eve Dinner

Lily’s Bistro
December 31 @ 5:00 pm – 11:00 pm     $59

Roll into 2019 with our New Orleans-Inspired five course dinner! There will be sparkling wine specials all night long, a champagne toast at midnight and with dinner seatings from 5-11pm we’ll be keeping the bar open for all your new year’s revelry! *Vegan or Gluten Free options available for each course

First Course
-Fried green tomato with housemade fresh ricotta cheese, tomato pepperjelly, and local microbasil greens

Second Course (choose one)
-Oysters on the half shell with Belle of Dayton ‘gin & tonic’ mignonette
-Pumpkin bisque with crema and toasted pumpkin seeds
-Local lettuces with roasted mirliton squash, pomegranate seeds, beemster aged goat cheese, and jalapeno-honey vinaigrette

Third Course (choose one)
-Alligator croquettes with rosemary oil and remoulade
-Pork terrine with local-bread crostinis, onion jam, and creole mustard
-Grilled cauliflower medallions over red bean gravy topped with roasted shallot ‘chips’

Fourth Course (choose one)
-Bouillabaisse with tomato and lobster fumet, gulf shrimp, whitefish, and mussels, served with grilled bread and rouille
-Butternut squash risotto with roasted local carrots in saffron cream sauce
-Cabernet and port braised lamb shank with parsnip purée and fried leek

Fifth Course (choose one)
-Beignet with bacon-praline crumble and root beer reduction
-Vegan chocolate pudding pie with raw date and coconut crust topped with coconut drizzle
-Bananas foster upside down cake with citrus whipped cream, orange marmalade, and bourbon-maple glaze

New Year’s Eve 5 Course Dinner

Watermark
December 31 @ 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm     $89 includes a glass of Champagne

NEW YEAR’S EVE Dinner in Five Courses

CHEF’S AMUSE BOUCHE – house-made beet ravioli filled with Herbes de Provence goat cheese, topped with mint caviar

SALAD – radicchio, cabbage, carrot purée, toasted sesame oil, red wine reduction with cayenne foam

SOUP cream of celery, red pepper oil, mint foam

ENTRÉE – choice of one
Rosemary Pork Medallions- Beeler Farms pork sous vide, foie gras mashed potatoes, sour apple kimchi, finished with tart cherry jus
Dover Sole – charred Dover Sole, pea and tarragon salad with pea shoots, roasted beets with fennel vinaigrette

DESSERT – buttery tart crust filled with rich hazelnut caramel, topped with chocolate espresso ganache and cocoa nibs


6 Course NYE Dinner

Meadowlark
December 31 @ 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm     $80

Please join us for 6 festive courses on New Year’s Eve! Monday, December 31  First Seating 5, 5:30 and 6pm , Second seating at 8pm.  They will only be serving this 6 course menu. Beverages, tax and gratuity are extra.

First Course – Fresh-shucked Oyster with Crème Fraiche, Red Caviar and a shot of Sparkling Wine

Second Course – Cheese Arancini with Nduja Vinaigrette

Third Course – Mushroom Bisque with Fried Mushroom and Truffle Oil Garnish

Main Course  (choose one)

  • Grilled Double-bone Lamb Chops with Caper-Mint Salsa Verde, Creamy Garlic Potatoes and Sauteed Brussels Sprouts
  • Fish and Shellfish Risotto with Halibut, Clams, Shrimp and Bay Scallops
  • Seared Beef Tenderloin with Bearnaise, Fried Potatoes and Sauteed Brussels Sprouts
  • Vegetables Wellington with Green Peppercorn-Brandy Sauce and Winter Vegetable Garnish

Cheese Course – Blue Cheese Sable with Apple Onion Compote

Dessert Course  – Chocolate Mousse Tart with Hazelnut Crust, Goat Cheese-Fig Ice Cream and Burnt Caramel

NYE Dinner

The Winds Cafe and Bakery
December 31 @ 5:30 pm     $65 does not include tax or gratuity

New Year’s Eve Menu is a four course meal.

Amuse Bouche–  Local Pumpkin Fritter with Pumpkin Romesco with a glass of Bianca Vigna Spumante Rosato

Starter – choose One:
Oyster Pot Pie

Carrot tied Arugula Bundle with Roasted Multicolored Carrots, Forage Foulette Schemer and Crunchy Grains

Sausage Stuffed and Roasted Quail, Picada, Bittersweet Chocolate and Cocoa Nibs

Entree- choose one

Creekstone Grilled Beef Filet, Belletoile Compound Butter and Potato Pavé

Provencal Duck Leg and Breast Two Ways with Chestnuts and Warm Rustic Grain Salad

Vegetable Tagine with Saffron Broth, Couscous and Apricot Vinaigrette

Grilled Swordfish Pangratta with Pistachio and Prosecco Risotto

Ohio Cheese Plate

Dessert – Tarte Tropézienne with Bittersweet Chocolate and Caramel Poached Clementine

Corner Kitchen
December 31 @ 5:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Join us this New Year’s Eve!  We’ll be popping this delicious Haute Couture French Bubbles and offering a limited version of our regular menu as well as a decadent 3-course Prix Fixe for $49.

 1ST COURSE  (select one)

LOBSTER BISQUE or NEW YEARS’ SALAD or FOIE GRAS

ENTRÉE . (select one)

FILET MIGNON or TRUFFLE POLENTA or RACK OF LAMB or LOBSTER RAVIOLI

DESSERT (select one)

TIRIMISU or CHOCOLATE CAKE OR BUTTERSCOTCH PUDDING

 

Find out more »

Year End Mediterranean Tour

Glasz Bleu Oven
December 31 @ 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm    $85

The menu crafted by Glasz Bleu Oven is an all-inclusive pinchos, cicchetti, tapas and hors d’oeuvres style service highlighting specialties from various regions around the Mediterranean. Cost is $85/person.

FRANCE |
Glasz Eggs “Deviled” on brioche toast, caviar optional
Oysters shucked, raw, half shell, champagne mignonette, meyer lemon
Endive Salad, candied walnuts, roquefort, citrus
Oak-fired Ribeye Roast, carved, horseradish creme, arugula, fried shallot, sweet red onion rings

SPAIN |
Octopus + Prawn Ceviche, corn tortillas, avocado salsa
Spanish-style “Noodle Bowl” crispy vegetable salad, spicy chiliés

MOROCCO |
Charred Vegetable Curry + “fried” cous cous, crispy parsnips
Moroccan Mussels, focaccia, anchovy, herb butter
Wood-fired Oysters, harissa butter ciabatta crostini

GREECE |
Grilled Lamb Chops, mint pesto, laffa, tzatziki
Roasted Mediterranean Salad

ITALY |
Cappellini Pasta, duck egg yolk, bottarga, parmigiano reggiano
Red Snapper Crudo, citrus + chiliés, Sicilian olive oil, sea salt
Whole “Fried Fishes” grilled citrus, umami tomato

SUCRÉ |

Gelato, Belgian Waffles, Ricotta Beignets
Roasted Stone fruits, chocolate + caramel sauces, confectioners sugar, French sea salt

The Frightful Feast -Terrifyingly Delicious Five-Course Meal

By


Summon all of your courage for a terrifyingly delicious five-course meal as Lily’s Bistro host The Frightful Feast on Thursday, October 25.
“It should come as no surprise that most of us here at Lily’s are kind of weird and love Halloween,” Emily Mendenhall, owner of Lily’s Bistro said. “Coming up with the everything for this event from the ingredients, to the dishes, to the naming of each course, has all been a lot of fun that we’re excited to share with our diners.”
The Frightful Feast’s full menu includes…
1st: Amuse – “Nightmare on 5th Street”

Flame-seared pork jowl with dehydrated apple and bourbon maple glaze, served with smoldering hickory chips
2nd: “the Pear Wheat Project”

Sliced pear and farro salad in a cranberry-mustard vinaigrette with toasted almond and goat cheese
3rd: “the Creature from the Black Lagoon”
Chilled and marinated squid ink pasta with chilled baby octopus, cilantro, red pepper and black garlic
4th: “HellBraiser”

Braised beef brisket with slow cooked local hearty greens and black-eyed peas
5th: “Night of the Living Bread (pudding)”
cherry cordial bread pudding with berry coulis and fresh whipped cream

*A chef’s choice vegetarian meal can be prepared with advanced notice only.

“In addition to the five-courses, there will be themed specialty cocktails like “Secret Ooze” and “El Gato Diablo” available for purchase. Come in costume, and all the special drinks will be a dollar off, just as a way to encourage folks to get into the spirit of the event,” Mendenhall said.
For those interested in attending the Frightful Feast, the five-course meal costs $49 (including tax and tip) and takes place on Thursday, October 25 at Lily’s Bistro.

10 ?s with Chef Jansen Trotman

By

Chef Jansen Trotman was born in Trinidad and grew up in the Virgin islands. His family’s love for food and fellowship as well as their passion for clean living became the foundation and inspiration for his culinary career. Chef Jansen has been in the restaurant industry for over 25 years. Throughout the years, he’s had the privilege of working with some wonderfully talented and extremely creative chefs , Dan Eule , Ricardo Heridia, and Anne Kearney, to name a few. Jansen has been the executive chef at Lily’s Bistro in the Oregon district since January where they have always maintained a very close relationship with the local farming community.  he’s been helping to grow their team’s love for creative, fun, and seasonally-driven menus that they change each and every day.

What is your favorite ingredient to cook with?

fresh fish
What ingredient do you dread?
canned meat
What’s your favorite dish to make?
beans and rice with a perfectly cooked sunny side up egg.
What’s your favorite pig out food?
taco bake
What restaurant, other than your own do you like to dine at in the Miami Valley?
Meadowlark
What’s your best advice for home chefs?
taste everything… a lot!
If you could invite any 4 guests to a dinner party who would they be and why?
My Mom,  Dad and my wife because they share the same love for food and fellowship as I. The fourth person is incredibly difficult to decide, I’ll have to give it some thought.
Who do you look up to in the industry and why?
Nobu Matsuhisa.. he’s my all time favorite chef. I admire his drive and determination to stick to his vision throughout the years in spite of so much adversity and opposition.
What do you do in the Miami Valley on a day off?
usually visit one of the local parks for a walk or a hike and dine at one of the local eatery’s.
Share a kitchen disaster, lucky break or other interesting story:
I was vegetarian until I graduated high school. When I was younger my sister’s and I would spend the summers in Tortola with my grandmother. Her brother regularly brought her fresh whole fish from his morning catch. She would clean it, make broth out of the head and bones to use in soups and stews. This whole process at the time was foreign to me and maybe a bit weird and gross too! One morning I was being a total jerk and telling her that it’s disgusting and awful and she promptly picked up one of the fish heads, and hurrled it at me. That might have been when my deep connection to seafood began!!

Lily’s Bistro Garden Party To Benefit Gem City Market

By

On Wednesday, September 5 Lily’s Bistro is partnering again with the Gem City Market to host the Garden Party: A Summer Preservation Class.

“We love doing this annual interactive event with our customers,” Emily Mendenhall, owners of Lily’s Bistro said. “From the bar and kitchen, we’ll be walking you through how to do your own shrubs and pickling of all sorts of produce! It’s a great chance to get creative and preserve some wonderful flavors for the colder months and it’s all vegetarian and vegan friendly too!”

As a partner for the event, Lily’s will also be donating $10 from every ticket sold towards the development of the Gem City Market, a community member- and worker-owned and operated full service grocery store.

“We strongly support the work of Gem City Market and it’s great that an event like this gets to promote the use of fresh produce, while also helping increase access to these food for our neighbors,” Mendenhall said.

For those interested in attending the Garden Party, the event costs $29 and takes place at Lily’s Bistro on Wednesday, September 5 from 6-9pm. The event cost includes all of the jars and produce needed, samples of shrubs, the class, and all guests will take home a jar of their own pickle and shrub.

Additional cocktails utilizing Lily’s own shrubs as well as a snack menu incorporating Lily’s housemate pickles will be available for purchase.

Tickets are available at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-garden-party-a-preservation-class-tickets-49395977699?aff=efbeventtix

Lily’s Bistro To Host 6 Course Very Veggie Feast

By

Update:  Tuesday’s event has been sold out and a second night has beed added for Wednesday at 7pm

As part of Lily’s Bistro 5th anniversary celebration this summer,  they will be hosting an  Ohio summer produce  a six-course, all-vegan friendly dinner on Tuesday, August 14th at 6:30pm.

Advance reservations are available for the Very Veggie Feast  online and tickets run  $49, which includes tax and tip and can be purchased in advance online here and at the restaurant.

The optional wine pairing is $15 for 2 ounce pours with each course and can be purchased on the day of the event.

 

Here’s the menu:

1st Course (Amuse):
-Grilled peach with cashew ‘cheese’ and hibiscus gastrique
optional wine pairing: Pierre Sparr Cremant d’Alsace Reserve Brut

2nd Course:
-Roasted local vegetables from Patchwork Farms and Dayton Urban Grown with poached garlic puree and parsley pistou
optional wine pairing: Cline Cellars Farmhouse White (Palomino white wine blend)

3rd Course:
-Ohio sweet corn chowder
optional wine pairing: Babich Unoaked New Zealand Chardonnay

4th Course:
-Pea and mint hand rolled gnocchi with lemon ‘beurre blanc’
optional wine pairing: Domaine du Salvard Cheverny

5th Course:
-Lentil “meat-balls” with curried peanut sauce and crispy fried carrot straws
optional wine pairing: chilled Georges Deboeuf Beaujolais Gamay

6th Course: (dessert)
-Blueberry lime pie with candied lime peel
optional wine pairing: Begonia red berry sangria

Lily’s Bistro

in the Oregon District
329 E 5th St
Dayton, Ohio
 (937) 723-7637

Bars Serving Up Cucumber Inspired Cocktails on World Cucumber Day

By

As our regular readers know we’ve been highlighting food holidays for years, sharing the history when we can find it, fun fact and great food and drinks relating to the food of the day.  Well Thursday, June 14th happens to be World Cucumber Day.

Cucumbers are high in water and low in calories, fat, cholesterol, and sodium. They have a mild, refreshing taste and a high water content. They can be refreshing and pleasant to eat in hot weather and help prevent dehydration. The term “cool as a cucumber” is actually derived from the cucumber’s ability to cool the temperature of the blood. Also when applied topically, cucumber really does cool the blood and eases facial swelling, which is why cucumbers are so popular in facial regimens.

There are over 33 varieties of cucumbers, the most commonly available is the hothouse or so-called English cucumber. It is large, with a dark green skin, and few or no seeds.

Other types include:

Armenian, or snake cucumbers: These are long, and twisted. The skin is thin and dark green with pale furrows. These are often used for pickling.

Japanese cucumbers: These are dark green and narrow. The skin is thin with small bumps on it. They can be eaten whole.

Kirby cucumbers: These are often used for dill pickles. They have thin skin and small seeds, and they are crispy.

Lemon cucumber: These are around the size of a lemon, with pale skin. The taste is sweet and delicate.

Persian cucumbers: These are shorter and fatter than the hothouse cucumber. They are crunchy to eat.

 

But this year there’s an even cooler way to celebrate World Cucumber Day!   Hendrick’s Gin is a brand of Gin produced by William Grant & Sons in Girvan, Scotland, and launched in 1999. In addition to the traditional juniper infusion, Hendrick’s uses cucumber and Bulgarian rose to add flavor.   For several years now Hendrick’s  celebrates this day and  wishes to spread love, understanding and appreciation for cucumbers everywhere and invite all those with a curious mind to celebrate World Cucumber Day on June 14 to cultivate and embrace their very own unusual side.

Several bars across the Miami Valley will be featuring  Hendrick’s cocktails on June 14th to celebrate “World Cucumber Day” with a slice of the unusual.  Here they are, in no particular order:

Cucamelon Felon

Mudlick Taphouse:   Cucamelon Felon*

Hendricks Gin, Fresh Watermelon, Fresh Cucumber, Fresh Lime Juice  and House Made Mint Simple                       *its so good it’s criminal

Hole in the Wall  Laid Back Lemonade

Hendrick’s Gin, cucumber syrup, fresh cucumber, lemonade & club soda. Garnished with a lemon wedge.

Lily’s Bistro   Hendrick’s Cucumber Strawberry Old Fashioned

Hendrick’s Gin, Freshly Muddled Strawberries & Cucumber, Simple Syrup & Angostura Bitters. Served on the rocks and garnished with a strawberry and cucumber slice

The Black Watch

The Highland Stag    The Black Watch

Hendrick’s Gin, Drambuie Liqueur, Blackberry Brandy, muddled blackberries & a blend of fruit juices

Carver’s Steaks & Chops    The William Wallace

Hendrick’s Gin, St. Germain Elder Flower Liqueur, fresh squeezed lime, rhubarb bitters, fresh cucumber and an egg white

Canal St. Arcade & Deli   Know it all Hipster

A shot of the unusual Hendrick’s Gin paired with Steigl Radler Grapefruit Beer

Trolley Stop  G & T Mojito

Hendrick’s Gin, freshly muddled mint & lemon, simple syrup, & tonic water. Garnished with a fresh cucumber slice

The Scarla

Sky Asian Cuisine  The Sarla 

Hendrick’s Gin, St Germain Elderflower Liqueur, fresh mint, fresh lime & house made cucumber puree

Patterson Pub   Cool as a Cucumber Soda

Hendrick’s Gin, lemonade, lime juice, fresh cucumber & a hint of club soda

Tickets Now On Sale For Lilys Bistro 5th Anniversary Whole Beast Feast

By

Lily’s Bistro celebrating their 5-year anniversary this summer with a  “Whole Beast Feast,” a very special “Nose to Tail” dinner on Thursday, June 21, followed by some special bar events that weekend and then, later on in July, a counterpart 5-course dinner that is all plant-based for our vegetarian and vegan friends.
“Nose to Tail” is a philosophy of eating and cooking where every possible part of an animal is utilized, which minimizes waste and treats each part respectfully and resourcefully. They’ll start with a local whole hog that they will be butchering in house, and the menu will have everything from house stuffed sausages to pressed terrines and candied pork belly with bacon fat beignets. Executive Chef Jansen will be able to work with parts of the animal that are often overlooked or discarded and to tap into his team’s creativity to combine rustic tradition with high end preparations.
Bar Manager Amber Brady is assembling an optional craft beer pairing spotlighting local and Ohio-made beers to accompany this whole beast feast!
Make plans now to join Lily’s on Thursday, June 21 to celebrate the whole hog and 5 years in business! Tickets are $49 which includes tax and tip and can be purchased in advance online here and at the restaurant. The optional Ohio craft beer pairing is $14 and can be purchased on the day of the event.

Lily’s Bistro hosts 5 Course 80’s Themed Dinner

By

On Wednesday, February 28 Lily’s Bistro is hosting “Miami Vice” night, a five-course themed dinner complete with tropical cocktail samples perfect for getting you into that yacht lounging state of mind.

 

“This winter’s been extra cold so we wanted to throw an event that would take us to a warmer state of mind,” Emily Mendenhall, owner of Lily’s Bistro said. “What’s not to love about white suits and tropical drinks? We wanted to have a night that transports you to a different time and place for the evening.”

 

Oyster Fest Coming To Lily’s Bistro

By

If you’re an oyster fan, you’ll be excited to know that Lily’s Bistro in the Oregon District will host their first annual Oyster Fest from Tuesday, January 9 through Saturday, January 13.

“As a former New Orleanian, I have a special fondness for oysters and miss oyster happy hour with friends. When my kitchen staff suggested a week spotlighting different oysters, I couldn’t have been more excited,” said owner Emily Mendenhall.

Highlights from Oyster Fest include daily $2 fresh oysters, oyster shooters from the bar, and other special preparations of oysters available nightly during dinner service.

“Going with the spirit of our menu that is updated daily, we’ll be offering $2 raw oysters on the halfshell as well as different special preparations based on what the kitchen is feeling creatively ,” Mendenhall said. “We’ve been thrilled with the imaginativeness of our kitchen and the excited responses we’ve been getting from diners. Oyster fest is another great way to offer a unique dining experiences here in Dayton.”

Go To Oyster Fest:

Lily’s Bistro  (937) 723-7637
329 E 5th St, Dayton, OH 45402

Tuesday-Saturday 5pm-10pm