Baked Brie – served with crackers. A rare special at Cobblestone Cafe, but a MUST EAT !

This feature article is about a place that many Dayton area foodies have never visited. But somehow, it remains very busy and this week is quietly completing its 15th year in business. The Cobblestone Cafe, in Waynesville, has personality. It is connected to a little home decor shop. The cafe is a mom and pop version of ‘Cracker Barrel,’ but light years ahead. The store is elegant meets antique, and the food is gourmet. The laid back atmosphere is a perfect venue for chef creations is a quaint, cozy country atmosphere. This article could just of easily been titled “The Coziest Cafe with Great Food that You’ve Never Been to.” But alas, this is our Food Adventure mission. To boldly go where no fork has gone before… and live to tell the tale, with killer pictures and tips from many experiences at a restaurant. So join Chef House, The Big Ragu and Hungry Jax as we explore one of the best kept secrets in the Miami Valley, The Cobblestone Cafe.

HERE’S THE SKINNY:

— Cobblestone Cafe is a true “Mom and Pop” restaurant, owned locally by Rick and Brenda Weber for 15 years. Currently, one of their sons, Ben, is a waiter as well.

Mushroom Ragu Crepes.. Did somebody say Ragu ?

— The cafe is located at 10 N. Main St. in Waynesville, and is tucked into shops in the downtown area. The dining area is small, with the feel of home.

— Chef Jessica Livingston continues to impress with her menu. Influences of French cuisine and country cooking are evident in standard dishes and specials.

— The cafe features a standard menu and daily specials. Please note their hours are typically 11am – 4pm, and they are closed Mondays.

— On Sunday they offer a brunch, which is a one time only collection of 4 or 5 dishes available that day, along with the standard menu. This is a great time to experience some of the more inventive creations of Chef Jess. (But they are closed Sunday for Father’s Day).

— The staff is friendly and helpful, from the first moment they serve you complimentary muffins, until your meal is finished with a complimentary Chai Tea. The restaurant is very accommodating for kids. A special shout out to the service staff Gabrielle, Ben and others who always make us feel like VIP’s.

The Lemon Herb Mahi Sandwich – get a fork !

Which menu items are the best? It was tough to narrow the list down to a few choices, given the revolving menu and the new items we have eaten on Sunday brunches, but here goes. Our patented MUST EATS for The Cobble Stone Cafe are as follows…

MUST EATS:

— BAKED BRIE: A rare special served sometimes on brunch days, this is one of the best appetizers we have ever eaten. It is brie encrusted in a pastry and the melted cheese combo wakes up your taste buds like nothing else. We beg them to make this a regular menu item, because it fits perfect in their cozy atmosphere.

— HONEY FRIED CHICKEN SALAD: They feature their fried chicken on salads, sandwiches, waffles and by itself. When you see the fried chicken as an ingredient at Cobblestone….. GET IT ! Irresistible and crunchy, it is magic on a plate.

— MUSHROOM RAGU CREPES: Crepes are a rare treat in Dayton, Ohio and these are rich, creamy and dreamy. A tested creation, they have improved the recipe of this delicate and delicious meal. Lose yourself in this plate.

— CHICKEN SALAD SANDWICH: Simple huh? Yes, and man is it good. A filling, generous portion of Chicken Salad, that we suggest ordering on a croissant. The soup and sandwich deal is pretty much a standard go to, and chicken salad leads the way !

— LEMON HERB MAHI on CIABATTA: This is a tough one.. eat the sandwich, or fork it? The Mahi Mahi is so good, it could easily stand by itself. We find ourselves dissecting the sandwich with a fork and enjoying the Ciabatta top separately.

— CITRUS AHI KABOBS: Perfectly seared and grilled, these skewers are seasoned with a perfect amount of lime juice and more. We love their ahi appetizers as well. This is another one of those rules of thumb at Cobblestone. If you see Ahi tuna options, GET THEM !

— BRUNCH: Specialty items,and new inventions highlight every Sunday Morning. A couple of the specials are usually breakfast foods, and a couple are lunch oriented. Definitely worth checking out.

Honorable Mention: Vegetarians love the The Asparagus Sandwich and Cobblestone Cafe calls this their signature sandwich for the last 15 years. Also, the Zucchini Fritter appetizers are a good, unique way to start off the meal.

Everyone gets an “end of lunch Chai Tea,” compliments of the House !

So, Happy Anniversary Cobblestone Cafe and congrats on a great menu ! We can’t wait to see what the next 15 years has in store for local foodies. Places like Cobblestone Cafe are a perfect example of why we write Food Adventure articles. It is our opportunity to bring your attention to locally owned spots with terrific food, that you may not know about. In a day where people are chasing the next grand opening, we wanted to let you know about an old standard, who is still pushing the envelope of taste after 15 years.

Thanks for reading this week’s feature. We are not food critics eating a dish or two, in one visit and ranking a restaurant. We are FOOD ADVENTURERS. We are the real deal and visit a spot many times, before undertaking an article. That way, we eat a huge variety of offerings, and don’t just list menu items or use stock photos.

You can depend on us every week for fresh, original feature articles on Dayton Most Metro. Want more Food Adventures? Follow us on INSTAGRAM HERE and “like” us on FACEBOOK BY CLICKING HERE.