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Amar India

Duante’s Fond Farewell to his Favorite Dayton Foods – Part 2

October 10, 2020 By Duante Beddingfield

All things come to an end, and we knew at some point Duante Beddingfield would leave us. 

Duante Beddingfield

Many of you know him from his work covering arts and events over the years here at Most Metro or the local newspapers. Some of you may know him from his jazz performances, singing at venues like Gilly’s, Blue Note, and the Levitt Pavilion. Maybe you’ve listened to his Monday night jazz show, Equinox, on WYSO over the last three years, or attended Stivers School for the Arts with him, or salsa danced with him, saw him hamming it up onstage in a play or at a karaoke bar, or maybe he supported you as an artist or small business owner. Maybe he pissed you off at some point. Even if you’ve never met him, you probably knew Duante. 

We’re proud to be the first to announce he’s been hired to be the new arts and culture reporter for the Detroit Free Press. And proud to say we had him first! He’ll be leaving Ohio soon, but he asked if he could write one last thing on the way out. If you know Duante, you know he’s not only a major foodie but was also a professional restaurant writer in town for years, and so we’re presenting his list of the ten restaurants he’ll miss most when he moves to the Motor City. 

Duante was never known for keeping things short, so we’re posting it in two parts… You can find part one here, and part two is below.

 

5. The Oakwood Club (2414 Far Hills Avenue, Oakwood)

The Oakwood Club, and those ultra-comfy chairs.

You want the best steak in town? Don’t mess around. Welcome to The OC. Forget that other place that gets all the hype, and I’ll spare you my laundry list of reasons it’s overrated and one visit was more than enough for me. If you want a welcoming, quality fine dining experience that goes above and beyond for the customer, The Oakwood Club is here for you, providing top notch food and drink since 1962. 

I could go on about old-school steakhouses with dark wood paneling and the most comfortable dining chairs in the Valley, but instead I’m going to tell a personal story about why this place means something to me. The first time I came here, I was as poor as anyone could be. It was Christmas Eve, I’d lost my job, and I had about $18 in my pocket when a friend invited me to dinner as their guest. I almost declined because I felt I had no place in an upscale restaurant at that point in my life, but I eventually reasoned I was in no position to turn down a free meal, so I spiffed up and drove over. Here I was, this broke kid in my early twenties, feeling unworthy, not to mention self-conscious as hell as very much the only brown face in the room…but that evening, not only was I treated as welcome – I was treated as though I’d been there all along. 

When I returned later, under better life circumstances, I was remembered and greeted warmly. Outstanding service should be rewarded, and respect given makes for respect earned, so all these years since, I have made it a point to continue supporting The Oakwood Club as a regular. As I was shown in a time when I didn’t feel I deserved it, it’s a place where I’ve always belonged. 

Now, where food’s concerned, my last meal in Dayton will be the first thing I ever tried here. The garlic shrimp and linguine with twin filet mignons is one of the best deals around; for under $30, you get three large shrimp broiled in garlic, wine, and lemon butter, served with pasta tossed in a tomato vinaigrette, and they perfectly complement the twin filets cooked to order. (Little known fact, you can swap the shrimp out for scallops – I always do!) But there are some other can’t-miss items here, as well: their crisp salads, served in chilled metal bowls, and the killer creamy garlic-peppercorn dressing they still refuse to sell me the recipe for (jeez, I swear I won’t give it to anyone, help me out!!). The tower of thin, crispy onion straws (which reheat so beautifully in the air fryer or on a sheet of foil in the oven). 

And, another hidden gem of Dayton dining is buried here, where for $10.50, you can get the best burger for miles around, made from hand-cut steak trimmings. It’s no-frills, served on a fluffy bun with a thick slice of onion and tomato and a huge, crunchy slab of lettuce, and it’s everything you’ve ever wanted in a hamburger sandwich. And, now, I’m gonna hip to you probably THE number one biggest secret in the local restaurant scene. It’s not on the menu. If you’re there late in the evening, and it’s kind of slow, enough to where the kitchen can take its time with something one-of-a-kind…and you’re feeling adventurous…have Chef Nate come out to your table, and ask him about the West Side Burger. But first, you gotta ask yourself if you’re ready… (website | Facebook)

 

4. Amar India Restaurant (2751 Miamisburg Centerville Road, Centerville)

A host of delicious flavors awaits you at Amar India.

I’ve dined at some of the most respected Indian restaurants in the U.S., and I’ve never found better than what we have right here in the award-winning Amar India. What can you say? The food is just out of this world. The decor is spare, and the staff focus on their top priority: providing unforgettable meals in quantities that make you feel like someone’s gonna have to cart you out on a dolly. Who can be mad at that? 

I know many, many picky, unadventurous eaters who swear they hate Indian food despite never having actually tried it, and that’s a real shame, because they’re missing out on some of the richest flavor profiles in the known world. The most common base ingredients include rice, chicken, potatoes, spinach, tomato, onion, garlic, butter, seafood… I mean, we’re dealing in basics people from every country understand, they’re just spiced differently than you might be used to. Food, from culture to culture, rarely changes much in terms of what’s actually being cooked. What changes most tends to be the herbs, spices, and the method by which things are cooked. To look at food as a cultural pillar around the world is to see that we’re not that different; we’re all eating the same things, just tweaked a little. 

Amar India Restaurant

If you’ve never made an honest attempt at Indian cuisine, I challenge you to check out Amar’s extensive menu, find something with ingredients you understand, and try it with an open mind. Chicken tikka masala is a terrific entry point for newcomers, as is chicken curry. Vegetarians will go crazy for the saag paneer, homemade cheese cooked in spinach and cream. One of the sadder side effects of the Covid-19 era, for me, has been the loss of Amar’s glorious lunch buffet, which changes daily and is the best way to experiment and see what you like and what might not suit you, without spending much money. When coronavirus has passed and you hear the buffet has reopened – run, don’t walk! In the meantime, I highly recommend the aloo mater (potatoes and peas in curry sauce), dal soup, and garlic naan. And, most of all, my addiction, their aloo tikki. I don’t know what it is about these savory little herbed, deep fried potato patties, but I crave them constantly and could eat a whole platter of them. I’ve had them at many restaurants…no one else’s have ever come close. They’re one of the best menu items in Dayton. 

Something I really got into last year was ordering Amar on winter Friday nights when I’d had a really rough week and I was cold and angry and defeated and couldn’t bear the thought of cooking. I’d order Doordash from Amar and jump into a scalding hot shower, get out, put on pajamas, and right around the time I was knotting my robe, the doorbell would ring, and I’d have a steaming hot selection of comfort food. It felt like being hugged at the end of a very hard day. Maybe give it a try as we make that transition into the cold, dark part of the year. It was so rewarding each time. 

Amar is such a jewel, and this region is incredibly lucky to have it. A second location opened on Miller Lane in Dayton in 2017. (website)

 

3. Elsa’s Mexican Restaurant (3618 Linden Avenue, Dayton)

The original Elsa’s Mexican Restaurant, still in operation on Linden Ave. in east Dayton

Roll your eyes if you wanna, but there’s a reason this place is Dayton legend since 1979. There are now multiple locations around the region, but I love me a good hole-in-the-wall dive, and the O.G. Elsa’s over in the Belmont ‘hood still proudly wears that vibe. Their famous Bad Juan margaritas, so strong they limit them to three per guest, can take down even a heavyweight like me, so that warrants automatic respect. (And I’m not joking – please order them with caution. They can sneak up on you, especially after the second one.) Being perfectly honest, the chips and salsa are probably the worst in the city, and maybe even beyond, but their queso with chorizo is a winner (not gonna lie, I get it to go and eat it at home with better chips), and the ground beef tacos with Monterey Jack cheese are simple, perfect, and addictive. A semi-secret is their excellent chicken wings, which you wouldn’t expect from a cantina-type establishment. The fact is, for just a good, fun time unwinding with friends, you still can’t beat Elsa’s. The Bad Juan can’t be found anyplace else, and that’s something I will seriously miss. A lotta good memories. Well…the times I can remember, anyway. It’s a really good thing they stop you after three. (website)

 

2. Figlio Wood Fired Pizza (424 E. Stroop Road, Kettering)

My favorite date-night spot for over a decade, this hidden gem is tucked away in a back corner of Town & Country Shopping Center and is that place you’ve always meant to check out but always forget until you’re driving past on the way to eat someplace else. Make a plan. This warm, stylish joint is still, somehow, after 20-some years, the best-kept secret of Dayton’s dining scene. With the orange glow of the open kitchen’s giant oven and an ever-present soundtrack of breezy bossa nova and international jazz, the place has romance to spare, but what really elevates it to something special is the personal touch of the owners, Peter and Laurie, who personally choose the wines and write the descriptions for the specials. Each one ties the selected vintage to an experience from their life together, and after reading them for years, you feel you know the couple and keep coming back to hear more from them. 

Bonus: by popular demand, Figlio purchased the recipe for the Peasant Salad, the regionally famous signature from the long-gone Peasant Stock restaurant that formerly occupied the space. Elsewhere on the menu, while the pizzas are the stars of the show, I’ll tell you a secret – this place has the greatest spaghetti and meatballs you’ll ever find. As a rule, I never order spaghetti at a restaurant, because why pay for the simplest dish anyone can make at home? This is not your mom’s noodles with ground beef and doctored sauce from a jar. Trust me on this. Every person I’ve ever convinced to order it is now a believer. It’s next level. (website)

 

1. Sky Asian Cuisine (4090 Wilmington Pike, Kettering)

Sky Asian Cuisine

My home away from home the last year or so, I fell in love with this place during the summer of 2019. From the moment I entered with my group, we were treated like family. The second time we visited, they remembered our faces and called us by name, and we’ve returned again and again, often several times a week, to perch at the bar and enjoy the food, drinks, and conversation with the wonderful staff and regulars. The sleek interior provides a sexy, laid back setting for some of the best sushi options in the region, along with a full menu of delicious fare. Me, I’m a sucker for the teriyaki salmon. Don’t miss the happy hour treats, especially the tender gyoza – and last week, they debuted a seasonal Cajun seafood menu that’s been getting lots of attention. And a bonus, they offer their own delivery if you live within a few miles of the restaurant, which makes it significantly cheaper to order direct from them than via Doordash or similar. If you haven’t tried Sky yet, your new favorite awaits. Make a reservation! (website | Facebook)

Filed Under: Dayton Dining, The Featured Articles Tagged With: Amar India, Duante Beddingfield, Elsa’s Mexican Restaurant, Figlio Wood Fired Pizza, Sky Asian Cuisine, The Oakwood Club

Dayton at Work and Play: Surjit SIngh Mattu

January 9, 2019 By Bill Franz

Surjit Singh Mattu plays a part in one of our holiday traditions. When our daughters and their families come back to Dayton they must have at least one meal from his restaurant, Amar India (2751 Miamisburg Centerville Road). Amar was a favorite of our daughters when they were young. They’ve eaten in many other Indian restaurants since leaving home, but when they are in Dayton they must return to Amar.

During my last visit to the restaurant I learned a little about Mr. Mattu. He came to Dayton in 1984. He chose Dayton because his brother-in-law was teaching at U.D. and he wanted to be close to family.

 

When he first came to the U.S. from India, Mr. Mattu was an electrician. But he started to work in restaurants on the side and liked it. He opened Amar India in 1991 and now also owns two other Indian restaurants in Dayton – one in Beavercreek and one on Miller Lane, north of downtown.

On the wall at Amer India there is a newspaper article about Mr. Mattu. I love what he said when the newspaper asked what advice he would give to other immigrant business owners.

“You must adapt and embrace the culture you are in now. Make it better by incorporating the culture you brought in. That’s the real America. America is a better and prosperous nation because different cultures created an awesome society.”


Amar India

At Amar India Restaurant, we believe that a buffet is often the best way to get acquainted with a new cuisine, as compared to going for the a la carte option. Our buffet services are available 7 days a week.

2751 Miamisburg Centerville Rd.
Dayton, Ohio 45459

(937) 439-9005

Amar India North Restaurant

7070 Miller Ln
Dayton, OH 45414
Phone: 937-387-6505

Hours:

Monday to Thursday
Lunch: 11:30 AM – 2:00 PM
Dinner: 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Friday and Saturday
11:30 AM – 10:00 PM
Sunday
12:00 PM to 9:00 PM

Also visit their sister restaurant:

Jeet India

2750 North Fairfield Road
Beavercreek, OH 45431
[Across from Fairfield Commons Mall, next to Chilli’s]
 937-431-8881

Filed Under: Community, The Featured Articles Tagged With: Amar India, Jeet India, Surjit Singh Mattu

10?’s with Surjit Singh Mattu ofAmar India

June 27, 2014 By Dayton Most Metro

surjitEver since Surjit Singh Mattu was a young man in northwestern India he has had a business and numbers based mind set.  It is this mindset which has continually propelled the quick learning chef to success in American busines

 

Originally an electrician, Surjit Singh Mattu left India in 1981 and arrived in Boston, Massachusetts where he started to pursue and explore a career in the restaurant business.  He has always enjoyed cooking and this culinary experience helped him begin to learn and develop his own taste.  This was the beginning of what would be a largely successful career.  After living in Boston he had moved to Houston for a period and then in 1984 he packed and moved to Dayton to move closer to his sister and her husband, Dr. Sandhu of the University of Dayton’s Chemical Materials Engineering department.  In Dayton he helped his sister in her restaurant, Taste of India.  This exposure to the restaurant business inspired him to fall in love with cooking.

 

The first of his two restaurants, Amar India, opened in 1991 and then his second restaurant, Jeet India in 2003.  He has had success in starting both restaurants and continually finds reward in hearing his customer’s appreciation.  Cooking is an art to Surjit and serving his customers is a gratifying experience.  Sharing his food is like sharing his heritage.

Surjit caters to many events and businesses all over the Midwest.  On top of catering Surjit likes to give back to the community and he frequently donates to charity.  Some specific charities include the Red Cross, March of Dimes and Leukemia Lymphoma Society.

 

His restaurant is commended as the 42nd best restaurant in the United States by Ben Schott’s, Schott’s Food and Drink.  Surjit has won multiple awards for his cooking through the years and he has even had the opportunity to showcase his talents on Good Morning America and multiple local TV channels.

 

  1. What is your favorite ingredient to cook with?

    Buffet 1

    The daily buffet always includes 4vegetarian entrees and 3 non-vegetarian entrees.

He enjoys working with cumin seeds and garlic.

 

  1. What ingredient do you dread?

There is nothing he dreads more than brown sugar, but that’s about it.

 

  1. What’s your favorite dish to make?

Chicken korma, chicken tikka masala

 

  1. What’s your favorite pig out food?

Chicken korma, rice and naan

 

  1. What restaurant, other than your own do you like to dine at in the Miami Valley?
216315_197541353614237_6764337_n

Masala, White Rice, and Saag Paneer.

Bravos (Particularly the Salmon), Bone Fish Grill, and any Mexican restaurant

 

  1. What’s your best advice for home chefs?

Don’t ever serve food that you wouldn’t want to eat yourself.  Always use the best quality ingredients for the best taste.  Do your own thing and adapt your own style.

 

  1. If you could invite any 4 guests to a dinner party who would they be and why?

He would invite the 4 pickiest customers and anyone else who would critique his cooking.  He is always looking to improve his art!

 

  1. Who do you look up to in the industry and why?

He has always look up to his older sister.  She had inspired him to open his own restaurants.

 

  1. What do you do in the Miami Valley on a day off?

He loves to go to any UD Flyer athletic event, especially basketball.  He also likes to attend Dayton Dragon’s baseball games or sit and watch any sport on the television.

 

  1. Share a kitchen disaster, lucky break or other interesting story.

Interesting Story:  One evening while in the restaurant a customer who had eaten at Amar India previously stopped by and dropped off a book with a marker within it.  The books name was, Schott’s Food and Drink.  Curiosity hit and the book was opened to the marker.  Surjit realized the customer had found a list of 42 best restaurants in the U.S. with Amar India at 42.  The author was unknown and he had no idea his restaurant had been featured on the list.  He saw it as an accomplishment and an interesting surprise.  He also found gratification that the customer notified him and had given him the book as a gift.

amarAmar India is located at 2751 Miamisburg Centerville Road, across from the Dayton Mall.

Monday thru Thursday      thumb-1

11:30am  to 2pm Lunch        5pm to 10pm Dinner

Friday & Saturday      

11:30am to 10pm

Sunday                                 

Noon to 9pm

This Chef 10?’s article was put together by UD students in Professor Rebecca P. Blust’s  UD Engineering Project Management class.  Our four member team , Gracelyn Key, Sushmitha Rayinadi, Emily Strobach and Daniel Williams spent the semester learning how to meet with a client (DMM) define the project, put a plan together and execute it.  This is the fifth of 9 Chef interviews they presented to us as their class project.  To read the first two interviews please see below:

10 ?’s with Chef Trish Miles of C’est Cheese

10 ?’s with Chef Narendar Thakkar of Namaste India

10 ?’s with Chef Lisa Perdomo of Arepas & Co

10 ?’s with Fifth Street Brewpub’s Chef Liam Hennessy

Filed Under: Ten Questions, The Featured Articles Tagged With: Amar India, UD Engineering Project Management

Here Comes the FLEURS ET VIN Festival!

May 14, 2014 By The Food Adventures Crew Leave a Comment

“Fleurs et Vin” Festival will feature over 400 wines for tasting !

Get ready to raise your wine glass this Sunday at Carillon Park , because Dayton’s premier wine and gourmet food festival arrives!!

That’s right, the one and only shindig known as “FLEURS ET VIN” (flowers and wine in French) takes place this weekend!

This is a Food Adventure and Wine extravaganza that you don’t want to miss.  The Big Ragu will be there in full force!

 

WHAT:  FLEURS ET VIN FESTIVAL

WHERE: At Historic Carillon Park,  1000 Carillon Blvd.  Dayton, Ohio 45409

WHEN: SUNDAY MAY 18th from 1pm – 4pm

WHY: To benefit AIDS Resoruce Center of Dayton Ohio

MUST DRINKS:  Over 400 wines available for tasting and a Beer Garden !

MUST EATS:  Local restaurants providing samples of menu specialties.

Restaurants Include: Amar India, Carvers Steaks & Chops, Central Perc European Cafe, Chappys Tap Room and Grille, Coco’s Bistro, El Meson, Figlio, Giovanni’s, Jay’s Seafood, Kohler’s Catering,  Lock 27 Brewing,  Mamma DiSalvo’s,  Neil’s Heritage House,  The Oakwood Club, Salar Restaurant and Lounge The Dock, The Deli at Webster Street & Top of the Market and Thai 9.

WHAT ELSE: Live Music during the festival by J.t. Fedrick and the Sax Groove, a silent auction that ends at 3pma and a Live Auction that starts  at 4pm 

COST: $70 in advance, $75 at the door  click HERE for more ticket info

Just in Case: Don’t drink and drive- Divine Services will be on hand if you and your car need a ride home.

Fleurs Et Vin is something you must experience as a true Daytonian.  Experience the best wines in the world, paired with Dayton’s Best Restaurant offerings.  It is for charity, which makes getting a ticket a no brainer.  Support Dayton, support the AIDS Resource Center, and join the fun at Carillon Park.  Treat yourself to a Food Adventure !

We raise our wine glasses high and say “Here’s to Fleurs Et Vin, the toast of the town this Sunday!”  See you under the big tents!

Are you a Dayton foodie?  Then join us for more fun Food Adventures by “liking”us on Facebook.

Check out our photo gallery below from last year’s event!

 

 [flagallery gid=87]

 

Filed Under: Food Adventures Tagged With: #daytoncharity, #daytonfood, #daytonfoodies, AIDS, Amar India, Arrow Wine, Auction, Beer, Big Ragu, Carillon Park, carrillon, carrilon park, carvers, Carvers Steaks & Chops, Centerville, Central Perc European Cafe, Chappys Tap Room and Grille, Chardonnay, charity, Coco's Bistro, Dayton, El Meson, festival, feurs, Figlio, Fleurs et Vin, flowers, Food Adventure, Food Adventures, garden, Giovanni's, Heidelberg, Jay's Seafood, Kohler's Catering, live band, live music, Lock 27 Brewing, Mamma Disalvos, merlot, Miami Valley, Neil's Heritage House, Park, reisling, resource center, Salar Restaurant and Lounge The Dock, silent, syrah, Thai 9, The Deli at Webster Street & Top of the Market, The Oakwood Club, vino, wine

Dining Out Options on Dec 25th

December 22, 2011 By Lisa Grigsby Leave a Comment

For all those folks who may not celebrate Christmas, or just don’t want to cook that day, there are indeed a few restaurants that will be open for your dining pleasure. Of course you can always dine at Waffle House- they never close, but no matter where you dine out, please remember that the staff of these places have given up their holiday to serve you, so please tip generously. (And the former server in me feels compelled to explain to you that 25% would be what I mean!)

 

(937) 429-9000  open noon to 8pm reservations suggested
72 Plum St at The Greene in Beavercreek
Mediterranean fusion cuisine and an affordable and creative selection of wine and specialty cocktails.

(937) 439-9005 open 2 – 6pm
2759 Miamisburg Centerville Road, across from Dayton Mall

 

(937) 293-4000 open from 7am til about 5pm, management suggests calling to confirm closing time- which they’ll determine by how the customer flow is that day.
4090 Wilmington Pike near Stroop in Kettering

 

937-433-2333 open 4pm – 1am
7880 Washington Village Dr. Centerville, OH 45459

Huge burgers made fresh by hand. Crisp salads piled high. Turkey and chicken roasted in our own rotisseries. Ribs slowly basted for hours until they’re falling off the bone. And decadent desserts that just might be worth the trip all by themselves will be served up from 5

7 area locations open 5pm – 2am

Specializing in chicken, they even have salads, pasta, ribs and a one pound Porterhouse steak on the menu.

 

(937) 431-9200 11am – 8pm

4429 Cedar Park Drive (at The Greene) Beavercreek, OH 45440

Featuring their signature “Fresh List” highlighting an impressive number of fresh seafood varieties, in addition to aged steaks, poultry, entrée salads and pasta. McCormick & Schmick’s commitment to local freshness is apparent in the seasonally inspired dishes and regionally inspired preparations offered.

(937) 898-3860 open noon – 9pm
7580 Poe Ave Dayton, OH 45414 (off Miller Lane exit of 75)
Only dinner menu will be served all day.
Chef prepares each meal with a blend of texture and color, as well as flavor and temperature to achieve overall harmony in the tradition of Ying and Yang. Excellent sushi, too.

(937) 439-3743  2022 Miamisburg Centerville Road  near Dayton Mall
(937) 236-3200 7777 Troy Pike in Huber Heights
both locations are open from 3-11pm

If you know of others places that will be serving on Christmas, please feel free to add them in the comment section below.

 

 

Filed Under: Dayton Dining Tagged With: Amar India, Champps, DaytonDining, Frickers, McCormick & Schmicks, Pasha Grill, Starlite Diner, TGIFriday's

Food Adventures Spice Things Up at Amar India

October 6, 2011 By The Food Adventures Crew 1 Comment

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

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

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

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

Vegetable Pakora is served with 3 tasty sauces

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

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

The Garlic Nan Bread Appetizer is Addicting

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

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

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

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

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

Love these “Dayton Foodies?”  Then become an OFFICIAL FAN of FOOD ADVENTURES by going to our FACEBOOK and clicking LIKE.

[album: http://www.daytonmostmetro.com/wp-content/plugins/dm-albums/dm-albums.php?currdir=/wp-content/uploads/dm-albums/Amar India/]

Filed Under: Food Adventures, The Featured Articles Tagged With: Amar India, Big Ragu, DaytonDining, Food Adventures

Dining Out on Dec 25th

December 22, 2010 By Lisa Grigsby Leave a Comment

For all those folks who may not celebrate Christmas, or just don’t want to cook that day, there are indeed a few restaurants that will be open for your dining pleasure.  Of course you can always dine at Waffle House- they never close, but no matter where you dine out, please remember that the staff of these places have given up their holiday to serve you, so please tip generously.  (And  the former server in me feels compelled to explain to you that 25% would be what I mean!)

(937) 439-9005        open 2 – 6pm
2759 Miamisburg Centerville Road, across from Dayton Mall

We will have a free buffet featuring Indian and American foods and desserts. While the dinner is free, they will be accepting donations for Family Services, WPAFB.
(Family Services assists troops and their families in a time of need)
All proceeds from the day will be donated.

937-433-2333           open 5 – 12pm
7880 Washington Village Dr.
Centerville, OH 45459

Huge burgers made fresh by hand. Crisp salads piled high. Turkey and chicken roasted in our own rotisseries. Ribs slowly basted for hours until they’re falling off the bone. And decadent desserts that just might be worth the trip all by themselves will be served up from 5

7 area locations         open 5pm – 2am

Specializing in chicken, they even have salads, pasta, ribs  and a one pound Porterhouse steak on the menu.

(937) 431-9200           11am – 8pm
4429 Cedar Park Drive  (at The Greene) Beavercreek, OH 45440

Featuring their signature “Fresh List” highlighting an impressive number of fresh seafood varieties, in addition to aged steaks, poultry, entrée salads and pasta. McCormick & Schmick’s commitment to local freshness is apparent in the seasonally inspired dishes and regionally inspired preparations offered.


(937) 898-3860            open noon – 10:30pm
7580 Poe Ave Dayton, OH 45414  (off Miller Lane exit of 75)
Chef prepares each meal with a blend of texture and color, as well as flavor and temperature to achieve overall harmony in the tradition of Ying and Yang.  Excellent sushi, too.

(937) 723-9015           open noon – 3pm

39 S. Springboro Pike  Miamisburg, OH 45342 (across from Dayton Mall)

Richly varied menu of fresh, natural ingredients, wholesome sauces which are prepared at premises everyday with flavorful spices with no additives such as MSG or any other preservatives.

As always, if you know of a place we missed, feel free to add it in the comments!

Filed Under: Dayton Dining Tagged With: Amar India, Champps, Frickers, Kohimoor Palace, McCormick & Schmicks, Mr. Lee's

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