Local bakery offers burned-out Salar its space on Valentine’s Day

Oregon District restaurant will serve 5-course meal; Boosalis Bakery’s owner says he simply wants to help

Credit: Photo: Salar

Credit: Photo: Salar

Boosalis Bakery owner Matthew Boosalis was simply looking for a way to help a fellow restaurant owner in need.

So he offered his bakery.

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It's just for one evening — but it's a very important evening for restaurant owners: Valentine's Day, Feb. 14. At 7:30 p.m. that night, Margot Blondet, owner of Salar Restaurant & Lounge, will host a pop-up, five-course wine-tasting dinner at the Cross Pointe Shopping Center bakery on East Alex Bell Road just east of Far Hills Avenue (Ohio 48).

A second, similar dinner is in the works for Feb. 23.

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Salar, at 400 E. Fifth St. in Dayton’s Oregon District, has been shut down since it was damaged in a fire on Dec. 29. There is no projected re-opening date yet.

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Here’s how the pop-up events came about:

“Margo was in the bakery — her family loves our croissants, — and we just began chatting,” Boosalis said. “I of course had learned of her tough luck with the fire. As a small food establishment, I know first hand of the commitment and hard work that is required to be a success.”

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“So it is primarily out of a sense of wanting to help her: a customer who has always been supportive of my business and is now in a tough situation. It may sound cliche, but that is what small business is about — being a part of the community helping our neighbors and customers when needed.”

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Blondet embraced the offer. “We’re just trying to survive,” she said.

“I want to make sure people still know we exist,” Blondet said. “And cooking is what I love. It’s relaxing.”

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The menu will include items such as Pistachio-Encrusted Baby Rack of LambFilet Mignon with Truffled Cream PastaRoasted Pisco, and Honey & Lemon Salmon.

The price is $89 per person, which includes wine pairings and gratuity. Space is limited. The link to purchase tickets for the event is HERE.

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