Murphy's Irish Pub shut down about two weeks ago for interior renovations and signage for the transition to Caramella's. Owners Scott and Candace Anderson, who also own Paddy's Irish Pub in south Centerville, decided to replace Murphy's with a full-service Italian restaurant to fill a market niche.
The Andersons hired Aaron Jackson — a Dayton native and culinary school graduate who spent several years working in Cincinnati-area Italian restaurants — as executive chef. Jackson has developed several signature dishes for the new Caramella's Italian Kitchen menu, including Lasagna Bolognese, Mushroom Risotto, Romaine wedge salad, Shrimp and Scallop Scampi, Chicken Parmesan, and Veal Portobello Marsala.
And of particular note to long-time Daytonians who remember the powerful punch of a certain south Dayton restaurant's salad, the house dressing at Caramella's is a "very, very, heavy garlic dressing inspired by Dominic's," the Andersons wrote on the restaurant's Facebook page. "If you want to breathe garlic for a couple days, give it a try!"
Caramella's has a wine list that includes more than 15 selections available by the glass, and it has 12 craft beer taps, two of which will be dedicated to Italian beers on draught, according to general manager Vivian Roberts.
The restaurant’s initial hours will be 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. daily.
“After we settle in, we’ll start doing lunches and a Sunday brunch,” Scott Anderson said.
For more information, check out the Caramella's Italian Kitchen web site at www.caramellasdayton.com or call (937) 848-6999.
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