DAYTON EATS: Terrific dishes, exciting flavors at Sneak Peek to Winter Restaurant Week

Credit: Alexis Larsen

Credit: Alexis Larsen

If the sneak peek to Winter Restaurant Week is any indication, there are going to be some truly terrific dishes and exciting flavors to be enjoyed over the course of next week.

Credit: Alexis Larsen

Credit: Alexis Larsen

The Miami Valley Restaurant Association’s Sneak Peek to Winter Restaurant Week event was held Jan. 18 at the Steam Plant in downtown Dayton. There wasn’t a disappointing dish in the room featured by the 10 local restaurants on hand. Each one left us wanting more.

Credit: Alexis Larsen

Credit: Alexis Larsen

Winter Restaurant Week, which takes place Jan. 22-29, presents an opportunity to sample the best that local restaurants have to offer. Three-course meals vary in price from price from $20.23-$50.23 at 33 participating area restaurants.

Hundreds of hungry guests showed up at the sold out sneak peek event to sample a small taste of what some restaurants will be serving up. The menus for the evening did not disappoint.

Amber Rose: Tomato bruschetta dip, Italian chicken sausage tortellini in a housemade alfredo sauce and chocolate chip cannolis.

Credit: Alexis Larsen

Credit: Alexis Larsen

Backwater Voodoo: A kicking Jambalaya made with the Cajun trinity — chicken, ham and andouille sausage.

Credit: Alexis Larsen

Credit: Alexis Larsen

Coco’s Bistro: Beef braised short ribs served with jalapeno grits, broccolini, smoked pearl onion and an espresso crème brûlée fired on site.

Credit: Alexis Larsen

Credit: Alexis Larsen

Condado Tacos: A “Blue Dream” double decker taco stuffed with queso, ground beef, lettuce, tomato and avocado ranch.

Credit: Alexis Larsen

Credit: Alexis Larsen

Greek Street: Buttered phyllo, walnuts and a honey lemon syrup perfect baklava.

Credit: Alexis Larsen

Credit: Alexis Larsen

The Last Queen: Chili Con Carne “Brit-style” served on a bed of basmati rice, this dish packed a delicious punch in flavor.

Credit: Alexis Larsen

Credit: Alexis Larsen

Loose Ends Brewing: Chef Adrian’s perfectly plated tuna poke crisp was the star. They also served beef short rib sliders and salmon sliders.

Credit: Alexis Larsen

Credit: Alexis Larsen

Smith’s Boathouse Restaurant: Luxardo cherry glazed braised short ribs over truffle mushroom risotto served with shaved asparagus in a light vinaigrette.

Credit: Alexis Larsen

Credit: Alexis Larsen

Station House: A wonderful wild mushroom carbonara made with trumpet, cremini, shitake and oyster mushrooms with peas and bacon served over a tender bed of orzo.

Credit: Alexis Larsen

Credit: Alexis Larsen

Favorite dishes for the evening were definitely Smith’s Boathouse short ribs and the carbonara from Station House. The best dish I had came from Calypso Grill and Smokehouse in Yellow Springs, a gem in the Dayton restaurant scene that deserves attention. Their featured dish was a brisket marinated in jerk sauce and smoked until juicy and tender. The meat masterpiece that emerged was served on a bed of local organic collard greens cooked with coconut milk, rum and aromatics. It was absolutely delicious. This is a dish they have served at previous sneak peeks and once again it wowed. The bitter buttery greens mixed with the savory meat was a winning combination.

Credit: Alexis Larsen

Credit: Alexis Larsen

Here is a look at all of the participating businesses that will greet winter restaurant week diners this year.

2023 WINTER RESTAURANT WEEK PARTICIPATING RESTAURANTS

Please note — calling ahead is recommended for details, hours and reservations. For the most up-to-date list and information visit http://dineoutdayton.com.

Amber Rose, 1400 Valley St., Dayton, (937) 228-2511

Backwater Voodoo, 3 South Main St., Miamisburg, (937) 949-0522

Basil’s on Market, 18 N. Market St., Troy (937) 875-2068

Basil’s on Market, 2729 Fairfield Commons Blvd., Beavercreek (937) 702-3160

Bunker’s Sports Bar & Grill, 893 E. National Road, Vandalia, (937) 890-8899

Butter Cafe, 1106 Brown St., Dayton, (937) 985-9917

Calypso Grill and Smokehouse, 1535 Xenia Ave., Yellow Springs, (937) 767-9000

Carvers Steaks & Chops, 1535 Miamisburg-Centerville Road, Centerville, (937) 433-7099

CBCB Bar & Grill, 2495 Commons Blvd., Beavercreek, (937) 426-3287

Chappy’s Social House, 7880 Washington Village Dr, Centerville, (937) 439-9200

The Chop House, 7727 Washington Village Drive, Washington Twp., (937) 291-1661

Coco’s Bistro, 250 Warren St., Dayton, (937) 228-2626

Condado Taco, 4482 Glengarry Dr., Beavercreek, (937) 705-6528

Corner Kitchen, 613 E. Fifth St., Dayton, (937) 938-5244

Figlio, 424 E. Stroop Rd., Kettering, (937) 534-0494

Firebirds Wood Fired Grill, 3500 Rigby Rd., Miamisburg, (937) 865-9355

Florentine Restaurant, 21 W. Market St., Germantown, (937) 855-7759

Franco’s Ristorante Italiano, 824 E. Fifth St., Dayton, (937) 222-0204

Greek Street, 101 E. Alex Bell Rd., Centerville, (937) 640-3295

Hickory River Smokehouse, 135 S. Garber Drive, Tipp City, (937) 669-2271

Jay’s Seafood Restaurant, 225 E. Sixth St., Dayton, (937) 222-2892

Jollity, 127 E. 3rd St., Dayton, (937) 938-9089

Loose Ends Brewing, 890 S. Main St., Centerville, (937) 723-6328

Meadowlark, 5531 Far Hills Ave., Washington Twp., (937) 434-4750

Nick’s Restaurant, 1443 N. Detroit St., Xenia, (937) 372-3202

Pasha Grill, 72 Plum St., The Greene, Beavercreek, (937) 429-9000

Rip Rap Roadhouse, 6024 Rip Rap Road, Dayton, (937) 236-4329

Roost Modern Italian, 524 E. 5th St., Dayton, (937) 222-3100

Salar, 410 E. Fifth St., Dayton, (937) 203-3999

Smith’s Boathouse Restaurant, 439 N. Elm St., Troy, (937) 335-3837

Station House, 8200 Provincial Way, Dayton, (937) 439-7154

The Caroline, 5 S. Market St., Troy, (937) 552-7676

The Last Queen, 210 E. Main St., Enon, (937) 340-6032

Dayton Eats looks at the regional food stories and restaurant news that make mouths water. Share info about your menu updates, special dinners and events, new chefs, interesting new dishes and culinary adventures. Do you know of new exciting format changes, specials, happy hours, restaurant updates or any other tasty news you think is worth a closer look at? E-mail Alexis Larsen at alexis.e.larsen@hotmail.com with the information and we will work to include it in future coverage.

HOW TO GO

What: Winter Restaurant Week

When: Jan. 22-29

Where: Various locations

Cost: Meals range in price from $20.23-$50.23

More info and complete list of restaurants: (937) 461-6872 (MVRA) or www.dineoutdayton.com

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