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Dayton dining: Who served the best of 2009?
So ….. What was your best restaurant meal or best dish of 2009?
For most of us, it was a year of cutting back. Trust me, your local food writer/restaurant reviewer was no exception. Nearly every week, I wrote about fabulous multi-course wine dinners and special restaurant events that sounded so tempting I had to strap on a drool cup just to finish typing. One thing is clear: The Miami Valley boasts a wealth of local chefs who know how to pull out all the stops when the situation calls for it.
Alas, I missed all but a tiny handful of those events, or I suspect this list of “Best Dishes of 2009” would be dominated by such one-time gustatory feasts. While the list does contain a couple of wine-dinner delights, it also contains some fabulous and easily accessible lunch dishes and even a couple of previous Restaurant Week menu surprises. (By the way, mark your new 2010 calendars for Winter Restaurant Week, Jan. 24-29).
Here’s my highly personalized “best meals of 2009.”
China Cottage, Kettering: Tiger Wang, whose small chain of Chinese restaurants includes locations in Kettering, Centerville, Springboro and Trotwood, threw one of the Miami Valley’s most lavish and satisfying parties of the year last Jan. 26-27, and may have singlehandedly resurrected the concept of the Chinese New Year’s celebration in the Miami Valley (He’s doing it again this year on Feb. 22-23 at the Centerville location). But I have a soft spot in my heart (and stomach) for the Kettering China Cottage’s “Asparagus Special,” which combines tender spears of asparagus, sliced carrots, thinly sliced garlic cloves and the meat of your choice in a rich sauce. It’s a stir-fried delight, and healthful . Portions are generous. At lunch, the chicken, beef, pork or veggie version costs a scant $5.95, shrimp or combo $7.95, while the dinner portions are $9.95/$11.95. Check for availability at the other locations.
The Meadowlark, Washington Twp.: Chef-owner Elizabeth Wiley does a lot of things right, and here’s one that has become a staple of Meadowlark’s lunch menu: The Portabella Pattymelt ($9.95). She starts with a large, fresh portabella mushroom cap, marinates it, tops it with caramelized onions and melted gruyere cheese, puts it between two slices of toasted rye bread, thus creating wonderful alchemy. Substitute the garlic frites for the French fries for $1, and you will create a lunch dish you just might become addicted to.
Coldwater Cafe, Tipp City: My wife and I found ourselves at this hidden gem of a restaurant in early December in the heart of a holiday rush and had a great experience that was highlighted by a daily special of perfectly cooked, generously portioned, soy-glazed sea bass fillet. Fresh, silken, prepared simply and correctly — sublime.
L’Auberge, Kettering: I’m betting this landmark restaurant puts together more special dinners and events than any other in the region, and I made it to only one: a memorable June wine dinner with Gordon Hullar and Doris Holzheimer, the proprietors of Mason-based wine importer and distributor Vintner Select. For his third course, then-executive chef Romy Jung served Guinea Fowl with Tarbais White Bean Marmalade of Golden Raisin, Sage and Foie Gras. Each bean had been hand-shelled, and the sauce that collected on the plate, pumped up by the foie gras, was transcendant, as were the Barolos and Barbarescos served over the course of the evening.
Rue Dumaine, Washington Twp.: Oh heck, while we’re on the topic of foie gras, Rue Dumaine served a Pan-Seared Foie Gras over a Crispy Sweet Onion-Black Pepper Rusk Sauced with a Local Quince-Armagnac Reduction at a special dinner in October that still gives me goose bumps .
The Winds, Yellow Springs: Last January, both of The Winds’ Restaurant Week entree options sparkled. Roasted duck — a leg and thigh — came to the table a deep mahogany color worthy of a magazine cover, and the meat was earthy, tender and succulent, accented by a cider sauce. Sauteed Skate with Mushroom Vinaigrette featured a lightly breaded, moist and mild fish pumped up by the tangy mushrooms sauteed with vinegar and fresh herbs. Three months later, the restaurant impressed again, this time at a wine luncheon next door to the restaurant, with a satisfying Rabbit with Mushrooms and Tarragon.
The Caroline, Troy, and Hickory River, Tipp City: It was a Miami County sweep in the September “Taste of Miami Valley” event at Riverscape in Dayton, with The Caroline’s Strawberries in Kahlua Sauce and Hickory River’s Barbecue Ribs tying for the “Best Dish” designation. The ribs were tender, smoky and flavorful, and the creamy Kahlua sauce accentuated but did not overwhelm the delicious berries.
El Meson, West Carrollton: Sure, you can pay less for Fajitas — here, the dish is $20 on the dinner menu, $12 at lunch — but you won’t find any better than El Meson’s. Available in beef, chicken or shrimp, the fajitas feature fresh, seasonal vegetables seasoned with tropical spices and served with rice, black beans, salsa, guacamole, sour cream and flour tortillas.
What about you? What were your favorite restaurant experiences of the year?
Permalink | Comments (28) | Post your comment | Categories: Just for Fun, Restaurant reviews
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By Susan
January 14, 2010 8:43 PM | Link to this
Coldwater Cafe never disappoints. Great atmosphere, service, food. We go there as often as we can.
By Isaiah
January 14, 2010 12:13 PM | Link to this
The best soup in the area is at Kanoe Cafe in Tipp City. Chef John makes everything from scratch he does not even know the name Campbell. This year he put out a new turkey burger that is so juicy it melts in your mouth. The atmosphere was fantastic with painitings and an eclictic.
By mk
January 5, 2010 10:52 PM | Link to this
starlite diner in Kettering has a good variety and lots of selections, it’s a family owned, does a good job.
By Red Storm
January 4, 2010 7:31 PM | Link to this
China Dynasty, Centerville. Stephen dishes up some wonderful Thai, Chinese and Japanese dishes. Now serving “Sushi” Tues, Thur, Sat. Stop by! Savona, Centerville Chef Keith dishes up really wonderful full of flavor meals. Love this place! Stop by!
By Sue
January 4, 2010 5:50 AM | Link to this
We love Linh’s for the best Vietnamese food in the Dayton area. It is closed for kitchen re-vamping until January 18 but worth the wait. The shrimp soft rolls and big pho soups as well as the buns (noodle bowls) are real food for the soul, and fresh and healthy too! For families and people of any age, I love Giovanni’s in Fairborn. Their thin crust pizza is special and the atmosphere is happy and efficient too.
By Eugene
January 3, 2010 9:23 PM | Link to this
Glad you mentioned the Wind’s in Yellow Springs - great way to end a day of hiking in the Glen or just shopping around the Village. They do a great movie special on Sundays - check it out.
By gailo
January 3, 2010 8:06 PM | Link to this
Harrisons at Tipp City has awesome steaks and the service that matches.
By foodieiam
January 2, 2010 6:28 PM | Link to this
what about Amelias in Bellbrook there pork chop is to die for and there soups outstanding the atmosphere is warm and inviting you feel like you are always welcome by frank and all the servers what a great place its worth the drive dont fight the mall or the greene
By null
December 31, 2009 2:06 PM | Link to this
The best buffalo chicken sandwich I have ever had, and I’ve had a few, it’s my favorite, was at Harrison’s in Tipp City. Speaking of Tipp City, I highly recommend Coldwater Cafe’s Ostrich Filet. And if you like Sicilian-style pizza, no one does it better than Palermo’s in Kettering.
By R U Kidn Me?
December 30, 2009 11:05 PM | Link to this
Yo Concrete…….Not a better pizza in Day, Oh than OE.
By DaveWave
December 30, 2009 7:39 PM | Link to this
I’m with you on El Meson and Meadowlark. I suggest The Amber Rose to complete my triumvirate of Dayton faves! P.S. Don’t forget Madison’s Bistro either!
By Barry
December 30, 2009 6:41 PM | Link to this
I have always been a big fan of the Dublin Pub and Ron’s Pizza in Miamisburg
By Regular
December 30, 2009 6:04 PM | Link to this
For good food, good service, and reasonable prices, you can’t beat Doubleday’s in the Cross Pointe shopping center in Centerville! Been going there since it opened (1991), and it only got better after a change in ownership.
By greenchilehead
December 30, 2009 5:27 PM | Link to this
Wiley is awesome with the food at the Meadowlark and her prices are very fair for the quality of the food she serves - always a delight and great service! El Meson ties with the Meadowlark for our other favorite place - the calamari gently cooked in garlic is our favorite melt in your mouth appetizer! Let’s face it, you get what you pay for - if you want great food - at home or out - the ingredients cost more than pizza dough!
By awp
December 30, 2009 5:21 PM | Link to this
i like meadowlark, e.w. is picky about her ingredients….only the best !
By Concrete Jungle Dweller
December 30, 2009 4:24 PM | Link to this
All of these restaurants are excellent, but they are all very expensive and somewhat fancy. What about pizza at Oregon Express? What about Coco’s Bistro or C’est Tout? A great steak at Pine Club with a side of stewed tomatoes or Old Hickory? Those places have weathered all of the storms in Dayton and have loyal customer followings. Let’s applaud those independently owned/run places!!
By Doc
December 30, 2009 3:48 PM | Link to this
Anything Wiley prepares at the Meadowlark is a party in your mouth. I’m serious. A big, fat, delicious, happy party. In your mouth. At Meadowlark. On 725 in centerville.
By fike
December 30, 2009 3:43 PM | Link to this
old hickory n. main,best BBQ ever!
By Laura
December 30, 2009 2:40 PM | Link to this
Pho at Linh’s is always a treat, but there were a couple of times this year when it went above and beyond and was spectacularly good.
By fran
December 30, 2009 2:18 PM | Link to this
Hey Rufus, Dogs know food? Dogs eat their own poop. Enough said.
By AM
December 30, 2009 2:16 PM | Link to this
How about La Michoacana Market off of Troy Street in DT Dayton? Fajitas for one that actually serve 2 for about $10. Or, how about Taqueria Mixteca on Third Street?
By Alecia
December 30, 2009 2:15 PM | Link to this
How about La Michoacana Market off of Troy Street in DT Dayton? Fajitas for one that actually serve 2 for about $10. Or, how about Taqueria Mixteca on Third Street?
By dp
December 30, 2009 1:27 PM | Link to this
I like taking my family to Hometown Buffet in Centerville, it is a great bargain for the food, and my kids all love it.
By Diner
December 30, 2009 10:40 AM | Link to this
Carver’s early meal specials ($20 for salad, entree and dessert) can’t be beat! I also enjoy going to Texas Roadhouse and Longhorn’s, as well as Oakwood Club, Pine Club and Hickory on Brown Street. Is it dinner time??
By LJ
December 30, 2009 9:23 AM | Link to this
Although known for ribs, the Hickory on Brown St. has the best NY Strip in town! Don’t forget about that great shrip cocktail either.
By T.K.
December 30, 2009 9:08 AM | Link to this
I enjoy many of the Dayton Independent restaurants including Cest Tout in Oakwood Amelias in Bellbrook and the best pizza in town at the oregon express
By Sharp
December 30, 2009 8:22 AM | Link to this
1. Coco’s Bistro- everything is good and the last time there I had their hamburger and fries. Could be the best hamburger I ever had. 2. Meadowlark- I enjoy all the specials.
By Rufus
December 30, 2009 7:50 AM | Link to this
No BBQ? BBQ is dining! Oinkadoodlemoo’s in Englewood and Smoking Bar-B-Que downtown for those who will not travel out of the city for better BBQ http:/dogwalkblog.com Dogs know food.