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2010 was a delicious year on the Miami Valley dining scene
Note: Here’s a copy of a story that ran in today’s (1-7-11) Dayton Daily News Go section. What was YOUR dining-out highlight of 2010?
Let’s take a look back at the year that was on the Miami Valley’s dining scene — and a sneak peek of what’s ahead for 2011:
— Best Debut in 2010: Side Bar restaurant at 410 E. Fifth St. From the day it opened in the former Pacchia space in Dayton’s Oregon District, Brian Higgins’ Side Bar has proven itself to be a destination restaurant — worth the special trip. Chef Margot Blondet’s small plates dazzle, including the Beef Tenderloin with Cabrales Cheese Sauce and Sole Paupiettes in Saffron Cream Sauce. Cocktails are prepared with attention to detail, and the wine list is well-selected and reasonably priced. Oh, and the Tres Leches cake is as good as desserts get.
— Runner-up for best debut in 2010 goes to Hawthorn Grill at 1222 E. Stroop Road in Kettering. Chef-owner Candace Rinke clearly knows her way around the kitchen, and even side dishes demonstrate considerable attention to detail. Diners who order the chicken and biscuits here get fresh thyme-flecked biscuits that Rinke herself made earlier that day.
— Best meal of 2010: If you’re ever invited to go to one of Rue Dumaine’s private dinners — chef/co-owner Anne Kearney donates dinners for six or so to various hospital foundations and other nonprofit organizations to auction off at fundraisers, and hosts the events on Sunday or Monday when the restaurant is normally closed — move heaven and earth to say yes. I attended one in early September and had a memorable meal that included locally raised pheasant, lump crab over heirloom tomatoes, and a mind-blowing foie gras preparation using locally grown apricots, among other courses.
— Best hire: Chris Cavender as executive chef at Jay’s Restaurant. This restaurant lost its founder in 2009, and its executive chef later departed for another position, but general manager Amy Haverstick’s hiring of former Cuvee Wine Bar and local chef Chris Cavender has steadied the ship and introduced some interesting weekend specials into the mix. Now, in addition to the standbys, the weekend menus in recent months have included Hawaiian Barracuda, Monchong, Opah or Cobia. And some additional new touches to the menu are said to be on the way in early 2010.
— What was hot in 2010: Barbecue. Last year brought a slew of new barbecue restaurants: OinkADoodleMoo in Englewood started selling from a second location at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in April, then opened a third store, its first franchise, in Kettering in October. Meanwhile, Woody’s BBQ opened in Beavercreek in February, and Company 7 BBQ opened a large new restaurant just last month in Englewood. And in Miamisburg, the Dark Horse Tavern in March unveiled a new Texas-style barbecue menu. What’s with the barbecue craze? It’s not like there was a dearth of BBQ restaurants here in the Miami Valley prior to the most recent surge, was there? Either way, barbecue enthusiasts now have more choices than ever.
— Runner-up for hot cuisine of 2010: Asian. There were many, many new Asian restaurants that opened their doors in 2010, with more on the way. Among the most promising to debut were Sushi Hana, 1501 Lyons Road in Washington Twp., which serves up very fine sushi, specialty rolls and Korean dishes; Osaka Japanese Restaurant, 2476 Commons Blvd. near the Mall at Fairfield Commons in Beavercreek; and CJ Chan at 536 Wilmington Ave. in Dayton, which just opened in November and is showing promise; and Choe’s Asian Gourmet, which opened in late at The Greene in Beavercreek, and about which you’ll be reading more in this space in the weeks ahead. I’m also looking forward to trying Pho Mi Vietnamese Restaurant, located in the former India Palace behind McDonald’s at Ohio 741 (Springboro Pike) and Kingsridge Road, which just opened two weeks ago. Between these newcomers and Dayton’s existing Asian restaurants such as China Cottage, Thai 9, Mr. Lee’s Fine Dining, Tsao’s Cuisine, Bahn Mai Thai, Siam Pad Thai and many others, the Asian dining scene is as vibrant with choices as it’s ever been.
— Stories to watch for in 2011: New locations for Meadowlark restaurant and for Coco’s Bistro; the openings of “Giuliano, an Anticoli Tavern” in downtown Miamisburg and “Olive, An Urban Dive” in downtown Dayton, among others; and, of course, Winter Restaurant Week (Jan. 24-29). And those are just the appetizers.
Permalink | Comments (7) | Post your comment | Categories: Local restaurant news, Restaurant openings, Restaurant reviews
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By fike
January 11, 2011 12:19 PM | Link to this
Old Hickory N.Main Best B-B-Q Ever !
By Seafood Lover
January 10, 2011 8:56 PM | Link to this
There are so many great restaurants in Dayton. Hawthorne Grill, Rue Dumaine and Meadowlark are tops as far as the best meals in town. I’ve been so disappointed in Jay’s. The specials and luncheons sound good, but I thought Jay’s was a seafood restaurant.
By robbi
January 8, 2011 5:29 PM | Link to this
Best in my book, by far, is Hawthorne Grill. Hands down the best Filet in town. The sides can always be counted on as being suited well with the entree’. The fresh made bread with the sea salt on top with the home made butter, mmmm! If you love really good food, give it a try! Ask for Aaron for your sever. He is very attentive, knowledgeable of both the menu and wine, and a great server!
By garybary
January 7, 2011 2:38 PM | Link to this
Just ate at Pho Mi. I doubt it will last long. It’s just barely “OK”. I’ll stick with Linh’s or Little Saigon. OinkADoodleMoo is good, but (sadly) not great. I can do much better with my backyard smoker. The side portions are small and very average.
By Sam
January 7, 2011 12:50 PM | Link to this
Agree with Mike. Imagine the best chef in the region fixing delightful menu items with the best local ingredients. Amazing!
By Mama's Kitchun
January 7, 2011 12:47 PM | Link to this
I got some South Dakota pheasant shot by my husband. Crabs from Meijer. My tomatoes are not heirloom or antique. I subsituted chicken livers for the foie gras and pears for apricots from our old pear tree out back. Yum Yum.
By Mike
January 7, 2011 11:30 AM | Link to this
Rue Dumaine, head and shoulders above any local competition. On par with any top restaurant in the country.