By Unbelievable

May 9, 2009 3:13 PM | Link to this

Annie needs to grow up and smell the roses! She embarrassed her employees in front of the patrons all the time; also had to pay for product on a daily basis because she couldn’t get credit anymore! Now she is trying to make a buck again on the Mantia Family name! Maybe she should go back to Las Vegas again and see where that gets her with no money!

By Janice

May 9, 2009 2:54 PM | Link to this

Going to eat there tonite, I loved that they allowed us to make a reservation. The bottled dressing is NOT like the original restaurant dressing, I have made dressing that comes closer. I hope this place does well, we need some “local” places back in town.

By MICHAEL J.

May 9, 2009 9:49 AM | Link to this

WE ATE AT DUKES LAST NIGHT,HAD A GREAT MEAL . GOING BACK TONIGHT, GOOD LUCK TO DUKES ENTIRE STAFF. THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES.

By Love Garlic

May 8, 2009 8:35 PM | Link to this

Anyone that has ever ate at Dominics knows that the salad is supposed to be “soggy” and loaded with garlic-isn’t that the way its supposed to be! I do have to say I was disappointed at the “Dominics” dressing that I bought at the store-not even close, I even added some Kraft Italian to it to make it better! I hope they do well no matter what the name. The Miamisburg-West Carrolton Area(not the mall) can use quality places to keep the area growing. Good luck to all involved!

By Read Much?

May 7, 2009 9:26 PM | Link to this

Hey “Old Customer”: Do you read much? I’m not sure a bunch of you know how to read, or else don’t bother to think before you comment. The articles say Christie is no longer involved. You are supporting the former owner of Duke’s… how proud would Dick be of Christie for selling out to Duke’s? Also, if it was such an important “family” business, why would she sell out first to Anne, then to Reece? There is a word for someone who is willing to sell themselves, or what they believe in for money. Some may call that prostitution… others call it a sell-out. Either way, she obviously cared more about greed than the “family” business. For those that cannot read, or elect to post stupid comments without reading first, (1) Christie sold her “precious” interest in the business, and (2) the current business is being run by Reece Powers, not Christie. There is no Mantia involved in “Dukes/Dominic’s/D’s,” so just who do you think you are supporting? What Mantia is running it? Yes, Dick would be crushed — by his daughter being willing to sell out her family to Duke’s for money…

By OLD CUSTOMER

May 7, 2009 7:21 PM | Link to this

My husband and I were good friends of Dick Mantia’s and he must be rolling over in his grave. I don’t know what Dick was thinking when he married Annie. He should have had a prenup then none of this would be going on. Annie married into the business but Christie was born into it.(she is family) Christie should have gotten the restaurant when Dick died. Annie spent her share gambling over the years. Oh and shopping. We did have dinner at Dukes Wed. night. Food was good, salad was great (better then the org.) service needs work. I agree with others about the bread you need to work on that. Best of luck Christy I know your dad is very proud of you.

By Duke

May 7, 2009 11:47 AM | Link to this

Duke was an arm wretling poem writing mad man. Name your establishment carefully. It would bite you in the end.

By West Carrollton Resident

May 7, 2009 11:39 AM | Link to this

I, for one, am thrilled that the restaurant is open. I’ve eaten there twice. Once inside and once carryout. The house dressing is awesome, although it seems to have a slightly sweeter taste than Dominic’s and which I believe I like better. Food is great. I thought the prices were reasonable. Inside service is still getting their bearings and I’m confident the restaurant is only going to get better and better. I hope everyone supports the restaurant regardless of the Mantia’s family drama. People’s jobs depend upon it. The best part? I literally live around the corner! Yum!!

By McRib

May 7, 2009 11:30 AM | Link to this

Dukes? Hmmm, slick move! I ate at the old Dukes and did not care for the food or atmosphere there. Just a bunch of old drunks hanging out . I hope they don’t put those ridiculous poems on the walls!

By Whaaaat?

May 7, 2009 11:04 AM | Link to this

THIS IS NOT DUKES! THIS IS NOT DOMINICS! STOP RIDING COAT TAILS AND GIVE IT YOUR OWN/NEW NAME. THEY SHOULD BUILD THEIR OWN REPUTATION!

By loyal customer

May 7, 2009 11:02 AM | Link to this

People need to give Dukes a break, they just opened. They need to work out the bugs. It takes time for a resturante to get in the swing of things.

By Whaaaaaat?

May 7, 2009 11:02 AM | Link to this

What is in a name. Why is it so important to use to names from closed fine establishments of the past. Dominics was great until… Duke’s was great! New owners old names, WONT WORK!

By Evan

May 7, 2009 10:00 AM | Link to this

Food was crap and so was the service. Duke’s and Dominic’s was good and this place isn’t. SAVE YOUR MONEY

By Marcia

May 7, 2009 9:55 AM | Link to this

My husband and I ate there Monday evening as the name was changing to Duke’s. Everything was fine and delicious. Good Luck and we’ll be back!

By Ken

May 7, 2009 9:24 AM | Link to this

My wife and I were so excited to eat at Domin…I mean Dukes. Maybe too excited. The service was aweful. We were dissappointed with the rolls, instead of the white bread/rye bread with salt combo We will try again soon. Hopefully they get all the kinks worked out and bring back the bread.

By Izzy

May 7, 2009 9:24 AM | Link to this

Ate at Duke’s last night. Food was great, salad was AWESOME (it’s supposed to be “soggy”, gesh, get out sometime people). Service needs improvement.

By Ken

May 7, 2009 9:23 AM | Link to this

My wife and I were so excited to eat at Domin…I mean Dukes. Maybe too excited. The service was aweful. We were dissappointed with the rolls, instead of the white bread/rye bread with salt combo We will try again soon. Hopefully they get all the kinks worked out and bring back the bread.

By theshawn

May 7, 2009 8:55 AM | Link to this

I saw Anne should just ask Christie to pay her the $460,000 back and let her use the name. But I doubt Christie would be that honest. She’d rather take the money then use the Dominic’s name in advertising her new restaurant, then act like she’s the victim. And people actually defend what she’s done. Pathetic.

By An Italian Dad

May 7, 2009 8:48 AM | Link to this

This lawsuit has had to be very distracting. It is sad to see all this drama, I don’t know the people, but I feel for them. I know with the granddaughter it is emotional, how could it not be? I am sure she loved her grandfather very much. All I can say is I buy the salad dressing at the store. Not anymore I just won’t even think about it. The new restaurant I will give it a try in about a week.

By Judy

May 7, 2009 8:45 AM | Link to this

Who cares about Dominics? If you miss their food, just go eat a garlic clove! Whatever happened to Duke??

By Tonya

May 7, 2009 8:43 AM | Link to this

I thought the food was great! The service was ok, they are just starting, we need this for the town so give them a break people!

By earl

May 7, 2009 8:29 AM | Link to this

Cut them some slack… the just opened.

By Bob

May 7, 2009 7:25 AM | Link to this

We ate there on Wednesday night (May 6th). Service was TERRIBLE but the food was terrific. Too many young kids workign there that seem to be clueless with what they are doing

By Gave it a try

May 7, 2009 7:08 AM | Link to this

We gave the new place a try because we enjoyed Dominic’s for many years. They need time to improve the operation and clean the windows in the sun room. Like others, we missed the Dominic’s bread, and the music was too loud. We give it a try in a few more weeks.

By N Cochrane

May 7, 2009 3:52 AM | Link to this

I agreed with Inquiring Mind; the legacy and loyal customers are the most important. Like Suze says, “PEOPLE first, then money, then things.”

By Amazed

May 7, 2009 12:45 AM | Link to this

Anne Mantia may be a lot of things but there is a contract and her step-daughter agreed to it and received over $400K. So who is the “bad guy?” I wonder how many of you would be so generous if someone had signed a contact with you and breached it?

By Sammy

May 6, 2009 11:15 PM | Link to this

I am so sad about all this law suit BS… Annie and Christie were always close, what the hey happened. I worked for Dominic’s before Annie took over, and Sony

By Julie

May 6, 2009 10:46 PM | Link to this

Anne Mantia should be ashamed of herself. She was never more than a trophy wife & a gold digger. Dick must be rolling over in his grave.

By BeaverFlyer

May 6, 2009 9:56 PM | Link to this

Great Food, Great service! Pretty amazing since it has only been open a short time. They will only get better. Support local restaurants!

By localguy

May 6, 2009 8:57 PM | Link to this

Ate there today. Not perfect but OK. Took home some extra house salads. WHOA!!! I think that odor will be in the van for weeks. Plenty of help in the dining room, but not very helpful. Lots of 20 somethings learning the trade.

By MV

May 6, 2009 8:29 PM | Link to this

Service was bad, but the food made up for it. The only thing missing was the bread from Dominic’s. The rolls at Duke’s weren’t very good, I think they were Pillsbury.

By BBM

May 6, 2009 8:24 PM | Link to this

We ate there on Saturday. Service was TERRIBLE but the food was terrific. I miss having bread with my meal. I’ll have to stop at Ashley’s Pastries first.

By be gone

May 6, 2009 8:09 PM | Link to this

OK! So how much did Anne pay to have the bad comments about the restaurant posted. I wish them the best. And hope to eat there soon.

By jane

May 6, 2009 7:58 PM | Link to this

does anyone know a waiter that used to work @ Dominic’s named Bill L.? Tall,skinny,brown hair?

By Candace

May 6, 2009 7:49 PM | Link to this

Ate there tonight and the food was very good. Service was a little slow, but not too bad. As for the “soggy” salad - that’s the way it’s supposed to be and it’s awesome.

By Lily

May 6, 2009 7:34 PM | Link to this

I heard that Anne wasn’t a very nice person to deal with anyway. I do miss some of the servers that Dominics had. Maybe Duke’s could hire some of them. Or does Anne control them too? does Anne control them too?

By ryan

May 6, 2009 7:07 PM | Link to this

Anne Mantia is a disgrace to dominics. why hold rights to a name if all you’re going to do is ruin it with your bottled salad dressing.

By Mark

May 6, 2009 6:32 PM | Link to this

I ate there for lunch on Monday and found the food and service both to be good—and certainly better than I would expect for a restaurant only open for a couple of days.

By Barry

May 6, 2009 5:59 PM | Link to this

I am going to give it a week or two before I walk in the door, everything needs some time for shakedown and to knock the edges off. I have high hopes for the best though.

By I hate wet salad

May 6, 2009 5:42 PM | Link to this

Garlic Salad is soggy. They soak the lettuce in this dressing and it makes it all wet and soggy. They need to fix this problem now.

By To 'Moi'

May 6, 2009 5:02 PM | Link to this

To Moi: You said they should be intelligent enough to know it takes a few days to get things together… I’m not sure about your standard or business knowledge but in today’s industry there is no time for a learning curve- you must be on top of your game from the minute the door opens for business! Why would you willingly go to market knowing your restaurant isn’t ready for the public?

By Moi

May 6, 2009 4:54 PM | Link to this

‘D’ and Bill, which Mantia are YOU related to??? Were you actually there, or is it sour grapes? Even if you were really at the restaurant to eat, you should at least be intelligent enough to know that it takes more than a day or two for food and service to come together…

By Never again

May 6, 2009 4:51 PM | Link to this

We went there for lunch today- expecting the same great service and food we got when we used to visit Dominic’s. Salad was crap, no bread was served with them and when we asked our waitress it still wasn’t ready when we were ready to leave (she offered to box it up- no thanks) and the meatballs tasted like paste; I almost choked on my dry, hard chicken parm. Iced Tea tasted instant- I took one drink and sent it back, but they still charged me $2.25 for it! I didn’t complain though, I was afraid it would take another 30 minutes to take it off the bill. I set the bar high for them and they certainly didn’t meet it, didn’t even come close. Won’t be back and everyone else- don’t waste your time (took way over a standard lunch break) or your money! I’ll keep spending mine at LaRosa’s or Mamma’s. For this location (hard location) you have got to have food and service that people will want to drive the distance for. I work and live within 10-15 minutes of the place and won’t go back!

By Pharrell

May 6, 2009 4:45 PM | Link to this

Let’s see…the stepmom paid out nearly half a mill for the Dominic’s name then vigorously defended her claim. Yeah, what a witch…

By Thinkaboutit

May 6, 2009 4:37 PM | Link to this

WOW, I am suprised that the Dayton Daily News is not censoring this blog…..Its very sad when a newspaper resorts to censoring….only in Dayton.

By D

May 6, 2009 4:27 PM | Link to this

The food is horrible and the service is as well. I would not go back if they were giving the food away for free. The inside also looks very cheap.

By bill

May 6, 2009 4:18 PM | Link to this

I ate at this place on Sunday - Bad Service and Bad Food. Not worth the time and energy or money.

By June

May 6, 2009 4:17 PM | Link to this

Thank God! Now can we eat!

By loyal customer

May 6, 2009 4:11 PM | Link to this

Anne needs to drop the case. People are greedy! I for one am tickled the new resturante if open. yea!!!

By Becky

May 6, 2009 4:07 PM | Link to this

Who cares???? How many other restaurants have been in that building? And they all closed down over the years, it’s cursed! This place may not last beyond the court trials for the “Name”.

By nyc

May 6, 2009 3:59 PM | Link to this

there is so much more litigation in the courts that have significance..and the ddn constantly reports on something so trivial and meaningless…..wow

By Scooby does not

May 6, 2009 3:49 PM | Link to this

How much free publicity are these people and this place going to get? Let it go, DDN!

By inquiring mind

May 6, 2009 3:42 PM | Link to this

Anne Mantia needs to think about someone other than herself (like her late husband’s loyal customers) and let it go. Her contribution to this process has been to preside over the demise of the original restaurant, bottle some embarrassingly awful salad dressing, and now to be an impediment to this. Time so say “Ciao”