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Restaurants kick off Dream Week for charity

Photos: Dream Week starts at Taj Ma Garaj

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(left to right) James Barone of Beavercreek, Brent Johnson of Dayton and Patrick Przborowski of Centerville socialize and enjoy the food during AIDS Resource Center Ohio's kick-off event to

Staff photo by Teesha McClam (left to right) James Barone of Beavercreek, Brent Johnson of Dayton and Patrick Przborowski of Centerville socialize and enjoy the food during AIDS Resource Center Ohio's kick-off event to "Dream Week" at Taj Ma Garaj Sunday, May 31, 2009 in downtown Dayton.

By Tom Beyerlein, Staff Writer Updated 11:30 AM Monday, June 1, 2009

Imagine an event where savory specialties of unassuming mom-and-pop eateries are served alongside the fancy fare of the area’s top fine-dining establishments.

It’s not just a gourmet’s dream, it’s Dream Week, a special promotion by 24 independently owned restaurants to benefit AIDS Resource Center Ohio, or ARC Ohio. The event, which continues through Saturday, June 6, kicked off today when about 200 diners sampled the restaurants’ wares at a $50-a-ticket event at Taj Ma Garaj, 300 S. Perry St.

“There are so many chain restaurants out there. This gives you a taste of the local ones,” said Debbi Monnin of Lewisburg, who attended with her husband, Dale. “The only thing I don’t like about the event is they ask you to choose your favorite. Impossible.”

Throughout the week, the restaurants will contribute $1 to ARC Ohio from each special “dream meal” they sell. Organizers hope to raise $50,000 through meals, ticket sales and sponsorships, said ARC’s Jack Omer. It’s the first of what may become an annual event.

ARC Ohio, with locations in Dayton, Toledo, Mansfield and Lima, provides prevention education, advocacy, referral to medical care and testing for people in 36 counties. Executive Director William Hardy said half of all new infections involve people age 24 and under, but 20 percent of the group’s clients are women and 15 percent of new infections involve those 50 and older.

“It’s an equal opportunity infection,” Hardy said.

Matthew Hayden, executive chef at Chimneys’ Inn of Miamisburg, said the partnership of ARC Ohio and the Dayton independents is “a perfect fit. We’re both looking out for the little guy, the individual. This is the beginning of something big.”

Participating Restaurants

North

The Barnsider • American Cuisine; 277-1332
Buckhorn Tavern • American Traditional; 890-3261
Caffe’ Anticoli • Italian/American; 890-0300
Harrison’s • American Favorites; 667-5200
La Piazza • Italian; 339-5553
Original Rib House • Real Barbeque; 898-4601

East

The Dock • Seafood; 864-5011
Giovanni’s • Italian; 878-1611
Wellington Grille • Steakhouse/Bistro; 426-4600

Oakwood / Kettering / Downtown

Café Boulevard • American Bistro; 824-2722
C’est Tout • French Bistro; 298-0022
Christopher’s Restaurant • American Favorites; 299-0089
Coco’s Bistro • 228-2626
L’Auberge • French Bistro; 299-5536
Madison’s Bistro • Greek/American; 435-7080
Pacchia • 341-5050
The Pine Club • Classic Steakhouse; 228-7463
Oakwood Club • Steaks/Seafood; 293-6973

South

Bahn Mai Thai Cafe’ • Thai/Asian; 435-0624
Bullwinkle’s • American Favorites; 859-7677
Cena • Brazilian Steakhouse & Lounge; 438-1194
Chimney’s Inn • Contemporary Southern; 847-0800
Meadowlark • Eclectic American; 434-4750
Savona • American/Mediterranean; 610-9835

Get the menus for each restaurant at The Dayton Independents

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Friends and I ate at Coco's...they had 3 GREAT meals available. Try their deep fried spinach...it is unbelieveable!!
Great service too

nora.p
8:55 AM, 6/5/2009

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The menus are available....

jp
11:08 AM, 6/1/2009

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On the right of each restaurant listing, there is a "Dream Week" menu. What is different this time, is that it doesn't look like they restaurants are required to honor a specific price point (eg. $20.09)

Brian
11:06 AM, 6/1/2009

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If you go to daytonindependents.com you will find the restaurants and their menus. In the two places I checked, I didn't see a specific menu that went with this charity event.

Anita
8:25 AM, 6/1/2009

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It is very unfortunate that the menus for this event are not available!

Russell Schiappacasse
7:29 AM, 6/1/2009

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