The mouth-watering new brunch items we tried at Salar

There’s a new brunch game in town, and word is spreading fast.

Salar is bringing Sunday brunch to the Oregon District in a big way with flavorful twists on traditional dishes and fresh offerings you won’t find anywhere else.

>> MORE: Oregon District restaurant unveils drool-worthy brunch

The restaurant recently announced that it would be open from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on Sundays for brunch, and it didn’t take long for hungry diners to catch on. Last Sunday, there was a robust crowd looking to enjoy some of the items from the inspired menu.

Some of our brunch offerings in town could use some fine tuning, but the atmosphere and menu that Salar offers up nails what brunch should be about.

>> RELATED: 9 of the best brunch spots in Dayton

Executive Chef Margot Blondet’s Peruvian flavors and classical French techniques come through subtly in the food, making for a nice flavorful surprise in some of the dishes that may seem more straight forward than you think until they arrive at the table.

MUST-TRY DISHES

A wonderful baked brie small plate ($13) is a great way for a group to kick things off. The brie is topped with aji Amarillo and passion fruit sauce that has a spicy little kick to it. It could have used a few more pieces of bread with it to help carry the remainder of the brie (four pieces were not enough), but the cheese did taste enormously satisfying on its own.

The roasted brussel sprouts ($9), topped with crispy pieces of bacon, drizzles of Hollandaise sauce and two poached eggs, may be on the appetizer menu, but it is a savory, delicious option that works for a meal if you love those bitter little buds that are packed full of vitamins. It's a dish I will be back for.

The picarones ($7), a Peruvian doughnut pastry served with an organic molasses sauce, were a little underdone and doughy, but with that much sugar still satisfying and a great pairing with a hot cup of coffee.

The Langostino lobster tacos ($17) are a treat with three tacos served up with fresh sautéed lobster, accompanied by a fusion of morita peppers, grilled red onions, avocado, cilantro and lettuce on corn tortillas with some Hollandaise sauce on top for good measure. It's a wonderful dish that's priced well and packed with flavor.

The menu oscillates drawing inspiration from different regions of the world and is one of the more exciting brunch menus to explore.

The huevos rancheros ($14) made with Mexican chorizo, sofrito, jalapeños, queso fresco and salsa verde and served with roasted potatoes and refried pinto beans is bursting with punchy heat while the elegant shrimp omelet ($15) packed with sautéed shrimp that have been cooked in a white wine reduction with roasted garlic, and oregano lightly dances along to a Parisian beat. The two dishes stand in sharp juxtaposition of one another and the rest of the menu falls across the span offering a little something for everyone.

roasted whiskey and honey marinated salmon ($24) provides a heart healthy protein option while the roasted pork belly ($14) topped with onion relish and served with jasmine rice and fried sweet potatoes with a sunny side up egg is available if you are looking to throw caution to the wind.

Parmesan cheese and bacon waffle topped with a boneless buttermilk fried Ed Hill chicken breast ($19) served with whiskey maple syrup is a nice twist on a classic Southern dish.

BONUS: LOTS OF VEGGIES

I’m consistently amazed at how few restaurants that do brunch offer little to no fruit and very few vegetables outside of breakfast potatoes. The amount of healthy vegetable friendly options on this menu is another major win in my book.

The grilled asparagus topped with toasted pine nuts and a balsamic reduction ($7) was a generous helping that could be paired with another vegetarian small plate for those looking to stay away from meat.

>> RELATED: 7 places to get a healthy brunch

BRUNCH COCKTAILS

Some of the brunch cocktails were a little skimpy for $9. The Bloody Mary, which is ordinarily a brunch super star didn’t have much to it. Hint: A Moscow Mule packed with fresh ginger ended up being a much better option.

>> RELATED: The best Bloody Mary’s in Dayton


WANT TO GO?

What: Salar Restaurant and Lounge

Where: 400 E. Fifth St., Dayton

More information: (937) 203–3999 or http://salarrestaurant.com/

About the Author