Established in 1962, the Oakwood Club specializes in elegant dining. It’s a place for patrons to take their time and enjoy savoring their meals. “I really like the sound. You hear people having a good time,” Yuna said.
It’s a restaurant for a relaxing after-work dinner or a date. “The soft lighting is the perfect combination. It’s dark enough for a nice atmosphere but still light enough to know what you’re eating,” Yuna said. “I love the stained glass accents and lamps,” Connie replied.
Menu highlights: If you like classic dining, you'll find plenty of items on the menu, such as Baked French Onion Soup Au Gratin (bowl, $5.95; cup, $4.95), Loin Lamp Chops ($31.95), Rainbow Trout Amandine ($22.95) and Porterhouse steak (21-ounce, $33.95).
What we had:
- Escargot, 10.95: A plate of 6 shell-less escargots bathed in garlicky butter. Served in a pewter dish and accompanied by an assortment of breads. "I love the fresh garlic!" Yuna said. "You've got to dig in and get the chunks!"
- Garlic Shrimp and Linguine with Twin Filet Mignons, $24.95: The best of both worlds, surf and turf, that is. The Oakwood Club only serves select Midwestern beef that has been aged 21 days and all their seafood is flown in daily. Yuna ordered hers with stewed tomatoes, a Dayton classic. "There's the right amount of sweetness in the tomatoes," Yuna said.
- Broiled halibut, $29.90: This was a special the night we were there. Connie ordered hers with a baked Idaho potato and sour cream on the side. The halibut came in a broth and was topped with sun-dried tomatoes and chopped parsley. "Oh my gosh! This is delicious!" Connie said.
- Crème brulee, $6.50: A classic treat! Our server boasted that it would be great because she torches it herself. And it was delish – a luscious layer of egg custard with a hard caramel shell accented with sliced strawberry. "It's impossible to put your spoon down!" Yuna said.
Info: Oakwood Club, 2414 Fair Hills, Ave., Oakwood; (937) 293-6973; www.theoakwoodclub.com. Walk-ins welcome. Reservations accepted Monday through Thursday for any size party and for five or more on Friday and Saturday.
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 4 - 11:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 4:30 p.m. – 1 a.m. Closed Sunday.
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