How to go
What: Sneak Peek to Winter Restaurant Week
When: 5:30-8:30 p.m. Jan. 14
Where: White Allen European Auto, 648 North Springboro Pike, Dayton
Cost: $20.15 per ticket which includes one drink ticket.Drinks can be purchased at the event - $3 for beer, $4 for wine and Buckeye Vodka cocktails. Sneak Peek tickets can be purchased at https://dineoutdayton.com/events/jan-14
More info: (937) 461-MVRA or www.dineoutdayton.com
DAYTON EATS
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Resisting a sneak peek takes resolve and will power — especially when it comes to food.
In advance of the Miami Valley Restaurant Association’s 10th annual Winter Restaurant Week happening Jan. 18-25, the MVRA will host a sneak peek kick-off event on Jan. 14 at White Allen European Auto Group.
The Sneak Peek event has long been a favorite of mine. It’s an affordable ticket at $20.15 that allows you to sample multiple dishes that will be served throughout restaurant week all at once — a task that you would have a difficult and expensive time accomplishing in the span of the week otherwise.
This year 15 restaurants are slated to participate in the Sneak Peek.
“(It’s) a great way to support our locally owned restaurants in the area and experience some new flavors and foods. Through these events you may discover a restaurant that you didn’t know existed or find a new favorite,” said Amy Zahora, executive director of the MVRA. “It’s a really fun event with all the delicious food, and it’s really nice to meet the chefs and owners … It’s nothing but food! Can’t get much better than that.”
The event, which Zahora expects will sell out, is capped at 400 tickets. The scope of the dishes and the passion of attendees at the event demonstrate why Restaurant Week has continued to resonate and grow in popularity with patrons and restaurants over the last decade.
Participating sneak peek restaurants this year include: The Caroline (http://thecarolineonthesquare.com); Coco's Bistro (www.228coco.com); The Deli and Top of the Market (www.thedeli-dayton.com); The Dock (www.thedockenon.com); Dominique's Bistro and Bar (http://dominiquesbistroandbar.com); El Meson (www.elmeson.net); Figlio (http://www.figliopizza.com); Jay's Seafood (http://www.jays.com); La Piazza (www.lapiazzatroy.com); Meadowlark (http://meadowlarkrestaurant.com); Station House (www.stleonard.net/amenities/station-house-restaurant) and Wheat Penny (www.wheatpennydayton.com).
New this year both to the Sneak Peek and Restaurant Week is Basil's on Market (http://basilsonmarket.com), which opened over the summer helmed by Chef Todd Uhlir. The Troy restaurant will be serving Asian-braised short rib over Lo Mien and marinated vegetables.
Two restaurants that have not yet opened to customers are participating to give guests a preview of what they will be bringing to the table when their doors open. Nibbles in Miamisburg (www.eatnibbles.com), which will be serving up rosemary polenta cakes topped with herbed mushroom and goat cheese ragu, and Mack's Tavern in Centerville (www.facebook.com/mackstavern) which will have Potato Thangz — panko crusted deep fried mashed potatoes and bacon served with a dipping sauce.
Other dishes that sound interesting include an Espresso rubbed sirloin steak from The Caroline; prime rib sliders from Dominique’s Bistro and Bar; turkey and red quinoa soup with butternut squash and kale from El Meson; pan seared ruby red trout with shrimp cream sauce from Jay’s Seafood; red wine-braised brisket with pan juices and polenta from Wheat Penny and Brie and pear pizza with crab and corn chowder soup from Figlio.
“It gets (restaurants’) creative juices flowing. We are so fortunate to have so many talented chefs in the Miami Valley,” Zahora said.
Restaurant Week will be held Jan. 18-25 offering foodies three-course meals for $20.15, $25.15 or $30.15.
Here are a few tips for making the most out of your 2015 Winter Restaurant Week this year:
1) Look at the menus in advance online at http://dineoutdayton.com and make a plan for the week.
2) Call in advance to make reservations.
3) If you are looking for reservations during peak dining times and can’t get in, you might want to consider off peak days like Sunday, Monday or Tuesday. If you prefer dining on peak days, be open to dining early or late and be prepared to be flexible with your time.
What are your plans this year for Restaurant Week? Let us know what dishes and restaurants you’re excited about and what you’ve been enjoying while dining out. Dayton Eats looks at the regional food stories and restaurant news that make mouths water. Menu updates, special dinners and events, new chefs, interesting new dishes and food adventures. Do you know of new exciting format changes, specials, happy hours, restaurant updates or any other tasty news you think is worth a closer look at? E-mail Alexis Larsen at alexis.e.larsen@hotmail.com with the information and we will work to include it in future coverage.
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