Let me know where you will go for Irish food or beverages this St. Patrick’s Day. According to this list of events, all of the places mentioned above plus several more will be hosting some fun celebrations.
Cheers!
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Tony & Pete’s builds headquarters for future growth
Four years after opening in Dayton’s Fire Blocks District, Tony & Pete’s is preparing for its next phase. The sandwich shop has taken over the neighboring building at 133 E. Third St.
Food Writer Anne Kane reports the Dayton sandwich shop is investing in infrastructure: a centralized prep kitchen and headquarters designed to support long-term growth. The new space will allow the business to shift production out of its main storefront, expand its house-made offerings, and improve overall efficiency.
Credit: Courtney Haas
Credit: Courtney Haas
A biscuit at Salt Block, a slice of pie from Partial to Pie Bakery, or a pastry from Val’s share one thing in common: Namesake Coffee. Michael and Jessica Beans founded Namesake with the goal of providing high-quality beans, roasted fresh and delivered quickly to the Dayton market.
Namesake does not operate a storefront, but its coffee beans are available at several locations throughout the Dayton community. The business’ 10-year anniversary is this month.
2026 Battle of the Bartenders: Here’s who won
Lifestyles Writer Brandon Berry reports the 11th annual Buckeye Vodka Battle of the Bartenders last week played out like a quiet prizefight as competitors went shaker-to-shaker for the 2026 title belt and bragging rights as Dayton’s best. Presented by the Miami Valley Restaurant Association, the event gave local bartenders a stage to showcase signature cocktails.
Participating restaurants this year included Amber Rose, The Florentine, Mr. Boro’s Tavern, The Melting Pot, Dublin Pub, Manna Uptown, Rip Rap Roadhouse, Treasure Island Supper Club, Smith’s Boathouse and newcomer competitor Meridien Uptown.
For the judges, Wheat Penny Oven & Bar took Best Pairing with its chicken shawarma and Ready Freddie cocktail. Manna Uptown was runner-up.
This year’s Best Cocktail winner was El Meson, keeping the fusion restaurant in the yearly rankings. Its bloody mary drew steady praise throughout the event.
In the People’s Choice, Amber Rose won the people’s hearts with the Rose Spritz and antipasto skewers. Wheat Penny was runner-up.
Review: Jay’s Seafood Restaurant gets 5 stars
Fine Wine & Dine food reviewer Ray Marcano shares what he says was a fantastic experience at Jay’s Seafood Restaurant in the Oregon District:
I’ve been going to Jay’s for years, and this was the best meal I’ve had there, which is saying something. Owner Amy Haverstick, head chef National Young and Brian DeMarke of Cutting Edge Selections, who paired the wines with the meals, achieved the equivalent of passing for 500 yards in an NFL game. The meal was well worth the $100 (plus tax and tip) per person.
🍴From the food files
Here is information from news releases I received this week:
🧆National Meatball Day is a thing and it is being celebrated at Sheetz, which is offering 99-cent half-sized meatball subs with any other purchase Monday through Wednesday of next week. The deal is only available through the Sheetz app.
🍗From March 23-29, Teriyaki Madness will offer 2x rewards on double protein bowls through its Mad Rewards offer for March Madness. So pile up that chicken, steak, salmon or tofu.
🍔Checkers and Rally’s, which are billed as drive-thru restaurants, now have two new, lower-cost Flatbread Sandwich Combos ... the Spicy Chicken Flatbread ($5) and the Bacon Burger Flatbread ($6). The combo includes the sandwich, fries, drink and apple pie. “With these Flatbread sandwiches, we’ve taken two guest favorites — our spicy chicken and classic bacon burger — and reimagined them into something new, crave-able and accessible, all starting at just $5," aid Scott Johnson, chief marketing officer of Checkers Drive-In Restaurants, Inc..
A recipe from Chef Whitney Kling
TUESDAY MORNING FRESH BERRY TOAST
2 pieces bread, toasted
1/2 cup Greek yogurt, I recommend full fat
1 tbsp. honey
1/2 cup of the most beautiful berries you can find
Chia seeds (optional)
Place your toast on a plate. Mix the Greek yogurt and honey together. Top your toast with the yogurt mixture. Top the yogurt with the berries. Add chia seeds and an extra drizzle of honey.
Read Whitney’s weekly “But First, Food” column here.
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