The drool-worthy 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.
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.
There are few meals for my money that are more satisfying than a really good brunch. A brunch done well — whether at home or out — should be an exercise in pleasure and relaxation for you and the people you are surrounded by. It’s a moment with food that is meant to be truly savored just as you look to savor the last day of your weekend.
Brunch around the country is in high demand and Dayton, Ohio is no exception, which is why you see so many new exciting breakfast opportunities continuing to pop up.
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.
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.
baked brie small plate
A wonderful
($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 it’s 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
IF YOU GO
Salar Restaurant and Lounge 400 E. Fifth St., Dayton 937-203–3999 or http://salarrestaurant. com/ 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
($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 ($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.
A
belly huevos rancheros shrimp omelet roasted whiskey and honey marinated salmon
($24) provides a heart healthy protein option while the
($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
roasted pork
throw caution to the wind. A
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.
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.
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. A Moscow Mule packed with fresh ginger ended up being a much better option. The announcement of Salar’s Sunday brunch came around the same time that The Trolley Stop announced they will be opening for Sunday brunch from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. and staying open the remainder of the day — a major departure from being closed on Sundays.
They have my favorite Bloody Mary and Mimosa bar in Dayton for just $7 with nice pours and they have a nice brunch as well. I’m thinking with warmer weather coming that a progressive patio brunch in the Oregon District will be in order sooner than later.