Restaurant openings, events offer plenty to hungry diners

There are several things in the world of local dining that I’ve been excited about this week. There’s been a lot happening in town with new menus, events, and news in the world of restaurants and dining. Here are the items I am most excited about this week, starting with the best news of all — Salar Restaurant and Lounge opening back up for business.

Salar Restaurant and Lounge opening

One of my favorite Oregon District restaurants is reopening nine months after a devastating fire, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to see them back. Margot Blondet, owner and executive chef of Salar Restaurant and Lounge, is one of the area’s most talented chefs, and I can’t wait to see what she and her staff are able to do with their new and improved space. A three-day soft opening began Thursday, Sept. 27 with some ticketed events, including a grand opening party is slated for 5-7 p.m today. Regular service will begin on Oct. 1. The restaurant will have daily operations, with the bar opening at 4 p.m. each day and the kitchen opening at 5 p.m.

“We are so grateful to everyone who has helped us rejoin Dayton’s culinary scene,” Blondet said in a press release. “Everyone involved in reopening this labor of love has worked extremely hard to get us cooking again. We’re back with renewed energy and creativity as we provide the city’s residents and visitors a beautiful restaurant to gather with family, friends and colleagues to create new memories.”

I, like so many others, can’t wait to get back to eating Blondet’s Peruvian and world fusion cuisine. Visit salarrestaurant.com for more information and consider a visit to show your support to a restaurant and staff that has been through an awful lot over the past year and is returning to the Dayton dining scene stronger than ever.

Nanya Café’s new space

At the beginning of September, Nanya Café, the region’s only Ethiopian restaurant, moved to a new location with much more space. Its new Harrison Twp. location at 6129 N. Dixie Drive, formerly home to Olive Mediterranean Grill now located downtown onThird Street. The larger space and the larger kitchen means that more people can enjoy the delicious food and some of the best coffee in town. If you are looking for a culinary adventure that is guaranteed to satisfy, consider this.

Camp Bourbon at Lily’s Bistro

Gather ‘round campers. Tickets to Lily’s Camp Bourbon event on Oct. 10 are $20 and include four bourbons, s’more makings, trail mix, live music and tax. Additional mess hall menu and specialty cocktails will be available for purchase. You can acquire tickets at the restaurant at 329 E. 5th St. or online at www.eventbrite.com/e/camp-bourbontickets-50271448255

The Dorothy Lane Food & Wine Show

I’ve written about this awesome event in the past, and I will say again, this is a foodie event not to be missed. The first iteration of the show happened in 1998 at one single aisle in the Washington Square, Centerville location. Over the years, it’s grown by leaps and bounds. This year on Nov. 1 from 7-9:30 p.m., the entire Springboro store will be taken over.

And if there was a year to attend, this would be it. With the 20th anniversary of the event and the 70th anniversary of DLM, I’m sure they will have some surprises up their sleeves to make this one to remember! DLM associates, local restaurant chefs, and key vendors will all be on hand helping put it on as well as experts at each of the wine stations offering helpful insights and background on the different products. From their website: “For one night, DLM Springboro transforms of a spectacular into the gustatory stage experience, featuring nearly 200 wines from around the world from some of the best producers as well as beers. We also feature a robust sampling of exquisite chefdriven hors d’oeuvres and food stations prepared by DLM’s best (we promise you won’t go hungry!).” This event always sells out, so get tickets now. Visit www.dorothylane.com to learn more.

DLM’s Oyster Happy Hour

And speaking of DLM, they roll out an oyster bar featuring new oysters each week to be shucked for you. Once they are ready you can load it up with featured toppings from the ostyer bar. Oyster Happy Hour happens 4-7 p.m. on Wednesdays at DLM Washington Square and 4-7 p.m. Fridays at DLM Springboro and Oakwood. If you like oysters, this is a great opportunity to find your favorite type of this delicious salty mollusk. See what’s featured each week at www.dorothylane.com/ oysterhappyhour.

Dayton Eats looks at the regional food stories and restaurant news that make mouths water. Share info about your menu updates, special dinners and events, new chefs, interesting new dishes and culinary 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.