J. Alan's - Dayton, OH

J. Alan's is a cozy little bar tucked away in the Talbot Tower located at: 121 N. Ludlow Street, Dayton OH. The convenient location makes it the perfect spot to hang out or grab a nice drink after attending an event at the Schuster Center. With 6 large screen TV's, a pool table and a fun, friendly staff, a good time is a sure bet. Drinks are very reasonably priced, and the drink specials add to the many reasons to visit this place. If you like live music, J Alan's has an open Mic jam on Wednesday nights, and a variety of good, live music on
Friday and Saturday nights. Thursday is ladies night with specials devoted to the Ladies.

Tumbleweed Connection - Dayton, OH

Ambiance is very important when you're considering a place to spend a night with friends. The Tumbleweed Connection located at 454 East Fifth Street in Dayton’s Oregon District definitely has a rustic, fun atmosphere, interesting decor and just the right ambiance to make for a fabulous night out.  I absolutely loved the gated patio, and overhead balcony overlooking 5^th street. An added bonus is the upstairs bar. In the summer it is open and in the winter it is closed in and heated so smokers don’t have to freeze.   

The service was excellent. All the bartenders did a great job and kept us laughing and having a great time the entire night. The drinks were competitively priced and very well made. No watered down drinks here!  The food is great. Unfortunately, the kitchen is only open till 3 PM. The menu is a nice assortment of the kinds of foods you'd expect to find in a bar/grille. The burgers and steaks are particularly good. On Sundays when the weather is nice you can stop by for free food grilled on the patio. Throughout the week there is a variety of live music. I just happened to stop in on their open mike night where a welcoming host keeps the local talent revolving so you enjoy a variety of music. I ended up staying until closing because I was having that much fun!

The entire establishment was very clean, including the restrooms. The only thing that puzzled me about the Tumbleweed Connection was the odd little stuffed animal above the men's room door. What exactly is a Jackelope anyway? Hmm... I'll definitely have to go back and ponder that one a bit more. But then, any excuse to go back and visit "The Weed" as it is affectionately called, is good enough for me. This is a must go to place in Dayton's Oregon District

Trolley Stop- Dayton, Ohio

The Trolley Stop is a fun little Tavern located at 530 East Fifth Street in Dayton’s Oregon District. The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly. Being a small Tavern, I honestly didn't expect much in the way of food. I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised. Not only was it delicious, the serving sizes were enormous. One order of nachos alone was enough to feed 2-3 people easily. As good as the food was, the service was even better. Jason did a fabulous job keeping up and making us feel welcome.

Prices were reasonable and very competitive. There is a little stage tucked in the corner that hosts small bands (mostly acoustic).  I'm definitely looking forward to going back as the weather improves to check out the relaxing patio and its water features. Overall, I had a wonderful experience and would definitely recommend this place to my friends.

Uno Chicago Grill-Dayton

Uno Chicago Grill

126 N Main St, Dayton, OH 45402

 

Good food and service: there’s a lot to love about Uno’s Pizza! Conveniently located in Downtown Dayton, across from the Shuster Performing Arts Center and next to the Victoria Theatre, Uno Chicago is an ok place to spend some quality time with friends or that special someone before a show, not a solo destination point. This visually interesting restaurant is equipped with a comfortable bar and a quiet “couples” corner, as well as a generous number of tables and booths. The food, portions, and presentation were average.  I, as well as other customers found the tables to be a bit wobbly so you need to tuck something under the legs before your drink order arrives.

The finer details however, could have used a little attention. I was initially handed a chipped plate before the food was brought out and the booth I sat in had crumbs all over the seat. Not very appetizing but the staff was quick to rectify the problem.  The drink service was slow (average 10-15 minutes).

Overall, my experience in Uno’s was a very positive one the staff is very friendly and welcoming.  

A Fat Boyz Pizza - Troy, OH

A Fat Boyz Pizza

1469 S. Market Street, Troy, OH

My quest for good pizza brought me to a place tucked away on 25A between Tipp City and Troy.  A Fat Boyz Pizza parlor is quaint and unassuming on the outside. Indoors, however, it has a lot of pizzazz. From the many sports memorabilia pieces throughout to the comfortable seating and super-clean dining area, A Fat Boyz Pizza is definitely a place you want to take your friends and family to hang out.

The beer selection, competitive specials, and friendly welcoming service make ordering food here fun. I did find the food to be a little bland for my taste but the texture was good and the portions were certainly very generous. You definitely get
your money's worth at this place. I was pleasantly surprised by the service. At most pizza parlors, you have to pick up the food at the counter yourself when it's ready. That's not the case at A Fat Boyz Pizza. Here, a waitress will bring the food to your table for you. It's a nice bonus for families with small children and for those who have a hard time walking. The only matter I thought could use a little attention was the presentation of the food. The pizza we ordered was served on a square piece of cardboard placed in a
round, plastic dish. The cardboard sagged into the dish, making the pizza fall into the center slightly, which was visually unappealing. I would recommend using either a pizza stand or deep dish with a small round tray (the cardboard would work if cut to size) inserted to hold the pizza.

Overall, my experience here was good and I would definitely visit them again.
http://www.afatboyzpizzeriatroy.com

Olive Oasis - Troy, OH

If you are looking for a pleasantly refreshing and unique food experience, the Olive Oasis would be a fabulous place to visit. Located at 7 East Main Street in Troy Ohio, this wonderful little specialty store has a lot to offer! Patrons can sample a large variety of herbal vinegars and unique olive oils that you simply can't find anywhere else. The decadent selections are a virtual feast for the pallet and make for a fun, interesting
afternoon with friends or family.

Of the many types of balsamic vinegar I sampled, the Dark Chocolate was my favorite. Who knew that a combination of chocolate and balsamic vinegar would create such an alluring flavor? I certainly NEVER would have imagined it! I'm really looking forward to trying it in a dessert glaze.

Visually, the Olive Oasis is appealing and luxurious with a soft, Mediterranean flair that leaves you feeling relaxed and comfortable. The soft lighting lent yet another layer of comfort to the senses and added a dimension of elegance to an already inviting space.

The customer service is comparable to that of a 5-star resort. Friendly, accommodating and extremely knowledgeable, owner Luke made us feel like pampered royalty rather than just customers in his store.

As specialty stores go, the Olive Oasis exceeds even the highest expectations.
http://www.theoliveoasis.com/

BP Gas Station - Tipp City

BP Gas Station-Tipp City, OH

I have to say, before going into BP in Tipp City, OH, I fully expected
to encounter your run-of-the-mill chain gas station. Locally owned and operated - I have to say I am
pleasantly surprised. Indoors, the small store is spotlessly clean, well organized and the staff is welcoming, refreshingly friendly and eager to serve. The prices are comparable with other nearby gas stations. Outdoors, the parking lot is clean and free of debris and ice (not an easy task considering the recent
snowstorm). It is easily accessible from the highway and there was plenty of room to turn around. For a small gas station, BP of Tipp City ranks big in my book.