Winning restaurants announced in ‘Taste of Miami Valley'

By Mark Fisher | Dayton Daily News | Taste: Dayton food and restaurants

DAYTON, OH, September 14, 2009 - It was a Miami County sweep in the best-of-show category for the Taste of Miami Valley event held Friday at RiverScape in downtown Dayton.

In the category that organizers called dubbed the “Best Damn Taste,” Hickory River in Tipp City (BBQ ribs) and The Caroline in Troy (Strawberries in Kahlua Sauce) tied for the best dish served to the Taste of Miami Valley’s hungry attendees.

A five-member judging panel — consisting of Kylie Conway and Erin Meyer, both part of the Fox 45 news team; Alexis Larsen, arts and entertainment editor for the Dayton Daily News, and her Lounge Lizards blogging partner Craig Schrolucke; and me — munched its way through two dozen dishes to identify winning entries in several categories and the best overall. And speaking on behalf of the entire panel, let me say: we were impressed. Restaurants brought their “A game” to the Taste this year.

In addition to winning for its ribs, Hickory River also won in the “Best BBQ” category for its Pulled-Pork Sandwich against one other entry. In the soup category, the hearty Clam Chowder from Jay’s Restaurant and the creamy, decadent Tomato Bisque from Coco’s Bistro tied for first, while El Meson won the five-entry “Best Appetizer” category for its zesty Empanadas Filled with Chicken.

Jay’s Blackened Fish Tacos triumphed in the “Best Seafood” category, with a generous portion of properly seasoned fish nestled in a soft taco and accented by a drizzle of tomatillo sauce.

The aforementioned Hickory River Smokehouse BBQ Ribs won a hotly contested entree category. The ribs are smoky, meaty and tender, and benefitted from a tangy, not-too-sweet sauce.

And The Caroline’s Strawberries in Kahlua Sauce beat out four other entries for best dessert. One of the judges commented, “I usually don’t like to put anything on strawberries, but that sauce made the berries taste even better.” The Hog Heaven Chocolate Torte from Amelia’s Bistro, which paired chocolate with bacon, won praise for creativity, but the strawberries were just too good.

The Miami Valley Restaurant Association event drew an enthusiastic crowd, many of whom used the Taste as a launching point for an evening of Urban Nights activities in and around downtown Dayton. The restaurants certainly held up their end of the bargain.


Winning restaurants announced in ‘Taste of Miami Valley’

Taste of Miami Valley offers al fresco riverfront grazing at a minimal cost

Miami Valley Restaurant Association


Return To News