Great breakfast place and menu. Some differences in the norm with pancakes made with applesauce and…read moreoat milk. Had a hard time deciding what to order!! We both had enough to take home box and another meal. $40 may seem high for breakfast but we're getting two meals out of it. Some of the meals could be split. Great choice though. Service-4.5. Food-5. Atmosphere-5. Value-4.5. Old school diner style with artsy feel.

The Ugly Duckling was probably a one time visit for me. The atmosphere was great, and the service…read morewas friendly and attentive. You can tell they're aiming to put a unique twist on classic brunch dishes, which I can appreciate, even if it wasn't quite my style. I ordered the Gravy'd Cheddar Tots, and my friend ordered the Breakfast Burrito. While the food was well-prepared, I personally found the value a bit lacking for the price. The Gravy'd Cheddar Tots consisted mostly of tater tots topped with eggs, white cheddar, and gravy. I basically paid $16 for 2 eggs; I left more hungry leaving than I did coming in. I understand that their menu is designed to be creative and different from a traditional brunch spot, but I found myself missing some of the more classic breakfast elements. In the end, it just wasn't the right fit for my preferences, and I left wishing the meal had been a bit more filling.

We went into Table 33 with pretty low expectations. We'd been in Dayton the weekend before for a…read moreconcert and had a disappointing experience at another highly rated restaurant. Table 33 was within walking distance of our show at the Victoria Theatre, so we gave it a try. Let me be clear: Table 33 isn't good "for Dayton." This place could easily compete with some of Cincinnati's best restaurants. When you first enter, the host area feels pretty typical, so there's no indication of what's waiting beyond it. But as we turned left toward our dining area, we were shocked by how beautifully the restaurant opened up. Tucked throughout are gorgeous, quaint little private dining rooms. And I mean little in the best possible way. Some looked intimate enough for just you and your plus-one, while others could accommodate maybe four or six people. These aren't large event spaces. They're cozy, beautifully designed rooms for an intimate dinner for two or a private evening with a few friends. We told our server it was our first visit, and she walked us through the food and cocktail menus. We both ordered the Raspberry Beret. She completely undersold it. The bartender personally brought our cocktails out and explained the preparation. The cocktail is sous vide, then strained and allowed to rest for several days. I was fascinated. It arrived with three gorgeous blackberries and fresh mint attached to the glass with an adorable mini clothespin. Almost too pretty to drink. Almost. Because the Raspberry Beret was outstanding!!! From the technique to the flavor and presentation, there was genuine craft behind it. That's when I realized we'd seriously underestimated this place. Then came the Wild Mushroom Tempura and House Focaccia. The focaccia was warm, soft, buttery and delicious. Those mushrooms, however, made me ANGRY. Not because they were bad. Because I don't get to Dayton often, and suddenly I was faced with the very real possibility of driving 40 minutes for mushrooms! LOL Lightly battered, meaty and incredibly flavorful, the wasabi ponzu aioli and chili crisp brought creaminess, heat and brightness. They had me questioning my commitment to meat as a protein. I was planning my return visit after the first bite. For dinner, my fiancé ordered the Pan-Seared Scallops and I had the Chateaubriand. I don't often look at someone else's entrée and think, "You know what? I want his too." But then those scallops arrived. They were huge and beautifully golden, with the kind of sear that makes you silently wonder, "If he really loves me, he'll give me one." He did not... :) and to be fair, I didn't ask. So my eyes ate from his plate while he confirmed what they were telling me. He loved the citrus with the seafood and the velvety sauce. My Chateaubriand was gorgeous. Medium rare and perfectly even throughout. The petite potatoes were lightly roasted and salted, and as a sucker for root vegetables, I devoured the roasted carrots and beets. But the potato slaw? Brilliant. Those thin, crisp potatoes added exactly the texture the dish needed. I rarely finish an entire restaurant entrée. You would have thought I licked this plate clean. We were watching the clock because we still had an 8 to 10 min walk to the Victoria Theatre. Then our server casually said, "I noticed you marked maybe for the Dessert Room." Excuse me... (insert dramatic pause) Dessert ROOM?! I looked at my fiancé, who explained, "Yeah, I saw it when I made the reservation, but I wasn't sure what it was or if we'd have time, so I marked maybe." Well, now I needed to know. I didn't care if we had to sprint to the show. At minimum, I needed to see this room. And somehow, Table 33 delivered AGAIN. The Dessert Room is fabulously whimsical. Eclectic chandeliers stretch across the room against a beautiful soft gray backdrop, with comfortable upholstered chairs inviting you to settle in. There was nothing hard about this room. Everything felt soft, warm and intentional. The room felt designed to change the pace of the evening: sink into a comfortable chair, order something sweet or a dessert cocktail and relax. I genuinely wanted to stay, sample the desserts and try a couple of those cocktails, but we had a comedy show waiting. So we chose the affogato. Even that received the same attention as everything else. The espresso had none of that overly roasted, bitter flavor, and the gelato was incredibly smooth and creamy without a single detectable ice crystal. We enjoyed every bite, paid our bill and headed toward the Victoria Theatre. And talked about Table 33 for nearly the entire walk. That probably says more than anything else I could write. If you're in the area for a show, spending an evening downtown or simply looking for an excuse to explore Dayton, add Table 33 to your list of adventures. As for me? Apparently I'll be driving 40 minutes for mushrooms.

Did some serious yelp research to find this place. Went there for brunch on a Sunday morning…read more Downtown Dayton in the arcade parking on the street... But a great experience. They were a little bit busy on Sunday morning but we sat at the bar and were served by an inexperienced but delightful server. Great meal great cocktails great experience definitely will head back there for dinner sooner rather than later.

What a delicious find! My son was searching for dinner on our recent overnight and La Columbiana…read morepopped up. After checking out the menu and reviews he suggested we give it a try. When we arrived we realized it was literally next door to our hotel! Score! They were really busy, but the service was still friendly and efficient. And the food ... so good! I enjoyed an Arepa con queso and a chicken empanada while my son had the carne asada and a beef empanada. Everything was fantastic. So much food too. I especially loved the hot aji sauce that came with the empanadas - I put it on my arepa too -yum! If we are in the area again, I will definitely return.

Looking to expand the palate, we recently tried La Colombiana. Started with fried plantains and…read moreempanadas (two beef, two chicken). Both were delicious, especially the fried plantains. I've had plantains in the past, but these were certainly the best I've tried. For entrees, we went with arroz con pollo and bandeja paisa which was basically an assortment platter. I was a little disappointed in the arroz con pollo. Rice was over cooked and the flavor was overall muted. For dessert, we tried obleas -- thin waffles filled with jam, caramel and cheese. The waffles weren't true waffles, but more just cracker type. Again, rather disappointing but maybe I just don't have the right taste for it. The service was excellent, and we did enjoy the appetizers. Entrees and dessert were a let down. Overall, 3 stars in my book.

Don't judge the outside before you've gone inside! My friend took me here for some lunch and a…read moredrink on a Saturday where I would've completely missed this. There are 4 different vendors, all with amazing options for food, plus a bar. They had so much seating area inside as well as outside. This place was a great find and we plan to go back. It was so bright and open and felt very sustainable.

There are a few independent restaurants in a circle, you can pay and order from. Then they text you…read moreto pick it up when it's ready. My group got food from the Nood Bar. Some drunken noodles and also ramen and Bao Buns. Everything is delicious and smells amazing . They could do a bit better on wiping off the vacated tables however

Looked up this place before going on our little trip to Dayton and sooooo glad I went! It's a small…read morespot that's connected to an Asian mart and bubble tea shop. There was plenty of parking and signage. They have a varied and very authentic menu to choose from! We ordered a broth based lo mein noodle bowl and a hand pulled cold dry noodle bowl. BF added on a braised egg and I ordered a Taiwanese sausage on a stick. Yum on all accounts! Chili oil was automatically brought to us and the waitress was super friendly as well as bilingual. Food was brought out within 5-10 minutes of ordering. YES!! presentation and taste were perfect. Their prices and portions are reasonable and I love everything about this place, down to their cat portraits adorning the walls! Wish this place opened a location in Cleveland! I saw that they have spots in Cincy and Cbus!!

A hidden gem in Dayton, of all places. I haven't had many Asian restaurants of any kind that tasted…read moreauthentic in Dayton, but this is one of the few. The noodles are actually made in-house and have a lovely texture. I got the Classic Lanzhou Beef Noodle Soup and was definitely not disappointed. The broth is light, but full of flavor at the same time. It is truly very comforting on a cold winter night. I think the beef slices on there are a bit tough, but it's not too big of an issue. The portion sizes are actually crazy. I got the regular size and could finish maybe just half to 2/3 of the noodles, along with a majority of the beef. I can't imagine how massive the large bowl would be... For health, I also ordered some stir-fried bok choy. This was stir fried well, but I'm not really sure what the flavor profile was supposed to be. Is it garlic? Is it spicy? I couldn't really place it. The prices are very fair for the quality of food they provide, and service throughout the night was decent. I will probably be back again, if I visit Dayton! Food: 4.5/5 Price: 4.75/5 Service: 4/5 Overall: 4.5/5

Wow! Val's rivals Columbus's Dan the Baker and is absolutely worth the morning weekend drive to…read moreDayton to get your very own! We took a quick trip from columbus to Dayton and were instantly impressed. This is definitely a cafe that loves its city and features many locally made wares. We got the garlic cream cheese danish, the Kellie pie danish, the orange monkey bread, and the buttered croissant. My only problem was that the croissant was covered in a brushing of sugar syrup and it would have been nice for it to just be a butter croissant. It was still delicious and perfectly fine just wish it would have been named more appropriately:) Staff are efficient but kind as there is always a line out the door. We were lucky to still grab some seats inside on a hot day; however, there is well shaded seating outside as well. 4 pastries are a lot for 2 people so we could not try any more. We can't wait to go back!!!!

Stopped in mid morning since I was in the area and had heard lots of raves about Val's. Well, let…read moreme say that many of their selections look like works of art. There is a large indoor seating area. There is some street parking. If I had been parked better I would've lingered. Instead I chose 4 items to take away in a box. I enjoyed everything. They have some really interesting pastries and also the more typical ones. It's on the high $ side. In my opinion it's a treat, a special event kind of place. This is not a get a dozen for the kids ball game kind of spot. Again, just my opinion. I hope to return when I can sit and linger.

Oh my God. What an incredible place. The menu is amazing, I had a hard time picking what to eat. I…read morewent with the shawarma and I'm glad I did, it was delicious and fresh. The two workers in there were kind and helpful when I couldn't decide. I was greeted as soon as I went through the door. It's tucked away in an ally but the place itself is super cozy. It's a shame I don't live here - I'd come here all the time! So go for me!

My family and I were in town visiting from Cincinnati and needed a place for lunch. We have been to…read moreyellow Springs many times, but hadn't heard of or tried MAZU yet. I checked out their menu online and was super intrigued. It is a cute restaurant with fun, cultural vibes and a tiny, but tasteful patio in the alley. We ordered fried mushrooms, a hummus platter, and a refreshing drink that I cannot remember the name of. I believe it had saffron and cucumber, and maybe basil, seeds or something. It was super delicious, only lightly sweet, and perfect for a hot day. The fried mushrooms were absolutely wonderful. They were sourced locally, and the batter was really flavorful. They didn't even need any sort of dipping sauce. The hummus was good and clearly made fresh. We enjoyed the pita as well. The service was also great. It was fun to read through the specials as there were some really creative offerings My only reason for giving four stars versus five is the portion sizes. I am fully aware of inflation and sympathetic to its impact on restaurant owners, but we paid a lot of money for a small portion of hummus, one cornichon, a few triangles of pita, and three olives. The mushrooms were also pricey, but that was a little more understandable given their local sourcing. I really would love to try more things on the menu, but would only go back if I was prepared to spend a pretty penny in order to fill my belly.

Food was still great! Came here for a work lunch and got the Vegan Club, it was great. It was so…read morebig I could barely even fit it in my mouth lol. The waitress was a little all over the place, brought out a wrong dish and forget my coworkers drink. Maybe she was new, so I will give her the benefit of the doubt. Still a great spot though. Everyone found something they liked and was pleasantly surprised by the size of the portions. Will be back soon!

We went to Butter Cafe for breakfast during family weekend in Dayton, and I'm torn because the food…read morewas some of the best breakfast food we've had in the area, but the service was extremely slow. We arrived around 10:30 and were told the wait would be at least 45 minutes. That was fine with us. We shopped down the street until they called to say our table was ready. Once seated, though, we had to ask for water three times and request coffee refills more than once. It took about an hour for our food to arrive. I ordered the corned beef hash with rye toast and eggs over easy. The corned beef tasted fresh and homemade, with great flavor, and the home fries underneath were excellent. Unfortunately, the eggs came out hard, with very little runny yolk. After waiting so long for the meal, I wasn't going to send them back. From arrival to departure, we were there almost three hours. I would gladly come back for the corned beef hash, but the slow service and incorrectly cooked eggs made this a frustrating visit despite how good the rest of the food was.

I am absolutely obsessed with Salar and can't wait to go back!…read more This sleek, upscale restaurant in downtown Dayton is dishing out the best food in the area. Every dish I've gotten and every plate I've seen come out of the kitchen is amazing and a wonderful sight. The duck is a personal favorite. It's always perfectly cooked with the right amount of pink and paired with Brussels sprouts and mashed potatoes. It also makes an amazing leftover since the portions are so big. The steak though is a dining staple. The Delmonico Ribeye shines at both a rare and medium rare cook and is just so flavorful. That's the steak I dream of and can't wait to have again. The servers are attentive, polite, and helpful when you ask for their thoughts on which dish to order. The bar is quick and makes some great drinks (based on friends' input). Salar isn't so upscale that you can only go for special occasions. It makes for a good mid-week dinner, meetup with friends and coworkers, but it can also be a treat yourself meal.

Had great dinner at Salar. I have to say the dinners we've had planned in Dayton have been winners…read more So starting with apps, the yuka rellno was really nice and spicy with bacially fried croquettes stuffed with cheese and some kind of spicy sauce base. Loved it. They had a complementary snack too, which was nice - like fried pitas and a nice sauce. The corn salad was ok. Then I had a main that was a crepe. They have plenty of vegetarian options, by the way, which is great. The crepe come stuffed with fur nice cheese and san marzano tomato sauce. I enjoyed the dish. Service was like excellent. Our waitress was like in top of things. Really attentive and anticipated our needs. Tent good place and I'd cube back

I've seen this place many times during my visits to Dayton but I only stopped in recently due to a…read morecoworker's suggestion. To my surprise I definitely have been missing out! This place has really delicious pizza and appetizer options. All the pizzas I've tried thus far have been tasty. The thin crust is cooked well with a soft yet structured firmness. Toppings arent skimped so the flavors are abundant. The roasted cauliflower appetizer is also delicious! Subtly savory with a mild buttery flavor. The ambiance feels like a mash up of brewey/beer hall/ restaurant vibes. Casual and inviting for a relaxed pizza and beer night out. The staff are all very pleasant and professional.

Old scratch Pizza is an excellent pizza place that provides gluten free options, as well as vegan…read morefriendly options. The pizza is fresh and handmade, the only downside is that the pizza tends to be very greasy, and sometimes inconsistent. The service here is amazing. The first time I went to this establishment, there was a bit of a wait for the food. While this didn't pose a problem for me and I didn't feel inclined to complain, they gave me a gift card as an apology. This demonstrates that this business deeply cares about their service and quality. Especially because nobody had even made a comment about the wait time. Old scratch is a cozy little place, excellent for big groups or family gatherings. Their menus are excellently designed. All of their graphic design choices are very intentional and gorgeous. I love this place a lot!!