Tag Archives: restaurant

Restaurant Review: ‘Boro Bistro

Posted on April 7, 2011 | 10 Comments

I know what you’re thinking…two restaurant reviews in a week?  What are you smoking, Bethany?  What can I say?  The public has spoken.  You guys like restaurant reviews!

Today, I met Jeff again for lunch.  I love that he works so close now.  His work is a short five minute drive from the house, so when I have days off we often meet up for his lunch hour.

This time, I thought we’d try ‘Boro Bistro.  I had been there before, but Jeff hadn’t.  After Terri mentioned they also use natural ingredients, I was excited to try them out!  She also suggested I try the pesto pizza so, naturally, that’s what I ordered.

After perusing the relatively extensive menu, Jeff decided to try the Thai Chicken burrito.  We placed our order then sat down to wait for our food.

While we waited, I snapped some quick pictures of the place.  I love all the interesting artwork on the walls and the cozy seats.

We also took a few candids of ourselves.  You guys never get to see my cute husband!

After a couple minutes, our food arrived.  The Thai Chicken burrito was interesting but pretty tasty.  There was a smidge too much peanut sauce in it, but I thought it was yummy in spite of that.

The Pesto Pizza, however, was delicious!  Not to mention the fabulous white sauce on those tortilla chips.  I have no idea what it is, but I LOVE it!

It’s so great when you have a husband that’s willing to split his lunch with you!  That way you can try two dishes at the same time!

Now, a little about the restaurant.  As I mentioned above, the produce is local when possible and, according to the website, the entrees are baked, not fried.  The portions are also very proportional, unlike most restaurants out there who give you WAY too much food.  This provided a slight problem for Jeff (since he’s a growing boy, you know), but I gave him a little bit extra from my plate and he was OK.

The restaurant is located at 722 N. Main Street in Springboro.  In layman’s terms, it’s in the same shopping plaza as the Springboro Dorothy Lane Market (which you can read about here).  It’s a great place to go for a quick lunch with a girlfriend!  They are open Monday through Saturday from 11a – 8p.  One other little tidbit…they serve alcohol!  A glass of wine or a beer on their patio (coming April 25th) would be a great way to unwind after work!

Do you have a blog and live in Dayton?  I wanna hear about it!  Just based on my last post I have two new blogger friends (hi, Terri and Karlee!) I’m excited to read about!  I’d also love to hear where my Daytonian readers like to eat.  Comment below!

Finally, here’s a little treat from today’s luncheon:

Boro Bistro on Urbanspoon

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Restaurant Review: Boosalis Baking and Cafe

Posted on April 5, 2011 | 9 Comments


I am always on the lookout for new, local restaurants I can haunt.  The other day, my husband and I decided to meet for lunch so I immediately began looking for a new place to try.  He, like myself, is always up for some place new.

Being as he works right on 741 in Miamisburg, I wanted to pick a place that was very accessible.  After doing a bit of research and looking at several menus, I decided on Boosalis Baking and Cafe.  Incidentally, this place was right across the street from his work!  Score!

Upon entering, we immediately felt like we had stepped into someone’s home.  The cafe had charm, with wooden shelves on the wall, racks of bread behind the counter, and rows of delicious treats showcased below.  They have a small but diverse lunch menu with things like Cranberry Turkey, Tuna Salad, and Mom’s Beef sandwiches.  They also offer different soups each day.

The Beef and Bleu sandwich looked scrumptious to me.  Roast beef, bleu cheese, horseradish mayo, and veggies all piled on a crusty baguette.  Yes, please!

The lady taking my order asked if I’d like the lunch special.  What’s included in that? Turns out, for only a few bucks more, you get a side dish (chips or fruit), a drink, and a cookie.  Sweet!

Jeff opted for the Ham and Havarti which was served with veggies and sweet mustard all on a croissant.  I should mention they bake everything fresh and in house.  My wonderful husband ate his entire sandwich before I could ask for a bite!  Next time, I guess…

OK, can I just say my sandwich was so yummy?  Apparently Jeff’s was too!  The only thing I had a slight hard time with was just how crusty the bread was.  I love crusty bread, but when it’s on a sandwich it’s a bit harder to eat.  I managed though.  Don’t you fret about that!

After downing our sandwiches and fruit, we split the cookies we got:  oatmeal raisin for me and peanut butter for Jeff.

Oh. My. Goodness.  The cookies were slightly underdone, making them almost melt in my mouth.  They were thick, rich, and just right.  I loved every second of my cookies!  I could have most definitely eaten another dozen of them without batting an eyelash.  But I didn’t.

As an afterthought, Jeff bought a carrot cake muffin to take back to work with him as a mid-afternoon snack.  Of course, not ten minutes went by before I got this text:  “I was bad.  I ate my muffin.”  I’m sure it was just calling out to him…  He did say it was one of the best muffins he’s ever had.  I should have gotten one!

So, basically, if you live in the South Dayton area and are looking for a nice little bakery to go to, stop by Boosalis.  They are some of the friendliest restaurant owners I have ever encountered and they really go out of their way to make sure your dining experience is great.

They are open for breakfast, but I have yet to try that meal.  When I do I’ll let you know!

Be aware, however, they are closed on Sunday and Monday.  You can find their hours of operation as well as their menu here.

Wanna know one of the other great things about this place?  They use 100% natural ingredients!  I love that!  My friend, Carolyn, and I have this philosophy that if you use natural ingredients (think butter and cream) instead of artificial, manufactured substitutes, it’s not only better for your body, but you need less of it to feel satisfied.

Some of you may be wondering where this wonderful little slice of heaven is…it’s on the corner of 741 and Spring Valley, across from Starbucks and facing Lexis Nexis.  For you GPSers, the address is 9486 Springboro Pike
Miamisburg, OH 45342.

So, pop in, say hello, and tell ‘em Bethany sent you!

Boosalis Baking & Cafe on Urbanspoon

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The Empty Plate Phenomenon (Doubledays Restaurant Review)

Posted on January 17, 2011 | 7 Comments


I have lived in Dayton for six years.  For three of those years, I drove past Doubleday’s Grill and Tavern very often (as much as ten times a week going to and from work).  I always wondered if the food was good, but I would often forget to ask the “locals” what they thought.  One day, my husband’s friend told me he had eaten there for lunch.  When asked how the food was, he responded “fantastic!”  I had to go.

I kept forgetting and kept forgetting and then one day, out of the blue, I remembered!  My husband and I walked in and got a table right away.  The first thing we noticed was the enormity of the restaurant.  It didn’t look like much from the outside, but the inside seemed to go on and on and on.  The second thing we noticed was the enormity of the menu!  It also went on and on!  I remember taking Carolyn here one time only to remember she panics when she has so many choices in front of her.  Not too smart on my part!  (View full menu here.)

They have so much to offer I can’t remember all the things I’ve tried, though I have a couple favorites I have ordered more than once.  If you don’t know this about me, I am a creature of repeat ordering.  I really try not to be, especially in a place like this where you can’t seem to get a bad meal, but if I find something I like, I end up ordering it over and over again.

Tonight was no exception.  I had a craving for a burger with bacon (surprise, surprise) so that’s what I went with.

Jeff, deciding to try something new, ordered the BLT pizza. Doubleday’s has their very own pizza parlor type add on to the restaurant called Monster Pizza.  They have many different types of pizza including “Bride of BLT”, “Italian Werewolf”, and “It Came From Outer Greece”.  Great names, great flavors, what more can you ask for?

There is one stipulation in my book for going to Doubleday’s.  The potato soup, complete with cheese and bacon, must be ordered.

There are two types of potato soup in the world, my friends: the cheese laden version and the creamy, wonderful, melt in your mouth version.  You can guess which one this is.  While there is nothing wrong with the cheesy version, I prefer my potato soup “plain”.  Too much cheese overpowers the wonderful flavors of the potato.

Take this into consideration: I do not eat at restaurants by myself very often.  I will go to Panera and sometimes City BBQ by myself, but never to a restaurant that has servers.  A few days after I sampled this wonderful concoction of potatoes, cream, butter, and other ingredients, I ended up back at the restaurant at 11:30a on a Tuesday, Harry Potter book in hand, to eat alone.  It was the best day ever.  Just me, Harry, and a vat bowl of potato soup.

It’s always a sad feeling when the potato soup bowl runs dry.

The Empty Plate Phenomenon occurs on a very rare basis.  It’s about as common as Hailey’s Comet.  It’s been documented and studied with no scientific conclusions made.  Basically, every time Jeff and I go out to eat, I end up taking home a to go box.  I never, ever finish my entire meal.  I have been like this since I was a little girl.  Every so often, however, I *gasp* finish an entire meal out!

Tonight, I brought my big girl panties to the table.  I ate my entire cup of soup (very filling, mind you) and my entire (8 oz…yes I know it’s not huge) Bacon Cheddar burger.  In record time.  I think from the time the plate hit the table to the time I finished, Jeff had eaten 1.5 pieces of pizza.

The burger wasn’t phenomenal (I would definitely go to Five Guys or Sammy’s if given the choice), but it was still good!  The burger patty itself was just that…a patty.  I believe it was a traditional frozen patty they thawed and threw on a hot grill.  I could be wrong, but that’s how it tasted.  As I said, though, the burger was still quite tasty.  I’m not sure I would order it again, but I had no trouble finishing it tonight.  If you want to get something really tasty, go with the French Dip grinder.  YUM!

As I said, Jeff and I have never had a bad meal here.  Their salads are even good!  Put it this way…I have always wanted to try their dessert, but I never have room for it. If you’re in the Centerville area, stop in for a bite!

Doubleday’s Grill and Tavern
199 E Alex Bell Road
Dayton, Ohio

Doubleday's Grill & Tavern on Urbanspoon

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