It is with this limited knowledge that I began Fluff (a parody) as an answer to Gwyneth Paltrow's Goop site. I had heard so many unbelievable quotes attributed to her. And this week, when she succumbed to Hollywood marriage malaise, it kind of pushed me over the top of incredulity. So this morning I finally opened up Goop to see what I was up against.
It's the 'best of' oracle. Things that people who don't live in the real world love! Case in point: I'd love to make some Larb Gai, but it will take me all day to get the ingredients together, including making my own toasted rice powder. Instead, we're going international with taco night! (Again.) And while I may have 'forgotten' to make vacation plans, $2500/3 days (double occupancy) at a terrific domestic spa isn't going to happen... ever. And here's something cool - Goop collaborates with designers to create products that they think are ducky.
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| GOOP $115 |
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| TARGET $12 |
Ok, I will admit the GOOP tshirt is cuter, but is it $100 cuter? Is it worth the premium I would rather spend on buying better quality food for my family? T-shirts are pretty well disposable for me, between stains and holes, so I can't see buying something cute for that much money. Who is with me on this?
Enough of the Gwyneth bashing. It's just so easy! I will, however, attempt to put a real world spin on some of her postings.
The RA 10 (a real world answer to the GP 13)
Here are ten of my favorite restaurants in Dayton, in no particular order.
Buckin' Donkey Grill - Wilmington Road
Diverse menu of lots of in-house-made items. Economical and kid friendly, but Dad can still get a beer, and Mom a wine. This is our current "King's Crown."
Olive, an Urban Dive - 3rd street downtown
Fresh and local with unique offerings. A little pricey and no liquor license so you can splurge on food and BYOB (for a corkage fee.) The kids like it, but it's too good for them. More of a date night joint.
Treasure Island Supper Club - Moraine
Die hard following of bar flies, in their 70's. Good basic food reasonably priced for sensible portions - steaks, burgers, salads. Strong drinks. Restaurant section is family friendly, but you are going to want to save it for a date night and sit at the bar. The pork chops are excellent.
Taqueria Mixteca - 3rd Street Dayton
Off the beaten path and worth it. Great Mexican food. Inexpensive and family friendly.
Southpark Tavern - Wayne Ave.
Sometimes I just want to eat full on pizza, cheese fries, etc. And sometimes not, but my family wants to. We like the sandwiches, pizza and salads. Full bar and family friendly. Economical, it has a patio and it's pretty friendly.
Lihn's - Airway Rd.
Often when a restaurant changes locations it loses some of its charm (ahem, Jimmie's and Coco's) but in this case, the cinderella makeover of a once hole-in-the-wall Lihn's is a resounding success. Inexpensive, family friendly and really superior Vietnamese food. Feel the flu coming on? Get a bowl of Pho to go and knock that shit out.
Meadowlark - Kettering (and it's newest incarnation, Wheat Penny on Wayne Ave.)
Pricey! And fabulous! Inspired cuisine and drinks with quality local ingredients. Leave the kids at home unless you want to take out a second mortgage. Wheat Penny is slightly more modest with wood-fired pizza on the menu.
Pasha Grille - the Greene
Although we generally try to avoid faux-ville, we love Pasha. The food is outstanding, it's reasonably priced, family friendly, has a full bar and the staff is earnest and helpful. We usually order family style and split a large appetizer plate and a mixed grill which is enough food for the four of us. The bread with dip they serve is addicting.
Lucky's Taproom - Oregon District
I don't like beer, but as a nod to the explosion of beer joints Dayton has birthed in the past year or so, I'm going to have to mention one of the first. When Lucky's opened (3? years ago?) it did so with the same passion that Blind Bob's did for food. But while the latter let their kitchen slip into mediocrity, Lucky's is still putting out good quality inspired offerings with choices for vegans, gluten-sensitive and omnivores alike. The kids like the food, although the little one is put off by tattoos so it's not her favorite place. Hubby likes the copious choice of beer and the quality of the experience. (They are rumored to have the cleanest beer lines in Dayton.)
Dewey's - Brown Street
My one nod to a chain restaurant, Dewey's seems to 'dew' it right, with plenty of fresh quality ingredients and a pizza menu that includes some of the best salads in town. Very family friendly (with beer and wine!) it satisfies a lot of what this family wants. Including signature pint glasses on one's birthday. We have a collection.
