You’ll pay a little more for the higher alcohol content, Platinum is running $6.99 a six pack of bottles,  about $1.30 more than  Bud Light at Belmont Party Supply.  “People has already been in asking for it, I think the higher alcohol content is what appeals to them,” says Natalie Moore, the social media guru at the Smithville Road store.

Anheuser- Busch InBev says it created Bud Light Platinum to appeal to a new breed of light beer drinker who likes a little more flavor in a light beer and a more stylish presentation.  Advertising Age earlier this month described the release of Bud Light Platinum as part of an effort “to win over younger drinkers who have been gravitating to spirits.” The publication said A-B InBev would spend heavily on advertising and is expected to buy at least one spot for Platinum during the February 5 Super Bowl.

If you try the Bud Light Platinum, let us know what you think in the comments below:

The schedule is:

Feb. 5: Stivers Singers
Feb. 12: Strings
Feb. 19: Concert Pianists
Feb. 26: Jazz Quintet

Each Sunday will feature two brunch sessions, from 10 a.m. to noon and 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m.; the same menu will be served at both seatings. Cost is $30 per person; $15 of this is a tax-deductible donation to the seedling Foundation, which supports the arts at Stivers. All funds raised during the Sunday brunches will support arts instruction at the school.

This year’s menu has not yet been release, but based on last year’s menu you’ll have a choice from about 1/2 a dozen choices, from traditional breakfast meals, salads and entrees, including vegetarian options.  Mimosas and Bloody Mary’s will be available for an additional charge. Advanced reservations are required; and based on previous years attendance, these brunches will sell out.  Call 228-COCO (2626), or go online at www.228coco.com/brunch to reserve

The Woman’s Club of Dayton Foundation, The Engineers Club of Dayton Foundation and the Friends of the Dayton Arcade are currently accepting applications for the Third Annual Jewels of the Gem City Awards. The awards honor those who have made a significant contribution to the historic preservation of Dayton through educational, financial, cultural, promotional or restoration contributions.  Nominee for the “Jewels of the Gem City” may be an individual/couple, a company/corporation or an organization that has made a significant contribution to the historic preservation of Dayton through educational,
financial, cultural, promotional or restoration contributions.  Nominations forms are available online or at the Dayton Metro Library, the Dayton Woman’s Club or the Engineers Club and are due Feb 1, 2012.

Winners in 2011 were included the American Veterans Heritage Center, Margaret Kruckemeyer, Curt Dalton and Wright-Dunbar, Inc. This years winners will be celebrated at the  Gala dinner awards ceremony will be on Saturday June 2, 2012 at the Dayton Woman’s Club.  For more information contact Susan Wheeler at 461-9921.

Tom Sand and Chef Anne Kearney

Successful Washington Township restaurant Rue Dumaine will be moving  to the new Austin Landing, where it will share a kitchen with a second more casual concept , Alligator Annie’s,  in a 10,600 square-foot building.  Thomas Sand Jr. and Chef Anne Kearney, founder and chef/co-founder of Rue Dumaine, hope to use their location at Austin Landing as a way build on their passion for food and a good experience.

“When you walk out of our restaurants at Austin Landing, I want you to say you had an experience,” Sand said. “We try to create a place where you can go and be treated the way you want to be treated, experience good food and good service, refresh and rejuvenate yourself and let the worries of the day disappear.”

Rue Dumaine will continue serving the American bistro fare inspired by French cuisine for which it has become known, while

Alligator Annie's

Alligator Annie’s will take the form of a casual Southern-style social club and will offer lunch and dinner service 7 days a week.

Since their departure from New Orleans, Sand and Kearney said they have enjoyed becoming part of the Dayton community and sharing a bit of themselves with anyone looking for a good meal. They said they look at the choice to open at Austin Landing as a decision to put down roots in a community setting in which everyone is there to benefit each other.

“We are making a commitment to this village, city, state and region we call home.” Sand said. “This venue will allow us to showcase the partnerships we have formed with our nearly 100 vendors, local farmers and artisans and provide our present and future clientele with more food options. We look forward to exploring all the possibilities.”

And in a long talked about expansion, The Dublin Pub will be opening a 6000 square foot second location.  “Since the day we opened up, we’ve always had a focus on expansion and growth,” Tieber said. “We know that a lot of restaurants make mistakes with expansions, but we’re doing this right. We knew with Austin Landing coming, it would be a perfect fit for a pub location.”

Tieber said The Dublin Pub would be partnering with other local restaurateurs Dan Apolito and Mike Fullenkamp of Archer’s Tavern with the intention to create their flagship Irish Pub with hopes of a multi-pub chain expansion. “Dan and Mike have over 40 years of corporate restaurant experience between them.  We knew combining our talents and over 60 years of experience would make the transition and growth to a second location successful,” Tieber said.

He said the newest location of The Dublin Pub would have the same beloved recipes and provide the same atmosphere and live music as the original Downtown Dayton location, making it a great fit for the Austin Landing development.  “We’re blessed with being a restaurant that caterers to a lot of different crowds,” Tieber said. “We are one of the few restaurant concepts that can transition well from being a perfect location for lunch for the business crowd and dinners during the week to becoming more of a bar atmosphere on the weekend.”

Randy Gunlock, president of RG Properties, the commercial real estate firm developing Austin Landing, said it is fitting that the first restaurants to open at Austin Landing will be independents.  “Rue Dumaine and The Dublin Pub have garnered excellent reputations throughout the community, and Alligator Annie’s is poised to follow suit, making all three restaurants a perfect fit with Austin Landing,” Gunlock said. “We all want a unique experience when we go out, and Austin Landing will be the place where people will come to enjoy that experience. “

Work is set to begin this year on construction of the restaurants, and RG is looking toward a spring of 2013 opening date for each.  Gunlock said RG Properties is active in conversations with a number of other restaurants, working to bring the best mix to the Austin Landing development. He said the company is targeting small and large chains as well as independents and hopes to settle on between four and five full-service restaurants and four and five fast-casual restaurants.

RED

The RED Table Design Gala highlights the talents, creativity and imagination of the area’s top designers.  This year, the gala will have 43 tables of ten all embracing a “French” flair as the unifying theme.  To pull this fabulous event off as we do every two years, ARC Ohio needs the help of inventive, original, clever and  over the top designers who are willing to volunteer their time and talents to produce a table for RED.  If you are interested please contact Lisa Grigsby, Special Events Director at ARC Ohio.

Your meal will include a salad, coffee or tea and a quartino (about a glass and a half) of red or white wine for $26.  Reservations are suggested and if you know you want the Bistro Dinner, reserve it, they are made in limited quantities, and often sell out.  Here’s the menu for upcoming Bistro Dinners:

January

In Spain and Portugal, 12 grapes are eaten as the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve—one grape for each chime of the clock and month of the year. Good luck will come to those who down the whole dozen before the final chime sounds. Each grape represents a different month, so if the 3rd grape is a bit sour, March might be a rocky month.

Fish is lucky for a couple of reasons. Its scales resemble money and fish swim in schools which invoke the idea of abundance. There are also plenty of nutritional benefits. Fatty fish (salmon and tuna) are filled with Omega-3s and leaner fish (tilapia and sole) are a great source of protein.

In many Asian countries, long noodles are eaten on New Year’s Day in order to bring a long life. One catch: You can’t break the noodle before it is all in your mouth. Noodles and grains (rice, quinoa, barley) are symbols of long life and abundance respectively.

In Germany, Ireland, and parts of the United States, cabbage and other greens are  associated with luck and fortune since the leaves look like folded money and are thus symbolic of economic fortune.

Beans, like greens, also resemble money. More specifically, they symbolize coins. Whether you choose black beans, lentils or black-eyes peas, try some healthy fiber-filled beans to soak up that champagne.

Pigs are a lucky symbol because they root forward and are rotund, which symbolize wealth and prosperity.  Pork, beans and greens are often combined in a dish called Hoppin’ John for New Year’s Eve.

Long associated with abundance and fertility, pomegranates are eaten in Turkey and other Mediterranean countries for luck in the New Year.

While these all symbolize prosperity, there are equally as many foods that don’t.

What Not to Eat:

Lobster, for instance, is a bad idea because they move backwards and could therefore lead to setbacks.

Chicken- they scratch for food so those who eat poultry will “scratch” for food all year.  According to many cultures, anything with wings is a no-no for New Years cause it could fly away taking all your luck with it.
The color white is symbol of death in Chinese culture so avoid eggs, tofu and white cheese. Above all don’t clean your plate thoroughly— many cultures believe that leaving a little leftover food on your plate will usher in a year of plenty.

So now you know how to set your table to bring in the best in 2012 and that’s exactly what we wish you all in the new year!  Cheers!

(937) 429-9000  open noon to 8pm reservations suggested
72 Plum St at The Greene in Beavercreek
Mediterranean fusion cuisine and an affordable and creative selection of wine and specialty cocktails.

(937) 439-9005 open 2 – 6pm
2759 Miamisburg Centerville Road, across from Dayton Mall

(937) 293-4000 open from 7am til about 5pm, management suggests calling to confirm closing time- which they’ll determine by how the customer flow is that day.
4090 Wilmington Pike near Stroop in Kettering

937-433-2333 open 4pm – 1am
7880 Washington Village Dr. Centerville, OH 45459

Huge burgers made fresh by hand. Crisp salads piled high. Turkey and chicken roasted in our own rotisseries. Ribs slowly basted for hours until they’re falling off the bone. And decadent desserts that just might be worth the trip all by themselves will be served up from 5

7 area locations open 5pm – 2am

Specializing in chicken, they even have salads, pasta, ribs and a one pound Porterhouse steak on the menu.

(937) 431-9200 11am – 8pm

4429 Cedar Park Drive (at The Greene) Beavercreek, OH 45440

Featuring their signature “Fresh List” highlighting an impressive number of fresh seafood varieties, in addition to aged steaks, poultry, entrée salads and pasta. McCormick & Schmick’s commitment to local freshness is apparent in the seasonally inspired dishes and regionally inspired preparations offered.

(937) 898-3860 open noon – 9pm
7580 Poe Ave Dayton, OH 45414 (off Miller Lane exit of 75)
Only dinner menu will be served all day.
Chef prepares each meal with a blend of texture and color, as well as flavor and temperature to achieve overall harmony in the tradition of Ying and Yang. Excellent sushi, too.

(937) 439-3743  2022 Miamisburg Centerville Road  near Dayton Mall
(937) 236-3200 7777 Troy Pike in Huber Heights
both locations are open from 3-11pm

According to Chef Anne Kearney you should look over the list below, and give Bonnie a call at 610-1061 with your order  to secure your items. Bartender Evan and co-owner Tom have selected and priced for retail 1 sparkling, 1 red and 1 white wine perfect for any holiday party drop-in or to sip on as you tackle the pile of gifts. Pick up a bottle to share with your lovelies on Christmas Eve or to take over to mom’s house on Christmas Day, see details below.

Just a few of the items they are offering:
• Cured ruby red trout sides-6-9oz sides sold to you cyro-vaced- $9/#
• Brian’s house smoked ham-1#-3# pieces, Brian is very proud, it is good stuff. Purchase a piece to slice for sandwiches or cube up for your New Years Day black eyed peas $10/#
• Butterscotch blondies with caramel, peanuts and pretzels, YUM! I believe this is the perfect balance of salty and sweet. Sold in four piece packs $3.5.
• Peppermint chocolate brownies, great for the office or your sweet aunt Patti. Sold in four piece packs $3.5
• Tom’s GraNOLA of love, good and good for you! $7 per bag
• Peanut butter with flax seed and local honey-start you year off right- protein, omega 3 fatty acid and it taste great too! 7oz.-$3.5 or 15oz.-$6.5
• Apple dumplings-honestly buy one to eat after you have wrapped the last gift…warmed with a scoop of gelato. 2 large dumplings-$4
• Bar mix-spiced pepitas, cheese nips, rosemary lavash and oat bundles- great hostess gift. $5
• Brian’s awesome truffled cheesy dip with mushrooms and spinach…A few friends stop by to say happy holidays and this will save your ass as far as on-the-fly good eats. 12oz. of some really tasty stuff. $5.5 • Hot cocoa mix made with awesome French extra brut cocoa. Santa and the kids will love it, mom too. $4/8oz.
• Blue cheese-walnut pave $5/6oz. • Apple-thyme chutney $5/8oz.
• Country pate, YUM! $6/ 6oz.
• French bread croutons, brushed with olive oil, seasoned and toasted until golden brown. Pick up a bag to take over to moms for the cheese tray to make a few canapés with the pate for you. $2.5/ 6oz. bag • If you are interested in some of our fiery Dijon or whole grain mustard, we can make you up a container for you. $6./ 8oz
• Almond-raspberry coffee cake- $6/serves 6-8
• Chocolate whoopie pies with Italian mint buttercream $4/ 4 pieces (2” each) per pack
• Cranberry pop-tarts with orange scented frosting, YUM again!! $3 each
• Spiced pecans, spiced but not spicy. $10/#
• Roasted butternut squash** soup $4.5/16oz., $8/32oz.
• White bean-Arugula smear $3.5/8oz.
• Balsamic vinaigrette $3.5/8oz., $6/15oz.
• NV Gruet Brilliant New Mexico Sparkling wine- A wonderful fine bouquet dominated by green apple and grapefruit flavors. A truly classic house style sparkling with ultra fine bubbles! Priced for retail sale.
• Cameron Hughes Chardonnay Lot 220-This wine shows classic buttery qualities with subtle sorbet notes on the finish. On the palate, this wine is rich and full with a bold mid-palate of Meyer lemon and nuances of baking spice. Priced for retail sale.
• 2009 Rock & Vine, Cabernet Sauvignon-Medium bodied, with a solid core of blackberry and dark cherry fruit and hints of tobacco notes followed by great texture, sweet tannins, and dense weight. This wine is very drinkable. Priced for retail sale.
• Possibly a few more items will appear, it is simply a matter of time before we think of something else, thanks.

Rue Dumaine Restaurant and Bar is located a half mile east of I-675 on OH 725, at 1051 Miamisburg- Centerville Road.