Welcome Lily's Bistro!
Located in the historic Oregon District, Lilys Bistro focuses on fresh, fun seasonal food and cocktails, wines and beer that pair perfectly with the menu.
Welcome Lily's Bistro!
You know that cliche saying, "When one door closes, another one opens"? Well, I'm excited to say that when the doors of the Boulevard Haus on Fifth Street in Dayton closed, it opened the door to Lily's Bistro.
Lily's Bistro is holding its grand opening on Thursday, May 9 from 5-10PM, at 329 E. Fifth Street. It will be offering seasonal menus, with fresh and local ingredients. What's better than yummy food? Quality food that people in your city helped grow, that's what.
For the past four weeks, the employees of Lily's have been working ten to 12 hour workdays to be ready just in time for their opening this month.
The chef, Mariah Gahagan, comes from other Dayton restaurant favorites like Olive: An Urban Dive and Coco's Bistro.
Their seasonal menu, which will completely change four times a year, currently includes some delightfully tasty treats.
When my friend Joel and I went to a soft opening night, we were greeted with friendly and excited employees. We loved the redesign inside, which is open and inviting. Light colored walls and white table clothed tables work their way back to the open kitchen, which you can see from the entrance. Of course, my favorite spot at this location, is the back patio, with ivy covered brick walls and twinkle lights strung overhead. It's a Dayton gem that should not be missed.
As we sat at the patio, we were given complimentary Calamari, which was paired with sriracha aioli and a ginger oyster sauce. I liked that it was paired with something other than your typical marinara sauce.
From what I've heard, their Ohio nachos, made with housemade potato chips, are incredible. They're so good, in fact, that they were already out by the time we got there Friday night. This just gives me a reason to go back.
Lily's offered a specialty drink menu, which that night included The Muse. A cocktail of strawberry moonshine, cucumber puree and homemade lemonade. The pulp from the fresh lemonade was the perfect touch.
For dinner, Joel got the herb chicken thigh with sauteed kale, roasted radishes and pan jus. Alex Todd, who helps run Lily's with Emily Mendenhal, said they get their chicken from a nearby farmer. Meaning the chicken could have been alive a week ago! No wonder it tasted so fresh!
I ordered Lily's surf and turf: soy glazed pork belly and seared scallops with wilted spinach, pickled cauliflower and miso-mousseline sauce. As Todd put it, it's like bacon steak. He wasn't kidding. It was a savory treat.
After dinner, we couldn't resist their homemade strawberry mint ice cream for dessert. I mean, what's better than a warm evening on a patio eating homemade ice cream? (Hint: The answer is "not much".)
With their continual menu changes, gorgeous patio, and fresh ingredients, there's no excuse not to welcome the latest restaurant to the Oregon District. I know I'll be back soon!
