Dayton Daily News from Dayton, Ohio • E8

E8 COMPLETE. IN-DEPTH. DEPENDABLE. DAYTON DAILY NEWS SUNDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2019 E8 LIFE For years, been hearing about an incred- ible dinner my brother-in-law makes the family. weeks in the mak- ing, from gathering reci- pes to shopping to days of preparation.

years of these stories detailing his Feast of the Seven Fishes dinner that has elevated it to the stuff of legend. These tales of over- the-top seafood dishes and presentations for the lucky chosen few occupy my mind this time of year, and even as I write these words. If you have never heard of the Feast of the Seven Fishes (Festa dei Sette Pesci), an Italian-Amer- ican Christmas Eve cele- bration steeped in history. Thought to have been introduced in the United States in the late 1800s by southern Italian immi- grants in New York Little Italy, a incredible feast inspired by the fla- vors of the sea. The traditional meal consists of seven seafood courses, or a few varieties of fish prepared in in dif- ferent ways, with recipes inspired by the flavors of Italian cuisine.

Baccala (salted cod fish) is one of the most popu- lar dishes to incorporate in an authentic Feast of the Seven Fishes dining extravaganza. Pizzeria Ristorante Italiano (215 W. Main Fairborn; www.giovannisfairborn. com) had a Feast of the Seven Fishes dinner ear- lier this month featur- ing a creamy crab soup, a seafood salad, mussels, creamy shrimp and craw- fish pasta, Mediterranean sea bass and a chocolate dessert. I was unable to go, but will be keeping my eyes peeled for it next year.

I may still be waiting for an invitation to an authen- tic Feast of the Seven Fishes dinner, but for now, here are my seven seafood dishes from local restaurants that I would incorporate into my Feast of the Seven Fishes line- up based on some of my favorite seafood dishes served up locally. a dream scenario where new-world dining meets old-world tradition because in this season of magic a girl can dream, right? Prime Steakhouse 4432 Walnut Beaver- creek (937) 320-9548 or www. flemingssteakhouse.com My Feast of the Seven Fishes dinner would start out with a nice-sized bowl of the lobster bisque from spiced sherry cream the pieces of North Atlantic lobster have sim- mered in is rich, delecta- ble and a perfect start to a showy Christmas Eve Cel- ebration like the one dreaming up. The Paragon Supper Club 797 Miamisburg Center- ville Road, Centerville (937) 433-1234 or www. theparagonsupperclub.com The appetizer platter for two ($23) features thesmokedpepperedsalmon they are known for, along- side cold crab, smoked trout and shrimp.

a great sec- ond-course appetizer with lots offlavors in this dreamy dinner scenario. Oakwood Club 2414 Far Hills Oak- wood (937) 293-6973 or www. theoakwoodclub.com For my third course I would go with Oakwood fresh oysters on the half shell but if you want them cooked and dressed up they have a very nice Oysters Rocke- feller ($12.95) to consider. Corner Kitchen 613 E. Fifth Dayton (937) 719-0999 or www.

afinerdiner.com Corner and Fries ($15) never disap- point. The broth and prep- arations change seasonally. Currently Corner Kitchen is preparing theirmussels in a Thai red curry broth with green onion, basil, cilan- tro, grilled mango, pineap- ple and grape tomatoes. a zippy, flavorful dish that would make an excellent course in any Feast of the Seven Fishes dinner. Seafood Restaurant 225 E.

Sixth Dayton (937) 222-2892 or www. jays.com Linguine al Frutti di Mal is tossed with shrimp, scal lops, mussels and chopped clams in a white wine garlic butter sauce topped with Parmesan cheese a filling celebration of the bounty of the sea and with an Ital- ian name like that, per- fect for this celebration. Wellington Grille 2450Dayton-Xenia Road, Beavercreek (937) 426-4600 or www. thewellingtongrille.net Wellington Grille has a pan-seared red snapper servedoverorzopasta tossed in shaved brussels sprouts and fresh toma- toes with a lemon butter sauce Because in addi- tion to not being able to get enough seafoodat thismeal, you also get enough butter. Roost 524 E.

Fifth Dayton (937) 222-3100 or roosti- talian.com Going into the seventh course you may not feel like you have it in you, but mushroom crusted scallops ($37) with shaved asparagus, ricotta raviolis, crimini mushrooms and a white truffle besciamella saucewill have you rethink- ing saying no. This is a terrific dish that i wor th seek ing out. Local seafood dishes to make a classic Italian feast Alexis Larsen Dayton Eats DAYTON EATS Dayton Eats looks at the regional food stories and restaurant news that make mouths water. Share info about your menu updates, special dinners and events, new chefs, interesting new dishes and culinary adventures. Do you know of exciting outdoor spaces, new exciting format changes, specials, happy hours, restaurant updates or any other tasty news you think is worth a closer look at? E-mail Alexis Larsen at alexis.e.larsen@hotmail.com with the information and we will work to include it in future coverage.

WORTH THE DRIVE By Alexis Larsen Contributing Writer We have great shopping options in the Miami Val- ley, but our capital city has super-sized shopping. A study by labor market research company EMSI in 2016 revealed that the only cities to employ more fash- ion designers than Colum- bus are New York City and Los Angeles. no arguing that retail is king in Columbus, which makes for hip, cut- ting-edge shopping. With the last full weekend until Christmas coming up, if you are behind youmight consider a shopping trip to Columbus to swiftly check off everythingonyour shop- ping list. a look at spots to check out.

EASTON TOWN CENTER Easton is a stellar spot to shopwith nearly 300 retail- ers. It has a 50-foot tree on town square decked out for the holiday season with LED lights. If yougowith the fam- thata5x7photowith Santa is just $5 or you can take onewith your camera, so break the bank to document your time there. Now in the middle of the largest expansion since it opened 20 years ago, footprint is much larger thanyoumay remem- ber if been awhile since your last visit. In addition to all the traditional retail shops, thediningatEaston is terrific.With the only Smith andWollenskysteakhouse in the state, a nice stop to splurge on dinner or get a gift certificate for the foodie in your life.

ForbiddenRootRestaurant and Brewery just opened and is a good stop for any craft beer enthusiasts you mightbeshopping for.Based out of Chicago, the brewery focuses on innovative and botanically inspired beers aswell as elevatedAmerican cuisine. The foot restaurant andbrewery located in expan- sion is the first loca- tion outside of Chicago, and features Ohio-grown ingre- dients in both the kitchen and the brewery. The brew- executive chef is Paul Yow, formerly of the fantas- tic Barcelona restaurant in German Village, so the cui- sine will be on point. For the kids, there is the expansive and impressive LEGOLAND Discovery Cen- ter. Homage sells cool Ohio- themedandOhio-craftedmer- chandise andBinkDavieshas quirky gifts that are inex- pensive and fun for stocking stuffersorwhiteelephantgifts.

With almost 300 stores, something for any- one shopping for and great restaurants tomakepit stops at to refuel. also Polaris and the Mall at Tuttle Crossing, but dur- ing the holidays Easton is where at. SHORT NORTH ART GALLERIES For the person who has everything, perhaps a one- of-a-kind piece of original art is in order? Interesting art galleries are sprinkled through the Short North. HammondHarkinsGaller- ies (www.hammondharkins. com)currently is showingan exhibition entitled focusing on art- ists who have graduated or are affiliatedwithColumbus rieGallerie (www.sherriegal- lerie.com/artists) has a new exhibition entitled Funky Functional Pottery and Jewelry and the very cool Lindsay Gallery (lindsaygallery.com) has somewaycoolpieces for sale from self-taught, folk, and outsider artists.

The Short North is a fun area to walk through if you have the time. Be sure to also check out the Big Fun toy store (big- funcolumbus.com) where youwill find floor to ceiling classic toys that will appeal to the kids in your life or the kid living insideof you. Even if not in the market for toys, a store that is big fun to peruse. THE BOOK LOFT Withhalfamillionbooks in 32rooms, thisclassicGerman Village store (www.bookloft. com) is anembarrassmentof literary riches.

Grab a map (yes, a map) and headoutonyour adventure. bookstore in Oregon and then this verycharmingBookLoft in Columbus. If you decide to go, be sure to grab some delicious authentic German food at Sausage Haus (www.schmidthaus. com) nearby and, if later in the evening, for a stroll around the historic German Villageneighborhood to take in the lights anddecorations. MAKE SOMETHING Want to put your touch on a gift? There are several stores around town where you can get involved inmak- ing something for your gift recipient.

The Candle Lab (www.thecandlelab.com) offers pre-poured natural soy candles that can be pur- chased in more than 120 different fragrances, or the chance to customize your very own scent. Work with your sniffer tofindthescents that speak to you and work with a Scent Stylist whowill help younarrowdownyour list to just a few scents that blend together. Design your label and mix your oils at their FragranceBar to create your unique custom scent. Columbus has three loca- theShort North and Worthington. Head to Igloo Letterpress to make holiday cards and papernotebooks (iglooletter- press.com) at their book bar.

Theyhaveaquirky, funcollec- tion of posters, cards, books, journals, gifts, coasters, note- cards and gift wrap to help with your holiday shopping. SURPRISE THEM NOW A very cool store to sur- prise your significant other with is Two Dollar Radio (twodollarradiohq.com). This stop is a book store, coffeehouse, bar, vegan res- taurant and bookpublisher, so a little bit of everything. Make it adatenightonSatur- day from 5 to 10 p.m. when they offer a special of two paperback books and two drinks for $32.

noth- ing like shopping for a good bookwith that special some- one and a cocktail in hand. TAKE IN A SHOW If book shopping for you, consider heading to Shadowbox Live for the annualHolidayHooplaShow that runs through Dec. 28. play- ful andavery funway to cap off the evening. If you are unable toget a trip to Franklin Park Con- servatory andBotanicalGar- dens (www.fpconservatory.

org) to see the Chihuly: Cel- ebrating Nature exhibition and see the holiday lights. Regardless of where you decide to go and what you decide to buy, a trip out of town means you are more likely tofindsomething just a little bit different this year. It could be awelcome change for your gift recipient, but more important you are going to have a good time doing it. Contact this contributing writer at alexis.e.larsen@ hotmail.com. The best shopping and bonus fun to discover in Columbus BEAVER TRAVEL BUREAU, INC.

M-F Sat 9-Noon want to be your travel 3051 Rodenbeck Drive Beavercreek, OH 45432 429-2111 1370 N. Fairfield Suite Beavercreek, Ohio 45432 937-429-5383 www.travelplex-dayton.com FAVORITE FOOD, VOTE FOR YOUR SERVICES, STARTING JANUARY 7 ANDPLACES DAYTON! TO BE IN SPIRITS, IN SO.