Sonny Mantia hired me at Dominic's for my first "professional" job. What a great opportunity! Later on, I returned to work there with various groups.
IT WAS THE BEST OF TIMES ....
Dominic's marks 50 years March 17
March 13, 2007
Dominic's, the iconic Italian restaurant located just north of Oakwood on Far Hills Avenue, is going Irish…at least for the week of St. Patrick's Day. Dominic's, one of Dayton's oldest restaurants, celebrates its 50th Anniversary on March 17. Guiding it thorough the anniversary is Annie Mantia, today's owner and widow of Dick Mantia, son of the original owner.
Dominic's was opened by Dominic Mantia on March 17, 1957 at the corner of Main and Frank Streets, in a house that still is part of the restaurant today. The food served was southern Italian fare, and was prepared by Sue Mantia, Dominic's young Irish wife who had learned all the traditional Italian recipes from Dominic's mother. Today as second-generation owner, Annie Mantia has continued the tradition set by the founding family.
“When the restaurant first opened,” Annie Mantia said, “my former mother-in-law was the cook, Dominic was the bartender. As a matter of fact, it was she who came up with the house salad.” The trademark salad, once called the Cerian Salad, now the “house,” is loaded with garlic. (Once you taste it, you don't forget it.) “There are lots of stories about the house salad,” Annie said. “One mother of four swears that it induces labor. Another claims it's ‘the greatest diet in the world;' she had eaten the salad as her main food for a year, and successfully lost weight.” Stories aside, the garlic says it all. During the anniversary week, on March 13, 14, and 15, Annie is giving an anniversary memento - garlic in a small mesh bag.
In addition to the dining rooms, Mantia has set aside one room dedicated to the University of Dayton where the UD Basketball team is served all their pre-game meals. In UD colors of red and blue, it has a big screen TV along with portraits of noted UD sports figures painted by Elizabeth Martin, a retired Oakwood art teacher.
With Dominic's celebrating its “50th” this St. Patrick's Day, celebrating the “Luck O' the Irish” in an old, established southern Italian restaurant might just offer a lucky twist. And don't forget to pick up your garlic.
IT WAS THE WORST OF TIMES ....
Dominic's restaurant closes, could reopen elsewhere
By Mark Fisher
Staff Writer
Friday, July 06, 2007
DAYTON — Dominic's Italian and American Restaurant has closed for repairs, and the restaurant's owner said she may reopen in a different location.
Annie Mantia, owner of Dominic's, said the restaurant closed for remodeling of the kitchen. But she added that the age of the building at 1066 S. Main St. and the condition of some of the equipment have prompted her to consider relocating, although no alternative site has been selected.
"We'll have to see if repairing everything here is economically feasible. You can't put a Band-Aid on a broken bone," Mantia said. "We'll have to weigh whether to stay at this location or look a another one."
Either way, "There will always be a Dominic's Restaurant in Dayton, Ohio — whether it's here or whether it's somewhere else."
The restaurant has been part of the Dayton dining scene for more than 50 years. It was founded by Dominic Mantia, who with his wife, Sue, started the popular gathering place in 1957, using homemade Italian recipes, including a signature garlic-laced house salad dressing.
It has been run by family members since it opened and has become a pregame and postgame gathering spot for University of Dayton sports fans for decades.
DOMINIC'S FOOD OF DAYTON WEBSITE
Enjoy the unforgettable taste of Classic Garlic Salad Dressing from the
owners of Dominic's Italian Restaurant.
Available at Dorothy Lane Market, select grocery stores, and online.
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