Salar Restaurant and Lounge in Dayton
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Dayton, Montgomery County, Ohio, US
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Site: http://www.salarrestaurant.com/
- Monday:4–9PM
- Tuesday:4–9PM
- Wednesday:4–9PM
- Thursday:4–9PM
- Friday:4–9:30PM
- Saturday:10AM–2PM
- Sunday:10AM–2PM
First time trying Peruvian dishes, I loved the salad dressing, i don’t know if its common Peruvian salad dressing or just a signature to this restaurant, anyhoo I love if so much, I was confused when they brought the salad, didn’t know if I should eat with my hands or cutlery 😂The seafood rice is great too, seafood is almost always my go to on any menu, I wasn’t disappointed at all.I will recommend this restaurant, the waitress was really pleasant and the environment is beautiful and peaceful
Service was impeccable, but standoffish. Food was good, but they have a pretty limited menu. Everything we had tasted good, portions were very small. The vibe is just a bit off, like its trying to be a super upscale dining experience, but its in Dayton, OH. Nothing bad or wrong, but the drinks were very small and had various HUGE trendy ice cubes in them, so the $12-14 price tag is a LOT for what you get. Its not a place I felt comfortable hanging around in, even on a slow weeknight when nobody was waiting. We ordered, we ate, we left.All in all, it was a decent dining experience, but not personal or warm at all.
The food was horrible! We dined with a sizable party of 10. 85% of our group was dissatisfied. The food lacked flavor, and none of the dishes came out the correct temperature. One person in our party ordered the surf and turf well done…needless to say it was given to her rare. Horrible experience. The staff is very accommodating. The ambiance is beautiful. They keep the place cold so you will probably have to wear your jacket during dinner.
Came from Chicago for some business and had dinner with my boyfriend one of the nights. Service is amazing. It reminded me of one of my favorite restaurants back home because of how friendly and attentive our server was. His suggestions were actually good and not one of those “this is everyone’s favorite so you should get this”.We got the chicken chicharrones as an appetizer and the short ribs and seafood rice as our entrees. 10/10 for all the food. Don’t be fooled by the picture of the seafood rice - the plate is deep so it holds a lot of food!! The drinks were well made and the recommended Malbec wine was superb. Our total came out to be $140 but it was worth it. I would definitely come back if I’m ever back in town!!!
Dare I say the best pork shank of my life?Stopped in on my 2 day trip in Dayton and felt a little underdressed but our server made us feel at home and took great care of us.Everything came out nicely paced, drinks were always full, and the food was just incredible.Dont hesitate. You want to eat here!
It was fine. Server was okay but not great. Shes didnt warn my kids that the fresh ginger ale would be spicy and wouldnt correct without me paying for a lemonade. Drinks took a while to get to table ( I ordered a can beer and my wife a Moscow mule). Our salad showed up first and we finished it before our drinks. We were never offered a refill of water or let me check on your drinks. My food was good but slightly tipid (not hot). My wife had a steak that was mid well not medium. It was a busy day being it was mothers day but for the prices, I expected more. Good, not great. Could have been great if those things were fixed. We liked the flavors and the salad we had. My daughter loved the empanadas.
We had a great experience and dinner here tonight 2/27/2022. From being greeted by Daniel to served by Kassie, the evening was top notch! Daniel even gave us a tour of the restaurant after our dinner. I highly recommend this restaurant for, customer service, atmosphere, and quality of food. You wont be disappointed!
I enjoyed my dinner here.Service was super friendly.Good size dishes.Beautiful atmosphere.The place was full with people but not crowded. It didnt have any music which was interesting.The appetiser, Ceviche, was ok. Shrimp and fish. A bit too salty. And thats the reason for my 4 stars.My main dish was excellent. I took the mai-mai and asked for the sauce on the side.
Food was great, I had the scallops and was pleasantly surprised by the green curry rice and choclo puré, it ended up being filling. The calamari appetizer was sizeable and easily shared between 4 people.It was quite busy, but it is worth noting that the food took awhile (30+ minutes) and the woman running the food seemed to have no idea where any of the plates went or if she had even brought it to the right table. Also, if youre intending on having a slower, relaxing meal the chairs werent comfortable. This restaurant is also going to be difficult for you to enjoy if you are hard of hearing as it was very loud at 6:30 pm and the music was turned up even more while we were there, leaving little choice but to raise ones voice to talk to others at the table.
First time Peruvian cuisine and it was a fantastic experience. So much flavor and so well mixed ingredients. Everything I tried came out good: empanadas, vegetable saltado, mashed potatoes. For dessert I had lucuma and it was so unique. Will come back here next time I am in Dayton.
Beautiful location, AMAZING food, and friendly staff. Came here for dinner to celebrate an anniversary and - I know some people dont like this but Im not sorry- EVERYTHING was Instagram-worthy. Down to the drinks, even. The Duck Ragu Tagliatelle may be the BEST dish I have ever eaten, and the Stormy 75 was one of the best cocktails Ive ever had as well. I absolutely recommend this place.
I went there yesterday for dinner with my wife. I really like the restaurant and the appetizers, the ceviche is awesome, and the cocktails too, especially the pisco sour.But the beef saltado was sadly a bunch of fries some of them burned, and no so much beef, my wife and I ordered the same because we wanted beef, and was her first time at the restaurant ( I have been before ), so we were disappointed on that aspect. We didn’t want to say anything in front of other people, but I just wanted to express my opinion with you guys.For just a plate of fries that were completely aesthetically unappealing and similar to something in you’d find at a sports bad, not a high end restaurant.So my advice for next people, don’t order beef saltado.
Salar blocks honest reviews from doordash when they fail to provide quality food for the price they charge. Their food is overpriced and not always consistent. I ordered short ribs and risotto, and the risotto was chunky while the short ribs were nothing but fat with NO lean meat quality and they tasted like rubber. When I left this review on Doordash, they refused to let the review be posted. Very dishonest practices to trick people into thinking their food is fine dining. It is an utter rip off for $44.
Went to Salar for my birthday a couple weeks ago and was impressed. I couldnt take great pictures without turning my flash on but didnt want to be that guy. The menu is simple with a variety of Peruvian dishes that will surely please even the pickiest of eaters. There is no kids menu if youre spoiling yourself in a special occasion mind as well spoil them too. (i would say with a alcoholic beverage, splitting the app and one entrée youre averaging about $35-50 per person not including tip).The staff are all very knowledgeable with great recommendations and friendly! Ambiance is welcoming for romantic occasions as well as group reunions. The bar has plenty of seating and quick bartenders to make you a tasty cocktail. I didnt check out the patio but eager to try them out again in the warmer months ahead.I ordered the medium pork chop and was amazed i didnt get sick since Ive always had pork well done. I didnt leave a single drop in the plate when i finished. I would say i wish they gave me more than three asparagus stalks. I wasnt a fan of the empanadas appetizer or the free bread with oil plate. Also should mention this isnt a quick dine and dash type of place. The food tastes fresh and has great presentation so it makes sense the food taste longer than usual to come out. Not sure of the name of the birthday cake my awesome server brought me but it was light and delicious as well.Once again sorry for the low quality photos but i highly recommend Salar for a special night out!
• Great atmosphere, delicious food, awesome specialty cocktails, attentive and polite servers, high prices• The restaurant seems smaller than it really is. A really cool area near the bar is one of the options to sit, from there it looks like a small bistro/restaurant where you can see into the street, but plenty more tables and more privacy in the back.• The food was delicious. Starting with the pita bread and their cilantro hummus, never had anything like it before and it was very refreshing and delicious. Spciy calamari were crispy and nice kick to them, yet tender. Wifes risotto was good, but what I would absolutely recommend are the scallops with passion fruit butter. One of the best dishes Ive ever had in my life. Scallops were buttery tender, the passion fruit had a little lemon taste to it, perfect companion for the seafood. The purple mashed potatoes were good too, but were playing second fiddle to the delicious scallops. I know I sound crazy but with the passion fruit butter I barely was willing to share with the wife. :)• Drinks were unique and very good. Be prepared to pay $10-12 per one, but youre paying for the time to make them, theyre very intricate. Flower water infused ice and fruity flavors were something that my wife really enjoyed. For me that was a bourbon mixed drink in a hickory smoked glass. They actually bring a wooden block with a little smoldering pile of hickory chips and the glass over that. So when they take off the glass and pour the bourbon mixed drink in, its like tasting a sweet bonfire. For a lover of peaty scotches like myself this was absolutely delicious worth the money!!• Servers were polite and attentive, no complaints there. Be prepared to spend a tad of money though. We had an appetizer, 3 specialty drinks and 2 main meals and with tip we were pushing $120. However, you know youre getting a pleasant environment, good servers, delicious food and intricate drinks, so you get what you pay for, no doubt about it.
This place is great. I came to Dayton to visit a friend and saw this place in advance and knew that I had to visit. Cocktails were tasty and the scallops entree was tasty. The seafood rice/paella was great as was the duck breast. Would definitely eat here as often as I could it I lived around Dayton.
We live just down the block and this is my favorite restaurant on 5th street!! It offers such a unique dining experience full of class and perfection!The hand crafted cocktails are nothing short of amazing. Top notch Chicago/NYC style!If you are not a drinker and love ginger try their house made ginger ale!! It is beyond refreshing! $3Complimentary pita bread with hummus is amazing!The appetizer scallops is one of my favorites. I think I could eat 10 scallops so yummy!The dinner is not my favorite, I don’t like blackened food. It’s very pricy which is fine if you love the food, just not my Preffered style of cooking.The pork chop has a spicy jam on top that set my mouth on fire.The dessert letche is fantastic!! Sweet cream dessert is just heaven!!Very welcoming staff who are quick with service!
Love my experience! My lamb was so buttery soft it just melted in my mouth. The wait staff suggested a perfect wine pairing and was friendly and prompt even though the were very busy. Great atmosphere, perfect place to impress a date. A more expensive place but well worth it. Will go back again to try another dish including a pic of my braised lamb shank
Great place to eat and drink for a nice meal out. The atmosphere of the restaurant is beautiful and clean. It has a unique decoration to it and is unlike anything else in Dayton. The staff is very kind and helpful, especially the waiter Matt! He always does a great job and takes care of us extremely well. The food and cocktails are expensive but are well worth the cost for a special night out. Compared to other high price establishments in the area you get a great deal! The menu is creative with amazing options.
I had the lamb shank and my wife had the pork chop. Shank was mostly fat and extra salty. Pork chop was a bit dry (not terribly). Food was not hot when it arrived and drinks arrived late. I dont normally bother with poor reviews but for the price I would expect better food. Atmosphere was at least nice.
Had a great time at Salar. They have a very interesting cocktail menu and so many dishes that look good on the menu it is hard to decide what to get. I started with the charred ceasar salad and boy was I glad I did because it was one of the most creative and delicious Caesars Ive ever had. I then went with the double boned porkchop for the main and absolutely loved the chili jam on top. Had the La Pasion cocktail with dinner and it paired better than wine. The bourbon, port and passionfruit puree was a smooth yet exotic balance of flavor.
I went with a group of friends for my birthday the atmosphere was nice but the service we received was horrible! It took the server 20 minutes to refill our water, 30 minutesto take our order, and if that wasnt bad enough our food came out cold, and over cooked. The tip was included in our bill and we could definitely tell. The service was bad and when I asked for the manager she made excuses for the waiter and offered no solution. I will never go back
I was here on a business trip 6 years ago and I still tell people about the paella I had that night (it was the special). Ive traveled a lot around the US and a fair amount in Europe and this was one of the best meals ever, absolutely delicious... hopefully my company can send me back that way again.
Best dining experience we have had in awhile. From appetizers, to entrees, to a shared dessert everything was delicious. The craft cocktails were delightful and unusual. Our waitress was super sweet, knowledgeable in the menu and attentive. We ate on the patio with outdoor heaters and enjoyed the street side ambiance. We are making plans to return to Dayton from 2 hours away solely to come to this restaurant again!
The staff there was amazing from top to bottom, they were all so very nice to me and those with me. I couldnt tell whether my waitress had great recommendations, or everything on the menu was amazing, OR BOTH! Everything ordered was perfectly prepared with the utmost care. I had a great experience and tell those around me about it all the time.
I am very stingy with 5 stars, but I gave this place 5 stars. It lives up to its reputation.. It is clearly one of the best restaurants in the Dayton area. I got the lamb shank, and it was the absolute best I have ever had - by far. The service is thorough and friendly. I rarely tip 25%. This time I did. The ambience is unique and very interesting and comfortable.
This was our first experience at Salar and Im sure we will be back! To start the atmosphere is great,it has a cozy feel while still being modern feeling as well. The service was wonderful and our waitress was very knowledgeable about everything. She even had recommendations for us. The drinks were delicious and the food was incredible! We both ordered Filets which were cooked to perfection, the empanada we had for an appetizer was delicious and the dessert was a perfect touch! I can say this is a new favorite of ours and we will be back.
Salar is a restaurant that I want to love. Trying to schedule a celebratory dinner at the chefs tables was much harder than it needs to be - the guest of honor loves this place or, honestly, I would have given up. After several follow-up emails, we were at the chefs table. It is just another table. That is fine, but do not pretend that it is a special experience when it is not. I got the impression from the reviews and other info that the chef would be curating a meal. That did not happen. Moreover, guests felt obligated to order quickly and the waitress was non-existent. The food was not great. Overall, I regret not just having us walk in as normal guests - far less stress for the same experience.
I used to live just one neighborhood over from this place, but never had an excuse to visit. But that changed this past weekend when my husband’s coworker invited us out to celebrate his birthday. He made reservations, so we were seated the moment we arrived. (Just a heads up that you will have to find parking, they don’t have their own lot). I was happy to find the restaurant was such a comfortable temperature - I hate when they’re freezing cold! But even in January, I was perfectly comfortable in a strapless dress with a shawl.My husband started with the fried calamari and I went with the lamb sliders. We found both to be very nicely done and a great way to start our evening.Then, we shared an entree and another appetizer - the fried yuca & crab and the shorty rib with risotto. While the crab was highly recommended, I found it to be just fine. But that could be because the short rib was AMAZING. So anything in comparison would look boring.Let me step back - the fried yuca had a crisp exterior and was seasoned appropriately. It comes with a very generous portion of crab on top. This crab had a smooth and easy flavor. The bacon and grapefruit on top paired perfectly.....although I definitely wanted more bacon.The short rib portion was quite generous. Not only was it Uber tender, it had incredible flavor. And so did the risotto!!! I don’t know what to say other than - YES! All around, yes! We would return specifically for this dish.
A nice cocktail and wine selection, with a particularly good Pisco sour (as expected). There are a variety of gluten free options for appetizers, salads, and mains. The staff seemed very knowledgeable about celiac so I felt comfortable following our servers recommendations. The portion sizes are generous and the three dishes we had (pork chop, short rib, and lamb shank) were all well prepared and delicious! I would definitely return next time were in Dayton.
We went here for a dinner date and the drinks were amazing and the food was even better!! Antonio was so sweet, and was the best server ever! He really made our night! We had the whiskey smash and the John Wayne cocktails, and both were fantastic. I had the duck ragu and it was so tasty! My fiancé had the seafood rice and liked it a lot! We also had the seafood empanadas and they were fantastic! Overall a great experience and we’ll definitely be back!!
OUTSTANDING service with a variety of delicious brunch options paired with unique, well balanced cocktails. Ive had the same server each time Ive visited. She may be the best server Ive encountered in Dayton. During my last visit, she stopped by a few minutes after our dishes were served to inquire how things tasted. I had a mouthful of chicken and waffles when she asked (dont you hate when that happens). Anyways, I looked up and realized the server never made eye contact with me as she passed by our table. How peculiar I thought. Instead, she focused on my fiancee who was in between bites. The server mustve seen me gobbling down my meal and had the wherewithal to avoid pressuring me into speaking with a mouthful of food. Ive never had the pleasure of being served by someone who pays attention to details like this. Shes an absolute professional! Give her a raise, a promotion, whatever she wants! We cant wait to come back.
We came on Monday for happy hour and stayed for dinner. The pisco sours were excellent, as were the fried calamari and empanadas. Those werent gluten free, but almost everything else was--great for our celiac guest! The carnes were the dinner highlight--lamb shank, Peruvian-style beef saltado, and the filet mignon. The chocolate shades for desert was a standout. Had very good service, nice decor, and pleasant atmosphere!
Great ambiance. Great food. Friendly staff.Showed up as a singleton. Ate at the bar. The staff was friendly and made me a la pasion as a signature drink. The red pepper have it a nice kick without being overpowering. It also went great to counter the fats inherent in a lamb shank served on a bed of cheesy risotto that was perfectly cooked.
We always try to hit up different restaurants for date night. Salar has been on our list for a while, but we just never got there. Glad we finally went; it was amazing! The food has a Peruvian slant to it, but not overtly Latin. The chicken chicharron was amazing. I had the pork chop, which was cooked perfectly. My wife got the surf and turf and said it was as good as the meal she had at Hells Kitchen in Las Vegas and Lake Tahoe. The meals are a bit expensive, but I feel we got big meals for the price. Its a cool place with a great ambiance without getting too loud. Our waitress was great as well. We will definitely be back!
This place is in a league of its own! Ive only been twice, and usually I try a different food menu item on a second visit, but this Duck Ragu is one of the best dishes Ive ever eaten! They boast a nice cocktail and drinks menu as well. The wait staff and hosts are fun and good people which make the experience all the better.Pro-tip: the entrées are nice, large portions, and you definitely want to save room for dessert. The Tres Leches Cake and the Chocolate Shades desserts are a must!!
Our first and likely last visit here. I have a literal list of places to try and this was on the list for couple of years. This was a belated birthday meal.. wanted something special.On my actual birthday We both had sinus infections and wanted to wait till we could taste our meal. We shared 2 appetizers and 2 entrees. We both agree none of it was good. The scallop appetizers tasted like it was breaded in salt the beef empanada was the only thing not off puttingly salty. But it was my least favorite empanada ..It was sprinkled with sugar which wasnt a positive. My seafood rice entree was flat out terrible. Very salty. Husband beef dish was also disgustingly salty. Ive had French food ... been to France a few time. Nothing about this meal was French. Maybe the Peruvians have to have alot of salt due to sanitary insufficiency..all i know is this was very disappointing. We will be up drinking water forever. When the server asked if i wanted to take it to go ... i about laughed. Does anyone take the food home?Best part of meal as far as food goes was the complimentary started. Fried flat bread triangles with some dip.We Google the restaurant name and the English translation is SALT. Lol they arent kidding its SALTY. Ohhh have to pay for parking and everything we didnt like was also super expensive. Dont mind pricey is its a special meal but this was not. Lol my husband just pointed out they didnt have salt shakers on the tables for obvious reasons. Cant believe this has 4 stars.The bright side. The place is cute inside. The servers were pleasant and tried to be helpful. The food had nice presentation.
The fair rating is 2.75 stars.Cocktails were good.Salmon appeared cooked earlier and reheated.Rice was mushy, flavor was decent.Duck was shredded to tiny pieces, ragu was flavorful but pasta was seriously under cooked.When I asked the waiter how the duck ragu was prepared, he said, its really good and my favoriteNot exactly knowledgeable about the offerings.We were seated in a jammed place that was noisy beyond comfort.I would say overall pretty much on par with a good night at Olive Garden
Our server was amazing and very attentive. He was very knowledgeable of the drink menu and helped us make a great selection. Our meals, however, did not justify the price for them. My partner had the beef saltado, which lacked beef, and was mostly a plate of french fries and crunchy rice. The small amount of beef was hidden under a mountain of french fries. We have eaten peruvian food before when we lived in Massachusetts, and my partner has ordered this dish on every occasion that we went to that restaurant, however the steak they had was substantial, and the rice was topped with an egg which gave the dish the right amount of protein. I ordered the lamb shank, which was delicious and fell off the bone; it was flavored amazingly. However, the risotto it was paired with reminded me of my failed first try at risotto; mushy and gummy. It tasted much like they cooked it with water rather than a broth and lacked flavor, and the carrots that were added seemed like they just kissed the pan before being added as a garnish, they should have been cooked for longer. In the end I just took home the lamb shank and left everything else. Hopefully they can reconsider what they pair the risotto with, possibly with seasonal vegetables since the sauce was so good, or a mash of some sort, or polenta. If not, they should consider the price point for each meal, because we were pretty disappointed with how much we paid and how little out palettes were satisfied.
Went on a Thursday night, service was poor, was ignored in the foyer for ten minutes before even greeted. The service was spotty and didnt receive drinks or anything in a timely manner. I had the surf and turf and my girlfriend had the lamb shank. Her lamb shank was mostly fat and her gravy was extremely salty. My surf and turf was bland, not cooked to steak instructions, and the seafood tasted like it went bad. In addition for a 42 dollar plate, I received two shrimp, one scallop, and a tinnnnny tenderloin. The majority was risotto and beans and none of my meal received enough or any salt. I have cooked professionally for several years and was severely disappointed in what we got for the price and supposed quality. We desperately hate complaining, but did and didnt even receive an offer for a comp meal. We felt ignored and under seasoned. Wine was good though, when I finally got it.Update:I got food poisoning, neat.Update pt 2: So did my girlfriend.
Inca mule drink was delicious. My friends really likde their drinks too. We tried empanadas (nice sugar powder touch, very peruvian), lomo (a bit too seasoned for my taste but it was good), rice was too heavy seemed to have butter?...my friedns loved the octopus and salmon. Desserts were delicious.
OMG sums it up nicely!!We were impressed from the time we walked in until we left! The food was great. The cocktails were simply amazing, so fresh and unique. Now a huge shout out to Cassidy, she was GREAT!! Honestly all of the staff were so kind. I think we have found a new place!!
Their Host (wish I could remember his name... tall with glasses) was so friendly and helpful. Our waitress was prompt and showed up at the perfect times. All of the dishes were fantastic... my friend had the soup which was zesty and delicious, and I had the duck ravioli (insanely good).We had a wonderful time and I am so glad we came! Great experience.
Stumbled upon this restaurant while looking for a place to eat driving through Dayton. So glad we stopped.Nice atmosphere, excellent service, great cocktails and delicious food. A great dining experience.Don’t forgo the beef and seafood empanadas for an appetizer.We look forward to a return visit.
Really good, unique food and good service. Definitely worth a try. I thoroughly enjoyed the lamb shank. My wife got the duck confit (think beef stroganoff, but with duck). Good flavor, but theyre are probably better options. Theres a wide variety of good drinks available as well.
Came for brunch, would want to come back for dinner to try their more signature dishes. They were out of the pork belly on an already relatively limited brunch menu. The pecan crusted chicken and waffles werent too heavy, the filet eggs benedict were not bad. The asparagus truffle was surprisingly good and felt like a healthier option served on a bed of cauliflower. Chica morada is always a nice option to compliment the meal. The outdoor hightops were a nice option in a shaded fenced off garden.
We moved to Dayton a couple months ago and this was easily the best meal weve enjoyed here. A lovely pear, goat cheese and greens salad, then the surf and turf for me ($42) and Machu Picchu pork chops ($27) for my husband. Spectacular. Sauces were perfection, every morsel cooked perfectly. Their back patio is beautiful. The service was delightful, thank you, Cassie. My only regret was having no capacity to try the desserts.
We had really high hopes for this restaurant but it ended being a real let down. I had ordered the pork chop but was brought the lamb shank instead, which on any other occasion would have been ok but the lamb was mediocre at best with under cooked veggies and I wasn’t paying that much for mediocre lamb that I didn’t order. By that time the other people in our party were half way done with their meals so the pork chop was out of the question. I ended up ordered the Cremini mushroom dish instead which turned out to be about a pound of greasy fries with maybe 5 mushrooms mixed with scattered tomatoes and partially cooked rice. I’ve heard other good reviews about the place but for our part we won’t be going back.
The atmosphere was absolutely beautiful, however the food was mediocre. I ordered the pan seared duck which was tasty but my green beans and potatoes that came with it were very bland. The presentation of the food was beautiful. Our waitress was very kind and sweet, but one of the male staff was very pushy and rude telling us they needed our table and we had to leave. Which I understand During Covid and limited reservations but the way he approached it seems aggressive and not very nice. I will not be returning unfortunately.
My friends took me here for my birthday and it was hands down the best food I have ever eaten. Our waitress was so kind and welcoming and explained everything on the menu. The service overall was phenomenal and the dessert was too delicious to only get one. We ended up getting two of their special cakes and I started tearing up because it was so deliciously amazing. I will definitely go here many times again. Thank you for providing an unforgettable experience. I think I found my new favorite restaurant!
TERRIBLE experience !!!!!!!Our sever served our appetizers won’t no silverware for over 20 min we tried to catch him and when he was informed he blamed the other staff.They are breaking major rules as well we had a shellfish allergy and informed him that prior and asked if it was ok to order beef empanadas he said yes will be cooked separate and then when he severed them he said I apologize they were cooked with seafood ones we don’t separate.MAJOR VIOLATION which I will report.We ordered steak and potatoesNothing phenomenal but my husband didn’t eat because I’m 1000% sure they cross contaminate with food as our server informed us they do.What a shame as this place came highly recommended.We will not return.
My husband and I decided to go out and have a few drinks after a very long work week. We arrived at Salar which we thought was a very nice relaxing place to be. Once we arrived we were greeted by the hostess which he just seemed like he didn’t want to be bothered with us. I’m not sure if it was because we were in jeans and a T-shirt but he really made us feel as if we did not belong there. Before we got up and left after our first drink we wanted to look around the restaurant because we have never been there. So the hostess stop us and said the restrooms are up front by the hostess table. We wasn’t looking for a restroom we was checking out the restaurant to see if we wanted to book reservations. He made us feel as if we didn’t belong there. I’m not to sure if I would come back or even recommend this restaurant to anyone.Paying customers should be treated equal no matter if they have on a suit or just jeans.
We had Salars recent wine tasting event via carryout. We were pleasantly surprised. The food was delicious and was accompanied by detailed preparation (re-heating) instructions and wine pairing recommendations. The wine was served in small plastic pre-sealed bags with plastic spouts for easy pouring. The food and wine were brought to our vehicle. Excellent food, wine, and service.
We had a wonderful evening. My friend and We walked in and were greeted by Daniel and Jacob who were a pleasure. They were busy but they found a spot for us. Our waitress Cassie was wonderful and made awesome suggestions for drinks and appetizers! Loved every minute we were there! We will be back. Try the beef empanadas and chicken chicarrones . Mmmmm
Salar is my favorite dining experience in downtown Dayton! The food is always amazing and the staff is friendly and helpful. They have so many gluten free options, too! I love going there and relaxing on the patio or dining inside. They have a good drink selection as well. Highly recommend!
Ordered Filet Mignon medium rare came out burnt to a crisp. I tried it though as not to hurt the ladys feeling that bought me dinner. Big mistake! Couldnt get that burnt wood taste out of my mouth the rest of the night. Brought the rest home and my dog turned itsnose up at it. Set it out for my friendly neighborhood opossum. Will keep you posted on how it goes.
Im very impressed by the restaurant! Besides a very nice service, theyve got an excellent meat & sea food selection. Everything weve ordered was cooked and served perfectly. Thank you guys, were definitely are coming back! Also, Id like to mention a modern and clean looking interior, and design of the place. Loved it!
We went here for s date night dinner. We showed up a few minutes before our 7:00 reservation and were greeted promptly. After a few minutes we were seated, with apologies (even though we were early). The menu is fantastic, and the selection of wines and cocktails is amazing. The kitchen was running long so hummus and pita were given on the house to pass the time. The service and food were second to none. Definitely recommend this place for a date night, special occasion, or any other time!
We went here for s date night dinner. We showed up a few minutes before our 7:00 reservation and were greeted promptly. After a few minutes we were seated, with apologies (even though we were early). The menu is fantastic, and the selection of wines and cocktails is amazing. The kitchen was running long so hummus and pita were given on the house to pass the time. The service and food were second to none. Definitely recommend this place for a date night, special occasion, or any other time!
Follow up- Not sure why the restaurant would ask me to contact them just to still never address the issue or reply when I emailed them. I definitely will be more selective about my dining choices for here on out.We went on Saturday the 14th and I first shared this on OpenTable when asked for a review. I thought someone would have reached out but No....To be honest I cannot accurately rate the food or the value because we never got to eat.We arrived exactly on time for our 8:30 reservation and were promptlychecked in. Afterwards the host preceeded to check in two other parties who walked in after us and asked us to stand over to the side while he Sat both other parties who also had 8:30 reservations. After returning and finding us Still standing there he said Oh forget it Ill seat you myself since noone is coming. He took us back to our table and it was not ready, so now we are are standing mid dining room waiting for our table.Very awkward 😐Finally we were seated and there are 5 other tables. One of the servers begins to spray cleaner and clean the other tables, which is a pet peeve of mine because I have asthma and never know if the cleaner will bother me besides that you expect an area to be clean Before you are sat there....but we decided not to say anything.Next we just sat there waiting for anyone to acknowledge us. All 5 of the other tables were Sat, brought water and drinks and app orders in. We are still sitting and waiting. Finally we stop one of three servers that had walked by who had clearly seen that we had not been helped. He apologizes and brings us waters and takes our drink orders.Another server comes and apologizes and takes our app and entree order.Ok fine, its My wifes Birthday dinner and were just trying to make the best of things at this point.Now everyone else is finishing appetizers, some diners are getting their main courses and finally our appetizer comes out.Mind you these people arrived like 20 mins after us.The appetizer that comes out wasnt even our order. It was delivered to the wrong table.At this point 45mins past our reservation time we just said forget it Were leaving.
Excelent service, delicious food. My boyfriend and I enjoyed the atmosphere, music, food. We got scallops for appetizer, I got Peruvian rice (super tasty) my boyfriend got duck. Everything was wonderful and perfect. We definitely are going to come back soon. We loved it.
Kind of good, but definitely overpriced and more interested in being a visual dining experience than a flavorful one. People always include this on their top lists of restaurants in the area, but for the money, unless youre trying to impress someone with an expensive meal, you can go a lot of other places for a better meal with less pretentiousness
We recently ate here as a party of nine. The service was outstanding and the food ranged from good to excellent. Some of the portions were much too small, more like appetizer sizes than entrees; and some of the items were over-salted. Improvement in these areas would warrant a 5-star rating. Great cocktails and ambiance!
Valet parking makes it easy. They have a nice wine list. Great selection of appetizers. One of their special appetizers I would encourage them to keep are their vegan scallops. These were amazing! So full of flavor. We were unable to finish them so no entree tonight. Our server was fantastic. We finished dinner and moved to the patio for a cigar tasting. What a great night.
We had a large birthday party here. They blocked off an area for our party. The servers were very attentive and even went out of their way to ensure the kids were well taken care of too. The signature cocktails were amazing and the food was fantastic. Salar far exceeded my expectations especially considering we had such a large group (~25).
Cocktails were excellent, as usual. The yucca crab causa appetizer was ok, as the yucca itself was crunchy and hot, but the topping was refrigerator cold. I felt the temperature contrast wasnt too appealing to the palate. The filet mignon I ordered was ok. I felt it too was a little cold and the green beans were not very flavorful, while the chimichurri was a little bit too spicy so far so that it would obliterate any other flavor. Server was good. Overall it was ok but overpriced for about $150 total for two including wine.
Ive had nothing but fantastic meals and drinks here. I still need to visit after they were closed, although Ive heard from others that theyre still top notch. Great place for a special evening with your significant other or for entertaining clients or business visitors. I love their ceviche and other fish dishes such as red quinoa encrusted sea bass. Great cocktails as well!
My wife and I ate at Salar last night, spent $120 and left hungry.The atmosphere, decor, and vibe is really cool. The establishment is a little too pretentious for our Daytonian taste, but that is their niche target market. It is a taste of trendy NYC located in the Midwest. The waiter was very professional and gave outstanding customer service.I ordered a drink for my wife, and their bar didnt have Fireball or Jack Daniels Cinnamon. We got the impression those spirits werent upscale. This was somewhat disappointing, but the waiter was quick to give alternative suggestions.I had the scallop entree, and my wife had the steak skewers entree. The food was presented well and tasted delightful, but the portions were appetizer size at best. Not the place for big, Midwestern, steak and potato appetites.This wasnt our first time to Salar and wont be our last. Its a perfect place to go to impress an out of town client or guest. Its also a good break from the standard Dayton fare. Its not our go-to cup of tea but it might be yours.
Great bar/restaurant. The food is exquisite and the spirits selection is amazing. They have a Venezuelan Rum called Diplomatico, which is a very selective rum, not sold in many places. The yucca with crab cakes appetizer is beyond amazing. I think the price reflects the high quality of the food, and I like that the plates are not overwhelming. It is possible to just eat appetizers all night and be satisfied, hunger-wise. The staff is friendly, and the atmosphere is excellent. One of my favorite places in Dayton.
One of the best restaurants in Dayton! The beef empanadas are a good, safe choice if you aren’t feeling crazy. The pork chop entree is outstanding, well seasoned and moist (the jam on top is great). Cocktails are delicious and the staff is knowledgeable on what pairs well with the dishes you order. My boyfriend has a food allergy and they were very accommodating. A little pricey if you’re on a tight budget, but the food is so worth it. Will be back again and again.
So, we have been here in the past and had fabulous meals. We came again recently and had the worst service ever. Not sure if the waiter didnt know what he was doing or if he just didnt care about serving our table. I believe it is the later. My wife ordered the Filet, it came out too well done and it took a long time after delivery to the table to find the waiter and tell him. One of the other folks with us had an overdone steak as well and decided to just eat it. he was not happy with it, but didnt send it back. The waiter took the steak back and twenty minutes later we asked him where her steak was. He said they would be getting to it shortly. SERIOUSLY? We told him to forget about it and he just shrugged his shoulders. At least he removed her dinner from the check. It was also strange that the manager never showed up during all this. Probably because he didnt know from his staff... We will be hard pressed to return after this event.
Starting with creative drinks to their delicious food. The customer service was impeccable. Everything I tasted, I tasted my friends entrees😋, was soooo good. I also had a side of grits with my meal, which was yummy. I am a Georgia Peach so I am a Grits Critic, these Grits were Excellent 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾.Go to have drinks, go to eat dinner, go for dessert 😋😋😋. Just Go!!!
Salar is a tremendous restaurant which deserves special accolades. We began with drinks in the bar under the watch of a master craftsman bartender. The cocktails were superb! The bartender was knowledgeable and talked with us about his different offerings. We were seated in the dining area after our cocktails and indeed had a booth, which we had requested. Mark, our server, was excellent and explained the menu and was available to answer questions, but not obtrusive. For an appetizer we had the yucca cakes, which were delicious. My complaint is that we had only three, and each one was about a mouthful. I thought the price was exorbitant for the yucca cakes. We also had empanadas, which were delicious. For my entree I had scallops with potato purée. The entree was superb. My husband had an ahi tuna creation. Salar is a great restaurant and we wholeheartedly recommend it. Ask for Mark—he’s wonderful.
Both beef and seafood empanadas were delicious! My husbands pork chop was big, I would recommend you have it butterflied or else it will be under cooked, no matter how you order it cooked. Not a bad problem to have, just shows its a lot of meat!On a Saturday night make a reservation! We had one, but saw a long wait line for a table, good for Salar!
I really like this place for a nice sit down dinner. They have great food and appetizers. They make their own ginger syrup which is amazing and has a good spice to it. Goes great in their Moscow Mules. All the dishes Ive had so far are very tasty. Not cheap but not expensive either. Window seats have great view of the Oregon District main street. There are back rooms that are more private if you prefer.
Been here several times. Recently came back after they reopened. Made a reservation but got seated at the bar which was very disappointing. Very loud and congested most of the meal. Food was still tasty but portion sizes seem a bit smaller for the price from what I remember. Overall, the experience was not what it was before. Worth trying if you havent but definitely get a table outside the bar area if you intend on having a conversation during your meal.
Our first visit back to Salar since they re-opened. Still our favorite restaurant in Dayton. Impeccable service from the bartenders to the waiters to the hostesses. The food never disappoints. Neither do their cocktails. The La Pasion is the best. If you’re a bourbon lover, this drink is for you. Smooth and so many levels of flavor...did I mention smooth? Wow! The Machu Picchu pork chop was phenomenal and had perfect heat in the sauce. The duck breast medallions were so tender and cooked to perfection. A perfect evening for our anniversary.
All of our plates were very good, however some were better than others. There were four of us in our party and we enjoyed mostly their appetizers and we split the chicken artichoke pizza. I wouldnt say that anything was bad however some lacked the special flavor one would hope for. Our waiter was good but he seemed to push the more expensive plates. I would go back and do what we did .. Share a bunch of small plates and get a pizza.
Don’t be afraid to tell your waiter how bad your meal was or the kitchen will never know. This is our second visit in a row where the entree was inedible. The first visit was an undercooked steak that was sent back and came back way overcooked. The next visit came with a vegetarian dish with a much too generous portion of plain French fries on top. But the ballpark fries only served to cover up poorly cooked mushrooms and tomatoes. So long Salar, we won’t be back.
Salar is always a great spot to bring a group of great friends whether it be for drinks after a hard days work or dinner.The bartenders take great pride in their drinks and are always super friendly. They have a wide variety of drinks at their disposal so what I usually do is say I love a vodka base drink, dealers choice and let them run with it.Great patio if you are looking to do some people watching on fifth street.
I noticed that there is a wine dinner happening at the end of January. I am not much of a wine drinker, but was very interested in tasting the food as this would have been my first experience at Salar. Since tickets need to be purchased online, I called the restaurant to find out if there was perhaps a discounted price if you didnt want to partake of the wine. The gentleman I spoke w/ didnt know the answer so he put me on hold to ask a manager. When he came back to the phone, he informed me that it would be the same price, whether I drank the wine or not. That didnt make any sense to me. So is the wine free? I have attended many wine dinners where b/c my focus was the food and not the wine, the price was discounted. This does not make me want to rush to Salar. I will have to push it way down on the list of restaurants to try.
Best fine dining in Dayton. They beat out Meadow larke and Roost for me honestly. It was what I have been looking for thats right up there with the stellar food in Columbus.Yes, it is pricey but on par with places of similar quality. If you want to go on a nice date for 2 expect to pay $80-100 for an app, 2 entrees and MAYBE a couple drinks. Maybe.
I dined here a few months ago with my husband and it was awesome. I began with the bramble as my drink - fruity gin type. For our appetizer we shared the chicken thighs, I had the shrimp skewers, and he had the beef saltado, then we finished with the tres leches cake. Everything we ordered was phenomenal. Our waitress was friendly and quick with the orders. Pricey, but worth it.
Wonderful dining experience. Rivals anything Cincinnatis chicest OTR offers. A little noisy to be called intimate, but the rebuild is a charming mix of bougie and rustic. With so much going on inside Salar, one barely notices Oregon District traffic and revelers along 5th Street just a few feet away.Custom cocktails are fun and tasty and will start your night off perfectly. And the bar is beautiful which just adds to the experience.Menu full of eclectic surf and turf choices; all interesting, pricey, and absolutely delectable. Chef Margot conjurs alchemy with the lamb and scallop dishes - do not miss them!All this AND a talented, colorful, attentive staff. Salar, you do Dayton proud!
Service was very good. Atmosphere good except the music was too loud and along with the noise from other diners made it very difficult to hear what people at my table were saying. Food was disappointing. I had the cebiche app and it was pretty bad. Tasted like they used vinegar instead of fresh citrus to cook the fish. Possibly this is a Peruvian version of this dish but I didnt care for it. My father had the beef filet strip with onions and peppers and felt it was tough. The salads were pretty good.
“Anniversary”Had dinner at Jays to celebrate our engagement anniversary. Yes, we went on to marry and have kids. The wait staff was friendly and knowledgeable. We enjoyed the prawns as an appetizer, salmon and a good pairing of wine for dinner. The peppermint dessert was a perfect ending. If you are seated by a window it can be cold.
I had lamb. It was good, but honestly for the price you pay you can make it yourself or get it someplace else and save yourself the money. This place charges like they have something special but I didnt see it. The dishes werent creative and the quality and care was just ok. 3 stars
The drinks here are amazing, plan and simple. The staff is knowledgeable about what drinks to recommend and everyone is very friendly, and nice atmosphere as well. I love to come here to get drinks and have a good time with friends or family.My only issue is the food is not great, its not bad by any means, but not worth the price. You can have a decent meal here, but now I typically eat elsewhere and come here for the awesome drinks and service.
I enjoy this restaurant, and have been a repeat customer for several years. Whether in a large group or at a table for two, the staff is always very attentive and police. Some of my favorite dishes are fish n chips, salmon, clam chowder Chinese salad and the cheeseburger.
The restaurants the illusion of rain outside due to its water fall, which is a part of a very lovely ambiance and even better service and food. The service is non intrusive and the food is absolutely delicious and creative. A bit on the pricey side but its totally worth it. And its so nice to see dressed up people and not ugly sweat pants ones.
We were invited to go to Salar in the Oregon District of downtown Dayton for dinner. Although only about mid size, we were very impressed. I tried the Manhattan Rebellion and Hickory Torch, both turning out to be outstanding Bourbon drinks. We added a bottle of San Julia Red Blend from Argentia to our meals of Peruvian Lamb Shank, Duck Ragu and Chicken Medallions. In total the outstanding drinks, fantastic food and excellent service makes this the place to visit in downtown Dayton.
Visited the restaurant on Saturday February 15th. We truly enjoyed our meal everything was wonderful, until we got to our bill. We were finishing our wine in a timely fashion but before we even got our check the waitress asked if we would finish our wine in the lounge due to wanting to turn the table.I was a little taken back by the request due to the fact that we would have finished our wine and paid the check within 3 to 5 minutes. I felt like here is your $120.00 check now get out of the way so that we can serve another group. I understand that they must keep things flowing but I found this very rude. We would have definitely dine there again but after this I will not be coming back.We were there right about an hour so if my calculations are correct we were spending $2.00 a minute to enjoy this dining experience. I was enjoying the experience until then. My suggestion to the management is to not be so greedy and rude and make your customer feel appreciated. We will not be dining here again due to this rude experience.
Hair in Lamb. I was not impressed. The food was very simple in taste and did not have the wow factor that I was expecting from the previous reviews. It seems that just because it has a fancy name, people are giving it high reviews.The customer service is also not that great. My wife found a long blond hair in her lamb and the only they offered was a bigger dessert. Even though our meal included a dessert.
I feel a little deceived after my experience there last night.They have advertising all over their website and restaurant stating that there are $5 appetizers during happy hour. Thats the whole reason we went.We get the happy hour menu and there are only $7 and $10 appetizers. I ask the server about it and he tells us that two of the options on the list are $5 and hes not sure why the listed price is different. So we get one of those options. It was admittedly delicious as were our drink specials.We get the check and they charged us $7 for the damn appetizer even though it says right on the check $5 special. I ask the server about it and he says hell find out. Another server comes back and says hes sorry about the misunderstanding but $5 was the old price and he would have to charge $7, even as I point out the $5 appetizer sign on the wall.I wouldnt be too concerned about two bucks, but thats a blatant bait and switch.
We had no intentions of going here, but it looked busy and the menu looked good so we tried it out. We ordered a bottle of wine and when the waitress brought it to our table, she broke the cork by accident. She apologized and said shed get a new bottle, but instead she brought it to the bartender who airated it instead and poured it into a decanter. There were still small pieces of cork in our wine. I ordered the catch of the day, tuna, which was half rare and half well-done, plain (salt crust only). Maybe their grill was uneven? My guest ordered some seafood rice dish that was $25 and it was less than a handful of food. The food was bland. Anyone who calls himself or herself a server or bartender knows that if one breaks a cork into an bottle of wine, he or she should bring a new bottle, no questions asked. Do not expect adequate service, food, or drinks.
Total reviews rating 4.5
199 Reviews for Salar Restaurant and Lounge 2023:
Review №1
2022-04-22This is a really good restaurant all the way through the decor, the service, the food and the atmosphere. Wasn’t sure what to expect in Dayton, but Salar did not disappoint. Highly recommended.Was even given a 10% off next visit because we asked for a different table and they couldn’t accommodate.The atmosphere is very lively with great light fixtures and other unique visual displays. The attention to detail all the way down to the water pitcher can be seen in the presentation of the experience. We ate at a table but the bar looks like a really cool place to sit down and totally have a drink or to eat a meal. The place is fairly large as you weave through to the back part of the restaurant with separate rooms and private areas. The bathroom even had a leather couch to sit on.They thought of everything when creating this experience.
Review №2
2021-12-27Absolutely a wonderful experience! The food was very good, the pitas and the hummus were prepared to perfection. The pitas were crisp on the outside and soft on the inside with excellent flavor. The filet was juicy and full of flavor. The smoke infused old fashioned tasted amazing as the smoke truly enhanced the flavors and the fun quotient. Dessert was light and the cinnamon ice cream tasted amazing. I love cinnamon and this was some of the best tasting ice cream I have ever had.Overall the atmosphere was alive with people both inside and out and it made for a nice cozy environment. I would highly recommend!
Review №3
2022-05-24What a fantastic food gem in Dayton. The atmosphere, the food, the service - all of it was absolutely exceptional. We let our server recommend food and it was the best decision we made! Highly recommend the scallops. Presentation, interesting sauces - all of it was top notch. I never would have ordered the pork chop, but his recommendation was spot on. It was amazing. The short rib was just as good - again, sauces and presentation were just perfect. Dessert was so interesting - no boring apple pies here. We sat on the back patio and were more than pleased. What a beautiful setting. Cant recommend enough and will be back.
Review №4
2022-04-04An absolutely phenomenal restaurant. Excellent aesthetic, really well designed and friendly staff. Thats not to mention the absolutely delicious food and cocktails! We started the chicharrones(highly recommended) and then went for the beef short ribs and the northern Peruvian style lamb shank and finished with the dark chocolate mousse cake. Topped off with some coffees, it was a top tier experience. Highly recommend, and will be returning!
Review №5
2022-07-10Everything I tried at Salar was excellent from the cocktails and appetizers to dessert. I cant specifically recommend one thing or another because it will not disappoint. Ive shared a few pictures. Dont let the pictures of fries deter you from getting Lomo Saltado, theres a great meal and steak under there you arent seeing!
Review №6
2022-07-04A bit of a fancy and pricey place in Dayton (Oregon District). The ambience and the setting was very good (kind off a celebratory restaurant). The service could have been a tad bit better. Coming to the food, 1. Chilean Sea Bass (5/5) was absolutely amazing. 2. The scallops and Cebiche both were very good. 3. But we were a bit disappointed with Sea food rice and the dessert (Lucuma croustillant). My smoked margarita was also ok. Overall a good place but it’s a bit expensive for the quality and taste for the items we have tried.
Review №7
2022-05-19Amazing as usual! Mark our server was exceptional! We enjoyed the fried queso special appetizer to start, the texture was not my favorite. Next was the grilled Ceaser to share, definitely share it’s enough for 3-4, but extremely exceptional! My husband had the surf and turf and enjoyed every morsel. I ordered the lamb shank and substituted the Lima bean purée for mashed potatoes with leek. The lamb was melt in your mouth delicious and it may be my new favorite.
Review №8
2022-06-18Amazing! I did not expect to find this fusion of Peruvian food and flavors in Dayton.We had Acorn Squash & Shrimp as appetizers, the sauce was amazing.The marinated Filet Mignon was perfectly grilled and accompanied with their signature mashed potatoes.If you like Lamb I highly recommend the Northern Peruvian style LambShank which comes with the bone.I wish they offered some Peruvian beer like Cusqueña.Topnotch service with friendly staff who offered plenty of good advice on the menu.I recommend reservations so as not to miss out on a wonderful dining experience.
Review №9
2022-06-22One of the best salads I have ever had. My bf said that the pork-chops were really good too. Really good wine too. & Great service.
Review №10
2022-02-27The service was excellent, fried calamari was really good but didntlike the dipping sauce. The salmon was cooked to my liking needed more seasoning. Carrots were awesome. Potatoe cakes were ok. Overall is a nice restaurant but some things could be better.