4 restaurant openings we can’t wait for

The next few months hold a lot of excitement and promise for food fans in Dayton.

Here are a few of the restaurants we’re most excited about trying for the first time.

1.) MUDLICK TAP HOUSE

The gastropub-style restaurant coming to downtown Dayton has obtained a key permit to finish kitchen construction and is moving ahead with the final touches. The co-founders, who also operate a Mudlick Tap House in Germantown, have spent the last several months renovating the former Club Aquarius space at 135 E. Second St.

OPEN DATE: June 2017 (projected)

>> New Mudlick Tap House 'so close we can almost taste it'

2.) MELT BAR & GRILLED

To get a flavor of what Melt is about: Its December featured sandwich is the 6 Degrees of Kevin Bacon Melt, which consists of Hickory smoked bacon, black pepper-crusted bacon, maple bourbon glazed smoked pork belly, Italian pancetta, herb cream cheese with bacon bits, house made bacon-infused mayonnaise, sharp cheddar, and romaine and sliced tomato. Melt restaurants also serve craft beer and cocktails. Currently under construction at the Mall at Fairfield Commons.

OPEN DATE: June 12

>> Melt Bar & Grilled now hiring for 1st Dayton-area restaurant

3.) 416 DINER 

If all goes as planned, there will be no need to actually step inside of a new Oregon District restaurant to get its food. Guy Fragmin says Dayton's Landmarks Commission has a approved the patio service window for 416 Diner, the restaurant he plans to open this spring at 416 E. Fifth St. The diner is gearing up to open in the former site of 5th Street Wine and Deli and it will be open early and late. Fragmin says it will offer "comfort food with great service in the heart of the Oregon District."

OPEN DATE: Spring 2017

>> New Oregon District restaurant to have FIRST EVER walk-up window

>> Late-night, lunch, and breakfast diner to open in Oregon District 

4.) CANAL STREET ARCADE & DELI

The 5th Street Wine and Deli at 416 E. Fifth St. in Dayton's Oregon District shut down in January, in anticipation of a move and its transformation into Canal Street Arcade and Deli, according to owner Rob Strong. Renovations are still underway at the new pub, deli and arcade-game destination, which will be located in the former Canal Street Tavern space at 308 E. First St.

OPEN DATE: Summer 2017 (projected)

>> See these awesome photos of the new Canal Street Arcade & Deli

>> Canal Street Arcade & Deli is coming

>> When Rob Strong was Daytonian of the Week

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