The Foundry Announces Opening on Thursday, June 29

DAYTON, OHIO – The Foundry, Dayton’s highly anticipated rooftop restaurant and bar, is pleased to announce its door will open Thursday, June 29. Perched atop the newly opened AC Hotel Dayton in the heart of Water Street District, The Foundry draws inspiration from the captivating wood-fired oven. It will serve American-gastropub dishes touched by flame in addition to artisanal cocktails to sip while enjoying the coveted rooftop views.

At the helm of The Foundry’s culinary creativity is Area Executive Chef David Belknap. Guests can expect American fare favorites that have been fired up a degree. From mouthwatering starters to soon-to-be-famous pizzas and flavorful dishes from the hearth, the menu boasts something for everyone to discover.

Fire up the evening with Charred Meatballs featuring spicy pork and beef meatballs, Sunday gravy, pecorino, and crostini or Garlic Prawns seasoned with smoked paprika and served with house pickled shishitos and sourdough. Then, take it up a notch with the Forged Burger, an 8 oz smashed wagyu beef layered with raclette cheese, bourbon-bacon jam, tomato, rocket greens, and sriracha aioli between Chef Belknap’s homemade Foundry roll. The menu will feature other crave-worthy handhelds like a Chicken Cheesesteak and Foundry Reuben made with pastrami that’s been brined and smoked in-house. There will also be fresh salads like the Smoked Duck Salad with smoked & grilled duck breast, house greens, walnuts, raspberries, and duck cracklings or the Brussels Caesar Salad made with brussels sprouts prepared two ways: half shaved Caesar style and half flash fried with lemon and pecorino.

The pizza selection is not to be overlooked as every option begins with house-prepared dough and is then baked in the wood-fired oven for a doughy inside and crisp outer crust. The Foundry will serve classic, yet perfectly executed options like pepperoni, margherita, and carnivorous in addition to creatively imagined pizzas. Try the vegetarian-friendly Nutty Mushroom featuring cashew alfredo sauce, mushrooms, mozzarella, and truffle or the Loaded Potato with roasted garlic, Yukon, rosemary, bacon, raclette cheese, and sour cream.

For heartier options, guests can choose from a selection of meat and seafood dishes such as the playful Steak Poutine, a grilled 7 oz filet mignon served with raclette cheese stuffed potato and pink peppercorn au poivre sauce; 24-Hour Chicken, a brined and pan roasted chicken breast with cauliflower, carrots, sorghum and chicken jus; Pei Mussels with fire-roasted fennel, sweet corn, local beer, butter, and crispy shallots; and much more.

“We’ve created a place where diners can taste new flavors and ingredients in dishes that offer a sense of familiarity and adventure all in one,” said Chef Belknap.

Complementing the food menu, the beverage menu presents an extensive cocktail selection, imagined by Food & Beverage Manager Cristian Martinez, with a focus on great bourbons and premium liquors. Many of the cocktails are inspired by The Foundry’s name such as the Copper Douceur featuring Provence Rosé Wine, Luxardo Maraschino, and Grapefruit Liqueur, or the Tawny Bronze with Tequila Espolón Reposado, Tawny Port, and Campari. Other cocktails nod to the rooftop location like the Living in the Clouds cocktail which features an intriguing combination of Sho Chiku Bai, Premium Ginjo Sake, Elderflower Liqueur, Mandarin Juice, and Jasmine Tea, and the Purple Sky cocktail which offers a mix of Empress Gin, Italicus, and Grapefruit Fever-Tree Tonic.

For lovers of the classics, try The Foundry Old Fashioned with Maker’s Mark Bourbon, Angostura Bitters, and Demerara or the One Night In Manhattan (aged barrel 45 days) made with Wild Turkey 101 Rye, Martini Rosso Vermouth, and Angostura Bitters. Guests will also be pleased to find several adult-forward non-alcoholic cocktails like Brass Monkey, a craft tepache pineapple cider, or Maple Leaf with Lyre’s N|A Single Malt, espresso coffee, and Maple Ohio Syrup.

As The Foundry overlooks a booming craft beer scene, the menu offers a careful curation of high-quality local brews, including the restaurant’s own specialty red lager, The Foundry Reserve. The wine list includes a variety of European wines inspired by AC Hotel Dayton’s European design, in addition to bottles from California, Washington and Argentina all hand selected by Martinez, a Level 3 Italian Sommelier and a Level 2 International Sommelier.

The Foundry is equal parts industrial and inviting. A lofted setting with exposed ceilings, copper finishes, custom millwork, and stained concrete floors is softened by modern furnishings that prioritize comfort, including outdoor seating around a dancing firepit. The views overlooking Day Air Ballpark are captivating, making The Foundry a sure-to-be buzzy destination for game days or when diners are looking for a place to impress their friends and family. Whether guests come for a social atmosphere to enjoy drinks and bites, or they visit with friends and family for dinner, The Foundry will bring the heat.

The restaurant will be open Monday through Saturday from 4 PM to 12 AM (dinner service until 10 PM) and on select Sundays for Dayton Dragons games. Follow along on social media @thefoundryrooftop Instagram and Facebook to stay updated on the latest news and menu items. Reservations can be made through The Foundry’s website.

About The Foundry

Perched on the seventh floor of AC Hotel Dayton, The Foundry is an American gastropub-inspired restaurant serving chef-driven cuisine from a wood fire oven. While celebrating the flavors of the fire, guests can enjoy the imaginative cocktail program and an envious selection of bourbon, beer and wine. The Foundry also offers some of the most expansive views and coveted seats in the city with a terrace overlooking Day Air Ballpark. It’s that special spot to impress, or the perfect place to fire it up a degree for a night out with family and friends. Follow along on social media @thefoundryrooftop on Instagram and Facebook and visit https://thefoundryrooftop.com/.

About AC Hotel Dayton

Located in the heart of Dayton’s vibrant Water Street District, AC Hotel Dayton opened in March 2023. Just steps from the city’s top attractions like University of Dayton, and only steps away from Oregon District, Schuster Performing Arts Center, and Dayton Convention Center, Dayton’s newest hotel offers a refined, yet approachable hospitality experience that is unique to the area. The timeless and sophisticated hotel features a thoughtful design throughout its 134 inviting guest rooms and 4,500 sq. ft. of flexible meeting and event space, including a rooftop terrace overlooking Day Air Ballpark. The property also features The Foundry, Dayton’s newest rooftop bar and restaurant, Spanish-inspired breakfast offerings at AC Kitchen, a collaborative media library and a well-equipped fitness center. Developed by Crawford Hoying, the property will be operated by Shaner Hotels, contributing to the ongoing revitalization of Dayton’s downtown area. For more information about AC Hotel Dayton, visit www.marriott.com/dayac.