This week we check out the newest eateries on Fairfield Avenue in Bellevue and its alter ego, Sixth Avenue in Dayton. From homemade bread to tacos to delicious pizza, there’s something for you. Join us as we visit Tulum, the Breadsmith and Wayfarer Tavern.
Tulum
Tulum may be tiny on the inside, but what it offers more than makes up for the small space. The ambiance, food and drinks are truly unmatched.
Tulum in Bellevue may be the next best thing to actually vacationing in Tulum, the city on the east coast of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula. Guests order from the authentic menu when they enter and can order drinks while waiting. On the weekends, there may be a wait for tables, but nothing helps pass time better than a margarita. Tulum’s space is adorably adorned with plants, neon signs and rattan light fixtures – the perfect backdrop for the most picturesque meals.
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Tulum’s menu consists of tacos, quesadillas, burritos and enchiladas as familiar favorites. It also offers two unique items, birria ramen and Mexican hot dog. The most popular and craveable item, the birria ramen, consists of ramen noodles cooked in birria broth and served with cilantro, lime and boiled egg. The Mexican hot dog is wrapped in bacon and served with sauteed onions, mustard, mayo and ketchup. Elote makes for the perfect pairing to any of Tulum’s meals, or opt for house-made guacamole, salsa or queso.
With spring around the corner, the spacious patio will be the place to be this summer.
Breadsmith
Breadsmith of Bellevue offers guests freshmade loaves of bread in a vast variety of styles and flavors. It makes for a quick convenient stop to get quality fresh bread whether for your everyday needs or a large gathering.
There’s no need to ask an acquaintance for sourdough starter, only to mess it up. Breadsmith has fresh made sourdough on the ready. Ciabatta, French baguette, whole wheat or rye – they’ve got the bread you need. Some of the other sweets and specialties carried daily include croissants, cookies, muffins, biscotti, pizza dough and scones. In addition to daily offerings, it also rotates weekly offerings, making it hard to visit just once.
Wayfarer Tavern
Head east on Fairfield Avenue and you’ll find yourself on Dayton’s Sixth Avenue. A few blocks down the street sits a pizza joint that serves slices of unique pies that hungry patrons can’t get enough of.
Best known for innovative pizza flavors, Wayfarer’s other menu items shouldn’t be overlooked. Appetizers feature a variety that one wouldn’t expect from a pizza joint: Oysters, shrimp cocktail, chicken liver pate are just some of the options. Marinated olives are a great, light snack before indulging in a pizza. The pitted olive blend comes with almonds, goat cheese, lemon oil, garlic confit, hummus and focaccia. Other popular light bites are horseradish onion dip and peppadew peppers.
The main event, though, is the pizzas. The moment I saw a picture of Wayfarer’s pickle power pizza online, I knew I had to try it myself. (Just doing my civic duty on your behalf.) The pickle pizza features a garlic confit cream white sauce as the base, topped with dill pickle slices, onion, three cheese blend, chive and house-made ranch, topped with potato chips. No words other than genius can describe this scrumptious pie.
The bulk of the pizzas here are just as innovative: Korean corn cheese (with corn and BBQ sauce), devil’s backbone (Glier’s goetta) and Big Mike (a spin on a Big Mac pizza) are just a few standouts. There’s also a rotating specialty pizza of the month.
A full drink and bar menu complete this establishment, so it’s no wonder it’s always packed. Those wanting to ensure they get a slice of pickle power should make reservations. Wayfarer’s large space fills up quickly.
What To Know If You Go
Tulum
Location: 225 Fairfield Ave., Bellevue
Hours: Monday, closed; Tuesday-Friday, 11a.m.-2 p.m., 5- 10 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m. -10 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m.- 8 p.m.
Phone: 859-261-1340
Breadsmith of Bellevue
Location: 315 Fairfield Ave., Bellevue
Hours: Monday, closed; Tuesday-Friday, 6 a.m.-6p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sunday, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.
Website: breadsmith.com
Phone: 513-321-6300
Wayfarer Tavern
Location: 635 Sixth Ave., Dayton
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 4-10 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m.
Website: wayfarertavern.com
Phone: 859-360-0943