After a month of soft openings, Mar’Tae Kitchen & Cocktails in Trotwood is now officially open to the public, accepting reservations. Located at 5212 Salem Ave, the restaurant was previously home to Mr. Bourbon and John Anthony’s Southern Cuisine. While reservations are recommended, patrons without one can still enjoy the bar area.

The spacious 5,400-square-foot venue features an elevated dining experience, offering a variety of appetizers such as crab cakes, a deviled egg flight, and collard green dip. The menu includes enticing entrees like:

• Marry Me Chicken: Pan-seared chicken breasts in a sundried tomato cream sauce with garlic, herbs, and parmesan ($24).
• Southern Style Oxtail: Slow-braised oxtail in a rich gravy with southern spices served over yellow rice ($30).
• Grilled Steak Alfredo: Tender marinated steak strips over Alfredo pasta ($30).
• Whole Fried Red Snapper: Whole red snapper deep-fried with zesty Cajun creole sauce ($32).
• Lamb Chops: Herb-marinated lamb chops finished with a red wine demi-glaze ($30).

Sides include mac and cheese, southern candied yams, collard greens, and garlic parmesan truffle fries. The restaurant boasts a cocktail menu with unique offerings such as:

• Southern Sunset: Tequila, triple sec, peach schnapps, and fresh peach puree ($14).
• Blue Smoke Martini: Vodka, rum, blue curaçao, and pomegranate ($14).
• The Mar’Tae Reserve: Whiskey, maple syrup, lemon juice, and strawberry liqueur ($16).

Owners Tae Winston and her brother, Mark Lee, conceived the idea for Mar’Tae as a response to community needs during discussions about the lack of dining options in Trotwood. Their shared vision led to the establishment of a family-friendly restaurant.

Having collaborated with Anthony Thomas of Universal HB Solutions, they’ve transformed the space, which now includes two private dining rooms, a 15-seat bar, and a main dining area for up to 50 guests.

Winston expressed excitement about creating a welcoming atmosphere for the community. "I think Trotwood is community," she said, emphasizing the strong local support they have received throughout their journey.

Mar’Tae Kitchen & Cocktails operates from 4-10 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 4-11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Reservations can be made through OpenTable. For more updates, check out the restaurant’s Facebook or Instagram.