Nearly 20 area restaurants are jumping into the March Madness craze with wine, beer, spirits and small plates filled with flavor.

The businesses recently teamed up and launched Miami Valley Takes Flight, a campaign aimed at fans and players who will visit the Dayton area March 19-20 for the NCAA First Four Men’s Basketball Tournament. It’s also designed to boost area residents’ interest in the tournament, said Amy Zahora, Miami Valley Restaurant Association’s executive director.

“This way (the visitors) can sample the city by trying out our restaurants and foods,” she said.

Participating restaurants are pairing beer, wine and/or Buckeye Vodka flights with small plates for $15 to $20 each through Saturday night.

The options are crave-worthy and includes an El Meson empanada and fish taco trio; C’est Tout’s shrimp and scallop kabob and spaghetti squash with a Soy Ginger Vinaigrette-Buckeye pomegranate martini and Christopher’s Restaurant’s chipotle sweet potato and smoked gouda bisque or scallop ceviche with Bluefeld Riesling.

Interested?

Restaurants are listed below, and are broken up by community. Click on our slideshow to view some of the items available.

The food week was originally conceived as a build up to the NCAA First Four Festival.

Officials last month cancelled the festival, which was held for the first time last year in the Oregon District, but are optimistic that the event will return in 2014.

Read Emails explaining the First Four Festival cancellation.

The University of Dayton will host the First Four games, which are scheduled for the evenings of March 19 and 20. The university will also host four second-round games on March 22 and two third-round games on March 24.

Mike Martin, president of the Oregon District Business Association, said the tournament has a positive impact on the Miami Valley. It injected millions of dollars into the local economy last year.

“We want to show that we welcome the NCAA,” Martin said of Miami Valley Takes Flights. “This is something that will also help the restaurants and taverns.”

Click the link for direction, descriptions and other information.

(NOTE: There are often last-minute changes to the listed restaurants and menus.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY

DAYTON

Amber Rose, 1400 Valley St., Dayton, (937) 228-2511

De’Lish, 139 N. Main St., Dayton, (937) 461-2233

Lucky’s Taproom & Eatery, 520 E 5th St, Dayton, (937) 222-6800

Coco’s Bistro, 515 Wayne Ave., Dayton, (937) 228-2626

OAKWOOD

C’est Tout, 2600 Far Hills Ave., Oakwood, (937) 298-0022

KETTERING

The Tropics, 580 Lincoln Park Blvd., Kettering, (937) 293-8800

Christopher’s Restaurant, 2318 E. Dorothy Lane, Kettering, (937) 299-0089

CENTERVILLE

Savona Restaurant and Wine Bar, 79 S. Main St., Centerville, (937) 610-98357

Cadillac Jack’s Sports Bar & Grill , 9400 Springboro Pike, Centerville, (937) 610-3200

MORAINE

Chappy’s Tap Room & Grille, 2733 W. Alex-Bell Road, Moraine, (937) 299-7427

WEST CAROLLTON

El Meson, 903 E. Dixie Drive, West Carrollton, (937) 859-8229

ENGLEWOOD

Company 7 BBQ, 1001 S Main St., Englewood, (937) 836-2777

VANDALIA

Bunker’s Bar & Grill, 893 E. National Road, Vandalia, (937) 890-8899

Bella Vino, 495 N. Main St, Springboro, (937) 748-3807

GREENE COUNTY

BEAVERCREEK

Pasha Grill, 72 Plum St., The Greene, Beavercreek, (937) 429-9000

Cadillac Jack’s Sports Bar & Grill , 2760 Towne Drive, Beavercreek, (937) 431-0240

BELLBROOK

Amelia’s Bistro, 129 W. Franklin St., Bellbrook, (937) 310-3040

FAIRBORN

Cadillac Jack’s Sports Bar & Grill, 1156 Kauffman Ave., Fairborn, (937) 754-1062

Clark COUNTY

ENON

The Dock, 250 W. Main St., Enon, (937) 864-5011