The Lehigh Valley Restaurants Blog

Dip into holiday spirit with Santa at Melting Pot

The Bethlehem Melting Pot is holding its annual Fondue with Santa 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday.

Paolo Noto opens new Italian restaurant

After cooking up sumptuous Italian fare at Lehigh Valley venues over the past 20 years, chef Paolo Nota is now drawing loyal fans to his new restaurant in Walnutport, A Ca Mia — translating to “at my house.”

Red Robin offers free burgers for Jims on Dec. 4

Calling all Jims, Jamesons and Jamies. Head to a Red Robin on Dec. 4 to claim your free burger.

Old School Sandwich Co. now serving 'Fred Flintstone sandwiches'

The Old School Sandwich Co., which opened two weeks ago in South Whitehall's Tilghman Square, is a carnival for carnivores.

Lena's Cafe offers delicious fare and stellar service

If you live nearby, Lena's Cafe is the sort of place you want to return to again and again. That's because, I'll venture, owner Lena Wang certainly will remember your name and probably your usual order, too.

Celebrity bartenders at Sangria

Four Lehigh Valley business and community members will step shake things up behind the bar at Sangria 5:30-7:30 p.m. Dec. 6.

Happy Birthday Molinari's

To celebrate its first birthday, Molinari’s, South Side Bethlehem’s bastion of fresh and flavorful Italian cuisine, is throwing a party 5-8 p.m. Dec. 1.

Mangos closes doors: a fond farewell

I was sad to read in colleague Irene Kraft's Retail Watch column that South Whitehall's Mangos Coastal Cuisine closed Nov. 17.

Italian restaurateur gets back in the game

Restaurateur Paolo Nota is no stranger to the Lehigh Valley’s dining scene. He earned his fame as owner and chef at Paolo’s Italian Restaurant in Northampton, where he won the hearts and stomachs of Italian food lovers with his large...

Dip into recipes from The Melting Pot

Just in time for holiday entertaining, the corporate chef for the 140 locations of The Melting Pot, delivers some pretty impressive recipes you can try on your guests.

1760 Pub N Grille brings new flavor to enduring landmark

Trexlertown’s big old stone inn at Routes 100 and 222 no doubt has lived many lives since it was built close to three centuries ago. In its latest iteration, 1760 Pub N Grille, the bar and restaurant pays respects to an earlier incarnation.

'Tis the season at Hotel Bethlehem

In the heart of the Christmas City’s bustling historic shopping district, the Hotel Bethlehem beckons to guests with a variety of holiday-themed dining events.

Bolete farmer dinner spotlights Germansville grower

Bolete, the Salisbury Township restaurant noted for sophisticated fresh-and-local fare, connects guests with the growers through its periodic Farmer Dinner Series. This season’s final event, starting at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 28, offers a four-course...

Maxim's 22 in Easton has strong French identity

Just in time for end-of-the-year merry-making comes Maxim's 22, the French bistro and brasserie that opened by owners of the city's Sette Luna in Easton's former Pomeroy's building. What good timing — in its bright, shiny newness, this...

Free ice cream at Carvel's to benefit Hurricane Sandy victims

I scream, you scream, we all scream for FREE ice cream. On Nov. 15, noon-8 p.m., Carvel is giving away junior soft serve cones to customers as part of a promotion to raise money for victims of Hurricane Sandy.

Sip, shop at Callaghan's Ale House

Jack Callaghan’s Ale House in Allentown opens its doors 11 a.m. -4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 18, for a special “Sip and Shop” event. Men and women are invited to combine two pleasurable pastimes — shopping and drinking — in a...

ABOUT THE BLOGGER

Irene Kraft is a features writer for The Morning Call. She also writes the popular Retail Watch column, which keeps you informed about restaurant openings, closings and relocations throughout the region. A lifelong resident of the Lehigh Valley, Irene has had the opportunity to see how tremendously the area's dining-out options have grown. She makes no claim to be a foodie. She was raised on Ukrainian and American cuisine. But her food passion is anything Italian, particularly if it's served with a great marinara sauce.

OTHER CONTRIBUTORS

Diane Stoneback, Senior Reporter for Food at The Morning Call, has sampled smoked reindeer meat above the Arctic Circle, sauteed alligator in New Orleans and Chinese chicken feet in Allentown while learning about the world's authentic cuisines. Although Thai restaurants are irresistible magnets, she also loves revisiting the Lehigh Valley's classic eateries and sharing their treasured recipes with readers.

Jodi Duckett is the Arts and Entertainment Editor of The Morning Call. She's lived in the Lehigh Valley all her life and appreciates all its diverse dining options -- from fine dining to pub grub to chain eateries and, especially, small, homegrown ethnic restaurants. She has a particular fondness for Indian and Mexican fare, and just wishes food didn't have so many calories.

Mike Hirsch is the Features Editor of The Morning Call. He developed a love for ethnic restaurants (as well as hot chicken wings, beef on weck and Mighty Tacos) while growing up in Buffalo, New York.

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