Some businesses start in basements, others in garages. In the case of Matt Adams, the inception for Backyard Beans took place in his—you guessed it!—backyard, specifically with a drum roller over a propane grill. When this longtime coffee-roasting enthusiast and his wife, Laura, noticed a lack of coffee vendors at local farmers’ markets, they decided to fill the void by se... »
Welcome to the Lehigh Valley’s version of “almost heaven.” Country roads that wind through pastoral scenery lead to some of greenest grazing—and most distinctive and serene accommodations—anywhere. WE LOVE On the recently revamped menu, one new entrée is essentially a love letter to beef aficionados. The 14-ounce cut of prime rib from Hershey Family Farm in Lancaster Count... »
This long-time favorite destination of Easton’s Centre Square attests to the staying power of good food, good drink, and good company. WE LOVE Warning: Non-meat eaters may need to avert their eyes form the passionate description of incredibly crave-worthy Pale Ale Braised Short Ribs (left). This cut of beef, richly marbled and deeply flavored, benefits from long, slow cook... »
When Catilin Bagenstone looks at a bushel of red winter wheat seeds, she sees bottles of vodka—630 to be exact. Of course, she’s viewing it through the eyes of a distiller at Eight Oaks Craft Distillers in New Tripoli. “We used this metric when our farmer was planting last fall to estimate just how many bottles of vodka we’ll yield in the future from one acre. It’s amazing... »
As a native Kutztonian, I grew up hearing the phrase “If you ain’t Dutch, you ain’t much” invoked regularly, usually followed by a sly wink. Turns out, in fact, there’s veracity to the platitude, as the Kutztown Folk Festival makes much ado about Pennsylvania Dutch culture during its 69th annual celebration, running from June 30 to July 8. While new attractions are feature... »
Warm weather whets the appetite for light, healthful seafood. And with meticulously managed systems of logistics in place, long-standing area seafood markets provide swimmingly fresh catches abundant enough to rival most shoreline locales. From farmed freshwater trout to saltwater mollusks, crustaceans, and cephalopods (yes, octopus, we’re talking about you), local consume... »
This bucolic vineyard, winery, and restaurant pours on the rustic charm with European-style wines that partner beautifully with Italian food. We Love Amid the many premise-made pastas, wood-fired personal pizzas, and traditional Italian entrées vying for attention, Mama Lidia’s Lasagna sings the most seductive aria. Luscious baked layers of ricotta and mozzarella, homemade... »
We know what you’re thinking: Gluten-free beer? Yuck! But the truth is, gluten sensitivity is a growing problem—and for those affected by this issue who just want to sit back with a Belgian white after bagging lawn clippings on a hot summer day, well, they’ve been out of luck for a long time. The good news: The beer industry has finally started to respond with an array of ... »
On-the-go moms often turn to off-the-shelf snacks as a quick fix for their peckish offspring. In fact, snacking plays an important role in meeting a child’s dietary needs, from providing a needed energy boost to taking the edge off a voracious appetite that could lead to overeating at dinner. Packaged products often tend to be loaded with sugar, salt, and fat. Even 100-cal... »
A warm atmosphere sets the tone for casually refined dining and stellar sipping with a local focus. WE LOVE Cashew Crusted Chicken — one of the stars on the seasonally revamped menu for spring and summer—represents the quintessence of warm weather fare. The toasty, nutty coating provides this mild, tender meat with an appealingly crunchy texture, and a house-made mango sal... »
