A picnic sounds like an easy summer-time fun affair – just put some food in a basket, find a great spot, and have fun. But packing for a perfect picnic isn’t quite that simple. Unless you’re picnicking in your own back yard, once you arrive at your picnic place, what you have is all you’ve got. So, with a little planning, some key gadgets and a bit of adv... »
It’s a beautiful summer day so hop in your car, on your bike or in your kayak and travel about ten miles south from Easton on Rt. 611 to Mueller’s General Store and Kitchen. This iconic landmark, just below Raubsville, has been a part of the Delaware River landscape for nearly a half century. During that time, Mueller’s has worn many hats and has faithfully served the loca... »
The Spring Valley Inn was one of the popular go-to places when we first moved to the Lehigh Valley but it had been many years since I visited what is now called Ye Olde Spring Valley Tavern. Owners Warren and Donna Walters as well as Frank and Kim McCartney reopened the tavern in 2014, changing the name but maintaining much of the old charm. The outside of the stone buildi... »
Saranda’s on Broadway is located in one of Bethlehem’s oldest buildings. Dating back to 1745, this marvelous building has been completely restored keeping much of the original structure intact to maintain the ambiance. Original beams and stone walls are exposed in the bar area accented by Thomas Edison lighting. There were renovations around 1860 when much of the dining ar... »
The ever-growing downtown Allentown dining scene is truly mind-blowing. The promise of the PPL Center on 7th and Hamilton, along with business relocations, has brought with it the hope of housing, retail, and restaurant redevelopment. It still has a long way to go but every time we visit a new downtown eatery, we are amazed at the plethora of choices on Hamilton Street tha... »
Porters’ Pub has been a cornerstone of Easton’s dining scene for 25 years and remains a go-to eatery for those seeking a dose of comfort food, great beer and spirits with friendly service as an added plus. It truly is a place where everyone seems to know your name; but if they don’t, they will before you leave. Tom and I stopped in for lunch after shopping downtown ... »
Anyone looking for a friendly neighborhood pub “Where Good Friends and Good Food Meet” will not be disappointed in the Alburtis Tavern and Lodge. The railroad that brought business and prosperity to the sleepy town of Alburtis in the early 1900s runs across the street reminding diners that where they now sit was once home to The American House. Unfortunately, that original... »
My daughter Katie is a big fan of Mojito Cuba Caribe in New Hope so I was very happy to have the opportunity to review Mojito’s sister restaurant, Casa Toro Mexican Grill. Located just four miles south on Route 309 from its junction with Route 78, Casa Toro is tucked into a corner of the Fairmont Village Shopping Center in Coopersburg. Be careful – if you blink your eye, y... »
Across from the Courthouse in Downtown Easton sits a magical spot called Black and Blue. Co-owners Kelly-Jo Ditze (formerly of Which Brew fame) and Larry Porter (Porters’ Pub) have created an atmosphere at Black and Blue that is both creative and off-beat yet inviting in a crazy, whimsical sorta way. We arrived early on a Saturday and took a table in the dining room ... »
I am not usually a fan of sports bars. However, over the years, I have stopped by the Copperhead Grille on Airport Road many times. This is a convenient location with an eclectic menu and an interesting Lehigh Valley history to boot. This is NOT a sports bar chain but a family-owned and operated brand with two locations. Tom and I stopped in early on a Wednesday evening an... »
