In the midst of a busy and heavily-booked summer, a long-standing client of Local Mama Catering approached chef/owner Beth Anna Raynock about catering a birthday dinner for her husband – and 40 guests. Although the Bethlehem-based company was engaged for a large, full-service event on the Saturday requested, Raynock was determined to find a way to accommodate loyal custome... »
A new Sunday Brunch presents sweet-to-savory selections highlighting Executive Chef Justin Cogan’s expertise in infusing global flavors into progressive New American cuisine. Dishes range from waffles and bennies to salads and burgers. At dinner, exemplar entrées arrive in energized style – such as juicy pan-roasted duck breast from Joe Jurgielewicz & Son enlivened wit... »
Wrapping two hands around a golden, toasted brioche bun packed with hearty flavors – whether a well-dressed burger or another appealing protein offered at Drip – transmits a primal message of ownership: This is a personal dish that discourages companions from poaching a taste. Leaning forward for that first big bite, shoulders may even hunch slightly, a protective stance a... »
Indulging in Ice Wine Sumptuously sweet and intensely flavored, ice wine ranks among the world’s finest – and often most expensive – dessert wines. More than extraordinary taste, however, makes this wine so appealing: Knowing the effort that goes into crafting this appropriately named elixir invites splurge-worthy sipping during the holidays. (If none of the traditional ce... »
There’s an unpretentious elegance in well-crafted Brick Tavern Crab Cakes, a menu mainstay for decades. Tender morsels of delicate lump crab take center stage in their signature version of this beloved dish, made from “our famous recipe”—which fans claim is superior to Maryland offerings. “We’re keeping the tradition alive, and that’s important,” says Executive Chef Scott... »
The original Casa Toro, opened in 2006, was acquired by the Diaz-Albertini family in 2012. Their Cuban heritage—rich in culinary traditions—inspired a bi-cultural menu, with scratch cooking distinguishing both cuisines. A Mojito Lounge is featured at this and a sister locale added in 2017. A strong focus remains on in-house dining, with extra table space supplied by the cu... »
The aroma of wood smoke, primal and compelling, contributes undeniable olfactory stimulation to the rustic roadhouse ambiance of Grumpy’s—the Lehigh Valley’s original wood pit barbecue restaurant. While the cuisine reflects diverse culinary styles, from Cajun to Tex-Mex and beyond, low-and-slow smoked meats that can take up to 12 hours to reach tender perfection remain the... »
Let’s face it: The burger is part of America’s gastro-cultural DNA. And all too often this dietary staple is consumed with negligible engagement of critical faculties. Ho-hum hamburgers, eaten from habit and/or convenience, dull expectations. Fortunately, Drip: The Flavor Lab—a casual Hellertown bistro offering indoor, outdoor, and takeout dining—reinvigorates the palate w... »
The sheer exuberance of Torre heightens the senses while whetting the appetite for south-of-the-border gustatory adventure. Happily, there are methods of introducing the high-energy vibe of this modern Mexican sister of Paxos Restaurants into your home environment. While constructing a glowing 3-story tower filled with 100 varieties of tequila and mezcal and splashing wall... »
A steak dinner is as much a statement as a meal. And where this epicurean declamation takes place matters—for instance, superbly flavorful dry-aged côte de boeuf at Minetta Tavern, a vaunted French bistro in Greenwich Village, arrives palpably enhanced by the Old New York vibe that once attracted such luminaries as Ernest Hemingway and E. E. Cummings. Closer to home, the q... »
