Lehigh Valley Marketplace

By Cathy Kiley

New England-style seafood restaurants are few in the Lehigh Valley, and Eastonians are lucky to have one the caliber of the Marblehead Grille in their neighborhood. The property on which the Marblehead sits has been home to numerous restaurants over the past 80 years. Owners Jeff and Noreen Mohler have continued this tradition for the last 13 years by bringing the rich history of Marblehead, Massachusetts’ fishing and competitive yachting industries to their very popular restaurant located on William Penn Highway in Palmer Township.

I recently revisited the Marblehead Grille with a couple of friends. We began our evening at the old oak bar surrounded by beautiful stained glass windows. Deb mixed up three versions of martinis for us-pomegranate, black cherry rum and a traditional Cosmopolitan. All three were icy cold and delicious. It was extremely busy for a Tuesday night with every seat taken at the bar and the tables surrounding it. Patrons here are very friendly: The man seated next to me was glad to share with us how much he was enjoying his very delicious-looking cut of rare prime rib.

As we were being seated, we commented on the décor of the dining rooms. The light walls, French doors and soft lighting accent the worn wooden tables and chairs. Fish nets, nautical flags and prints, plus buoys, oars and shells adorn the walls, as you would expect, but it is very tastefully decorated-not overdone. We took a few minutes to read copies of Marblehead Messenger, a fun newsletter produced by management with interesting, well-written, timely articles and historical tidbits.

Our server, Rachel arrived promptly to explain the specials, and we ordered a Baked Seafood Sampler to share while studying the menus. The sampler of bacon-wrapped scallops, clams casino and zesty crab dip was perfect as a starter. The dip was especially good on the buttery, crusty breads accompanying the dish. I am a chowder lover and can attest that the chowders at Marblehead are great. I particularly love Manhattan chowder and Marblehead’s version is wonderful-loaded with clams and vegetables with just the right zip. Other appetizers include shrimp, lump crab or lobster cocktails, the ever popular Cajun tuna bites with Jamaican relish, mini crab cakes, mussels or a choice of steamed middle necks or Ipswich clams. Extremely fresh oysters, clams and shrimp, in addition to jumbo lump crab and lobster, are available from the Raw Bar.

While waiting for our dinners, we enjoyed delicious warm rolls and chatted with manager John Reichard who expressed his appreciation of the great staff at the Marblehead. This is a tightly run ship with thoughtful owners and capable management at the helm. Chef Robert Evans has honed his special, self-taught skills over the last 10 years as part of the Marblehead crew, bringing consistently good meals to a dedicated clientele. And, I thank him for taking the time to share a recipe with our readers.

When we visited, the Marblehead was celebrating (for a limited time) its 13th anniversary with a twin lobster tail special for a mere $13.00. That was a terrific price for twin tails and two sides. My friend Sue chose this entrée. The broiled three-ounce tails were tasty, tender and accompanied by creamy coleslaw and crispy fries. I selected the evening’s special of grilled tuna with a citrus salsa. The fish arrived medium, as ordered. It was very fresh, very moist and the sweet salsa was perfect with the tuna. I chose onion rings and coleslaw as sides, and both were sinful. Our other dining partner, Jill, began her meal with a very fresh garden salad. We all thought the balsamic vinegar dressing was delicious-very light and not overpowering. She chose the Seafood Jambalaya as her entrée. This Cajun dish was a delicious presentation of chicken, scallops, clams, shrimp, crawfish and Andouille sausage served over savory rice. This was a wonderful selection-spicy and flavorful. The Andouille sausage was very lean and plentiful adding its unique flavor to the sauce. We all enjoyed our meals in the very lively dining room and were amazed that diners were still arriving and being seated past 8:30 p.m. on a weeknight. That speaks highly of this establishment.

Rachel, who provided friendly, relaxed but very professional service throughout the evening, arrived with our little wooden box filled with candy that listed the dessert selections. We chose two desserts to share-Key Lime Pie and Reese’s Peanut Butter Pie. Both desserts were works of art as well as delicious; and, along with freshly brewed coffee, were a sweet ending to a fun evening and a delightful meal.

The Marblehead Grille’s lunch and dinner menus are quite diverse with plenty of selections for seafood lovers. Landlubbers will not go hungry with selections of prime rib, filet mignon and combination choices. They are famous for their fried clams in a basket, numerous pasta choices, and their Marblehead Lobster, Oyster and Chicken Pies. Most dinner entrees come with a choice of two sides, including salads, rice, potatoes, fruit and vegetables. During the current recession, the Marblehead has instituted their Blue Plate Specials-dinner and a salad for under $15.00. I must also mention that, even with the economic downturn, the Mohlers continue to look for ways to offer greater value, but they refuse to compromise on quality. They have a wonderfully dedicated staff and long-standing relationships with reputable vendors which join to provide the consistency in quality and service that you will find at the Marblehead Grille and Chowder House. This restaurant’s longevity speaks for itself, and the Marblehead continues to attract a stronger following. One other observation that I must make is that you cannot help but notice that this restaurant is very clean (right down to the ladies room). You cannot help but notice.

The Marblehead will accommodate private parties in either their main dining rooms or their private Captain’s Room adjacent to the bar. This area is perfect for a small party with seating for 25. I recently had lunch there with 18 women. The tables were arranged for ease of conversation and my Chopped Salad with chicken and Green Goddess dressing was wonderful that day.

Try the Marblehead Grille the next time you are in the mood for fresh seafood. It is a comfortable, consistent local dining spot where you are always treated like special guests. The Marblehead is the “shore” thing for a very good meal in a pleasant, tastefully casual setting, at an affordable price. Who could ask for more?

The Marblehead Grille and Chowder House is located at 4101 William Penn Highway in Easton. Hours are Monday to Friday 11:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.; Saturday 4:00 to 10:00 p.m.. Closed Sundays. Call 610-258-4301 for reservations. Log onto www.marbleheadchowderhouse.com for detailed menu information.

Marblehead Grille

Barbeque Roasted Salmon

Marinade:

• ¼ cup pineapple juice

• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

Marinate four, six-ounce salmon filets for at least one hour.

Spice Rub:

• 2 tablespoons brown sugar

• 4 teaspoons chili powder

• 2 teaspoons lemon rind

• ¾ teaspoon cumin

• ½ teaspoon salt

• ¼ teaspoon cinnamon

Combine all ingredients, remove salmon from marinade and place on baking sheet. Rub spice mix evenly on top of each filet. Bake 12 to 15 minutes in a preheated 450° oven. The Marblehead Grille serves the salmon with a fire-roasted black bean corn salsa, but it is terrific with fresh local corn on the cob and coleslaw.