Also, thank you all for the wealth of comments and suggestions on this blog in 2007. Comments about your experiences at the restaurants I review are not only welcome, they're cherished. It's tough to get a true picture of a restaurant with only one meal. I provide glimpses in my blog; you help to broaden the perspective with your comments. Again, many thanks.
And now for some notes, or "side dishes:"
- I noticed a new Caribbean/Soul Food restaurant slated to open on 7th St. in Allentown between Linden and Turner -- close to the new bus terminal. I run by the location every Thursday morning, so I'll notify readers when it's open.
- Johnny Manana's is open in Allentown, 9th and Hamilton (in the new PPL building). Damien Brown's West End Neighborhood blog has a nice write up.
- Long overdue stop: Amigo Mio in Allentown. I haven't been there in 9-10 years. I was reminded about it when I was perusing New York Times readers' nominations of best restaurants. One of the commenters from Brooklyn nominated Amigo Mio in Allentown alongside all of NYC's world-class establishments. Sometimes we forget the treasures we have in our own backyard.
- I've been told about a new Indian restaurant on MacArthur Road close to the Wal-Mart/Dick's/Burlington Coat Factory shopping center. Has anyone been there or seen it?
- Don Pablo's on MacArthur Road has closed. Big loss.
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19 comments:
I've been to the new Indian restaurant on McArthur Road (twice)! :) The food is excellent and the staff is very friendly.
Great blog!! Thanks and happy new year!
If this Indian restaurant on MacArthur Road is the newly renovated Raj Palace, then it will be, from what I've heard, the best Indian food in Eastern America. They closed about a year ago for some reason and just disappeared. I'll have you know my boyfriend and I are promptly headed to Allentown first thing tomorrow to investigate, and if it is indeed the Renovated Raj, we will be eating there at least once a week until we both die of ghee overdose.
Anon, do you remember the name?
Carolyn, I think Raj Palace closed to make way for a new retailer that's going in someday at the corner of MacArthur and Mickley roads. I had been there several times and found the food quite good. Please report on your findings -- and watch the ghee. Once a week and you might not make it to 2009 with all the saturated fat.
Ghee wiz, can anybody tell me where the new place is exactly? My friend said it was over near Panera Bread but I haven't seen it. Any help is appreciated.
And it's a Rite-Aid that is being built on the corner.
Please post the address for the relocated Raj Palace.
I drove around the strip malls at the top end of MacArthur Road & couldn't find the restaurant. Thought I might get arrested for curb crawling...
We're getting desperate for Indian grub too.
Nawab & the Emmaus Indian are OK (owned by same family I heard) but Raj Palace was pretty good.
Bombay Grille, Easton was the best - hope chef Joseph reopens somewhere in the valley.
Thanks for the blog - nice to know there are some folk out there who don't live in Applebees & TGIF....
I'll try to make a scouting visit up there this week, though I'm tempted to leave the office now. It must exist, as the first anon commenter has been there twice. Might have to open the car window and follow the unmistakable curry/spice aroma.
Thanks for your comments about the blog.
I'm curious about the address too- I also drove through the strip malls this afternoon and didn't find anything.
But if it does turn out to be Raj Palace, I will hit up their buffet every day of the week- I have craved that food since they closed. Glad they knocked down the old building, because I would drive past Raj all the time and look in the windows for any sign of reopening-- it's probably not healthy for me to that obsessed...
OK
I just got a call from a friend whose daughter went to this mysterious Indian restaurant over the Holidays - still don't know the name but she said it was on Schadt Avenue next to an Arby's & a beauty salon (turn off MacArthur by Blockbuster/Staples).
Hope this helps any other addicts out there. I won't be able to join a search party until this weekend.
Happy happy tikkas.
Sorry to go on about this Mike but I'm so excited & it means that I don't have to cook an Indian dinner for my addicted family every Saturday night.
I called another business I know on Schadt Avenue & they confirmed that the restaurant is just off MacArthur Road - it's called 'Spice India'
Looking forward to your first review - if you can post/scan the menu that would be great too.
Cheers
I'll get there as soon as I can. Welcome others' thoughts if anyone beats me there. Thanks to all for the research.
For Ethnic food lovers, I came across an ice cream shop in Bethlehem, PA called Nuts About Ice Cream where they make all kinds of ethnic flavors on site using all natural flavors. I have seen the staff peeling fresh ginger and cutting fresh pineapple. The counter person told me they supply a lot of Thai, Indian and Japanese restaurants in the Philadelphia area. They have a Website at www.nutsabouticecream.com. I was totally blown away with the unique flavors at this place.
So, why did Don Pablo's close? I must know!!!
Based on the news articles I found (below), I can only surmise that the chain is having financial problems related to its 2005 bankruptcy filing.
Also, the Mexican food category is diverging somewhat with the introduction of specialty burrito restaurants like locally owned Cali Burrito and chain Qdoba. After 10 years, Don Pablo's didn't seem very interesting anymore.
Here are some articles about other Don Pablo's closings:
Philly Burbs
St Petersburg FL
Kentucky
Altoona
If you're looking for great food, you should stop in Haika's Kitchen on North Saint Cloud Street in Allentown. They bill themselves as a specialty bake shop and trust me, the desserts and baked goods are phenomenal. They use organic ingredients and Haika's is the only bakeshop in the Valley that I know of that makes croissants from scratch in the traditional French way, and wow, does it make a difference in taste. Besides all of the wonderfully tasty danishes and such, they make organic lunch and dinner fare as well, also offering vegetarian and vegan fare. The savory offerings come from around the globe, from African Peanut Soup to Chile Verde to Goulash. During the holidays, the shop was filled with German cookies and breads as well as Italian Pannettone, all made from scratch with organic ingredients.
This place doesn't seem well known, and it's a shame. The food quality is excellent and the service is terrific. For me, it's one of my favorite places! Hope you get the chance to stop in and try it out.
Cali Burrito is amazing and I am fortunate to live a stone's throw from there.
If you haven't tried it, you really should. You owe it to your tastebuds.
A co-worker told me today that Raj Palace moved to Philly. They had temporarily relocated in the valley but then moved to philly. however, they like spice of india just as much.
There is a new restaurant opening in Nazareth, Rio Brazilian Steak house, on Broad St. No idea what Brazilian food is like, but it sounds intriguing.
I think the new Indian Restaurant you're looking for is called Spice India and it's located at 2407 Mickley Ave. in Whitehall. You can get the phone info. for that and numerous other restaurants at NotCookingTonight.com
The Brazilian Steak House in Nazareth is now open. I have not been in yet it is located in the old Broad Street Tavern. If its anything like the Brazilian places in Newark we are for some great food!
Don Pablo's in Easton is still open!
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