For years, the Lehigh Valley was a culinary wasteland that offered fast food (hot dogs and cheesesteaks included) and glorified "family restaurants". Luckily, new places have opened that offer adventurous diners dozens of options -- everything from sophisticated steak houses to hole-in-the-wall ethnic eateries. I hope my blog encourages you to check out these places -- and share your discoveries with me. The more we frequent these restaurants, the more likely they'll be around for us to enjoy.
Thursday, April 09, 2009
Mediterranean in downtown Bethlehem
Petra, a new Mediterranean restaurant, is scheduled to open soon in downtown Bethlehem. It's just east of Apollo. I'll try to pop by and get a look at the interior and menu before the end of the week.
No, El Rey is farther uptown, in the 900 block. There is also a Mexican place on the other side of Hamilton almost directly across from it. Anyone been to either one?
I missed out on lunch on Monday so I can't directly report on the new restaurant, but my coworkers told me that the food was pretty good but the service wasn't quite all together. I think I'll give it a week or two and give them a chance to get that aspect worked out.
A respected friend and sometimes fellow diner said the cuisine is more Middle Eastern. It's operated by a Jordanian family. I need to stop considering I'm two blocks away. I can tolerate the service if the food is good.
I heard a pretty reliable rumor from a longtime Allentonian that Bernie LoBaido will NOT be cooking at Rascal's but will open his OWN place off Cedar Crest Blvd (across from LVH) at the former Bacio restaurant. I sincerely hope this to be true! I miss his food!
We had dinner a few nights ago and all enjoyed our meals. FYI this is another one of our Bethlehem restaurants that will charge you a corking fee if you bring wine, although dinners are reasonably priced. Personally I prefer The Olive Branch on the southside for middle eastern, but all in all a welcome addition to the Main St. area.
I ate there today. It was quite good. The roasted vegetables were excellent, and the chicken was very good. The lamb was a too tough (as lamb often is), but that was the only issue. I recommend it.
El rey del mofongo is one of the best Spanish restuarants in allentown best dish is the shrimp mofongo, love the $4.95 lunch special it comes with a lot of food and a free soda love this place I eat lunch every day there !!!!!! Love it.
This blog is a great idea! I was surprised to see Petra originally listed as "Mediterranean." Having been to the original Petra, I can assure you that place is in the Jordanian desert, nowhere near the Med Sea. As a fan of Middle Eastern food, guess I'll have to check the place out.
Thanks, Joan. It would be an even better idea if I got around to updating it more often! Petra says Mediterranean outside the restaurant, but I understand it is more Middle Eastern. I hope to check it out in the next week.
Posts
23 comments:
It looks open, has anyone been there??
I have lunch plans to go here on Monday, I'll report.
Has anyone been to El Rey Del Mofongo on Hamilton Street in Allentown??
Is that the new place next to Sterling? Looks to be a new Caribbean place there.
No, El Rey is farther uptown, in the 900 block. There is also a Mexican place on the other side of Hamilton almost directly across from it. Anyone been to either one?
Any news on Liberty Tavern after the recent 'fire'?I hope that former Cannons' chef Ken comes back.
Liberty Tavern reopened on Friday last week -- I think fully operational.
I missed out on lunch on Monday so I can't directly report on the new restaurant, but my coworkers told me that the food was pretty good but the service wasn't quite all together. I think I'll give it a week or two and give them a chance to get that aspect worked out.
A respected friend and sometimes fellow diner said the cuisine is more Middle Eastern. It's operated by a Jordanian family. I need to stop considering I'm two blocks away. I can tolerate the service if the food is good.
I heard a pretty reliable rumor from a longtime Allentonian that Bernie LoBaido will NOT be cooking at Rascal's but will open his OWN place off Cedar Crest Blvd (across from LVH) at the former Bacio restaurant. I sincerely hope this to be true! I miss his food!
We had dinner a few nights ago and all enjoyed our meals. FYI this is another one of our Bethlehem restaurants that will charge you a corking fee if you bring wine, although dinners are reasonably priced. Personally I prefer The Olive Branch on the southside for middle eastern, but all in all a welcome addition to the Main St. area.
I ate there today. It was quite good. The roasted vegetables were excellent, and the chicken was very good. The lamb was a too tough (as lamb often is), but that was the only issue. I recommend it.
It looks like the place that was Southampton fish and chips on the southside of Bethlehem is being renovated -- anyone know what's going in there?
El rey del mofongo is one of the best Spanish restuarants in allentown best dish is the shrimp mofongo, love the $4.95 lunch special it comes with a lot of food and a free soda love this place I eat lunch every day there !!!!!! Love it.
El Rey is tasty but for what you get: rice, a little meat and no vegetables, it's a little expensive.
This blog is a great idea!
I was surprised to see Petra originally listed as "Mediterranean." Having been to the original Petra, I can assure you that place is in the Jordanian desert, nowhere near the Med Sea.
As a fan of Middle Eastern food, guess I'll have to check the place out.
Thanks, Joan. It would be an even better idea if I got around to updating it more often! Petra says Mediterranean outside the restaurant, but I understand it is more Middle Eastern. I hope to check it out in the next week.
Any news on the Gastro Pub, Tap & Table in Emmaus?
European - that's Ethnic, right?
Menu sounds terrific
"It looks like the place that was Southampton fish and chips on the southside of Bethlehem is being renovated -- anyone know what's going in there?"
Mexican/Carribean fusion place, from what I hear. Not open yet, but coming soon.
Anyone been to the new Chinese buffet on Union Blvd., in the Popeye's shopping center?
i ate there on wednesday. it was DELICIOUS <3
I know there's a recession on - but hasn't anyone eaten out since April?
Bernie did not open at Bacio on cedar crest. He is at Commerce way in Bethlehem. Its now called Bernardo's. He bought it from the former Ciao Baby.
Post a Comment