Lehigh Valley Style July 2019 by Innovative Designs & Publishing, Inc.

BUSINESS PARTNERS

Life is full of partners. Your health deserves one, too. Whether you need serious clinical care, a routine exam or tips on how to live a fuller, happier life, one of the best health networks in the country is never more than a short drive away. Learn more at LVHN.org.

Nine delicious dining experiences – from casual to gourmet - including restaurants by acclaimed celebrity chefs Emeril Lagasse and Buddy Valastro.

Embrace The Possibilities.

Guests

22 Acre Equestrian Estate

Situated down a gated tree-lined drive, this horse farm combines the best of country living with modern amenities. e grounds feature a barn and stables, pastures, riding rings, trout stream, guest house, and salt water pool. $1,428,900

Upper Saucon Building Lot

is 5-acre lot is framed by Upper Saucon’s verdant hills and valleys. Long Meadow would easily accommodate a country home site to take advantage of the views. Located in Southern Lehigh School District. No square foot minimum. $275,000

Buckingham Colonial

In the heart of the Lehigh Valley, this colonial home is built with superior ﬁnishes and expansive living space on four levels. Wood ﬂoors, crown moldings, vaulted ceiling, pocket doors, & granite kitchen. 6 beds, 3.5 baths. $699,000

Lehigh Treetop Escape

Nearly 3 acres nestled among woodlands at the end of a private drive. 2-story foyer, oak & tile floors, skylights, and stone fireplace accent the main level. Lower level is finished with a game room, wet bar, & exercise room. $499,000

Lehigh Parkway Modern

A stellar Lehigh Valley location close to dining & shopping, this contemporary merges modern elements with the intrinsic style of 1969. Cypress exterior, mahogany front door, and meticulous details throughout. 4 beds, 4 baths. $649,000

Hidden Meadow

Situated down a long driveway, this home offers a combination of location, acreage, and fine design. An open design boasts a custom kitchen & family room with fireplace, overlooking the deck & in-ground pool. 4 beds, 3 full baths. $950,000

Myron Haydt Development

Named the top custom home builder in PA by Home Builder Digest. Spacious rooms, red oak hardwoods, multi-tiered crown molding, all inspired by the French country style. 4 beds, 4.5 baths. Construction to begin Summer 2019. $1,895,000

Dogwood House

is custom-built home boasts a classic white brick exterior on 1 acre of land in Lehigh Valley. Abundant windows, nearly 4,000 sqft of living space. Finished areas on the lower level with garage access. 5 bedrooms, 3.5 baths. $535,000

3 Acres in Saucon Valley SD

Timeless curb appeal, located in a quiet neighborhood of custom-built homes. Wood ﬂoors, crown molding, granite kitchen, and family room with a stone surround ﬁreplace. Outside, a multi-level deck overlooking the acreage. $530,000

River Ridge Farm

Set on 98 acres in Bucks County, the circa 1823 pointed stone home was restored in 2018. Wide plank ﬂoors, 9-ft ceilings, exposed stone walls & plenty of windows. Bank barn, indoor/ outdoor arenas, & stables. 4 beds, 2.5 baths. $3,500,00

Summertime Amenities

Situated on 1.32 manicured acres and built to impress. Home theatre, play, and exercise rooms. Outside, ﬁre and horseshoe pits, saltwater pool, and paver patio with hot tub and built-in grill. 4 BR, 4 baths, 2 half baths. $950,000

Stonehouse Court Classic

Photo

Shelbie Pletz

This year's Best Of winners learned of their victories in the form of congratulatory cookies, courtesy of Sugar Mere.

Best Of Season

It’s the most wonderful time of the year—it’s Best Of season! For the sixth year in a row, we asked Valley residents to tell us who does it the best. Nearly 25,000 votes later, we got our answers. Turn to pg. 52 to see who took the crown in their respective categories. Hold onto this edition and use it as a resource all year round! Whether making dinner reservations, booking a hair appointment or deciding on a party location for the kids, this list tells you exactly who to call for the very best results. And

keep an eye out for our Best Of awards hanging on business walls across the region; if you see one, chances are you’re in good hands. Twentythousand anonymous readers don’t sugarcoat.

Don’t forget to mark your calendar for our Best of the Lehigh Valley celebration, taking place Thursday, July 18 at the Sands Bethlehem Event Center. Sample your way through some of the most delicious food and drink winners and mingle with others who like to celebrate all things local!

Here are three things our publisher is looking forward to this month!

Trying the pierogis at Hops!

What is 4K Ultra HD?

4K is a new technology that gives you a sharper, crisper and more detailed picture quality when watching movies or TV shows. The name 4K refers to the resolution of approximately 4,000 horizontal pixels (which are the tiny dots that make up the picture). This is four times the current full HD which is 1080 pixels.

Enjoy the 4K programming o ered by the streaming apps you subscribe to like Netﬂix and YouTube. Several cable channels o er 4K with more to come.

For me, the BEST thing about summer is...

White jeans, wedge heels, summer corn and tomatoes!

Sandy toes and a sun-kissed nose!

Concerts, roadside sweet corn farm stands and the Philly Zoo!

Flip-flops!

So long, socks... see you in September!

PUBLISHER

Pamela K. Deller

EDITOR

Kristen Rinaldi

ART DIRECTOR

Elaine Wyborski

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Thomas Körp

ADVERTISING EXECUTIVES

Kellie Bartholomew, Denise Lichty, Ronell Martz, Pam Taylor

MARKETING & EVENTS MANAGER

Kelli Hertzog

MARKETING ASSISTANT

Emily Melendez

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Carrie Havranek, Amy Unger, Daisy Willis

CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Matt Bishop, Marco Calderon, Alison Conklin, Shelbie Pletz

PROOFREADER

Lori McLaughlin

meet the staff

The longer days and entertaining on our deck!

Emily Melendez Marketing

Assistant

Sitting outside at all my favorite wineries in the LV.

Sundresses and watermelon.

Tell us a little bit about what you were doing prior to joining the Style team!

I worked as a client service coordinator for an employee beneﬁts ﬁrm. Quite the change for me! I have a journalism degree from Temple University, so I’m very excited to be putting my degree to use (and so are my parents).

What do your current responsibilities entail?

Assisting with social media, events and writing for the magazine when needed. I like helping in any way I can.

Summer vacations and family gatherings.

PRESIDENT/CEO: Paul Prass

VICE PRESIDENT/COO: Lisa Prass

DIRECTOR OF CREATIVE SERVICES: Erica Montes

WEB DESIGN SPECIALIST: Taylor Van Kooten

ACCOUNTING : Donna Bachman

CIRCULATION MANAGER : Andrea Karges

Describe what a typical day looks like for you.

I come into the ofﬁce and get right into it! I’m a morning person and it’s when I’m most productive. I check our events calendar and post new events that were submitted overnight, and I research social media to see what trends we should be focusing on—just to name a few things. Every day is different!

It’s lunch time, what’s on the menu?

It usually consists of whatever my boyfriend and I had for dinner the night prior. If dinner ends up being too yummy (a.k.a., no leftovers), I always have oatmeal on hand in a lunch emergency. I’m a snack queen as well so there are always treats in my drawer, too!

Were there any surprises upon joining the Style team?

I was surprised at how small the team was! It’s amazing to me that the magazine runs so smoothly and how everyone pitches in. It’s a team effort and it’s so nice to see everyone work together to make the magazine succeed.

Tell us the most rewarding part of what you do.

I get to do what I love and that in itself is rewarding, especially when so many people my age are struggling to ﬁnd a job that they are truly passionate about. In the wise words of Marie Kondo, this job sparks joy.

Describe the vibe in your work area.

I love the vibe of the office and how calm the atmosphere is! It’s refreshing and definitely helps that we have a great little office nook if you need to take a break. I’m getting settled into my new desk and getting to decorate is so much fun. Let’s just say there are disco balls involved.

I am always looking at the new trends and will try just about anything.

What are you currently obsessed with?

Everyone in the ofﬁce already knows, but it's skin care! My routine is extensive, but I think it’s so important to take care of your skin. I am always looking at the new trends and will try just about anything. There’s nothing better than a sheet mask and binging a new series on Netﬂix or Hulu.

What can readers ﬁnd you sipping at a Style Insider Happy Hour?

I’m a huge red wine fan—the drier the better! There are a lot of health beneﬁts to red wine, too, so I’m super healthy.

The best part about working and playing in the Lehigh Valley?

I grew up here, so it’s so nice to see the area ﬂourish and grow as I grow myself. I am a foodie so whenever a new restaurant pops up, I’m there. We have so many great events, too! My calendar is always booked months in advance with exciting new things to do. Thankfully, with Style, my job is to ﬁnd those events, so it’s a win-win.

With a turn of the key, you’ve finally made it. The perfect kitchen, that full-sized yard, room for your children to grow and flourish. It’s home, and it’s yours—and that comes with some big questions for your financial future. After all, it’s never too early to start planning for whatever comes next. Contact Magellan today and discover how you can live the life you want without financial constraints.

PRISTINE

MACARRO WAY VISTA, LOWER SAUCON TWP

Nearly brand new, stunning hilltop home offering stainless appliances, hardwood floors, 2-story stone fireplace, finished basement & 3-car garage. 4 bedrooms, 3 full/1 half bath. $525,000

WALK TO GOLF COURSE, UPPER SAUCON TWP

Elegant, maintenance-free condo living featuring top-of-the-line ﬁnishes, a sleek chef’s kitchen, and 800-bottle wine room. Across from Saucon Valley Country Club. 2 bedrooms (1st ﬂr master), 2 full/2 half baths. $1,025,000

PREMIER

HOMESITE, UPPER SAUCON TWP

Prestigious Blue Ridge West

Estates building lot with stunning views. Driveway is in place, foundation poured & all permits are current. Ready to build. 6.64 acres. $599,000

PRIME SAUCON VALLEY LOCATION, LOWER SAUCON TWP

Pristine condominium located in an exclusive 6-unit development within walking distance to Saucon Valley CC golf courses. 4 Bedrooms, 4 full/1 half bath. $775,000

BREATHTAKING

PRIVATE ESTATE, LOWER SAUCON TWP

Springwood’s resort-like environment provides the ultimate relaxation or entertainment haven. Top of the line amenities, pool, spa, 2 waterfalls & 5-hole putting green. 4.6 acres; 4 bedrooms, 5 full/1 half bath. $2,260,000

RENOVATED BRICK COLONIAL W/POOL, SPRINGFIELD

TWP

Beautifully updated yet traditional home situated on over 10 lush acres with amazing mountain views in Palisades SD. Complete with private backyard for entertaining and over sized in-ground pool. 4 bedrooms, 2 full/1 half bath. $499,000

HEAVENLY VISTAS, UPPER SAUCON TWP

Elegantly designed Weyhill Woods home with a gourmet kitchen and relaxing sun room delivers sweeping views of the Lehigh Valley. 4 bedrooms, 3 full/2 half baths, 2.5 acres. $949,000

NEWTO MARKET

ELEGANT

STYLE, ENVIABLE LOCATION, UPPER SAUCON TWP

With sophisticated ﬁnishes and the ﬁnest appurtenances, this grand French country manor with a sought-after address is surrounded by pristine grounds, stone walls & terraces and shows attention to every detail. Within walking distance to Saucon Valley CC. 4 bedrooms, 4 full/2 half baths. $1,995,000

An Exceptional Choice — for Exceptional Properties

2 North Main Street · Coopersburg, PA 18036

Located at Historic Hotel Bethlehem | Photography by Vlad Image Studio

1. Diana Daughtery, Terry Check, Tonya Kleppinger and Heather Holmes 2. Ellyn and Mark Elstein 3. Janet Gaston and Tina Rauenzahn 4. John and Denise Cali, and Qies Hadeed 5. Karen Hoff 6. Kristine Roddick, Jessica Moyer, Dorota Kozak and Kathy Reiss 7. Ndeye-Aicha Gueye, Melissa Fink, Thomas Molinaro, Wendy Schillings and Noreen Ciofﬁ 8. Robin Blose 9. Jennifer Emanuello and Carol Kuhns 10. Katie and Chris Iacocca 11. Melanie Falcon and Jim Vaughn 12. Tiffany Nguyen and Breanna Pfeffer 13. Tricia Matsko and Ashely Seier

Red Shoe Luncheon & Fashion Show

The Hillside School 35 th Annual Gala

1. Kelly Randis and Khine Zaw 2. Joellen Rooney, Molly Brown, Samantha Anglestein and Jody Rennie 3. Julie Knight and Suanne Rieker 4. Melissa Aidukas 5. Carrie Fellon, Diane Simovich and Connie Challingsworth 6. Missy Rose and Kristina Cole 7. Whitney Rice and JoAnne Faulstick

Located at Steel Club to beneﬁt the Third Street Alliance | Photography by Vlad Image Studio

1. Chelsea and Edward DeJesus 2. Barb Hornberger and Judy Rotkowski 3. Bob Stover, Judy Rutkowski, and Molly and Tom Kenyon 4. Carol Maher, Lindsey Seltzer and Emily Betley 5. Linda Basso, Joanne Merolla and Mary Dunbar 6. Robin and Rob Barlow

Located at Lehigh Country Club to beneﬁt The Hillside School Scholarship Fund | Photography by Vlad Image Studio

Ladies Luncheon with Adrienne Gold

Ladies Night

1. Amy Fels and Ilene Ringold 2. Emily Ford, Adrienne Gold, Naomi Schachter and Ginny Cohen 3. Carah Tenzer and Tama Tamarkin 4. Iris Epstein and Ferne Kushner 5. Ilene Wood and Terree O’Neal Yeagle 6. Marilyn Claire, Maxine Klein, Lolly Siegel and Marlene Finkelstein 7. Lorrie Scherline, Aliette Abo, Lauren Rabin and Beth Kushnick 8. Nicole Cooper and Karen Cooper 9. Suzanne Lapiduss and Sara-Jane Bub

Located at Beth El Synagogue to beneﬁt the Jewish Federation of the Lehigh Valley | Photography by Vlad Image Studio

1. Elsbeth Haymon, Mary Beth Weinstein, Linda Sheftel and Diane Adams 2. Ashton Galasso and Erika Petrozelli 3. Andrea Jones and Mary Bernd

Located at Randalls on the Orchard to beneﬁt the Sheftel Memorial Fund | Photography by Vlad Image Studio

10 Things to Do This Month

JULY 13

Easton Farmers’ Market 267 th Birthday

Celebrate Easton Farmers’ Market’s 267th birthday! The oldest open-air farmers’ market in the country, Easton Farmers’ Market was established in 1752. The day will be filled with birthday cake, live music, activities for the kids and, of course, a wide variety of fresh produce.

JULY 27

2 Annual Wings & Strings Festival

Hosted by the American Cancer Society, the event features local beer, food, music, yard games and a wing-eating contest! Proceeds will benefit the local Berks, Lehigh and Northampton counties’ American Cancer Society ofﬁces.

Suggested donation: $10 | Noon–5 p.m. | Morris J. Dimmick Park 570 Durham St., Hellertown | wingsnstringsbyacs

JULY 25

Chardonnay and Namaste

What’s better than a relaxing yoga class? Ending it with a glass of wine! Head over to Black River Farms for a 60-minute class followed by a glass of wine and tapas. Cheers to happy-hour yoga!

$25 | 6–8 p.m. | Black River Farms | 2472 Black River Rd. Bethlehem | 484.935.1011 | black-river-farms.com

JULY 10–AUGUST 4

Antony and Cleopatra

Part of the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, this is the exotic and intriguing tale of Marc Antony and how he falls for Cleopatra during a time of civil unrest. The intermingling of both tragedy and triumph, this is one of history’s great love stories.

$25–$59 | Times vary DeSales University’s Labuda Center for the Performing Arts 2755 Station Ave., Center Valley 610.282.9455 | pashakespeare.org

JULY 2

Yappy Hour

Enjoy the warm weather and some great food on the Biergaarden Patio at Allentown Brew Works. Bring your pup and support a noble cause; all proceeds of the Yappy Hour’s drink specials will beneﬁt Be Their Voice, which supports hardworking local rescue groups and shelters while also encouraging responsible pet ownership.

5:30–8:30 p.m. | Fegley’s Allentown Brew Works 812 W. Hamilton St., Allentown | 610.433.7777 | thebrewworks.com

Photo by

Kristina Warner

Photo by Marco Calderon

Starring Nondumiso Tembe as Cleopatra

JULY 13 Bethlehem VegFest

VegFest celebrates the growing vegan culture and sustainable living throughout the Lehigh Valley and beyond. The festival features cooking demonstrations, renowned speakers, live music and more! In its ninth year, the team behind VegFest hopes to educate and delight all who attend.

Free | 11 a.m.–6 p.m.

Daniel Rice Field | 100 W. Lehigh St. Bethlehem | 484.280.3024 getdowntownbethlehem.com

JULY 15

Rob Thomas Chip Tooth Tour

With a string of number-one hits like “Push,” “3AM,” “Bent” and more, Rob Thomas is bringing the Chip Tooth Tour to the Valley. An electrifying performer, Thomas is a delight for all ages.

$71.50–$107.50 | 7 p.m. | Sands Bethlehem Event Center 77 Sands Blvd., Bethlehem | 610.297.7414 | sandseventcenter.com

JULY 20 & 21

Blueberry Festival

The annual Blueberry Festival takes place at the Burnside Plantation and features an expansive list of blueberry-inspired treats. This family-centered event has been turning tongues blue for the past 32 years!

Adults: $10; Children (ages 4-17): $5 | Sat.: 10 a.m.–7 p.m. Sun.: 10 a.m.–6 p.m. | Burnside Plantation | 1461 Schoenersville Rd. Bethlehem | 800.360.8687 historicbethlehem.org

JULY 14

Easton

Heritage Day

Head to Downtown Easton’s Centre Square and celebrate the rich history of the city. Easton was one of three places where the Declaration of Independence had its ﬁrst public reading. The event features reenactors, live music, food and drink for all and ﬁreworks at night.

Free | 11 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Centre Square, Easton heritageday.org

JULY 13

Lehigh Valley Yoga Festival

Attendees can get their namaste on with yoga classes, workshops and demonstrations capable of broadening any yogi’s horizons. This is the largest fundraiser of the Pratyush Sinha Foundation, a local nonproﬁt that works to provide yoga and mindfulness classes to schools, churches, prisons, recovery programs and more.

$60 | 8 a.m.–6 p.m. | Moravian College | 1200 Main St., Bethlehem 484.866.5207 | lehighvalleyyogafestival.com

Photo by Margaret Stahl

Photo by Adam Atkinson

Photo by Mike Robinson Productions

Fifth Biennial Self-Portrait Exhibition:

The Last Picture Show

THROUGH AUGUST 8

Ten years ago, the Bethlehem Fine Arts Commission decided to showcase local artists’ selfportraits, and the exhibit was so successful that they have continued the event ever since. The exhibit happens biennially, so this will be the ﬁfth anniversary and the 10th year since it began. There are 40 participants—and not all are artists by trade.

“Solo exhibits are wonderful, but when you’re in a group show, it’s a lot of fun,” says Sandra Corpora, one of the exhibit’s featured artists. It’s a diverse way to showcase self-expression through so many different outlets, whether it’s paint, photography or even jewelry. This will be the last self-portrait series in the exhibition so make sure to check it out before it ends.

8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

Bethlehem City Hall Rotunda Gallery 10 E. Church St., Bethlehem | bfac-lv.org

Ann Lalik, Creative Seeker rice paper, copper, silver, amethyst

Girl, Stop Apologizing

BY RACHEL HOLLIS

Girl, Stop Apologizing is a no-nonsense guide that helps women tap into their full potential. Hollis gives her readers a pep talk in each chapter to help motivate and create a shame-free plan for embracing and achieving goals. It’s an altogether upbeat and conﬁdence-boosting read that will help you to stop apologizing for being exactly who you are.

Where the Crawdads Sing

BY DELIA OWENS

A number one New York Times best seller—and a Reese Witherspoon x Hello Sunshine Book Club pick—Where the Crawdads Sing lives up to its hype. Rumors of the “Marsh Girl” haunt the town of Barkley Cove, a quiet town on the North Carolina coast. In late 1969, a man is found murdered and the town immediately thinks it is Kya Clark, the so-called Marsh Girl. But Kya is not what she seems. It’s a painfully beautiful and heartbreaking story that is a murder mystery, a coming-of-age narrative and a celebration of nature all rolled into one.

The Woman in the Window

BY A.J. FINN

The Woman in the Window is a psychological thriller about an agoraphobic woman named Anna, who spends her time alone in her house spying on her neighbors. One day, everything changes when she sees something dangerous happening and no one believes her. It’s a fast-paced read that will have you questioning Anna’s story, too.

stage PRIVATE LIVES

JULY 18–AUGUST 4

BY DAISY WILLIS

Summer is Shakespeare season in the Lehigh Valley during DeSales University’s annual Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival, but this theatrical extravaganza doesn’t leave out the masterful playwrights of intervening centuries. The scintillating wit of Noël Coward’s Private Lives opens at PSF this month, full of art deco glamour and repartee.

The plot revolves around a couple who have been divorced for ﬁve years and have each found someone new to marry. “They’re both honeymooning in France at a posh hotel,” director Dennis Razze says, “and happen to be in adjoining hotel rooms.” On their decadent French hotel balconies they discover one another and ﬁnd their love rekindling. Of course, their new spouses are none too pleased and pursue them to a Paris apartment where the second act includes both romance and mayhem.

“One reason audiences take pleasure in it,” Razze says, “is that they see a reﬂection of their own marriage. Even the best squabble sometimes, then make up. That’s part of the rhythm of

marriage.” It’s fun when it’s other people doing the squabbling, and doing it with the great eloquence of Coward’s dialogue.

Coward came from poverty, but his success as an artist took him into the world of the wealthy, whose fancies and foibles made fodder for his work. Composer, actor, playwright, he did it all. Bedridden in Shanghai with the ﬂu, Coward penned Private Lives in four days and sent it straight to actress and friend Gertrude Lawrence, with whom he starred in its debut. It’s a glimpse into the private lives of the upper class, their sophisticated bickering taking place in extravagant gowns on a background of opulent interiors.

Actors Eleanor Handley and Luigi Sottile return to PSF for this production. Make it a lighthearted evening to laugh at the mishaps of marriage.

$25–$39 | Showtimes vary | Desales University 2755 Station Ave., Center Valley 610.282.9455 | pashakespeare.org

Girls Rock Camp music

BY DAISY WILLIS

JULY 15–19

Every year since 2014, one particularly slammin’ summer camp gives girls, trans and nonbinary youngsters a venue to inspire their inner rock star. It’s Girls Rock Camp (GRC), a week of workshops and music lessons leading up to a showcase at Zoellner Arts Center on the 20th of this month.

Counterbalancing the pretty princess prototype, Girls Rock is about being seen, heard and loud, building conﬁdence in a group where campers can be themselves. “If a kid can learn how to play the guitar on a Monday and then play a show in front of a huge audience on the following Saturday,” says Executive Director Felicia Lockett, “they can do anything!”

Whether the kid’s been blasting guitar riffs in your garage or doesn’t really know what a bass is for, all levels are welcome to get in on the exploration of expression through music. It’s a perfect climate for young people ages 10–17 to jam out in an encouraging environment, with band practice, open mics, visiting artists from local bands and at least one dance party over the course of the week.

Lockett and the organization’s dedicated volunteers juggle logistics in a behind-the-scenes whirlwind during camp, with no regrets. “I get to do meaningful work and organize programs that are literally life-changing for our participants,” Lockett says.

Run by nonproﬁt organization Lehigh Valley Girls Rock, GRC is just one cymbal on the drum set. There’s also Let’s Rock Camp for adult women, trans and nonbinary folks, and The Band Factory, which matches up people looking to get a band together. Workshops and stand-alone classes will also be returning to LVGR’s repertoire later this year. Young or old, check out LVGR to support girls’ music or start a band of your own! lvgirlsrock.org

Photo by Alexis Van Billiard

life in the valley

TRINITY FITNESS Never Not Open

Trinity Fitness was established in 2009 by owner Matthew Stocker, who has been in the ﬁtness world for more than 14 years. In 2017, he decided to move his business to the Simon Silk Mill in Easton. The gym boasts a 24-hour policy, focusing on a positive workout environment. “People like the privacy and exclusivity,” says Stocker. Members receive a key fob that allows them access to the gym at any time—on holidays, snow days and every day in between, members can get their sweat on. With four dedicated trainers making sure members are kept motivated, the positivity of his clientele is what Stocker thinks makes his business successful. “Being around these people helps me thrive,” he says. Members don’t typically have to wait for a machine or worry about the pressure of working out in front of so many people. It’s a more intimate approach. Stocker wants to make sure that everyone who comes in is comfortable, whether they work out all the time or this is their ﬁrst time going to a gym.

1247 Simon Blvd. Unit N100 Easton | 610.829.1111

trinityﬁtnessofeaston.com

MERAKI BEAUTY

Stay a While

Meraki is a Greek word meaning “to do something with soul, creativity or love: to put something of yourself into your work.” And that is exactly what Meraki Beauty owner Tia Jones lives by. She started Meraki Beauty in 2017 because she wanted to create a comfortable space for all her clients to visit. Jones previously worked for MAC for seven years and, over that time, developed a strong clientele; she wanted her relationship with those clients to continue even after their events had passed. “I’m about building relationships,” says Jones. At ﬁrst it was just going to be makeup services, but it has since evolved organically into a full-service salon without her even realizing it. Meraki Beauty offers hair styling, facials, tanning and more. The entire team creates a positive environment. “Clients can sit on the couch and ﬁnish their wine after their service,” Jones says. She didn’t want a stuffy place, but rather somewhere where guests could hang out with their gal pals. The aesthetic of the salon is Jones’s own boho-chic style intertwined with the industrial look of her location in Allentown. She chose to put her roots down in Allentown because of her passion for the city’s revitalization—the salon was actually vacant for 10 years before she came in and opened Meraki. “I want to be a small piece of what this city is becoming,” says Jones.

619 Hamilton St., Allentown | 610.550.3500 | merakibeauty.co

LOCAL FOOD MARKET LV

Online Freshness

Having farmed for roughly 20 years, Nicole and Steve Shelly know the impact that local farming has. They decided to trade in their farming life for a new endeavor with Local Food Market LV. Nicole noticed that farmers are not the most social media adept, so she wanted to help them market their products and reach bigger audiences. “They just want to farm,” says Nicole, stressing the importance of getting more awareness for farmers out there. Local customers can order directly online, choosing from a variety of items from surrounding farms and restaurants. These goods include pre-made meals that feature the produce of the season from area favorites like Switchback Pizza and Rodale Institute Experimental Farm. Patrons can shop the site year-round, and they don’t have to worry about rain or cold weather getting in the way—the way one might with a typical outdoor farmers’ market. Nicole shares that research conducted by Buy Fresh Buy Local shows that only 2 percent of the population shops at local farmers’ markets. The Shellys’s mission is to change that number to 20 percent by 2020.

Photo by Shelbie Pletz

Photo by Jessica Fenon

Switchback Pizza's Blue Moon, made with roasted local portobello mushrooms, caramelized onions and Gorgonzola cheese.

volunteer spotlight

MEALS ON WHEELS

Terri Hineline

After retiring ﬁve years ago, Terri Hineline immediately knew she wanted to volunteer with Meals on Wheels. Having worked with older people in her previous jobs, it was an obvious step for her to take. Hineline has 11 routes that she takes in the Easton area. When she ﬁrst started, she would volunteer twice a month, and now, it’s once a week—and she is always happy to step in when she is needed during their busy times. What Hineline loves about Meals on Wheels is the people. She’s met people who will keep in touch and chat with her from time to time, and she loves hearing their stories. “There is so much history in older people,” she says.

The few minutes that Hineline takes to deliver food can be the only human interaction these people receive all day, so she likes to check in and make sure they are doing well. “You really get attached to them,” she says. Hineline likes to bring friends along with her on her route to make it more fun. She thinks that everyone should ﬁnd their purpose in life, and if you’re able to help others, you should. When she isn’t volunteering, she likes to travel with her husband to visit family, and she can always be found doing something active. A popular saying of Hineline’s mother was: “If you rest, you rust.” Hineline now lives by those words every day.

mowglv.org

Sea food With Heart

Owner of Bolete and Mister Lee’s Noodle House, Lee Chizmar expands his culinary repertoire once more with his latest endeavor, Silvershell Counter and Kitchen. The moniker originated because of where his wife, Erin Shea, grew up: Silvershell Beach in Marion, Massachusetts. It pays homage to Shea’s childhood and all the nostalgia that comes with that—playing on the beaches and eating all the fried clams and steamers that she could.

The pair actually met during Chizmar’s time in Boston, so it holds meaning to them both. “Food has been such a big part of our lives,” says Chizmar. And New England has been with them through all of their major milestones. The restaurant is located in the Easton Public Market—right across from Mister Lee’s Noodle House—and features classic New England dishes like lobster rolls, clams and an oyster bar.

Photo by Alison Conklin

WHAT’ S NEW

9 | 5:30–7:30 P.M.

Enjoy complimentary hors d’oeuvres and drink specials, and don’t forget to have your photo taken for Style Scene. Follow along on Facebook for updates, drink specials and more event info.

Be Pa rt of the Story!

Is there a local professional you want to hear from in our next Ask the Expert column? Email editor@lehighvalleystyle.com.

Enter to win a pair of Historic Bethlehem River Tour kayak tickets, a $120 value. The tickets are good for their ﬁve-mile SteelStacks-run kayak tour, which is a paddle from Sand Island to Nagy’s Landing in Bethlehem. HAPPY

Bes t of Beauty

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MATT BISHOP

Who better to ask for product recommendations than Style’s readervoted Best of the Lehigh Valley beauty winners? Highlighted in this edition, these experts know a thing or two about looking and feeling glam.

1. R+Co Death Valley dry shampoo $30, Rooted Salon

3. R+Co SKYLINE dry shampoo powder, $36 , Rooted Salon Makeup By Roxy

2. MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua XL Color Paint, $25, Sephora

4. Stila Glitter & Glow liquid eye shadow, Kitten Karma, $24, Sephora

5. Skindinavia® The Makeup Finishing Spray, $29, skindinavia.com

6. BUXOM Plumpline Lip Liner, $18, Ulta

7. BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector Liquid Highlighter, Prosecco Pop, $41, Ulta

Wax Center BEST WAXING

8. Paradise Strut body lotion $18, European Wax Center

Skinterest Skin Care Boutique

9. RevitaLash® The RevEYEval Collection for Lashes, $130, Skinterest Skin Care Boutique

MARC INBANE natural tanning spray $49.99, Organic Tans & Beauty Bar

& Stone Massage and Facial

Bella Bridesmaids

If you’re recently engaged—or just have a special occasion coming up— Bella Bridesmaids Allentown is well worth the gander. With versatile options and stellar service, they make the stress of shopping for multiple bridesmaids easy. Read on to learn about upcoming trends to consider!

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARCO CALDERON

ERIKA BERARDINUCCI Owner

Tell us about the inspiration to bring Bella Bridesmaids, a national franchise, to Allentown. I have been a bridesmaid more times than I can count. I love everything about weddings, and when I planned my own, I realized how much I fell in love with the industry. I experienced Bella Bridesmaids in Freehold, New Jersey, as a bridesmaid and knew Allentown needed a showroom where bridesmaids could wear trendy, fashionable bridesmaid dresses. When I shopped at Bella Bridesmaids, the experience set itself differently from any other place I had visited for a bridesmaid dress. Being that Allentown is central to Philadelphia and New York, I knew our showroom would service our Lehigh Valley brides and beyond. I love that we brought a bridal boutique back to Downtown Allentown where women can get ﬁtted and purchase a gown just like they could when Hess’s was the premier destination for retail.

Describe the large array of dresses and designers that you carry. We have more than 10 designers in our store, so it gives our customers a lot of options when shopping. At Bella Bridesmaids Allentown, our brides can really dive deep into

our collection and the bride can get a good feel of all the fabrics, colors and style options offered by all of our designers.

We have the Pinterest-worthy, bohemian chic yet simplistic gowns from designers like Jenny Yoo and Joanna August for the trendy brides. We also have every color under the sun in classic bridesmaid styles from the Dessy Group and Bill Levkoff. We even have exclusive styles designed by our designers that are only available at Bella Bridesmaids. From our traditional chiffon gowns and whimsical tulle styles to rich velvet and intricate beaded gowns, our variety sets Bella Bridesmaids apart from other bridal boutiques. Whether you are looking for strapless, long sleeves or a high neckline, each designer creates unique styles for our brides and leading ladies to wear. There truly is something for everyone.

In addition to bridesmaid dresses, we also carry ﬂower girl dresses, bridal accessories and mother of the bride/groom dresses. Have a special occasion coming up? Come into Bella Bridesmaids Allentown and we will dress you for any special event you are attending. Whether a gala, wedding or military ball, we have a dress for you.

Tell us about the range of size and budget options.

We have an extensive collection of designer dresses that enhance every wedding, at every budget, that can be worn by all women. At Bella Bridesmaids, we know each bridesmaid is unique in her own way. We carry all types of dresses for women of all shapes, sizes and heights. We love seeing our bridesmaids feel conﬁdent and beautiful in their own style as they walk down the aisle. Our stylists at Bella Bridesmaids Allentown are here to make this experience your own. After all, your bridesmaids are the runway show before the big ﬁnale!

How does

stay on the forefront of bridal trends?

At Bella Bridesmaids, we are able to forecast trends by interacting with brides and their bridesmaids every day! It is deﬁnitely one of our most favorite parts of what we do each day. We listen to their vision, trade ideas on their Pinterest boards and often bring these ideas, colors and fabric trends to our designers from the front lines. Twice a year, we travel to New York City during Bridal Fashion Week. As franchise owners, we get one-on-one time with designers like Jenny Yoo and Dessy to discuss our Bella exclusives with all the storeowners from across the country. Collaboration is key, and

Bella Bridesmaids

get the goods

by doing this, it allows us to give feedback on what is selling well and what trends are on the rise.

Describe the overall atmosphere at Bella Bridesmaids. What is a typical shopping experience like?

Bella Bridesmaids has 55-plus showrooms across the country, which makes it super convenient for each of your bridesmaids to visit their local store and try on the bride’s favorites. Bridesmaids are also paired with a Bella Stylist, so their experience feels like you are in the same city, even if you’re not. At Bella Bridesmaids we provide a personal experience because our stylists give you their full attention and knowledge during the entire appointment.

We also developed a unique software called Virtual Showroom to act as a digital extension of your in-store experience. The bride gets access to her own virtual showroom and personally invites all her leading ladies to use this tool to share favorites, comment and vote on dresses, keep track of deadlines and even order the dresses. We ﬁnd that our brides are very social media savvy and they love the element of an exclusive virtual showroom.

What do you think is the most important thing when it comes to picking a bridesmaid dress or dresses?

Knowing that the bridesmaids are a symbol of the support and friendship that goes into planning a wedding. We love when a bride allows her leading ladies to choose a bridesmaid dress that best represents their style. Whether the color is blush, cinnamon rose or navy, picking a dress should be fun and exciting not only for the bride, but for her bridesmaids as well!

What’s the big trend in bridesmaid dresses this summer?

We have seen a shift towards the more simple and classic dress. Wrap dresses have taken the spotlight for summer weddings. It is a much-needed combo of comfort and style. A wrap dress flatters all figures and is one that your maids will no doubt want to wear again. We are also noticing that the halter-neck style is going to be big not just this summer, but in upcoming seasons. This specific style’s popularity stems from Meghan Markle and her incredible dress she wore to her reception. Not only did it look incredible on her, it’s also a very flattering style on all women. 645

7 WAYS TO ENSURE

OUTDOOR

Entertaining Success

BY DAISY WILLIS

Hosting a party outside takes just a few extra steps to ensure success. JHM Event Group handles every aspect of gorgeous gatherings, from the ﬂorals to the photography, so owner Joseph H. Moussa could throw a whole summer’s worth of unforgettable backyard BBQs in his sleep (Warning: Do not attempt!). Here’s his insight.

ask the expert

Get the Invite Right

Along with the obvious date, time and location, try to stock your invitation with useful intel as to the nature of the event, like whether bathing suits might come into play, and when food will be served.

The best time for a summer gathering tends to be in the evening, as temperatures and the sun begin to descend. If full sun and hot weather are part of the plan, Moussa recommends to be sure food is in a shaded area or, he says, rent a tent to make sure there’s respite from the heat.

Create a Seamless Setup

Scouring the house for barstools and dining chairs to drag outside might be perfectly adequate, but if you’re planning something more formal or guests will outnumber your seat stash, consider a local rental company. Chairs and even tables may be cheaper than you think.

Arranging a couple of speakers throughout the space will keep the vibe of your summer playlist consistent. “Testing your speaker system prior to guest arrival is also a must,” says Moussa.

A pro tip that will make you feel extremely poised: “Have your bar set up at minimum 30 minutes before your guests are scheduled to arrive,” he says. Someone’s bound to be early, and you’ll be able to make them feel comfortable while you take care of a few ﬁnishing touches.

Tips on Getting Tipsy

Consider what your guests prefer when you stock your bar, be it hard liquor and/or beer.

Everyone loves the attractive and refreshing seasonal drink, showing off fruit and herb elements in a beverage dispenser. Moussa’s favorite: freshly made strawberry basil lemonade (snag his recipe at lehighvalleystyle.com!). “It’s refreshing for everyone and those seeking a little alcohol can add a splash of vodka or rum for an additional kick.”

Running out of ice is a disaster you can avoid by stocking side coolers speciﬁcally with ice, while Moussa goes for portable ice makers to keep the cubes coming.

Keep Bugs at Bay

For being so tiny, mosquitoes have a massive knack for ruining outdoor experiences. Moussa is way ahead of the game with advice on planting natural repellents in your space: “Consider adding lavender, marigolds, citronella grass, rosemary and basil plants to your outdoor landscape.” In addition to natural defenses, providing bug spray for guests is a thoughtful gesture.

“We love lighting an abundant amount of citronella candles around the space,” Moussa adds, a third front in the bug war. “Once the sun goes

down it’s a fantastic way to not only keep the bugs away but create some mood lighting!”

All-Important Eats

Keeping hot food hot and cold food cold is the central challenge, and Moussa advises chafing dishes and ice. Inflatable ice buffets, trays or clear totes filled with ice can keep salad from wilting and cheese from sweating in the heat. “If you go this route,” he says, “line the containers with linen to match your décor for an elevated look.”

Grilling gets that classic summer scent of BBQ trickling through the neighborhood, but absent a grill, you can serve piping-hot pulled pork, chicken or meatballs from a slow cooker for the same savory satisfaction.

Moussa’s favorite food items with the longevity for long summer soirées include hummus, guacamole, salsa, bean and pasta salads and summer greens. Skewers such as Caprese salad, chicken satay and fruit salad are easy to put together in advance and reﬁll through the evening.

Light It Up

Nice lighting and a few ﬂowers quickly transform a space. Moussa’s little bud vases scattered around guest tables and the bar and food areas means you don’t need many ﬂowers to add an inexpensive air of festivity.

As the sun sets, lighting is everything, and can come from candles, lanterns, tiki torches or strungup bistro lights. Consider how to keep important areas (the bar) visible after dark.

The come-together coziness of a ﬁre pit or chimenea introduces a lovely phase for an outdoor gathering, especially as summer slides into fall. “It’s also a great way to introduce additional snacks or dessert into the night,” Moussa points out. “Who doesn’t love a good s’more?”

A Note on Neighbors

Got cool neighbors? Consider adding them to the guest list, for a couple of reasons. If they can make it, great. This could be a wonderful way to pool resources for extra seating or other party supplies you might need. “If they can’t make it,” says Moussa, “they’ll be far more tolerant of loud music the night of your party.”

THE EXPERT

JOSEPH H. MOUSSA

Owner & Creative Director

Cool Ways to Cool Off

There’s so much more to summer than sitting inside with the A/C on full blast. Get out there and have some fun— without breaking too much of a sweat—with help from these local businesses that specialize in all the coolest (and tastiest) ways to keep your chill.

Interested in advertising in our next Spotlight section? Call 484.546.0408 for more information.

Historic Bethlehem River Tours

434 Clearfield St., Freemansburg

877.529.2599 | historicbethlehemrivertours.com

Take a guided recreational kayak tour on the Lehigh River through Historic Bethlehem—all equipment provided, no experience needed.

“I couldn’t believe how beautiful and peaceful it was on the river,” says Linda T. “Just getting to enjoy that peace within the city of Bethlehem was wonderful. You can get so wrapped up in the trafﬁc and buildings in the city that you can forget what peace—not only sound, but internally—can be.”

Doughnut Sundae

The Coffee Shop Cafe + Market 650 Main St., Hellertown thecoffeeshopcompany.com

The Coffee Shop is a specialty European café and market that serves only natural and organic coffee, food, beverages, snacks, baked goodies and more. Their doughnut sundae pairs a fresh Doughnut Love doughnut with three scoops of specialty ice cream, plus almond milk whipped cream and chocolate syrup.

Nitrogen

Ice Cream

Mystical Treatsss Café 1310 Main St., Hellertown

484.851.3700 | mysticaltreatsss.com

Mystical Treatsss uses liquid nitrogen to freeze the same ingredients used to make ice cream for instantaneous “treatsss.” Vegan and dairyfree options are available. They also offer nine types of cold brew and nitro coffee for a rich, smooth taste, and their indoor play area is perfect for mermaids, dragons and unicorns of all ages.

by AnneMarie

Clean & Cool

Crave Smoothie & Juice Bar

77 W. Broad St. Unit 11C, Bethlehem 610.905.0485 | cravebethlehem.com

This bright, energetic smoothie shop located in Downtown Bethlehem serves clean energy drinks made with aloe, a metabolism-boosting tea and an abundance of B vitamins. They are also known for their creative shake ﬂavors: Funfetti, Cinnamon Toast Crunch and Banana Nut Mufﬁn are community favorites. These blended beverages are packed with 21 essential vitamins, 24 grams of protein and less than 250 calories!

Photo

Hamant

Local Iced Coffee s to Try

BY DAISY WILLIS

Stay cool and caffeinated with expertly brewed beverages from some of the Valley’s many incredible coffee shops.

by Andrew Tomasino

KRISTINA MELBOURNE Owner of Fieldstone Coffee Roasters

Photo

1 Small-Batch Blends

Fieldstone Coffee Roasters

325 Northampton St., Easton | 908.219.7300

ﬁeldstonecoffeeroasters.com

From ﬁeld to cup, Fieldstone takes meticulous care to create small-batch blends with complex ﬂavors. Their many craft coffees, cold brew and nitro are on tap at Easton Public Market. Check out the novelty of getting coffee from a keg.

2 Guatemalan City Roast

The Joint

77 W. Broad St. 18C, Bethlehem | 250 Lehigh Valley Mall, Whitehall | 610.419.9237 | jointcoffeeco.com

Available as cold brew or nitro, The Joint’s famously excellent iced coffee is made with their organic Guatemalan City roast, smooth and chocolatey with notes of cashew and brown sugar, and can be jazzed up with any of their house-made syrups. Snag one at their new Lehigh Valley Mall location or at their original Sun Inn Courtyard spot.

3 Southern Pecan

Duck Donuts

4608 D Broadway, Allentown 610.628.3636 | duckdonuts.com

Need a sugar kick? Seasonal Southern Pecan iced coffee is the featured ﬂavor at Duck Donuts in Allentown and pairs nicely with a fried-to-order custom doughnut. A sweet tooth can also ﬁnd such treats as an iced s’mores latte or caramel macchiato.

4 Diesel & Mocha

South Mountain Cycle & Café 318 Main St., Emmaus | 610.967.4490 southmountaincycle.com

This Emmaus café serves the kind of coffee that keeps cyclists amped on the road (or trail): a carefully concocted, robust, darker blend roasted in Albany, NY. Try their smooth, bold cold brew, all organic, in ﬂavors named for the owners’ chocolate Labs, Diesel and Mocha.

5 Flash-Brewed Blends

Monocacy Coffee Co.

484.893.0483 | monocacycoffee.com

Monocacy Coffee Co. serves its fantastic brew at two Valley shops—Bethlehem’s Lit Coffee Roastery and Bakeshop and Easton’s Cosmic Cup—and specializes in a ﬂash-brewing method for maximum ﬂavor complexity. A secret syrup in their popular Iced Rose Latte naturally turns the milk sweet and pink.

John R. Kulik Funeral Director/President

Christina L. Schantzenbach, Supervisor

Real Estate & Realtors

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Whether upsizing, downsizing or just starting out on your own, the very ﬁrst step in ﬁnding your home sweet home should be meeting a real estate professional you can trust to properly represent you and your interests during the buying or selling process. Read on and get to know some of the happy helpers looking to make your homeowner experience as easy as possible.

Interested in advertising in our next Spotlight section?

Call 484.546.0408 for more information.

Cliff Lewis

Team Leader, The Cliff Lewis Experience Coldwell Banker Hearthside

968 Postal Rd. Suite 210, Allentown

610.509.9834 | homesinlehighvalley.com

Detail oriented. Driven. Honest. Cliff Lewis continually raises the bar in the real estate market with 19 years of licensed experience and a team that has sold $89 million in real estate volume last year alone. Whether searching for a dream home or selling a current home, Cliff provides fast and efﬁcient rapport with all of his clients.

Jon Capobianco

Equity Mid Atlantic Real Estate

1 W. Broad St. Suite 1100, Bethlehem Office: 610.849.2737 | Cell: 570.856.1462

jon.capobianco.equitypropertysearch.com

Looking for that perfect property match? Jon Capobianco, one of the Lehigh Valley’s most sought-after real estate professionals, is the ideal agent to swipe right. A graduate of Penn State with both a career in marketing and as a CrossFit gym owner, Jon’s winning insight into his clients’ needs guarantees stress-free, turnkey solutions whether buying, renting or selling!

Betty Shuster Hanzlik

Howard Hanna The Frederick Group 3500 Winchester Rd. Suite 201, Allentown Office: 610.398.0411 | Cell: 610.554.1678

bettyshuster-hanzlik.howardhanna.com bettyshusterhanzlik@howardhanna.com

• No lock-box policy

• Present for all showings and inspections

• Expert staging, photography and video

• Personalized marketing plan

• National Sales Excellence Award Recipient

“Your Trusted

Real Estate Advisor

Amanda Forsthoefel, Realtor®

BHHS Fox & Roach, Realtors ® 6081 Hamilton Blvd. Suite 102, Allentown

267.374.6444 | amandaforsthoefel.com

When looking to buy or sell a home, call Amanda and allow her to put her experience to work! As “Your Trusted Real Estate Advisor,” she will deliver exemplary service that exceeds expectations. Amanda is an award-winning Realtor®, a strategic pricing advisor and a relocation specialist, as well as an accredited buyer’s representative.

2019 Main St., Northampton

610.837.7900 | weselllehighvalley.com

Serving the Lehigh Valley since 1997, Assist-2-Sell’s “Full Service with $avings!”® program offers homeowners the services they expect from a real estate company but with affordable fees. Assist-2-Sell is a PA licensed, full-service real estate brokerage that takes care of everything home sellers need with the advantage and savings only a low commission real estate agency can offer.

Lawyers & Legal Professionals

Justice may be blind, but that doesn’t mean that ignorance is bliss. Whether it’s a question of contracts, a dispute over an inheritance, an issue with insurance, a twist in your taxes or a run-in with the law, odds are that you’ll need to consult an expert to help make your case. Read on to learn more about some of the skilled legal professionals who live and work in the Lehigh Valley.

Interested in advertising in our next Professional Proﬁles section? Call 484.546.0408 for more information.

When someone’s life is impacted by a serious injury, they need a law firm by their side that is ready and willing to do whatever is necessary to protect their rights and help them get the compensation they deserve—they need Cohen, Feeley, Altemose & Rambo. With three offices in Bethlehem, Whitehall and Stroudsburg, the firm is there to help injury victims in the Lehigh Valley, throughout Pennsylvania and in New Jersey.

2851 Baglyos Cir. Suite 200, Bethlehem

A TRUSTED LEGAL ADVISOR FOR OVER 40 YEARS

A trusted legal advisor to businesses and individuals throughout the region, Gross McGinley maintains an outstanding reputation in the community. With 34 attorneys, the ﬁrm offers a full range of services to clients in the Lehigh Valley and beyond, including:

In 2019, Pennsylvania Super Lawyers, a rating service of lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement, named seven of the ﬁrm’s attorneys:

Each year, no more than ﬁve percent of lawyers in Pennsylvania receive the Super Lawyers recognition and less than 2.5 percent of Pennsylvania lawyers are named to the Rising Stars* list. Gross McGinley’s attorneys were recognized for their work in general litigation, commercial litigation, medical malpractice defense, estate planning and real estate law.

Left to right, top row: Barbara L. Baldo, Dennis F. Feeley, Alexis Berg-Townsend; bottom row: Mark K. Altemose, Kelly Rambo-Williams, Martin D. Cohen

2019 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers, from left to right:

Howard S. Stevens, Sarah M. Murray, Malcolm J. Gross, Sarah Hart Charette, Samuel E. Cohen, Michael J. Blum, R. Nicholas Nanovic

COMPASSIONATE REPRESENTATION FOR ALL

Gardner Law Firm provides compassionate representation for every client, meeting each individual where they are in their current situation. The firm’s empathetic approach humanizes the legal process, giving every individual the opportunity to understand their situation and to have someone fight for what is right and just for them. Through their unique process, the lawyers are able to transform their clients’ fear into faith with education, empathy and aggressive representation. Each member of the team does their best to help clients find hope in their darkest time by helping them stand for what is right in their unique family situations to build a brighter future.

The attorneys share their unique talents outside the ofﬁce by investing in and giving back to the community through volunteer and civic positions. Attorney Gardner has been instrumental in approximately 300 Hague Convention and child abduction cases as either an advocate or expert witness; she also regularly speaks on the issue of prevention of child abduction. Attorney Stanziola, a long-time LGBT activist, regularly offers his LGBT legal services to the community and is on the Board of Directors for the BradburySullivan LGBT Center in Allentown. Attorney Mack has also been recently appointed to the Lower Macungie Environmental Advisory Council.

OVER 25 YEARS OF INTEGRITY, DEDICATION AND TRUST

Zator Law, a Lehigh Valley law ﬁrm, offers professional services to businesses, organizations and individuals.

Twenty-ﬁve years ago, Joe Zator’s vision was to create a ﬁrm that focused on its clients and on building long-term successful relationships with them. “We like to focus on certain areas of legal expertise, though we pursue excellence in all matters that we undertake,” says Zator.

The ﬁrm’s drive for excellence and dedication to fostering trusted relationships has been recognized by their clients and the community. Their bright, energetic team not only works well together on legal matters, but also has a tremendous relationship as friends and coworkers.

This teamwork is evident in all they do, and others have noticed. Zator Law has earned the prestigious Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce Excellence in Business Award, Lehigh Valley Magazine’s Best of the Valley Business Attorneys every year since 2012, the inaugural Best of the Valley Real Estate Attorneys for 2018 and Best Places to Work for 2016 and 2017. Their attorneys have been recognized as Local Legal Leaders, Western Lehigh Chamber of Commerce Volunteer of the Year and Select Lawyers.

They believe in being a big part of a caring community. “Our ﬁrm is enriched by assisting others. This reinforces our culture of service as it relates to our clients, recognizing that we are about something more important than our own bottom line,” says Zator.

Left to right: Attorneys Mark Stanziola, Linda Shay Gardner and Hilary Mack

Photo by Andrew Tomasino

A TRUSTED PERSONAL INJURY FIRM IN THE LEHIGH VALLEY FOR OVER 75 YEARS

Experience counts. And experience is what has established Hof & Reid as the premier personal injury ﬁrm in the Lehigh Valley. Since 1942, and drawing on more than 125 collective years of legal expertise, the attorneys at Hof & Reid have earned a notable reputation among insurance companies and other practitioners as ﬁerce and uncompromising champions of their clients’ interests. That level of expertise is not lost on industry experts, with Hof & Reid’s partners earning numerous statewide distinctions for excellence, including Philadelphia Magazine’s “Top 100 Lawyers in PA” and “Super Lawyers,” among others.

Hof & Reid offers the sophistication and experience of a large-city law firm with the personal attention and accessibility of a local firm. Unlike largecity law firms that spread themselves too thin trying to practice anywhere and everywhere, Hof & Reid has built an exclusive physical presence in the Lehigh Valley. Not only does this genuine commitment to the community enable Hof & Reid’s attorneys to continue their extensive involvement with local charities and organizations, but it also proves invaluable when navigating through obstacles of the local court system that out-of-town law firms often cannot overcome.

Left to right: Isaac A. Hof, Christopher M. Reid, Philip M. Hof, Jill Kelly McComsey, Daniel E. Cohen

TOP TOWN

HAVRANEK

In the sixth annual Best of the Lehigh Valley competition, the stakes were high—locals cast nearly 25,00 0 VO TES across 93 different categories. Why were they crowned the best? Read on to ﬁnd out!

by Alison Conklin

CARRIE

& AMY UNGER WITH KRISTEN RINALDI

Photos

BOTTOMS

DOWNTOWN DINER

Best Breakfast

No matter where you go in the Lehigh Valley, you’re not very far from a location of Billy’s Downtown Diner—there are locations in Downtown Bethlehem (2000), Allentown (2012) and, most recently, Easton (2018). According to owner Billy Kounoupis, people love to both order—and photograph—the berry crunch French toast. It’s under the menu category “Heaven on a Plate.” Or, there's Billy's Original Breakfast Milkshake, pictured here. It's complete with vanilla ice cream, maple syrup, bacon strips, white icing, bacon crumbles, chocolate syrup, chocolate chips, whipped cream and pancake sliders, served in a chilled glass.

OH, AND GUESS WHAT?

If you dream of going out to dinner and ordering a legit breakfast, the Easton location is going to open for “brinner”—yep, breakfast for dinner—in the summer. You heard it here ﬁrst!

Various area locations | billysdiner.com

TWO RIVERS BREWING COMPANY

Best Burger

Two Rivers’ most famous burger might be their Peanut Butter Bacon Cheddar Burger (it once graced the cover of Style), but the others deserve applause as well. Their Chipotle Bison Burger is made with a half pound of Fossil Farms bison, Breakaway Farms bacon, chipotle-lime barbecue sauce, horseradish aioli, smoked Gruyère cheese and beer-batter onion rings on a brioche bun. But it’s not all meat and bacon. Their Vegan Black Bean and Chickpea Burger is topped with beet and cabbage slaw, avocado and sriracha aioli on a seven-grain roll.

542 Northampton St., Easton 610.829.1131 | tworiversbrewing.com

EIGHT OAKS CRAFT DISTILLERS

Eight Oaks is truly a family affair, with multiple generations working under the roof of this purpose-built distillery that resembles a barn. Naturally, too, Eight Oaks is situated in farmland and sources the corn, wheat, barley and rye for its spirits right on site. How cool is that? The space is worth seeing, but you may have encountered Eight Oaks at a few different locations in the Lehigh Valley, such as the Allentown Fairgrounds Farmers Market and the Easton Farmers’ Market. (They do get distributed further aﬁeld at markets in York and Harrisburg, along with Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia.)

It’s not hard to ﬁnd these spirits in the state stores, but the interaction with employees and the ability to taste the spirits at the markets is really key. There’s always some new, one-off specialty item they’re pouring. Carly Butters, co-founder and general manager, says they’re very excited about their new barrel-aged gin called Old Tom, which was released in June.

TOP DOG!

Make your own with Yocco’s Doggie Pac, which includes 12 uncooked dogs, buns and all the ﬁxin’s.

YOCCO’S

Yocco’s is an institution, and for good reason. Dating back to 1922, Yocco’s operates six locations, mostly in the western half of the region. The hot dogs are custom made from Hatﬁeld Meats, but the secret, as they say, is really in the sauce. This meat-based chili sauce is a little tangy and can be topped on hot dogs, burgers and cheesesteaks at Yocco’s. The recipe remains the same—why mess with success?

Various area locations | yoccos.com

BLONDIES CUPCAKES

Best Cupcake

Their slogan “Cupcakes so moist, you’ll need a spoon!” really says it all, doesn’t it? And it must be true—Blondies has appeared on the Food Network and has been called upon by celebrities visiting the area.

333 Front St., Catasauqua 610.443.1741 | blondiesfood.com

THE BRASS RAIL

Best Cheesesteak

They’ve won for best cheesesteak, but that comes in many forms at The Brass Rail. The menu offers the original cheesesteak (sauce, onions, pickles and hot peppers), the California cheesesteak (mayo, lettuce, tomato, onion), the buffalo chicken cheesesteak (lettuce and blue cheese dressing), the chili cheesesteak (onions and chili sauce)—and that’s just the sandwich choices. There’s also the cheesesteak salad, the cheesesteak quesadilla and the cheesesteak pizza.

3015 Lehigh St., Allentown 610.797.1927 | brassrailrestaurant.com

Photo by Alison Conklin

PIEROGI

They're always on the menu, and you can opt for them as add-ons to burgers, sandwiches and entrées.

MENCHIE’S FROZEN YOGURT

Best Frozen Yogurt

Try Menchie’s latest fro-yo masterpiece—their Chips Ahoy!® cookie collaboration! This fro-yo ﬂavor is made with real Chips Ahoy!® cookie pieces and is sure to satisfy every craving.

FOGELSVILLE KOMÉ

Claiming the title of best pierogi in a region loaded with excellent choices is no small feat. The Hoppy family of Byron, Carol and Scott own both locations—there’s one at the Paddock, too. At Hops Fogelsville, which dates to 1798, it’s deﬁnitely not your average pierogi situation. They’re homemade and ﬁlled with the requisite cheese and potatoes, but here’s where it veers off into a different direction.

“We deep fry them, sauté them with butter and onions, add brown butter and crabmeat to them and serve them 'Fogey' style, topped with melted cheeses, bacon and jalapeños,” says Carol. The most popular requested side is sour cream. We literally make hundreds of these each week at both locations.”

7921 Main St., Fogelsville | 610.395.3999

1945 W. Columbia St., Allentown 610.437.3911 | hopslehighvalley.com

Various Area Locations | menchies.com

FINE JAPANESE CUISINE

Best Hibachi & Best Sushi

Since opening in December 2008, Komé has delivered consistency to its patrons. Their core menu pretty much stays the same—why ﬁx what isn’t broken?—while their seasonal specials allow for experimentation throughout the year. And don’t forget to check out the dessert menu, featuring mochi ice cream, a dessert bento box and s’mores (chocolate mousse, toasted marshmallow, honey-roasted peanuts and Nutella powder).

The Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley 610.798.9888 | komerestaurant.com

HOUSE & BARN

Best Grilled Cheese

Served on brioche, "Barn" of House and Barn serves grilled cheeses ranging from the vegetarian Garden Herb (roasted tomatoes, sautéed mushrooms, sautéed spinach, balsamic, herb goat cheese and cheddar) to the Shroom and Beef (caramelized onions, sautéed mushrooms, beef short rib, swiss and peppercorn aioli) and the Bacon and Cheddar (caramelized onions, tomato, mayo, bacon and cheddar). All are served with a side of their famous smoked potato salad, coleslaw, chips or mixed greens.

1449 Chestnut St., Emmaus 610.421.6666 | houseandbarn.net

Photo by Marco Calderon

FOO D & DRINK

T HE BAYOU SOUTHERN KITCHEN & BAR

Whether you go to the original Bethlehem location, tucked in a neighborhood, or their Easton locale, right in Centre Square, you can order this beloved mac and cheese. It’s unusual—there isn’t bacon or lobster or anything else that usually amps up the mac and cheese experience for people. Instead, it’s smoked ham hock, fontina and cave-aged cheddar cheese and peas. “We wanted to bring different levels of creamy, cheesy goodness,” says Mo Davis, who, along with Cristian Duarte, Jerry Straub and Matt Weaver, comprise the ownership known as The Bayou Boys Hospitality Group. Davis says the mac and cheese is the number-two seller behind fried chicken. So, you know what you have to do, right? You have to go with someone else to share the fried chicken and the mac and cheese. That pairing is no accident!

702 Hawthorne Rd., Bethlehem | 610.419.6669 64 Centre Sq., Easton | 610.829.1700 dat-bayou.com

TO THE MAX

DINER 248

Best Comfort Food

Mozzarella sticks, a crock of chili, French dip ciabatta, chicken ﬁngers, the 248 Melt— what could be more comforting? Enjoy it all at this family-friendly restaurant.

3701 Easton-Nazareth Hwy., Easton 610.252.4300 | diner248.com

TORRE

Best Nachos

WERT’S CAFÉ

Best Soup

Wert’s homemade soups include their crock of French onion, their famous seafood bisque (served every Tuesday) and their homemade chili. Don’t forget to ask about the soup du jour!

515 N. 18th St., Allentown 610.439.0951 | wertscafe.com

A loyal resident on Torre’s Bocadito (snack) menu, their nachos are loaded with black beans, guacamole, Chihuahua and cheddar cheese, chili, crema and your choice of shredded chicken, pulled pork or shredded beef brisket. Enjoy them with a Torre Margarita, on the rocks or frozen.

The Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley 610.841.9399 | torrerestaurant.com

Photos by Marco Calderon

Photo by Alison Conklin

BBQ

Best Food Truck

Owned and operated by Joe Dewalt, this food truck is coming into its eighth season and you can ﬁnd it on a regular basis (typically April through mid-November) at Newhard Farms Corn Shed in Coplay. It makes for a convenient spot—in the summer, Dewalt says they smoke the farm’s super-sweet corn, dip it in butter and sprinkle it with their own sweet and smoky seasoning blend. The pulled pork is tops, but keep some room for sides such as smoky bacon mac and cheese or smoked wings— the latter are award-winning. Bad Bones makes everything and smokes the meats daily.

“We have gained an extremely loyal customer base and don’t usually do too many events anymore because our regulars get a little angry when we’re not there,” says Dewalt, with a laugh.

3250 Mauch Chunk Rd., Coplay 610.730.5838 | badbonesbbq.net

Photos by Marco Calderon

VALLOS BAKERY

In a world full of artisan bread, which is wonderful and lovely and has its merits, it’s good to know that an old-fashioned soft loaf of bread can still be purchased. Vallos in Bethlehem has been at it for more than 85 years. Whether it’s Vienna, French or Round Italian for your basic carb-loving needs, or something more specialized such as a honey whole wheat or hot dog and hamburger rolls, there’s always something ﬂuffy and delicious coming out of the oven at this family-run bakery.

Photo by Alison Conklin

LEHIGH PIZZA

Best Pizza

At Lehigh Pizza, there’s no shortage of cheesy choices. Pick from pie varieties like taco, Texas-style, pulled pork BBQ, eggplant rollatini, Hawaiian, Greek and more. They also have a gluten-free crust option!

13 W. 3rd St., Bethlehem 610.866.1088 | lehighpizza.com

MARY ANN DONUT KITCHEN

Best Doughnuts

Made fresh daily, Mary Ann Donut Kitchen of course specializes in doughnuts, but also crullers, cupcakes, danishes, sticky buns, crumb bars, bear paws and more. Try the “cronut,” a recent trend treat that is a cross between a croissant and a doughnut!

CARB-LOADING

TODAY ’S CATCH

[ BEST SEAFOOD MARKET ]

Lee Billy, owner of Northampton Seafood Market

NORTHAMPTON SEAFOOD MARKET

Northampton Seafood, which has been operating since 1995 and is owned by Lee Billy, is known for its fresh and frozen selection of seafood, which comes from both New Jersey and New York markets on a regular basis. You can get dinner and everything else you need for it here. Stop in for some homemade soups and salad to go with your crab cakes or stuffed ﬂounder or haddock.

190 Lilac Ct., Northampton

610.262.3333 | northamptonseafood

KEYSTONE PUB AND GRILL

Best Beer Selection

With dozens on tap, bottled, canned or in growlers, no beer lover should want for anything at either of Keystone’s Valley locations.

3259 Easton Ave., Bethlehem | 610.814.0400

1410 Grape St., Whitehall | 610.434.7600 keystonepub.com

BLUE GRILLHOUSE

Best Outdoor Dining

As Blue likes to say, patio season is back! It’s the perfect spot for an after-work happy hour or to meet the girls on the weekend and take advantage of their seasonal Saturday lunch menu, which is ofﬁcially back for summer!

4431 Easton Ave., Bethlehem 610.691.8400 | bluegrillhouse.com

GRUMPY’S BBQ ROADHOUSE

Best Barbecue

At Grumpy’s, they’ve been doing it the same way since 2004—in a house-seasoned, real hickory wood-pit barbecue. Choose from their spare ribs, pulled pork, beef brisket and more. Here, they vow to never fear the spice!

3000 Mauch Chunk Rd., Allentown 610.769.4600 | grumpysbbq.net

P. J. WHELIHAN’S PU B + RESTAURANT

Best Wings & Best Place to Watch the Game

P.J.’s famous wings are served fresh, never frozen. Choose from signature sauces like Sweet Chili, Garlic Parmesan, Mexican Garlic, Old Bay® and Inferno. Wings are half-priced every Tuesday starting at 3 p.m. Check out their website for happy hour and daily beer specials to enjoy while watching the game.

4595 Broadway, Allentown | 610.395.2532 3395 High Point Blvd., Bethlehem | 484.353.7200 | pjspub.com

Photo by Marco Calderon

HOAGIES

At any Primo location, it’s the freshness that sets them apart. You won’t ﬁnd a sandwich being put together from pre-sliced meats— according to Stephen Kilroy and Joseph Wolfer, who each own Valley locations, every hoagie is sliced fresh to order. You may know them for their seeded rolls. If you stop in, be sure to try the Italian hoagie with prosciutto, provolone, hot capicola and Genoa salami. The other best seller? Their Schwartzies, which are corned beef, roast beef or turkey, along with Swiss cheese, Russian dressing and coleslaw and sound like a riff on a Reuben, hoagie style.

Various area locations | primohoagies.com

CALI BURRITO

Best Burrito

Try one of Cali Burrito’s specialty creations named for the places their team loves. There’s The Big Sur (steak, pinto beans, rice, ranchero sauce and cheese), The Cortez (sautéed shrimp, zesty pepper sauce, white rice, pinto beans and cabbage), The Humboldt (smoked tofu, black beans, brown rice, sour cream and cheese) and many more!

2149 Reading Rd., Allentown 610.351.1791 | caliburrito.com

Best Hummus

SUPREME SUB

UNION AND FINCH

Best French Fry

Their Finch Fries are deliciously simple— crispy and seasoned with salt and pepper. But patrons can also pump it up a notch with the poutine, complete with fries, duck jus gravy, house cheese curds and pickled jalapeños.

1528 W. Union St., Allentown 610.432.1522 | unionandﬁnch.com

ALADDIN MIDDLE EASTERN CUISINE

Opt for Aladdin’s “dinner for two” special, complete with hummus, babaganoush, tabbouleh, feta, olives, kibbeh, spinach pie, arnabit, house salad, shish taouk, shish kabob, rice, traditional baklava and coffee—all for $59.95. Don’t forget to BYOB!

651 Union Blvd., Allentown | 610.437.4023 | aladdinlv.com

PhotosbyAlisonConklin

Joseph Wolfer

TAPAS ON MAIN

Best Sangria

No one does sangria like Tapas on Main. Order a glass, pitcher or the Three Gypsies (a tasting of any three sangrias). Each variation is made with red, white or sparkling wine, and mixed with fruits and other liqueurs. Offerings include pineapple mint, limoncello raspberry cava, ginger peach, sparkling cucumber lime and more, but the blood orange is arguably their most popular.

500 Main St., Bethlehem

610.868.8903 | tapasonmain.com

JOSH EARLY CANDIES

Best Sweet Shop

Spice things up with Josh Early’s newest creation, their Habañero Sea Salt Caramels, available in milk and dark chocolate. Of course, one can’t go wrong with their famous nonpareils.

4640 Tilghman St., Allentown | 610.395.4321 3620 Nazareth Pike, Bethlehem 610.865.0580 | joshearlycandies.com

COPPERHEAD GRILLE

Best Bar Food

Take advantage of Copperhead’s late-night apps, available Monday through Thursday from 9 p.m. to close, and enjoy their fried mozzarella, buffalo tenders, coconut shrimp, wings, milehigh nachos and more for discounted prices.

1731 Airport Rd., Allentown | 610.403.4600

5737 Rte. 378, Bethlehem | 610.282.4600 copperheadgrille.com

FEGLEY’S BREW WORKS

Photo by Shelbie Pletz

Photo by Colin Coleman

FOO D & DRINK SUNDAY

So popular, it's hard to get in without a reservation!

HISTORIC HOTEL BETHLEHEM

It’s where you go when you want something really delicious and you need a bit of an indulgence. It’s where you take out-of-town guests on a Sunday afternoon. It’s where people have been going for brunch for decades, and for good reason. The food is stellar, there’s live music and there’s literally something for everyone. Including kids. Made-to-order omelet or wafﬂe? Check. Carving station of roasted meats? Yep, that too. Fresh seafood and pastries for days? Got that as well. Oh, and there’s also a chocolate fountain. Because, you know, chocolate. The hotel keeps things interesting with themed brunches around holidays (Valentine’s, Bastille Day, Cinco de Mayo and so forth) and speciﬁc cuisines (Italian brunch).

437 Main St., Bethlehem 610.625.5000 | hotelbethlehem.com

WHITE ORCHIDS THAI CUISINE

Best Pad Thai

Not sure what to order? Go for the classic Pad Thai, made with stir-fried vermicelli rice noodles, egg, scallions and bean sprouts, served with crushed peanuts. Or, dig into some shareables like the White Orchids’ Corn Fritters, the Crab Cake Croquettes, the Chicken Lettuce Wraps or Tofu Satay! Keep an eye out for Notch Modern Kitchen and Bar, a White Orchids' sister restaurant opening this summer in Allentown.

The Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley 610.841.7499 | whiteorchidsthaicuisine.com

GEAKERS TACOS

Best Taco

Beef, chicken, ﬁsh, shrimp or, even, gator— take your pick! Geakers’ taco ﬂavorings include Jamaican Jerk, Buffalo, Asian Sesame and Bourbon. Look for their location at the Lehigh Valley Zoo!

3531 Freemansburg Ave., Bethlehem 610.419.4869 | geakers.com

Photo by Marco Calderon

SPECIALTY FOOD

STRAVINO’S ITALIAN MARKET

There are imported goods galore—many, as you would expect, from Italy—at this mainstay market that dates to 1916. More cheese (pecorino, ricotta, asiago, burrata) than you could imagine—it would take you days to sample them all—and ravioli, and pasta, pasta, pasta. (Don’t forget to sample the olive oils and vinegars!) Their sandwiches are legendary, especially the Stravino’s Special, with hot capicola, provolone, roasted peppers, olive oil and romaine lettuce. The breads come from Egypt Star Bakery (super local) and Anthony & Sons (a New Jersey favorite).

269 5th St., Whitehall | 610.432.2551 stravinositalianmarket.com

BETHLEHEM

DAIRY STORE

Best Ice Cream

Lovingly referred to as “The Cup,” the Bethlehem Dairy Store serves happy customers year-round. With more than 40 ﬂavors, there’s something for everyone.

1430 Linden St., Bethlehem | 610.691.8422 2 Farrington Sq., Bethlehem | 610.865.4360 bethlehemdairystore.com

APOLLO GRILL

Best Appetizer/Small Plate Menu

When it comes to appetizers, Apollo Grill has it all. From General Tso’s beer-battered shrimp to their lump crab and avocado cocktail, naan tacos, crab macaroni and cheese, sashimi, nachos, a tuna poke bowl and more, there may be no need to order an entrée.

85 W. Broad St., Bethlehem 610.865.9600 | apollogrill.com

STAHLEY’S FAMILY RESTAURANT & SPORTS BAR

Best Cheap Eats

Celebrating 50 years, Stahley’s is your fun, family-friendly restaurant and sports bar. With a menu and daily specials that won’t break the bank, it’s a great spot to meet after a big game. What’s more, they’ve got a game room with pool tables, a shufﬂe board, jukebox and video games.

1826 Hanover Ave., Allentown | 610.433.2468 | stahleys.com

Photo by Alison Conklin

SANDWICH

DAVE’S DELI & GELATO

Sandwich making is a bit of an art. If it’s too full, too many ingredients fall out. If it’s too thin, you’re not left with that “I just ate a sandwich” feeling of fullness. If the ingredients are less than quality, you can taste it immediately. And if the bread (or other delivery vessel of said ingredients) doesn’t work with the ingredients or can’t support them, well, then that’s not a good sandwich at all, is it? (Dave’s uses Boar’s Head deli products.)

Dave’s Deli, named for Dave Hall, the owner, has been around since 1992, so he’s pretty good at it. The line can get long at lunchtime but the staff keeps it moving. Soups are stellar—and save room for the gelato, too. Try Dave’s Favorite—Cajun roast beef, pepper jack cheese, lettuce, tomato and Cajun mayo on a Portuguese roll. Or Devon’s Favorite—with hot roast beef, mozzarella cheese, sautéed onions, lettuce, tomato and spicy mayo on a toasted ciabatta roll.

JAVA JOINT

Best Coffee Shop

Join Java Joint’s Latté Club for a chance to win special prizes every week. Stop by between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. for 50 cents off their signature drinks like the Royal Supreme, Iced Javanut and Mochaccino. Add vanilla, caramel, almond, hazelnut, raspberry, Irish cream or coconut to any drink!

Best Happy Hour Spot

Available Monday through Friday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at The Loft Bar and The Grille Bar, Grille 3501’s happy hour specials include favorites like their crispy calamari, crab and mango spring rolls, tuna tartare, crispy sesame chicken dumplings and trufﬂed sweet potato-and-shiitake dumplings. Wash it all down with their Platinum Cosmo. 3501 Broadway, Allentown 610.706.0100 | grille3501.com

Photo by Marco Calderon

SWEAT LIKE A GIRL

Best Boutique Workout

Sweat Like a Girl has classes ranging from spin to Tabata, boot camp, step, boxing, barre and more. Claim your ﬁrst one for free!

311 B Industrial Dr., Nazareth

610.207.4682 | sweatlikeagirl.com

HOT YOGA HUT

Best Yoga Studio

At Hot Yoga Hut, heat is pumped through special blue flame ductwork that stretches 35 feet with 60 evenly spaced flowing vents. The high-tech duct keeps heat circulating, ensuring an ideal combination of hot air and humidity. Complete with wall-to-wall mirrors and a cork underlay floor for comfort, it is truly state of the art.

2108 W. Union Blvd., Bethlehem 610.419.1209 | hotyogahut.com

BARR E 3

You’ll sweat your butt off in a barre3 class—that’s a given. But there’s more to it than that. Brittany Morse says, “Barre3 isn't just about the hour you spend strengthening and balancing your body; it's about the empowerment you carry with you the other 23 hours of the day.” And Morse should know—she ﬁrst became a “barre-liever” in 2011, when she started taking classes in her then-home city of Oklahoma City. She quickly got in the groove and worked her way up to instructor. Now she owns and manages two studios of her own in the Lehigh Valley with her husband and business partner, Adam. “Our signature approach to teaching gives clients a rewarding endorphin high and a deep muscle burn—without pain in areas of the body prone to injury,” she says. It’s a mashup of sustained holds, micro-movements and cardio bursts. If you’re already feeling intimidated, Morse says, don’t be afraid to take the plunge. “Barre3 is for everyone. We don’t believe in a one-size-ﬁtsall approach to exercise.” And, besides ensuring that you’ll bust a move, a barre3 class can provide nourishment for the ol’ noggin, too. “Our workouts create a halo effect,” says Morse. “You’ll leave class empowered to make healthier choices throughout the day.”

ANGIE’S WAY NUTRITION CONSULTANTS

Best Nutritionist

Receive a customized meal and exercise plan based on your own lifestyle and schedule at Angie’s Way, where Angie strives to make being healthy simple and realistic, offering continuous follow-ups and consults.

Photo by Alison Conklin

HEALT H & WELLNESS

CROSSFIT ADVANCED

Best CrossFit Training

Not sure if CrossFit is for you? Do a trial and try three classes for free at CrossFit Advanced. Or drop-in classes are $25 and include CrossFit, gymnastics, Olympic lifting, power lifting and more.

3601 Sullivan Trl., Easton 610.829.1070 | crossﬁtadvanced.com

BES T GYM

ST. LUKE’S FITNESS & SPORTS PERFORMANCE CENTER

The staff at St. Luke’s Fitness and Sports Performance Centers understands that when it comes to adopting a healthier lifestyle, sometimes getting started is the hardest part. “We take the guesswork out of fitness by providing our members with individualized workout programs that outline in detail everything they need to know to be successful in the gym,” says Membership, Marketing and Operations Manager Jackie Bolig. “The more we educate and inform our members about exercise and how it relates to their own bodies, the more comfortable they will feel working out.” That’s not to say that established fitness buffs wouldn’t find new ways to challenge themselves; St. Luke’s also caters to the athletically inclined with elite fitness programs, as well as tactical fitness training for first responders and military personnel. “Our clientele ranges from nine to 90 and everyone in between!” Bolig says. And for those who prefer to bust a move in the company of others, St. Luke’s offers more than 40 group fitness classes per week at its four, full-service locations spread across the Lehigh Valley.

Various Area Locations | slhn.org

PAYTON BACHMAN OF FORWARD THINKING FITNESS

Best Personal Trainer

Payton was a sophomore at West Chester University when he realized he wanted to be a personal trainer. He was in the gym watching people exercise (and make mistakes), and he started wishing he could help them so they wouldn’t hurt themselves. From that moment on, he set out to do exactly that. Train with him at Forward Thinking Fitness in Allentown.

Photo by Alison Conklin

•

WAXING

EUROPEAN WAX CENTER

Nanci Emiliani-Gerhard, owner of European Wax Center Airport Rd. and Hamilton Blvd.

Nanci Emiliani-Gerhard’s mantel must be getting crowded—European Wax Center has secured “Best Waxing” honors for the fourth year in a row. But taking the title time and time again isn’t something she takes for granted. “It is extremely humbling to have won every year since we opened our Airport Road location in 2015,” Emiliani-Gerhard says. “Honestly, we pride ourselves on building relationships. We have seen so many guests through some life-changing milestones— engagements, weddings, pregnancies and so much more!” And there’s always room for new faces in the EWC inner circle—including those who might be a little apprehensive about joining the club. But fear not, Emiliani-Gerhard says, “EWC offers the Four Steps To Gorgeous process where skin is prepped and treated for the most comfortable, pain-free experience possible.” In fact, newbies get a freebie. “First-time guests can enjoy a complimentary brow, underarm, ear or nose wax,” says Emiliani-Gerhard. “Female guests can receive a complimentary bikini line, or half-off a bikini full/Brazilian as their ﬁrst-time discount.”

Various Area Locations | waxcenter.com

ORGANIC TANS & BEAUTY BAR

Best Spray Tan

Whether you’re looking for a natural glow, a pre-vacation bronze or a full-on island tan, Organic Tans will airbrush you to perfection! Try their New Quickie service and shower in as little as one hour later.

1752 W. Allen St., Allentown 610.821.8888 | organictanslv.com

GENTLEMEN’S BARBERSHOP

Best Men’s Haircut

Gentlemen’s Barbershop blends a mastery of traditional skills with the trends of today. They promise a perfect cut every time, offering beard trims, hot towel shaves and more.

26 N. 4th St., Easton | 610.253.1101

gentlemensbarbershopeaston.com

Photo by Alison Conklin

NAILE D IT.

MASSAGE AND FACIAL SPA

Best Massage

Give Hand and Stone’s Himalayan Salt Massage a try, which utilizes warm salt crystal stones to soothe away stress and tension. It combats electromagnetic overload from electronic devices, and improves sleep and overall balance of the central nervous system. What’s more, your skin will be silky smooth!

Various area locations | handandstone.com

Decisions, decisions. Should you go bold with Big Apple or Wild Tigress? Or maybe keep it more understated with Pretty Polynesian or Sundown in Bali? Whatever mood you want to convey in technicolor form on your fingers and toes, chances are you can find just the right hue at Le’ Spa in Allentown. Manager Shelby Katz says there are more than 4,000 colors to choose from, and those shades don’t just come in a bottle, either. A lot of customers are dipping their toes—and ﬁngers!—into one of the newest trends in the mani/pedi world. “[Dip powder] can last up to a month versus two weeks for a gel manicure,” Katz says. “It is healthier for your nails than acrylics and almost as strong.” With 20 years of business under its belt, Le’ Spa knows a thing or two about pampering, so even after your cuticles are in tip-top shape, you may decide to stick around for extra indulgences. “My favorite service is our lash extensions,” says Katz. “They enhance your eyes and help you wake up beautiful and ready to start your day.”

STEFANI FLOWERS

Best Eyebrow Artist

Stefani Flowers, lash and microblading artist at Lehigh Valley Laser and Aesthetics, and formerly of Organic Tans and Beauty Bar, has the ability to transform sad brows into full masterpieces. Follow along with her work on Instagram @steffynicolee.

Photo by Marco Calderon

SHOPPIN G & BEAUTY

TOP CUT

JAY MORGAN

OF J. MORGAN SALON AND HOME

Best Women’s Salon

Rooted offers the most pleasant salon experience in a warm and cozy setting. Owners Brandon and Katelyn Quigney have an undying love for hair and hospitality, making sure guests can enjoy a glass of wine while attaining the hair they’ve always wanted.

6636 Hamilton Blvd., Allentown 484.860.3060 | salonrooted.com

A lot of hair stylists begin their training in cosmetology school, but Jay Morgan began to learn his trade much earlier, while he was growing up on a farm in Tennessee. Morgan recalls giving some of his ﬁrst haircuts to his family’s Irish setter, General, and honing his color skills on the barn cats. From there, he graduated to his grandmother, who let him wash and set her hair before church on Sundays. Fast forward through a more formal training regimen (including, yes, cosmetology school, and then working with Redken NYC as an international platform artist for 20 years), and Morgan can now snip and clip to his heart’s content at J. Morgan Salon in Easton, which he opened with Jamie Thomas in 2009. Morgan says he makes it a point to establish a connection with each and every person who takes a turn in his chair. “It’s amazing how a haircut, style or hair color can be mood altering,” Morgan says. “If someone is having a horrible week, month or year, it brings me joy that I can uplift them and give them conﬁdence to feel great.”

BIXLER’S JEW ELERS

Best Fine Jewelry Store

Hundreds of diamonds and settings at the lowest prices makes Bixler’s the clear choice for all your jewelry needs.

bixlers1785.com

Photo by Marco Calderon

Photo by Matt Bishop

SKINTEREST

SKIN CARE BOUTIQUE

You’ve probably heard that beauty is only skin deep, but the ladies behind Easton’s Skinterest Skin Care Boutique may beg to differ. “I think what really sets our treatments apart is how deep we dive into them,” says Catrian Schutzer, who owns the boutique with Chelsea Cornelius. ”We understand that internal factors play a huge role in overall skin health. So we hone in on diet, hormonal factors, stress and environmental factors. We really try to understand the whole picture to get to the root issue and start from there.” Skinterest moved from Downtown Easton to the Simon Silk Mill last September and offers a plethora of pampering and primping options: everything from massages to exfoliation to, of course, facials, which can range from a quick, 30-minute pick-me-up to a more involved process. Schutzer’s personal favorite is the Gua Sha Facial. “It’s one of our longer facial treatments that includes facial cupping, energy work, regenerative oils and a deep-tissue facial massage that uses rose quartz gua sha stones to lift and contour the face. The difference after one of those is undeniable and it feels freaking amazing!”

1262 Simon Blvd., Easton 610.258.1702 | skinterestskincare.com

MAKEUP BY ROXY

Best Makeup Artist

Available in studio, on location or at a destination across the globe, Roxy Williams and her team of stylists bring knowledge, skill and technique to every appointment. Let Makeup by Roxy take you to next level gorgeous!

301 Front St. Suite 3, Catasauqua 484.764.1769 | makeupbyroxy.com

Photo by Alison Conklin

Photo by Marco Calderon

You can read Harry Potter in the Cupboard Under the Stairs!

LET’S PLAY BOOKS

Books are certainly the main attraction at 244 Main Street in Emmaus; after all, the white brick establishment is a bookstore. But Let’s Play Books is much more than just a place to dig into the latest bestseller. Owner Kirsten Hess calls it a community destination. “Events have always been our driver,” she says. “We host over 100 events a year—and we work with over 15 schools that cover five school districts, really connecting us to a large portion of the area!” Let’s Play Books first opened in a smaller space in Emmaus in December of 2013, not long after Hess and her family moved to the area. While keeping things humming along at what is one of just a handful of independent bookstores in the area is incredibly demanding— seven-day workweeks are the norm—Hess says it’s also incredibly rewarding. “Although most of my time is spent buying books or coordinating events, enjoying one-on-one time with a child or a teen and helping them find the book that really makes their eyes sparkle—no paycheck can top that.”

244 Main St., Emmaus 610.928.8600 | letsplaybooks.com

THE ATTIC

Best Consignment Shop

Shop The Attic’s vast selection of women’s designer and vintage clothing and accessories. With new arrivals daily and can’t-beat prices, being stylish is easier than ever. Bring in your former favorites for cash or store credit.

516 Main St., Bethlehem 610.756.0281 | atticclothes.com

SHHHH...

DOMACI

Best Home Décor

Domaci is where old meets new. Find unique furniture pieces that are built to last a lifetime and are eco-friendly. Then, accessorize with home décor like their best-selling Verde Candles or vintage-inspired posters.

21 E. 3 rd St., Bethlehem 610.419.4111 | domacihome.com

Photo by Alison Conklin

Best Women’s Boutique

Ann Marie Supinski opened AM Luxe after 38 years of retail experience at national brands across the country. Here, she continuously curates a collection of unique pieces that are urban in design and feminine in feel, made for the sophisticated woman who knows what she likes.

74 W. Broad St. Suite 280, Bethlehem 610.419.2037 | amluxeapparel.com

THE LONDON SHOP

Best Men’s Shop

Since opening in 1939, The London Shop has valued quality, selection and unsurpassed customer service. Spruce up your wardrobe in a warm, friendly atmosphere with a team that provides personal attention.

339 Northampton St., Easton | 610.258.0161 thelondonshopofeaston.com

BOUTIQUETOGO

Best Accessories Store

For over 10 years, Elena Pascal and her team at BOUTIQUETOGO have provided their clients with what’s new and exciting in fashion, traveling to New York City on buying trips eight times a year. Distinctive jewelry, handbags, gifts and more are in store!

522 N. 19th St., Allentown 610.437.1663 | boutiquetogo.com

DAN SCHANTZ GREENHOUSE

Best Home & Garden Store

At Dan Schantz Greenhouse, even the most amateur gardener can thrive. The greenhouse only offers products when it’s time to plant them. This month, start your fall vegetables and maintain your bedding plants!

2031 29 th St. SW, Allentown 610.797.2774 | danschantzgreenhouse.com

FAMILY & KIDS

DANCE STUDIO

3D DANCE STUDIO

Since opening 3D Dance Studio in 2009, Danielle O’Brien (better known as Miss Danielle) has provided a variety of classes to Valley students in an inspiring and nurturing environment.

2022 Main St., Northampton | 215.872.1145 | 3ddancestudio.net

BEARS REPEATING

Best Kids’ Consignment Shop

Bears Repeating is the Lehigh Valley’s headquarters for quality, gently used kids’ products at can’t-beat prices.

7617 Hamilton Blvd., Trexlertown | 610.398.7187 | bearsrepeatingpa.com

FREEFALL TR AMPOLINE PARK

Best Party Place for the Kids

The Lehigh Valley’s largest indoor trampoline park, FreeFall is jam-packed with adrenalinepumping adventure! With wall-to-wall trampolines, three dunk hoops, dodgeball courts and a ropes course, there’s not a kid in town who wouldn’t have fun here.

2800 Baglyos Cir., Bethlehem 610.849.0373 | freefalltrampolinepark.com

Photo by Melissa Kratzer

FARMERS’ CHOICE

EASTON FARMERS’ MARKET

The Easton of today may not have much in common with the Easton of the eighteenth century, but one constant has been its farmers’ market. Established in Centre Square in 1752 (the same year Easton was founded), it bills itself as the oldest, continuous open-air market in the nation. But there was a time in the not-so-distant past when the market’s future seemed to be in jeopardy. “In 2002, the market was down to just two vendors, and now we have more than 35,” says Easton Market District Director Megan McBride. Those vendors offer an array of everything from fresh produce, local cheeses and raw honey to baked goods and so much more. It’s a producer-only market, explains McBride, meaning all products are grown or produced by the seller. In addition, all farms undergo a full inspection before being approved to sell at EFM. “[The market] has also paved the way for many new markets in the Lehigh Valley and served as a launch point for new farmers, and as a business incubator for many food vendors,” she says. The market is open Saturdays from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. from May until December; look for a special birthday celebration on July 13.

Centre Square, Easton |

GLASBERN INN

Best Romantic Overnight Stay

Once a working farm, the Glasbern Inn is now a picturesque getaway with romantic cabins aplenty. Opt for the Couples Pampering package and enjoy chocolate-covered strawberries and chilled champagne in your room. Delight in a three-course chef-inspired dinner for two, Swedish massages, luxury lodging and more.

2141 Packhouse Rd., Fogelsville | 610.285.4723 | glasbern.com

Best Pick-Your-Own Orchard

Pick your own at Strawberry Acres! They’ll supply the baskets and rides to the ﬁeld, you do the rest. For those who do not wish to pick for themselves, Strawberry Acres also offers fresh fruit pre-picked in their respective seasons.

Photos by Marco Calderon

MUSIKFEST

This year’s fest runs from August 2 until August 11. The lineup includes Earth, Wind & Fire, The Chainsmokers, Lady Antebellum, Brad Paisley and hundreds more!

610.332.1300 | musikfest.org

GRIM’S ORCHARD & FAMILY FARMS

Best Pumpkin Patch Pumpkin picking, hayride tours, a corn maze and more, Grim’s offers the ultimate fall experience!

9875 Schantz Rd., Breinigsville 610.395.5655 | grimsorchard.com

UNANGST TREE FARMS

Best Christmas Tree Farm With a variety of Christmas trees available— and Santa’s Workshop open every weekend— it’s pure magic at Unangst all winter long.

7317 Bath Pike, Bath | 610.837.7531 unangst-treefarm.com

Photo by Lisa Boehm

ALISON CONKLIN PHOTOGRAPHY

Her warm approachability might make you forget that she’s an award-winning, national magazine-cover-gracing photographer who gets ﬂown around the world for her unparalleled photography skills, but she is and she does! They say a picture’s worth a thousand words, so go check out her work on Instagram @alisonconklin.

alisonconklin.com

SICK INK STUDIOS

Best Tattoo Shop Owner Jesse Probus and his team are ready to make all your tat dreams a reality. What’s more, Sick Ink Studios is open daily.

1225 Schadt Ave., Whitehall 610.443.1668 | sickinkstudio.com

Photo by Alison Conklin

ROCKIN’ RAMALEY

Best Party DJ

More than just a DJ, let Rockin’ Ramaley put the ﬁnishing touches on your event with their photo booth, LED dance ﬂoor or cigar bar. With the latter, guests can watch as the cigars are rolled and leave with one made especially for them!

610.393.3339 | rockinramaley.com

ONE STOP PET SHOP

Best Pet Groomer

Quality grooming, along with top-of-theline food, toys, supplements and treats, One Stop Pet Shop is truly a one-stop shop for all your cat and dog needs. Their team of expert groomers work seven days a week by appointment only. Fun fact: They do fur coloring, too!

1375 Chestnut St., Emmaus

610.967.0645 | onestoppetshoppa.com

A FURRY TAIL COME TRUE

Best Pet Care

You don’t have to feel guilty about leaving your pup at home during work. Take advantage of A Furry Tail Come True’s doggie day care and let your four-legged friend play in a safe and fun environment. They also offer cage-free boarding—equipped with doggie suites—for when you’re away!

26 Main St., Hellertown | 610.838.6638

140 Bath-Nazareth Hwy., Nazareth

610.365.2280 | afurrytail.com

Hand-select courses and create the perfect menu with 29 Cooks! Check out their summer 2019 offerings, which range from starters like charcuterie boards, beer cheese buffalo chicken dip and house-made guacamole to wraps, sandwiches and pulled pork sliders, crowd-friendly baked dishes like the seven cheese mac and cheese, pierogi casserole, veggie lasagna and more.

Photo by Alison Conklin

FLORIST

FLORAL SHOP

The staff at Allentown’s Phoebe Floral are interpreters of sorts—they bring a feeling, emotion or sentiment to life in floral form. “We can help people express things like sympathy, affection or appreciation in a way that they might find difficult to express in words,” says Jack Robinson, who owns the shop with his wife, Missy. They bought the business in 2005, but Phoebe’s roots run much deeper than that. “Horace McCready was the founder almost 75 years ago, and after his retirement he sold it to his bookkeeper, Gary Wagner,” explains Robinson. Wagner moved the business from the Phoebe Home to its current location on West Hamilton Street in 1988. When the Robinsons took over, they say they were dedicated to maintaining Phoebe’s tradition of excellence, and that has included filling some tall orders over the years. “We have received many unusual requests in the past, often for funeral pieces that are unique to the individuals being honored,” Robinson says. “We have created easel sprays of horse heads, officer badges and slot machines. If you can imagine it, our team can create it.”

2102 W. Hamilton St., Allentown 610.434.9587 | phoebeﬂoral.com

DREAM EVENTS

Best Event Specialist

Dream Events is a full-service event planning and special occasion rental company. Their offerings range from tables and chairs to margarita machines, backdrops and more. They’ll help you transform any event space and will even assist with vendor selections and visits.

1001 Nor-Bath Blvd., Northampton 610.261.3330 | dreameventsonline.com

Photo by Marco Calderon

LEATHER CORNER POST

CRAIG THATCHER BAND

Photo

Photo by Jesse Faatz

STEAKHOUSE

CAT COUNTRY 96

Best

It’s

catcountry96.com

EVE RUSSO

69 NEWS

Best

wfmz.com

Photo by Alison Conklin

dining guide

have many

options to choose from

Style Award Winner

Gluten-Free Options

Vegetarian Options

Wheelchair Accessible Serves Alcohol BYOB

*Advertisers are highlighted in red.

Berks

Live Entertainment

Outdoor Seating

Entrée Price Range:

$ under $15

$$ $15-$25

$$$ $25+

The Grille at Bear Creek $$

101 Doe Mountain Ln., Macungie, 610.641.7149, bcmountainresort.com

Features modern American cuisine, a full-service bar, scenic views and award-winning outdoor dining. Dinner & late night.

Gio Italian Grill offers old world charm with a progressive twist. Centering around their woodstone open ﬂame hearth, Gio uses only imported ingredients to produce mouth-watering flavors. Take-out and private parties available. Lunch & dinner.

Grille 3501 $$$

3501 Broadway, Allentown, 610.706.0100, grille3501.com

Upscale, yet unpretentious. Fine fusion cuisine. Extensive martini, wine and beer menus. Lunch & dinner.

Hops Fogelsville $$

7921 Main St., Fogelsville, 610.395.3999, hopslehighvalley.com

Historic pub serving up all American classics with weekly specials to make mouths water. Lunch, dinner & late night.

Hops at The Paddock $$

1945 W. Columbia St., Allentown, 610.437.3911, hopslehighvalley.com

Come to eat, drink and have fun! Friendly, food-oriented sports bar with cold brews! Lunch, dinner & late night.

House & Barn $$

149 Chestnut St., Emmaus, 610.421.6666, houseandbarn.net

Lehigh

Aladdin Restaurant $$

651 Union Blvd., Allentown, 610.437.4023, aladdinlv.com

Family owned and operated for over 30 years. Serving a variety of authentic Middle Eastern cuisine from homemade grape leaves to delicious shish kabobs. Lunch & dinner.

Allentown Brew Works $$

812 W. Hamilton St., Allentown, 610.433.7777, thebrewworks.com

Award winning, environmentally friendly restaurant and brewery. Family owned and operated since 2007. Brunch, lunch, dinner & late night.

Bell Hall $

612 W. Hamilton Blvd., Allentown, 610.437.1825, bellhallallentown.com

Allentown hot spot featuring juicy burgers and Pennsylvania craft beers. Lunch, dinner & late night.

Billy’s Downtown Diner $

840 Hamilton St., Allentown , 610.432.5484, billysdiner.com

Not your ordinary diner. Visit them for breakfast, lunch or something sweet. Breakfast & lunch.

The Brass Rail Restaurant $

3015 Lehigh St., Allentown, 610.797.1927, brassrailrestaurant.com

Family restaurant with good food, good service and fair prices. Award-winning breakfast and cheesesteaks. Breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner & late night.

Copperhead Grille $-$$

1731 Airport Rd., Allentown, 610.403.4600, copperheadgrille.com

The Lehigh Valley’s premiere sports grille, offering signature homemade recipes. Two great locations Brunch, lunch & dinner.

Don Juan Mex Grill $

1328 Chestnut St. Emmaus, 610.438.5661, donjuanmexgrill.com

Bringing Latin-inspired food to local communities. Lunch & dinner.

Gio Italian Grill $$ 6465 Village Ln., Macungie, 610.966.9446, gioitaliangrill.com

Two distinctly different restaurants, one spectacular setting, entirely re-imagined. Brunch, lunch & dinner.

Keystone Pub $

1410 Grape St., Whitehall, 610.434.7600, keystonepub.com

Demand better beer! Lunch, dinner & late night.

KOMÉ Fine Japanese Cuisine and Hibachi $$

The Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley, 610.798.9888, komerestaurant.com

A contemporary Japanese cuisine and hibachi. Extraordinary sushi, non-sushi dishes served in a contemporary, yet sensual atmosphere. Lunch & dinner.

Melt $$$

The Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley, 610.798.9000, meltgrill.com

Offering a sumptuous menu of contemporary Italian fare in its breathtaking 350-seat restaurant, with spacious and customizable rooms for private events. Lunch, dinner & late night.

The Mint Gastropub $$

1223 W. Broad St., Bethlehem, 610.419.3810, bethlehemmint.com

An American Gastropub focused on reinventing the “Table” in Comfortable. Brunch, dinner & late night.

My Tequila House $$

1808 MacArthur Rd., Whitehall, 484.664.7109, mytequilahouse.com

Laid-back cantina providing down-home Mexican recipes, a large tequila list and lively happy hours. Lunch, dinner & late night.

Ringers Roost $$

1801 W. Liberty St., Allentown, 610.437.4941, ringersroost1801.com

Family-friendly restaurant. Lots of parking. Friendly faces. Excellent food, from seafood to cheesesteaks. Great beer selection. Lunch, dinner & late night.

Savory Grille $$$

2934 Seisholtzville Rd., Macungie, 610.845.2010, savorygrille.com

A culinary gem housed in the historic Seisholtzville Hotel, Savory Grille takes gives back to a time when ﬁne dining was an experience to be savored. Dinner.

Keystone Pub will

delicious

at the Insider Happy Hour on July 9.

Photo by Kori Livingston

Taters Half Baked $$

6616 Ruppsville Rd., Allentown, 610.366.1130, gamechangerworld.com

Serving all your favorite American food in a family friendly atmosphere. Dinner & late night.

The Tavern on Liberty $

2246 W. Liberty St., Allentown, 484.221.8765, tavernonliberty.com

“Life, liberty and the pursuit of beer.” Check out other location in Reading called The Liberty Taproom. Open seven days a week. Lunch, dinner & late night.

Top Cut Steakhouse $$$

The Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley, 610.841.7100, topcutsteak.com

Classically inspired cocktails, exquisite wines and USDA prime steaks in a 1940s style rooftop atmosphere. Dinner & late night.

Torre $$

The Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley, 610.841.9399, torrerestaurant.com

Classic Mexican cuisine with a modern twist in a fun, familyfriendly atmosphere. Enjoy Happy Hour gathered around the three-story tequila tower. Brunch, lunch, dinner & late night.

Union and Finch $$

1528 W. Union St., Allentown, 610.432.1522, unionandﬁnch.com

A casual American bistro serving lunch and dinner six days a week and brunch on weekends Brunch, lunch & dinner.

White Orchids Thai Cuisine $$

The Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley, 610.841.7499, whiteorchidsthaicuisine.com

Authentic Thai cuisine in a contemporary and relaxed dining atmosphere. Signature seafood dishes, house specialties and classic Thai entrées. New bar and lounge area. Lunch & dinner.

Northampton

1741 on the Terrace $$$

437 Main St., Bethlehem, 610.625.2219, hotelbethlehem.com

The award-winning culinary team takes pride in presenting seasonal menus combined with the 1741 classic. Dinner.

Apollo Grill $$$

85 W. Broad St., Bethlehem , 610.865.9600, apollogrill.com

Bistro-style restaurant encouraging a grazing dining experience. Comfortable, friendly, sophisticated and lively. Lunch, dinner & late night.

The Beam Yard at Steel Club $$$

700 Linden Ave., Hellertown, 610.838.7018, steel.club

Casual American dining featuring some unique and tasty options. Brunch, lunch & dinner.

Bethlehem Brew Works $$

559 Main St., Bethlehem, 610.882.1300, thebrewworks.com

Award winning, environmentally friendly restaurant and brewery. Family owned and operated since 1998. Brunch, lunch, dinner & late night.

Billy’s Downtown Diner $

10 E. Broad St., Bethlehem, 610.867.0105, billysdiner.com

Not your ordinary diner. Visit them in Historic Downtown Bethlehem for breakfast, lunch or something sweet. Breakfast & lunch.

blue grillhouse & event center $$$

4431 Easton Ave., Bethlehem, 610.691.8400, bluegrillhouse.com

From a party of four on the covered outdoor patio to a party of 400 in the newly renovated event center ballroom, blue delivers with prime steaks and seafood, a sprawling wine list and impeccable service. Brunch, lunch, dinner & late night.

Buddy V’s Ristorante $$$

77 Sands Blvd., Bethlehem, 877.726.3777, pasands.com

The menu offers twists on Italian-American favorites like Sunday Gravy and Steak Pizzaiola. Lunch & dinner.

Burgers And More by Emeril $$

77 Sands Blvd., Bethlehem, 877.726.3777, pasands.com

Chef Emeril Lagasse uses only the freshest and ﬁnest ingredients to create a mouth-watering burger customers will never forget. Lunch & dinner.

The Coffee Shop $$

650 Main

Copperhead Grille $-$$

5737 Rte. 378, Bethlehem, 610.282.4600, copperheadgrille.com

The Lehigh Valley’s premiere sports grille, offering signature homemade recipes. Two great locations. Brunch, lunch & dinner.

DiMaio’s Italian Ristorante & Pizzeria $$

27 Main St. Shoppes at Hellertown, 610.838.8004, dimaios.net

Family owned since 1985. Serving southern Italian Cuisine. Known for home-made bread, Chicken Francese, DiMaio’s Creamy Clam sauce and NY style pizza. Lunch & dinner.

Diner 248 $

3701 Easton-Nazareth Hwy., Easton, 610.252.4300, diner248.com

Fine diner-ing at its best. Handmade, fresh food, craft beer, libations and desserts. Call ahead seating available. Breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner & late night.

Don Juan Mex Grill $

5540 Crawford Dr., Bethlehem 518 March St. Easton, 610.438.5661, donjuanmexgrill.com

Bringing Latin-inspired food to local communities. Lunch & dinner.

Edge Restaurant $$$

74 W. Broad St., Bethlehem, 610.814.0100, edgerestaurant.net

An all-scratch kitchen “combined with a fun, relaxed atmosphere, you get edge.” Lunch, dinner & late night.

Emeril’s Chop House $$$

77 Sands Blvd., Bethlehem, 877.726.3777, pasands.com

Indulge in a variety of irresistible dishes featuring tender steak cuts, mouth-watering prime rib and so much more. Dinner.

Emeril’s Fish House $$$

77 Sands Blvd., Bethlehem, 877.726.3777, pasands.com

Discover an exciting new menu featuring notable additions including Grilled Octopus, a raw bar and so much more. Dinner.

Keystone Pub $

3259 Easton Ave., Bethlehem, 610.814.0400, keystonepub.com

Demand better beer! Lunch, dinner & late night.

The Market Gourmet Express $

77 Sands Blvd., Bethlehem, 877.726.3777, pasands.com

All the classic favorites in one place. Nathan’s hot dogs, burgers, pizza, salad, sushi, ice cream and coffee. Lunch, dinner & late night.

Social Still $$$

530 E. 3 rd St., Bethlehem, 610.625.4585, socialstill.com

Full plate American-fusion restaurant, craft distillery, craft beers, local wine and tasting room. Dinner.

Steelworks Buffet & Grill $$

77 Sands Blvd., Bethlehem, 610.419.5555, steelworksbuffetandgrill.com

Experience a variety of fresh culinary dishes from around the world at Steelworks Buffet & Grill. Featuring live action cooking and a fully stocked bar, guests will enjoy a variety of fresh international culinary dishes at the all-you-can-eat buffet or choose their favorites from the a la carte menu, including artisan pizza, a pasta station, fresh-carved meats and more. Breakfast, lunch & dinner.

Tap Room at Hotel

Bethlehem $$

437 Main St., Bethlehem, 610.625.2226, hotelbethlehem.com

Offers award-winning musical brunch every Sunday with a splendid buffet array and much more! Breakfast, lunch, dinner & late night.

ZEST bar+grille $$$

The Rooftop at 306 S. New St., Bethlehem, 610.419.4320, zestbethlehem.com

A culinary and social experience offering a progressive menu that highlights the best of New American cuisine. Lunch & dinner.

MANGO RASPBERRY SORBET

Kesar mango with a fresh raspberry swirl

Ice Cream Popsicle OWOWCOW

BY KRISTEN RINALDI PHOTOGRAPHY BY SHELBIE PLETZ

The ice cream popsicles at Owowcow were inspired by timeless childhood memories of hot summer days, melting pops and playing a street game called “hit the stick,” says owner John Fezzuoglio—he invites readers to learn to play for themselves at owowcow.com/games.

BIRTHDAY CAKE

House-baked yellow cake layered with vanilla ice cream, dipped in Belgian chocolate and topped with all-natural sprinkles

CHOCOLATE COVERED PRETZEL

Vanilla ice cream layered with Raymer’s caramel, dipped in Belgian chocolate and topped with handmade chocolate-covered pretzels

The pop-making process always begins with Owowcow’s locally sourced organic cream, eggs and honey. “All local stuff,” says Fezzuoglio. “Our popsicles are handcrafted by our pop queen, Christine, who’s turned popsicle making into an art form. She begins by layering the ice cream and inclusions in the pop mold, then hand dips each pop into our rich, imported Belgian dark chocolate.”

Fezzuoglio says the team’s excitement is irrepressible, so they’re always conjuring up ﬂavor varieties that will surprise and delight. “We also offer monthly ﬂavors based on seasonal availability of local fruit and berries,” he says. “House vanilla, vanilla salted caramel and triple chocolate popsicles are a few of our classics available year-round.”

Featured popsicles range from mango raspberry and passion fruit guava sorbet to chocolate-covered pretzel and birthday cake. The latter celebrates Owowcow’s 10 years of ice cream making and uses their housebaked yellow cake, which is layered with vanilla ice cream, hand dipped in white chocolate and topped with all-natural rainbow sprinkles.

1262 Simon Blvd. Unit B106 Easton | 610.438.5269

4105 Durham Rd., Ottsville 610.847.7070 | owowcow.com

When back pain makes life feel like this, think St. Luke’s.

St. Luke’s Comprehensive Spine’s approach to treating back and neck pain will put life back into perspective. When pain makes small tasks feel overwhelming, call St. Luke’s. We can begin your evaluation over the phone and get you on a course to healing. We’ve got your back. And neck. And spine.