Lehigh Valley Style July 2023

BEAUTIFUL CUSTOM HOME

SALISBURY TWP

Remarkably designed stone home located in prestigious Westbury Park. Beautifully landscaped corner lot offers many luxurious amenities & outstanding, newly updated finishes throughout. Breathtaking gourmet kitchen w/new luxe appliances. 5 bedrooms, 6 full/1 half bath. 1.017acre. $1,775,000

STATELY GEORGIAN COLONIAL

SALISBURY TWP

Stunning home in highly-desirable Buckingham Place. Custom Brader kitchen with double pantry, double stove and granite countertops. Spectacular primary suite with sitting room and two oversized walk-in closets. Lower level complete with a media/game room, sauna, and fitness area. 6 Bedrooms, 3 Full/1 half bath. $848,000

The Lehigh Valley’s Premier Real Estate Group

ELEGANT HISTORIC FARMHOUSE BETHLEHEM CITY

Historic features meet modern amenities in this magnificent Georgian-style 19th century farmhouse. Perfectly located on almost 6 acres with stunning views of the Monocacy Creek. Original Birch hardwood floors, 3 fireplaces, gourmet kitchen, formal living and dining rooms and elevator access to all levels. 5 bedrooms, 3 full/1 half bath. $1,350,000

SCENIC MOUNTAIN VIEWS

LOWER SAUCON TWP

Beautiful home with over 4000 square feet of living space. Hardwood floors, vaulted ceilings, and stunning gourmet kitchen open to a spacious great room. Luxurious primary suite features a spa-inspired bath & walk-in closets. Outdoor oasis with scenic mountain views. Easy commute to NY/ NJ/Phila. 4 bedrooms, 4 full/1 half bath. $785,000

Specializing in the Lehigh Valley and Upper Bucks County luxury home market, The Rebecca Francis Team delivers expert guidance, professional marketing expertise, and unrivaled market knowledge of the region’s finest homes and neighborhoods. Recognized in the top half of 1% of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices agents nationwide... we are the Exceptional Choice for YOUR Exceptional Property.

Do you have questions about the home buying or selling process? As your trusted advisors, we offer expert knowledge and distinguished care as we help guide you through your home journey. Call today.

COLONIAL IN SAUCON ESTATES

LOWER SAUCON TWP

Charming colonial in a quiet neighborhood. Semi-open floor plan, newer hardwood flooring throughout, expansive family room with builtin bookshelves, large sunny living room with brick wood-burning fireplace, formal dining room, stunning kitchen with granite counters. 4 bedroom, 2 full/2 half bath. $592,500

CONVENIENT/PRIVATE LOCATION

HANOVER TWP

Magnificent 7+ acre, flat, wooded residential lot, positioned in the heart of the Lehigh Valley, perfect for the home of your dreams. Choose your own builder and bring your vision to life. Public water, sewer, and natural gas are all available to the discerning buyer. Close to all major routes, shopping, and LVIA. $475,000

Debra Protchko, REALTOR ® MBA

George Heslin, REALTOR ®

Elizabeth Bowers, REALTOR ®

Colleen Pierson, REALTOR ®

Rebecca L. Francis, Associate Broker, MBA

It’s time to take your resort experience to the next level. The new tower at Wind Creek Bethlehem is now open, and we’re ready for you to enjoy all it has to offer — including our AAA Four Diamond hotel with 552 lavish guest rooms including 50 suites, an upscale lobby bar and lounge, spectacular glass-enclosed rooftop indoor pool, luxury on-site spa, and more. Experience it today!

Charlotte (CLT)

Atlanta (ATL) Detroit (DTW)

(ORD)

(EWR)

Belle Terre

Distinguished, refined, established. It is a rare pleasure to encounter such a stunning residence with timeless appeal. A gated entrance and long driveway are introductions to the 13,000 square foot stone manor house centered on 25 acres. 5 bedrooms, 6 full baths, 14,808 sq ft in all buildings. $8,950,000

Hidden Gem

Nestled quietly in a lovely backdrop with hills and meadows beyond, Hidden Gem is work of art, showcasing classic architectural elements, world-class materials, modern technology, and superb craftsmanship. 5 bedrooms, 7 full baths; guest suite. Over 14,000 sq ft on 3 levels. $3,300,000

Old World Villa

Set on three private acres with views over Cooks Creek, this stunning villa is a rare blend of 19th century touches and modern luxuries. Multiple outdoor areas, including a heated inground pool, are spectacular vantage points for watching the abundant wildlife. 6 bedrooms, 5 baths, 7,400 sq ft. $2,500,000

Fairway Vistas

Perfectly positioned on 1.2 acres on the fifth fairway of a private golf course. Westerly views provide exquisite evening sunsets and, sometimes, your own private view of fireworks from the club. A sophisticated floor plan boasts over 8,000 sq ft on 4 levels. 4 bedrooms, 2 full baths. $2,350,000

Sunrise Knoll

An exceptional blend of modern day and a bygone era, Sunrise Knoll rests on 6.27 acres in a convenient Lehigh Valley location. A beautifully cared for custom built home and traditional farm outbuildings, including a Pennsylvania bank barn, comprise the serene setting. 5 bedrooms, 4 baths, 6.7 acres. $875,000

House Beautiful

Built in 1926 and lovingly updated over the years, the house offers 3,200 square feet of living space over 3 finished floors. The covered front porch & screened side porch are reminders of the craftsmanship & character of this era. 5 bedrooms, 3 full baths. $750,000

shot by Alison Conklin.

PHOTO BY ALISON CONKLIN

OVER IN ITALY A GRANDMOTHER IS MISSING HER RECIPES.

What happened? They came to America and landed on our menu. Page after page of ancient dishes from all over Italy. Each prepared in the same timeless way. We freshened them up with a few tasty updates to create cuisine that’s both traditional and modern. And can only be enjoyed in one unique place.

meltgrill.com 610-798-9000

A DECADE OF BOTLV

I can’t believe we’re publishing our 10th annual Best of the Lehigh Valley edition. As I sat down to write this editor’s letter, I took a moment to look back at all of the fun we’ve had celebrating year after year. I’ve been along for the ride since our third annual edition in 2016—and time has absolutely flown ever since! Many things have changed in the magazine’s decade of Best Of. Each year, we add, remove and edit categories. The results were originally published in June, not July (and, of course, there was that time we printed the winners in September during the pandemic). The number of votes has gone from mere thousands to tens of thousands. And the excitement of you, our readers, has grown with each and every edition.

But what has remained the same is our commitment to celebrating the best of our

community and the reason behind the contest. We do it because, as cheerleaders of the Lehigh Valley, we see the dedication that our region’s small businesses show day in and day out. We follow along as they celebrate small and big wins of their own, and we work to highlight those wins in our pages month after month. Being voted Best of the Lehigh Valley by the readers of Style is a culmination of those small and big wins. It is recognition by the community that these businesses are doing something very right, that they deserve to be celebrated—and we’re here to celebrate them!

We hope you’ll join us in celebrating with the winners at our Best Of party on Thursday, July 20th at Delta Hotels by Marriott Allentown for an evening of food, fun and community. We’ll see you there!

Cheers!

Grazing Charcuterie Gal created the coolest Best Of letters and cones for our shoot!

Seven-year-old Sofia had a hard time catching her breath whenever she ran around. After our pediatric cardiologists ran EKG and ECHO tests then sent Sofia home with a Zio heart monitor, the results came back normal. It’s the kind of care that comes from our full range of 17 pediatric specialties from routine check-ups all the way advanced testing and procedures. Besides, all that care is conveniently delivered close to home and family. For Sofia, that means the tea parties with her sister Luna can keep going. sluhn.org/pediatrics

Pediatric heart care is making sure Sofia keeps hosting tea parties.

VOLUME 25, ISSUE 7

A Best Ofwinning business

President/CEO

Paul Prass

Vice President/COO

Lisa Prass

I can’t say enough about the cheesesteaks—and the owners—at Carl’s Corner. They’re just the best!

I’d love to get to The Other Fish for some sushi!

Publisher

Pamela Deller

Editor-in-Chief

Kristen Wagner

Director of Creative Services

Mike Matuczinski

Graphic Designers

Thomas Körp, Nick Reeder, Elaine Wyborski

Corporate Marketing & Events Manager

Jen Fronheiser

Always enjoy going to Musikfest. It brings back great summer memories.

Easton Baking Company!

Excited to see Eight Oaks win Best Local Distillery! We love going there for their amazing cocktails and just great vibes all around.

One of my top favorite foods is a good pierogi so I am always up for heading to Black Forest Deli. I also absolutely love escape rooms—so I can’t wait to head to Captured Lehigh Valley for the newest rooms!

Sales & Marketing Account Managers

Caroline Adams, Denise Lichty, Arielle Solliday, Pam Taylor

Contributing Writers

Carrie Havranek, Amy Unger, Daisy Willis

Contributing Photographers

Marco Calderon, Matthew Cannon, Alison Conklin

Proofreader

Lori McLaughlin

Accounting

Donna Bachman, Sarah Varano

I am excited about refreshing my home with décor and accent pieces from GailGray Home.

I’ve been meaning to check out Notch for apps and drinks, and now having interviewed its erstwhile beverage director for the Ask the Expert I know this place employs serious flavor aficionados.

I’m excited to celebrate this month is…

Our friends at Hellertown’s PA House were the warmest of hosts for our shoot with @Sumfoodie, winner of Best Food Instagram Account.

STYLE SCENE

1 | Jody Selverian and Ally Intezar 2 | Bryan Courteir, Kim Loricchio, Tony Austin, Allison Thurber and Aaron Coleman 3 | Amy Bloom, Tina Jago and Lara Dratch 4 | Melissa Kolodziej, Tara Smith, Andrea Grimshaw, Kimberly Woodling, Stephanie Kapustic, Caitlin Campanella and Brandy Bate 5 | Jayna Gougler, Maria Chaya, Val Lewis and Heidi Boudargham 6 | Jim Vaughn and Melanie Falcon 7 | Rebecca Cachiguango and Cap Cee 8 | Kyle Pezoldt, Carol Kuhns and Jennifer Emanuello 9 | Ashley Covington 10 | Janine Strohl, Daphne Bistrimovich, Briana Lewis and Katelyn Ruth

11 | Adrienne and Tony DaRe 12 | Andy Stout, Jamie Connell and Matt Connell

Together we can construct a plan to pursue your financial goals.

Glenn W. Baumer, CFP®, CPWA®, CIMA®

Managing Director, Wealth Management Advisor

Christopher S. Baumer, C(k)P®, CPFA®, CPWA®

Vice President, Wealth Management Advisor

Breanne N. Pfeffer, CRPC™, RICP®, ChSNC®

Assistant Vice President, Senior Business Manager

Tiffany A. Nguyen, CRPC™

Registered Wealth Management Client Associate

® signifies that the user has successfully completed the Institute’s initial and ongoing credentialing requirements for certification. C(k)P ® is a registered trademark of The Retirement Advisor University, Inc. CRPC ™ is a registered service mark of The College for Financial Planning. The RICP® is the property of The American College, which reserves sole rights to its use, and is used by permission. © 2023 Bank of America Corporation. All rights reserved. | 5638158 | 05/2023

WHO’S WHO IN BUSINESS 2023 Breakfast and Awards Ceremony

Located at Centennial Catering and Conference Center, Center Valley

13 | Aaron Coleman and Tony Austin 14 | Kim Hellwig and Loana Mendez-Solano 15 | Kyle McLemore and Corinne Kavounas 16 | Sally McCorrison 17 | Marcos Quintela, Dan Withrow, Allison Handwerk, Jason Brown, Autumn Hahn, Amanda Merriman, Kelly Ronalds and Rodney Rivera 18 | David Saunders 19 | Ellyn Elstein 20 | Lisa Silvaggio, Heather Spring, Michelle Balbi, Desiree Moser and Liz Kelly 21 | Lauren Bertucci, Beth Shoemaker, Jenny Todora, Tamika Foster and Becca Lutterschmidt 22 | Pam Taylor, John Cali, Carolyn Gagnon, Charlie Mest and Victoria Ashton 23 | Melanie Strange, Maddy Miller, John Kerstetter, Katie Brown, Dennis Morton, Pat Gundling and Karen Garrison

THIS MONTH’S PICKS

MINDFUL CHILD INITIATIVE

The Pratyush Sinha Foundation recently celebrated 10 years of bringing mindfulness to schools, introducing yoga to communities, providing coping tools to youth and so much more. They’ve now introduced the Mindful Child Initiative to continue doing the powerful work of the foundation and provide high-quality mindfulness programs to promote the mental and emotional health of children in the Lehigh Valley. themci.org

WHAT TO READ

Lehigh Valley author Amy

Oselkin’s book TheStory Behind the Poem, a collection of poems about motherhood, is now available at Barnes & Noble and on Amazon. amazon.com

PLANTS + COFFEE

The Curious Plantaholic launched Plants + Coffee in April, and locals are obsessed. A coffee café with a plant shop inside—what’s not to love? plantsandcoffeeeaston

ROAR x Pickleball

ROAR Organic, the Bethlehem-based Complete Hydration beverage brand known for providing a refreshing blend of vitamins, antioxidants and electrolytes, has been named The Official Hydration Partner of the Professional Pickleball Association Tour (the leading organization behind the fastest-growing sport in the country) for the 2023 pickleball season! roarorganic.com

Airbnb: The Gem at Old Orchard

The Gem at Old Orchard, hosted by Platform Five, is available for booking—and it deserves some attention! The brand-new 2021 build is situated on a half-acre lot inside a quiet neighborhood in Easton. Don’t miss the gorgeous saltwater pool, which is open May through September. airbnb.com

SOPHISTIQUÉ @ JAY’S LOCAL

Experience a taste of France at Jay’s Local every Saturday with Sophistiqué French Bistro. Enjoy the culinary creations of Chef Sophie paired with drinks by Jay’s Local. jayslocal.com

Happy Hens = Healthy Eggs

Free from being confined in cages, and protected by their faithful Great Pyrenees guardians, the hens on our farm forage the day away, pecking at bugs and flowers and roaming around in groups. All of the fresh air and sunlight keep our hens happy – and happy hens lay the best eggs. They taste better. They look better. They’re better for you.

To learn more about our flock and farm, visit our website or follow us on Facebook @mistyvalleyfarminc.

1425 Valley Road, Northampton, PA 18067

www.mistyvalley.farm

TRENDING NOW

NEW APP

SOCIAL GUIDES

In March, Qaza Nazeer, app developer and CEO of Emmausbased agency Adfuel, launched Social Guides, an app used to organize recommendations into guides that are specially curated and easy to share. The app allows users to find out who has the best food, drinks and much more. “I have been working on this idea for about four years with many attempts to get it right,” says Nazeer. “My brother came to visit and he asked me what are some of the best places to go to eat. I found myself sending him a bunch of Google map links, so I developed a way to organize and curate recommendations that would be easy to share all in one place.” Social Guides is currently available to download on Apple and Google for free.

ONE YEAR BOOKS, BRUNCHES & BOOZE

The Books, Brunches & Booze (BB&B) Lehigh Valley chapter recently hit their one-year mark and the group celebrated the milestone with some pressed-flower lantern making at the Emmaus Public Library in May. Some of the chapter’s favorite reads of the year include Yellow Wife by Sadeqa Johnson, The Lies I Tell by Julie Clark and The Alice Network by Kate Quinn. “The group loves trivia at local restaurants or breweries,” says chapter host Emily Grothaus, noting that they celebrated Friendsgiving with a potluck and enjoyed a book exchange over the holidays. They meet twice a month, with activities ranging from meet-the-author events to creative workshops like candle making, crocheting and vision board crafting. When asked what they love most about BB&B, making connections and building friendships through a love for reading was at the top of the list.

booksbrunchesandbooze.com/join-the-club

WHAT’S NEW NORT PORT

Nort Port, The Cheese Ball Company, has expanded its reach! This summer, find them “Ballin’ around the Valley” at Saucon Valley, Perkasie, Nazareth and Bethlehem farmers markets. They’ll be serving up rotating seasonal flavors like their Summer Savory “Bacon Me Crazy” (a collaboration with Cellar 159 for the 2022 Bacon Fest that they’re excited to bring back) and the Summer Sweet “Ballaroos” (think Dunkaroos, with a vanilla birthday cake cheese ball covered in rainbow sprinkles and served with vanilla wafers). Want to bring Nort Port to your party? Locals may have spotted The Port mobile concession trailer at last year’s Harvest Fest, but it’s also available to be rented for events, weddings and celebrations. Meanwhile, The Nort is a portable cooler that’s perfect for smaller gatherings, like showers and indoor festivities.

610.762.3395 | nortport.com

Beth Grys

(Pictured here with her family)

PRINCIPAL, MERCY SCHOOL FOR SPECIAL LEARNING

What led you to your role as principal of Mercy School for Special Learning?

I had been teaching in the Diocese of Allentown for many years—first at St. Michael the Archangel and

then at Notre Dame. I was approached to see if I would be interested in the position. I had not intended to go into administration, but seeing Mercy changed my mind. This is a fabulous school with amazing students and staff. I could not imagine myself anywhere else.

What advice do you have for someone looking toward a career in education?

While the field of education seems to have many challenges, there really is nothing better. You have the opportunity to have a direct impact on children, families and the future. Don’t hesitate to pursue the field. Spending your life loving kids is a wonderful decision.

What have you loved about building your career here in the Lehigh Valley?

I have been a Lehigh Valley resident my entire life. All of my schooling has been in the Valley, from elementary school through graduate school. My husband and I have raised our daughters in the Valley, both of whom are educators. It is very satisfying to be able to give back to the community that has given me so much. The Lehigh Valley is a wonderful area to grow up and work in. It is truly home.

Watch the Unscripted with Russo podcast video with Beth Grys at lehighvalleystyle.com

THE SHED

HOUSE & BARN

The Billeras (Carly, Buffy, Nick and Holly), the ownership team behind House & Barn, were thrilled to celebrate the grand opening of The Shed in May. “We are always looking for ways to utilize every corner of our beautiful property,” they say. According to the Billeras, the original plan was to offer an open-air pavilion during the COVID-19 transition, but as everything came together, they saw another opportunity. “Being avid cigar smokers, we failed to find a local establishment that offered hand-rolled cigars, so we partnered up with His & Hers Cigars, LLC.” Now, guests can enjoy local, hand-rolled cigars made specially for House & Barn, along with a limited spirits and beer menu to be paired with the cigars. “We even have our own bourbon barreled by Elijah Craig—it’s called ‘Nicks Reserve 715,’” they say. Guests are also welcome to bring their own cigars. The Shed is open Wednesday through Saturday from noon to 9 p.m., weather permitting. “We like to think of The Shed as an extension of both the House and Barn restaurants,” shares the team. “You may order food from the Barn menu, or drinks from either House or Barn taverns.” Plans for the future include consistent live cigar rollers as well as live music.

1449 Chestnut St., Emmaus | 610.421.6666 | houseandbarn.net

New Name. Timeless Meaning.

Introducing

the New Point 26 Suites!

A true Moravian Star has 26 points of equal length, which represents the Moravian belief in equality among all people. Inspired by this unifying symbol, Moravian Village of Bethlehem has elected to rename Apartment Living to better reflect the principles and traditions on which we have built this community. Call today to schedule a tour and learn more about why Point 26 Suites is Bethlehem’s premier choice for 55+ Independent Living! MoravianVillage.com

GET THE GOODS

SOUL SISTERS’ STUDIO

Soul Sisters’ Studio recently celebrated its first year in business. Heading into year two, owner Eva Stephens hopes more locals come enjoy the space, connect with others, learn something new and shop for something special.

Tell us about your journey to opening Soul Sisters’ Studio. The inspiration for Soul Sisters’ Studio came from my stays at a wellness center in the Berkshires. While there, I’d take a variety of classes, and always enjoyed buying unique gifts for myself and others in their gift shop. I would talk with my dear friends (my Soul Sisters!),

Lynn and Susan, about my desire to create a mini version of this space in the Lehigh Valley, and one day I finally said “it’s time!” Lynn helped bring my vision to life, and both Lynn and Susan continue to be an integral part of the studio. Lynn is our Fusion Mineral Paint vendor, and Susan recently became my studio assistant.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARCO CALDERON

EVA STEPHENS Owner

What would you say is the mission of Soul Sisters’ Studio?

To create a relaxing space that gives women the opportunity to step away from the busyness of day-to-day life, and reconnect with themselves. Whether that be strolling through the boutique looking for a special gift, sharing something they love with others or attending a class with friends. Honestly, it’s the space I wish I would have had when I was raising a family and needed some “me” time!

Describe the breakdown of your Emmaus studio space!

Downstairs is a boutique that offers items made mostly by women or curated from small businesses. Upstairs is our classroom space. We can accommodate up to 12 participants, which makes it the perfect size for both our teachers and the class participants. It’s a very cozy space, so sometimes our shoppers will wander upstairs and enjoy relaxing in our bay window chairs that overlook Emmaus.

Tell us about your product offerings!

In our boutique we offer a variety of women’s accessories such as purses, totes and jewelry. We have a great collection of self-care, bath

and body, and spiritual gifts, and also wonderful products for the home that include candles, pottery, olive wood serving pieces and much more! Upstairs you can find our Fusion Mineral Paint products.

What kind of events do you host?

Because our studio is all about giving women the opportunity

to share what they love with others, we offer an eclectic mix of classes and workshops. You can find a variety of arts and crafts, meditation, selfempowerment, intuition and mediumship events, and even food classes, such as charcuterie board workshops.

23 S. 4th St., Emmaus 484.488.7739 | soulsistersemmaus.com

HONE YOUR COCKTAIL

Neil Heimsoth’s 15 years in the beverage industry include managing and directing cocktail capitals like The Bookstore Speakeasy and Notch Modern Kitchen & Bar. Now he’s taking to the open air with Bar H, a mobile bar backed by his family’s farmette. Become your own best bartender with his wisdom on concocting superb summer cocktails.

THE SWAY OF THE SEASON

The warm months invite us to rediscover freshness in cocktails. Whereas we turned to booze-forward old fashioneds to warm us in winter, toasting drinks decked in baking spices, it’s time to whip out the sharp herbs and tart berries. With plant life in its prime, Heimsoth says “it’s time to create those lighter, more aromatic twists on classics. Enjoy the bounty of summer.”

FOOLPROOF FLAVORS

There are some flavors that have always made a perfect pair. “One surefire combination is blueberry and basil,” Heimsoth says. “Strawberry rhubarb. Mint and lemon, mint and lime—mint and anything.”

Herbal notes are having a moment, too. Lavender and, once again, mint, for example, make for a fresh and aromatic julep. Chamomile and elderflower are also elements contending to be part of a summery elixir.

Neil Heimsoth AWARD-WINNING MIXOLOGIST & BEVERAGE DIRECTOR PART OWNER, BAR H mobilebarh.com

AS FOR THE ALCOHOL

“In a restaurant, you try to always use every one on a menu,” Heimsoth remarks. From oaky bourbon to bright London gin, there’s a place for any preference, whatever the season. However, gin’s botanical, floral flavor shines in summer with citrus. Tequila makes for a variety of magical margaritas, and rum in daiquiris is a classic. “Tiki drinks with tropical juices and rum are coming back into style,” he adds.

OR NOT

If you abstain, don’t think you have to forgo fancy drinks.

“The issue [with nonalcoholic drinks] is the volume,” Heimsoth says. “You may have lemon, lavender, honey—what plays the part of the two ounces of gin?” He’s partial to herbal teas and tisanes to create a base for the drink, which then brings to the table properties like stress relief, calm or energy.

Another option is the distilled non-alcoholic spirits that have been flowing into the market, like Seedlip’s flavorful infusions.

RMA’s modern facility is equipped with a stateof-the-art lab, helping to maintain a success rate that is consistently higher than the national average. Along with a personalized treatment plan, each patient is assigned a care team, including a nurse and a financial coordinator. Additional support from nutritionists and mental health professionals is also available. Call us and begin your journey to parenthood today.

GARNISH WITH INTENTION

Heimsoth has a bit of a bone to pick with what he calls “Instagram bartending,” which is all for show. “Garnishes should be more functional than pretty,” he says, lamenting the dehydration of perfectly good citrus.

Fresh berries look beautiful in a glass and provide a light future snack. Flowers, dried lavender and herb sprigs add color and also aromatics. “We taste a lot with our noses,” he points out.

See for yourself: take three glasses of the same cocktail and try each with a lemon, orange or grapefruit twist on the edge. They’re not the same drink.

ICE EXPERTISE

One of Heimsoth’s expert tips to the home bartender is to know when to shake and when to stir. “Subtle things like this are why drinks taste different in a restaurant.” If you want a next-level nightcap, invest in a stirring glass and spoon.

Heimsoth’s spotlight recipe combines the botanical aperitif with the layered fruit-forward Tiki tradition. “You can get fun with it as well and infuse the Campari with pineapple. Or substitute white rum and lime for a subtle Jungle Bird riff,” Heimsoth says. “The possibilities are broad and delicious.”

Ingredients

1.5 oz. Plymouth Gin

½ oz. Campari

½ oz. lemon juice

¾ oz. pineapple juice

¼ oz. simple syrup

Splash of club soda

Directions

Shake vigorously, strain into a Collins or hurricane glass with ice and garnish with a pineapple wedge or frond. (484)

“Undergoing fertility care is often a stressful and emotional experience. Our goal is to ensure every patient that walks through the door feels welcomed.”

NDEYE-AICHA GUEYE, MD, FACOG & BRITTANY SEAL, CNP

Your mission is to get the drink to the right temperature without letting the ice overdilute it and dull the flavor. Martinis are stirred slowly to chill the liquor without watering it down, while shaking is advisable for ingredients that need to be aerated to open their flavor, like citrus.

LIQUOR LEXICON

You can expand the way you think about what to drink and when with a little vocabulary. The aperitif, a pre-meal or appetizer drink, tends to be on the light herbal and citrus side, and is meant to ready the palate and belly for a meal. A boom in flavored tonics like Q and FeverTree makes it easy to mix up your own White Claw-esque refresher.

Afterward, the digestif helps break your dinner down. Think old guys retiring to the smoking room for brandy and cigars. Digestifs are dark, and can be made with medicinal-adjacent substances like cinchona bark, wormwood and angelica root. “Thinking it’s toxic, the body digests faster when it tastes something bitter,” Heimsoth explains.

MIXING FOR A CROWD

Scale up any cocktail for a backyard BBQ or beach-read book club with Heimsoth’s simple hack: Turning any ounces in the recipe into cups will easily keep your drink balanced.

FASHION FORWARD WITH

BARTON’S AUCTION

BARTONSAUCTION

BOARD & BRUSH

BOARDANDBRUSHALLENTOWNPA

Featuring

INSIGHT

BY AMY UNGER PHOTOGRAPHY BY ALISON CONKLIN

Jacob Morrow

CEO OF ABSTRACT MUSIC EMPIRE ENTERTAINMENT

How does a musician who’s busy making moves know when he’s truly arrived in the hardscrabble industry that has chewed up and spit out many before him? Maybe it’s when he hits a million streams on Spotify. Or when he’s making room on his mantel (or in his bathroom, if he’s Questlove) for a few more Grammys. Maybe it’s when MTV plays his music video. Or when he helps bust a few more cracks in the glass ceiling that’s keeping his colleagues from being seen and heard. Local artist, performer and aspiring mogul

Jacob Morrow can already cross a few of those milestones off his to-do list. He’s chipping away at the others, as well as the moment of professional affirmation he’s envisioning for himself: hanging up a couple of platinum records in his studio.

Morrow, who’s 28, was born in Baltimore, raised in Pittsburgh and moved to the Harrisburg area when he was 13 years old. He says music and rhythm have always been a part of his world, even when his creative output was more headache inducer than harmony

maker. “I was always that little baby banging on pots and pans in the kitchen.” But those early stand-ins for percussion instruments eventually became the real thing when he began taking drumming lessons. He sometimes played in church, and also joined concert band in middle school. He was even in a rock band for a little bit. He was influenced by many musical genres and styles; Morrow says he listened to anything and everything—well, almost everything. “Earlier on, I was kept away from a lot of hip-hop because of the content,” he says. “In the ’90s and early 2000s there was a lot of stigma about hiphop. I really wasn’t allowed to listen to a lot of hip-hop, but I would sneak and listen to it. As a drummer, I was connecting with the beats I heard in the music.”

Following his graduation from Cumberland Valley High School in 2013, Morrow set his sights on Kutztown University. But there was one (very large) item of potential dorm décor that didn’t make the cut: “When I went to college, my mom got rid of the drum set. It was just collecting dust, taking up too much space.” It seemed that piece of his past didn’t fit anymore— literally or figuratively. “I was on the brink of forgetting about the music,” says Morrow. He planned to study electronic media and pursue a career in video production. But a fortuitous partnership—thanks to whatever algorithm was used to pair up roommates at random at the school—saved the day. His sophomore year, Morrow was matched up with Exodus Murphy, a singer. Morrow told him he dabbled in song writing and rapping. They recorded one of Morrow’s songs and felt an instant connection. The two would go on to form their own hip-hop soul group, Manifest! HB. Morrow says they began winning talent shows and booking gigs at KU parties. “That’s when we really tried to start formulating things. From then to now there’s been a lot of trial and error and a lot of growth.”

Part of that trial and error was figuring out how to pay the bills while pursuing their passion. Soon after graduation in 2017 Morrow moved to Bethlehem to be closer to MBPro Studios, where Manifest! HB laid down many of its tracks. Morrow also did work as a solo artist, Jake Supreme. He found work in video production, primarily for companies outside the region. But the lengthy commute wore him down. And

getting paid per project—as opposed to a steady salary—wasn’t ideal. He tried other jobs—factory work, call center—before finding a better fit first in management and then in sales. “I was out here grinding,” Morrow says. “But we were always doing the music, and I was always making moves.”

Probably the biggest move was the creation of Abstract Music Empire Entertainment, of which Morrow and Murphy are CEOs. “It was something that was always brewing since college,” says Morrow. “It was always an extension of what we were doing. In college we were doing everything that we are doing now, but we didn’t know how to organize it in a way that made sense. We were creating these events, hosting these events, putting together these shows, getting artists together. All the stuff a record label would do.”

They’re working on raising capital to begin signing artists. And when that time comes, Morrow says he believes they’ll have no problem tracking down high caliber talent. “There is a hip-hop scene in the Lehigh Valley. And I think people maybe who aren’t in it don’t really know about it. But the people that are in it do know about it. There are a lot of people here who make good music and deserve to be heard but a lot of people won’t give them a chance.”

Morrow also realizes that he might have to enlighten some listeners to garner mainstream support in the Lehigh Valley. “Hip-hop has that stigma,” he says. “We have to pass through that. One of the ways we do that, we make positive music that still bumps. You can feel good about having a

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good time. You can feel good about your son playing it in the car on the way to work and not be offended.” A hard-fought victory for the Abstract Music Empire team was booking gigs at Bethlehem’s Musikfest in 2021, 2022 and again this year (August 8). Morrow says proving that a hip-hop show and a family-friendly event can co-exist has opened doors for other performers like him.

There have been other victories as well— Morrow debuted a music video for his song “Jet” at the Emmaus Theatre in March. Manifest! HB’s music videos have been played on MTV, VH1 and BET. Morrow’s solo efforts landed there, too, but he’s cautious about basking in that glow for too long.

“When you make it on MTV the first time, yeah, that’s really cool, but realize that one spin on MTV is just one spin on MTV,” he says. “It only equates to a certain amount of money.” The problem, he says, is that a lot of artists don’t understand the business side of the music industry. “You can make it by doing the right things, but so many young creatives don’t know what to do once they have this talent and the passion. It takes a lot to get to where you want to be. That’s where I feel like I can help.”

One of Morrow’s main goals for Abstract Music Empire is creating a creative cohabitation space in the Lehigh Valley. Think “WeWork” for artists: a one-stop shop where people can come in for photo shoots, video production, writing and recording. Morrow says they want to offer courses to teach young people the business. They’re also working on building their brand, plus their website (abstractmusicempire. com) and, eventually, a subscription base to support it. It will offer music, videos, streaming content and the chance to interact with the artists. All the while, Morrow continues to write, record and perform as one half of Manifest! HB and as Jake Supreme.

Morrow realizes he’s aiming high. Very high. He’s OK with that. “You have to be comfortable being a leader and stepping up, and I’ve accepted that,” he says. “It’s all about articulating your dream and your vision and never giving up.” abstractmusicempire.com

Summer celebration hits a high point for the Fourth of July, when grills are smoking, fireworks pop and picnic potlucks abound. Here are five local favorites for a star-spangled spread.

4July Favorites th

1. HOT DOGS YOCCO’S

Multiple area locations | yoccos.com

For over a century the Valley has known the intense stare of the Hot Dog King and his equally noteworthy special secret chili sauce. While the staff excels at caramelizing these beef-andpork dogs to perfection, you can try your hand at it too with a Doggie Pac of 12 uncooked hot dogs, buns and all the fixings. Be prepared with an eight-ounce tub of chili sauce to really drown those dogs in trademark taste.

2. PASTA SALAD SAYLORS

& CO

1105 Main St., Hellertown | 610.838.6363

325 Northampton St., Easton | 484.544.4810 | saylorsandco.com

The family behind Saylors & Co stocks their groceries with fine meats, imports and prepared foods that put the selection at major chains to shame. While they can also provide sausages and steaks for the grill, the goods to grab for your next get-together may be found in the gourmet case where perfect pasta or potato salads sit in splendor, ready to complement your picnic plate.

3. ICE CREAM OWOWCOW

CREAMERY

1262 Simon Blvd. Unit B106, Easton 610.438.5269 | owowcow.com

Concocted on the premises by creative ice cream crafters, Owowcow’s frozen confection delights with unusual flavors along with the tried and true, composed of local and organic cream, eggs and honey. Order a party-to-go pack and steal the show at your BBQ with ice cream sandwiches, pops, pans or pints for a crowd that’s about to go wild.

4. PIE PIE

+ TART

444 Northampton St., Easton 484.202.0235 | 2 inhand.com

“American as apple pie” is a well-worn phrase, but leave those autumn flavors for future feasts and hit up Pie + Tart’s mouthwateringly wonderful inventions. Seasonal flavors include the Bananas Foster Cream Pie with rum and browned butter, Pineapple Coconut with a kick of lime or Blueberry and Ginger with a buttery oat crumb topping. Cut a slice of summer!

5. BEER CAVE BREWING COMPANY

521 Main St., Bethlehem

610.739.1381 | cavebrewing.com

Guests dipping into an ice-laden cooler will find a welcome complement to a beating sun and salty snack food when you stock up on six-packs from Cave Brewing Company. Almost as refreshing as stepping into the cool stone shelter of its namesake, Beach Bum Blonde’s notes of tropical fruit and grass make for a crisp, clean blonde ale. For the hard-seltzer seekers, the Peach Mango tastes as good as it sounds

OF THE LEHIGH VALLEY

READER-VOTED

BY CARRIE HAVRANEK & AMY UNGER, WITH KRISTEN WAGNER PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARCO CALDERON & ALISON CONKLIN

The Lehigh Valley is teeming with businesses deserving of recognition, but there can only be one number one. Or in this case, 139 number ones. Read on to find out who Lehigh Valley Style readers voted the best in their categories, ranging in genre from food and drink, to health and self, fun and games, shopping, services and beyond.

Grazings Charcuterie Gal

BEST CHARCUTERIE

Some artists work in watercolor, pastels or oil paints. The medium of choice of Kailen Boumal—better known as the Grazings Charcuterie Gal (@grazings_charcuteriegal)—is meats and cheeses. “I love creating,” she says. “Charcuterie fulfills this creative void that I don’t get out of my corporate job.” Her first spread was for a friend’s party, and it was a hit. Boumal began to make a name for herself on social media. Indeed, her talents are on full display on her Instagram page: breads, meats, fruits, cheeses, crackers, spreads and so much more, all artfully layered and arranged in a palette that looks (almost) too good to eat.

grazings_charcuteriegal

Local Mama Catering

BEST CATERER

Chef Beth Raynock combines local food and international inspiration to offer meal preparation, private catering, cooking classes and pop-up dinners.

localmamacateringcompany

Johnny’s Fresh Meats

BEST BUTCHER

Johnny’s is family owned since 1951, offering Aged Western Choice Black Angus Beef cut to perfection.

1825 Chew St. Allentown | 610.439.0220

johnnysfreshmeats

Brü Daddy’s Brewing Co.

BEST BEER SELECTION

WINNERS REVEALED FOOD DRINK

Crafted with the highest-quality ingredients, Brü Daddy’s artisanal craft beers are made on site in their five-barrel brew system. They recently took home the silver award for their Red Ale Eddy at the 2023 World Beer Cup.

732 Hamilton St. Allentown | 610.351.7600

brudaddysbrewingcompany.com

Social Still

BEST MOCKTAIL MENU

Head to the Zero Proof section on Social Still’s menu for their non-alcoholic options. The Planet of the Apricots combines apricot, elderflower, lemon, simple syrup and club soda while the Spiced Not Spiked mixes mint, lime, cinnamon syrup, pineapple and ginger beer.

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

best doughnut

Duck Donuts

This national chain, which started on the Outer Banks of North Carolina, is well known—and loved—for its customizable doughnuts, made to order. It can be a bit overwhelming to go in there for the first time because the possibilities are literally endless! It’s hard to resist the creativity you can indulge in. You can also choose from popular options like Blueberry Lemonade, Beach Ball, Bacon in the Sun and beyond. Oh, and in case you can’t decide between sweet and savory for breakfast, you can always get a breakfast sandwich, but on a doughnut.

4608 D Broadway, Allentown

610.628.3636 | duckdonuts.com

ThreeBirds Coffee House

BEST COFFEE SHOP

ThreeBirds Coffee House is home to two parrots (Beetle and Dorian) and specializes in good vibes. It’s the kind of coffee shop you want to hang out in, offering a rotating selection of single origin coffees daily, along with teas and locally baked pastries.

226 Bushkill St., Easton | 325 Northampton St., Easton | threebirdscoffee.com

Apollo Grill

BEST BRUNCH MENU

Saturday brunch runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Apollo Grill, and the menu is updated monthly.

85 W. Broad St., Bethlehem

610.865.9600 | apollogrill.com

The Joint Coffee Co. BEST ICED COFFEE

Try the iced Bourbon Barrel latte, made with The Joint's own coffee blend that's been aged inside of Pennsylvania bourbon barrels.

77 W. Broad St. Suite 18C

Bethlehem | 610.419.9237

Lehigh Valley Mall Whitehall | 610.443.0724 thejointcoffee.com

Billy’s Downtown Diner BEST AVOCADO TOAST

At Billy’s, it’s fresh avocado and soft poached egg mixed with red onions, cilantro and lime zest on thick-cut multigrain toast, topped with roasted grape tomatoes and chili flakes.

10 E. Broad St., Bethlehem

610.867.0105

123 S. 3rd St., Easton

610.438.3100 | billysdiner.com

Jumbars

BEST BREAKFAST SANDWICH

Order the Morning Sandwich, made with lightly scrambled egg and your choice of cheese on a house-made English muffin.

1342 Chelsea Ave., Bethlehem 610.866.1660 | jumbars.com

The State Cafe and Grill

BEST BREAKFAST SPOT

The State Cafe and Grill’s breakfast menu is broken up into seven categories—Eggs & Things, Egg Creations, Morning Sandwiches, A Bit O’ Savory, From Scratch, French Toast and Create Your Own—ensuring anyone can find something delicious.

14–16 S. 5th St., Easton | 610.829.0188 thestatecafeandgrill.net

Lit Coffee Roastery and Bakeshop

BEST SPECIALTY LATTE AND/OR COFFEE DRINK

With latte offerings ranging from lavender to iced strawberry mint matcha, special is what Lit does best.

26 E. 3rd St., Bethlehem 484.626.0945 | monocacycoffee.com

Ciao! BEST SANDWICH

Ciao uses only the finest Boar’s Head deli meats and cheeses, semolina bread delivered fresh daily and high-quality toppings and spreads. Choose from their list of specialty sandwiches or create your own!

Looking to skip the bread? Any sandwich can be made into a salad.

Multiple area locations | eatatciao.com

Green Vida Co. BEST FRESH PRESSED JUICE BAR

Enjoy two pounds of organic fruits and vegetables in every cold-pressed juice, with zero water or sugars added.

1800 Sullivan Trl. Suite 330, Easton 610.438.4112 | 325 Northampton St. Easton | 484.541.5309 greenvidacompany.com

Back Home Bagels

Deli & Bake Shop

Bagels—and all the things you can put on them—get seriously creative at this year’s winning spot, owned by Josh Haines since 2017. He says their bagels are scratch made and steam baked—it makes them fluffier and less chewy. They even mix their own cream cheeses, too. Customers love the roasted garlic and chive, but you can also get choices like funfetti, bacon horseradish and veggie. And as for those bagels? Well, you can expect the usual suspects, but others, such as jalapeño cheddar, and seasonal/specialty offerings, such as lemon poppy, triple chocolate raspberry, and—get this—tie-dye Fruity Pebbles (which sort of looks like a rainbow bagel). Breakfast tastes great on a bagel (bacon, egg and cheese, anyone?) but so does lunch if the bagels are loaded up with Boar’s Head cold cuts and inventive ingredients. Check out Hair of the Dog, Sunshine Club and other creative offerings.

4041 PA-309 Suite 103, Schnecksville | 610.760.3262 backhomebagels.com

The Bayou BEST CHICKEN AND WAFFLES

The Bayou team calls this dish a true labor of love, and they’ve worked hard to make sure their version of the Southern favorite is the best around.

702 Hawthorne Rd., Bethlehem 610.419.6669 | 64 Centre Sq., Easton 610.829.1700 | datbayoulv.com

Marblehead Chowder House

BEST LUNCH SPOT

Marblehead Chowder House specializes in casual coastal comfort food. Find their daily lunch specials online, including fresh fish and oysters, the soup du jour and more.

4101 William Penn Hwy. Easton | 610.258.4301

marbleheadchowderhousepa.com

Wally’s Deli BEST GRILLED CHEESE

Notch

Modern Kitchen & Bar

BEST APPETIZER/ SMALL PLATE MENU

The bao buns are three for $15 and a must-order. Choose from pork belly, tofu, crispy roasted brisket and shrimp banh mi.

5036 Hamilton Blvd., Allentown 610.841.4610 | notchmknb.com

Grilled cheese for breakfast? Yes, please! At Wally’s, it’s called the Grilled Cheesy Hen and served with a choice of two meats, two fried eggs and hash browns. Go even bigger with the Grilled Cheesy Hen Hamburger (grilled cheese, hamburger, bacon, two fried eggs and hash browns).

1245 Chestnut St., Emmaus 610.967.1347 | 711 N. 17th St., Allentown 610.435.7177 | wallys-deli.com

bagel shop best

PHOTOBYMATTHEWBROOKS

bestsalad

Black & Blue

Black and Blue has always had an eclectic menu with creative vegetarian and vegan foods. And the salads are no exception. There’s a wide array, ranging from classics such as Cobb, Greek and Caesar, to taco and salmon salads, a peanut butter Thai salad and a seasonal peach salad. So many salads! The cool part? You can add any protein, whether it’s chicken, shrimp, steak or salmon, or coconut tofu or coconut cauliflower. The latter two proteins are vegan and flash-fried with a coconut crust; they also offer vegan cheeses. “We always use fresh ingredients, and a major difference is that we make our dressings from scratch,” says owner Marcel Bedoya.

683 Walnut St., Easton | 610.438.3604 | blacknblue683.com

The Flying V BEST FRENCH FRY

What could make a French fry better? Top it with cheddar cheese curds and The Flying V’s signature house-made gravy! Their most popular offerings include the classic poutine, the Montreal smoked meat poutine, the buffalo chicken poutine and the breakfast poutine.

201 E. 3rd St., Bethlehem | 610.419.2530 | flyingvpoutinerie.com

Black Forest Deli BEST PIEROGI

As of this April, Black Forest Deli is under new ownership—but don’t worry, all of the special recipes have been passed down, so the pierogi making can continue.

745 W. Union Blvd., Bethlehem 610.865.3036 | blackforestdeli.com

Carl’s Corner BEST CHEESESTEAK

Carl’s Corner claims you’ll come for the food but return for the ‘tude. That’s because they’re serving up cheesesteaks with a side of friendly banter (and, of course, curly fries, mozzarella sticks or pierogi).

2 W. Elizabeth Ave., Bethlehem

610.691.1541 | 848 Nazareth Pike Nazareth | 610.994.3384 carlscornersteaks.com

Hummus House

BEST HUMMUS

Try the original, roasted red pepper, spicy avocado or roasted garlic hummus. It’s all house-made. It’s all delicious.

518 E. 3rd St., Bethlehem

610.434.8800 thehummushouse.com

Copperhead Grille BEST MAC & CHEESE

The Crab Mac & Cheese is a main event at Copperhead Grille, made with claw crab meat, white cheddar sauce and Old Bay seasoning.

5737 Route 378, Bethlehem 610.282.4600 | 1731 Airport Rd. Allentown | 610.403.4600 copperheadgrille.com

Yocco’s Hot Dogs BEST HOT DOG

The ingredients are simple: a specialty hot dog made by Hatfield meats nestled in a freshly baked, steamed bun, topped with Yocco’s world-famous Secret Chili Sauce, served well done.

Multiple area locations

yoccos.com

Salvatore Ruffino’s BEST PIZZA

The Neapolitan thin crust pizza is a top menu item at Salvatore Ruffino’s. Order it well done or half baked, and with whatever toppings you like.

1902 Allen St., Allentown 610.510.4928 | salvatoreruffinos.com

Mr. Bill’s Poultry & Deli

BEST PUBLIC

MARKET/FARMERS’ MARKET VENDOR

Count on Mr. Bill’s for organic, allnatural chicken, along with specialty items, classic recipes, poultry tips and more.

1825 W. Chew St., Allentown 610.432.1108 | mrbills.com

Nick’s BBQ

BEST BARBECUE

Experience a Texas-influenced barbecue style, using only oak wood on an offset smoker, done low and slow, at Nick’s.

1 Kenny Headman Ln., Bethlehem 610.438.0911 | nicksbbqpa.com

Fegley’s Brew Works

BEST NACHOS

The loaded nachos combine cheddar jack cheese, red onion, black olives, green peppers, diced tomatoes, jalapeños, sour cream and salsa. Add pulled pork, grilled chicken, pulled chicken, chili or brisket.

812 W. Hamilton St., Allentown 610.433.7777 | 559 Main St. Suite 101, Bethlehem | 610.882.1300 thebrewworks.com

Multiple area locations pjspub.com

The Other Fish

BEST SUSHI

Choose from cooked rolls, raw rolls and fruit and vegetable rolls at The Other Fish, where they strive to provide an Asian culinary journey to each guest.

59 E. Broad St., Bethlehem 484.821.1370

theotherfish610.com

Geakers Tacos BEST FOOD TRUCK

Geakers is on a taco tour. Find the truck at local events and festivals throughout the year and enjoy their half-pound tacos on the go.

610.419.4869 | geakers.com

Noto’s Deli

BEST HOAGIE

Get your three-foot and six-foot hoagies at Noto’s Deli, where they’re $15 per foot.

930 Northampton St., Easton 610.258.7933

notosdeliandgrocery

El Jefe’s Taqueria

Tacos, let’s face it, are like religion for some people. And there are many places where you can get a great taco around here. But El Jefe's has a strong following and ardent devotees for many reasons. One big one? They’re open late. Way late! This small-scale taco chain seems to specialize in locations in college towns, but here in Bethlehem, the taco options include shrimp, carne asada, carne molida picante (spicy ground beef), carnitas, chorizo and chicken. And of course, vegetarian. They come with rice, too (Mexican or cilantro lime), and several different kinds of beans, and so, so many different toppings.

506 E. 3 rd St., Bethlehem 610.419.2000 eljefestaqueria.com

taco

Top Cut Steak House

BEST STEAK

What makes them so good? All cuts are hand selected by Top Cut’s specialty butcher in Chicago, assuring that every steak offers superior marbling and flavor.

2880 Center Valley Pkwy. Suite 625 Center Valley | 610.841.7100 topcutsteak.com

Bang Bang Hibachi Grill & Sushi

BEST HIBACHI

Choose from hibachi steak, shrimp, salmon, tilapia, lobster tail and more—all served with rice, vegetables and yum yum sauce.

1519 Lehigh St., Allentown 610.709.8888 | bangbangpa.com

best burrito

The Vineyard di

Norma

BEST PASTA

It’s no wonder they go through 150 orders of pasta a week. It’s all scratch made. Order the Pasta Amatriciana.

605 Fiot St., Bethlehem | 610.867.2441 thevineyardrestaurant.net

Paranormal Pizza

BEST VEGETARIAN/ VEGAN MENU

We join the community in wishing Paranormal Pizza a safe and speedy recovery as they work toward reopening for business. Until then, we’re dreaming of their 100-percent vegan cashew cheese pizza and seitan wings.

554 N. New St., Bethlehem 484.357.8727 paranormalpizzaco.com

17 W. Morton St., Bethlehem | 610.691.8300 | tulumbethmex.com

Mister Lee’s Noodles

BEST RAMEN

Choose from hot and spicy ramen, seafood ramen, Moroccan curried lamb ramen, sticky ramen, veggie ramen and many more hot and cold noodle offerings.

325 Northampton St., Easton 610.829.2799 | 512 E. 3rd St. Bethlehem | 610.900.4888 misterleesnoodles.com

1001 Thai BEST PAD THAI

The Pad Thai Noodle is 1001 Thai’s most popular dish. It’s made with ground peanuts, eggs, bean sprouts and scallions in a tamarind sauce. Add chicken breast, lean pork, tofu, lean beef, jumbo shrimp or roast duck.

1001 Northampton St., Easton 610.252.1001 | 1001 thai.com

Gannon’s Gourmet

BEST SPECIALTY GROCERY STORE/MARKET

Gannon’s Gourmet is an Allentown Fairgrounds Farmers Market mainstay, with more than 30 years under their belt.

1825 W. Chew St. Allentown | 610.439.8949

gannonsgourmet

Easton Baking Company

BEST BREAD

At Easton Baking Company, the bread-making magic begins around 1 a.m. each Wednesday and continues through Sunday.

34 N. 7 th St., Easton 610.252.6343 | eastonbaking.com

HOEM Kitchen

BEST LOCALLY PREPARED MEALS/ DELIVERY PROGRAM

Chill, heat and eat. HOEM’s meals are designed to be easily prepared, served and recycled. New offerings are delivered every Tuesday and Thursday. 484.891.1027 | hoemkitchen.com

Seasons Olive Oil & Vinegar Taproom

BEST GOURMET FOOD SHOP

Seasons’ mission is to inspire home cooks to sauté, drizzle, infuse and marinate with ease and confidence.

508 Main St., Bethlehem 610.866.2615

seasonstaproom.com

House of Chen

BEST CHINESE TAKEOUT

Available for takeout or delivery, House of Chen is here to satisfy every craving.

1200 Northampton St. Easton | 610.330.6990

houseofcheneaston.com

The Backyard Bar Company

BEST MOBILE BAR

Brittany Caprista and Candice

Weaver’s love of horses, hospitality and a well-crafted cocktail inspired them to launch this converted horse-trailer bar— and they’re ready to make your next event unforgettable.

610.462.8478 | 610.349.8976 thebackyardbarco.com

Todd’s Island Seafood

BEST SEAFOOD MARKET

Family owned and run, Todd’s offers fresh seafood and great quality products at an affordable price.

17 th & Tilghman St. Allentown | 484.221.8385

toddsislandseafood

Hawaii Poke Bowl Forks

BEST POKE BOWL

Chicken, Ahi tuna, salmon, shrimp and tofu— there are so many ways to customize your bowl.

306 Town Center Blvd., Easton | 610.330.2886 hawaii-poke-bowl-forks.business.site

Union and Finch

Union and Finch likes to celebrate burgers. With an ongoing burger of the month offering, and a burger and beer special each Thursday, they

burger best BESTPATIO /OUTDOOR DINING

PHOTO BY MATT HAMM

best luxury picnic

Blondies BEST CUPCAKE

Blondies starts each day with 20 different cupcake flavors to choose from, but if that’s not enough, their full catalog, available for special ordering for events, has every option one could ever dream of.

333 Front St., Catasauqua 484.280.5403 | blondiesfood.com

Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt BEST FROZEN YOGURT

Menchie’s frozen yogurt is made with real sustainably sourced California milk—but they’ve also got 100-percent plant-based, vegan flavor options, made with almond milk, cashew milk, oat milk and more.

943 Airport Center Dr. Allentown | 610.841.4913

353 S. Cedar Crest Blvd. Allentown | 610.841.1900 menchies.com

Shionna Luxxure Picnic

A picnic can be as simple as a wicker basket and a gingham blanket. It can also be so much more. Think candles, place settings, gourmet food, floral arrangements and theme-appropriate decorations. That’s Shionna Luxxure’s bag. She began her Allentown-based luxury picnic business during the COVID-19 pandemic, when picnics became popular as a safe way to gather outdoors. Now she offers the same posh experience in a variety of settings, and for just about every special occasion under the sun. She says it’s all about making memories: “Just watching the smiles on everyone’s face, it’s priceless.” And those memories can be captured for posterity in her on-site selfie studio.

812 Hamilton St. 4th Floor, Allentown 610.233.1959 | lehighvalleyluxurypicnic.com

Owowcow Creamery BEST ICE CREAM

Locally sourced organic cream and milk, cage-free eggs, local raw honey and non-GMO cane sugar are just a few of the ingredients that make Owowow’s ice cream so good. Add local roasted fruits and veggies, organic extracts, hand-baked inclusions and the finest cocoa, and you’ve got the best ice cream in the Lehigh Valley.

1262 Simon Blvd. Unit B106, Easton | 610.438.5269 | owowcow.com

Sweet Girlz Bakery BEST CUSTOM COOKIE BAKER

Count on Sweet Girlz for the cutest cookies on any holiday or for any custom event. Their paintyour-own watercolor and DIY kits are sure to keep the fun going!

40 N. 3 rd St., Easton 610.829.1030

sweetgirlzbakery.com

Josh Early Candies BEST SPECIALTY CANDY

Fresh ingredients, small-batch family recipes and an unwavering commitment to quality is the Josh Early difference.

4640 W. Tilghman St., Allentown

610.395.4321 | 3620 Nazareth Pike Bethlehem | 610.865.0580

joshearlycandies.com

Cake As Canvas BEST

CAKE

Huma Usmani's Cake As Canvas is a custom couture cake design company specializing in edible art. Go check out their Instagram to see for yourself!

215.667.1771

cakeascanvas.com

Böser Geist Brewing Co. BEST DRINK FLIGHT

Every Thursday, Böser Geist celebrates Flight Night with four five-ounce beers for just $10— and pierogi flights! Flavor options include loaded, buffalo, BBQ, Caribbean, Nashville and Thai.

1250 Simon Blvd. K100, Easton 484.293.8005 | bosergeist.com

Clover Hill Winery

BEST WINERY

Every Friday, head to The Winery in Breinigsville (or any of the Clover Hill locations) for $6 wine by the glass and $5 refills all day.

9850 Newtown Rd., Breinigsville 610.395.2468 | cloverhillwinery.com

Eight Oaks Farm Distillery

BEST LOCAL DISTILLERY

Eight Oaks uses traditional distillation techniques, homegrown grains and farm-fresh ingredients to craft their spirits. Join them for a behind-the-barn-door guided tour every Saturday at 3 p.m. to learn all about the process!

7189 Route 309 New Tripoli | 484.387.5287 eightoaksdistillery.com

Tapas on Main

BEST SANGRIA

Enjoy Tapas’ seasonal sangria offerings by the glass, pitcher or flight.

500 Main St., Bethlehem 610.868.8903 | tapasonmain.com

Separatist Beer Project

BEST LOCALLY BREWED BEER TO ORDER

Separatist is all about hops, lagerbier and spontaneous fermentation. We can’t wait for their Easton location to reopen so we can get back to enjoying all three!

101 Northampton St., Easton 610.330.9114 | separatistbeer.com

Bonn Place Brewing Company

BEST LOCAL BREWERY

This craft brewery on Bethlehem’s Southside promises good beer, a cool atmosphere and great company.

310–14 Taylor St., Bethlehem 610.419.6660 | bonnbrewing.com

Blended

BEST COCKTAIL MENU

Try the Queen City Spritz, the North 7 th Sour or the Artswalk Punch to celebrate the city while you sip.

27 N. 7th St., Allentown | 610.674.0602 blendedrestaurant.com

Blue Grillhouse BEST HAPPY HOUR

Blue’s happy hour runs Monday through Friday from 4–6 p.m. at their indoor bar and seasonal outdoor patio. Enjoy $7 wines and $5 draft beers as well as $9 cocktails and small plates.

4431 Easton Ave., Bethlehem 610.691.8400 bluegrillhouse.com

Two Rivers Brewing BEST LOCAL BREWERY EXPERIENCE

Experience house-made craft beer in one of Easton’s most historic and newly renovated buildings.

542 Northampton St., Easton 610.829.1137

Quakertown | tworiversbrewing.com

Mojo 516 Cafe

This bustling spot on College Hill in Easton next to Lafayette College cranks out tons of coffee, bagels, juices, enormous muffins and now, according to readers, award-winning smoothies. There are so many to choose from, it could take days to get through them. According to Victoria Galanos, whose family owns the business, two of their most popular offerings are Beach Bum, with strawberry, banana, mango, pineapple and yogurt, and Jumpin’ Monkey, with cocoa, peanut butter, almond milk, cinnamon and banana. If you’re into protein, try the Green Machine (vanilla protein, pineapple, spinach, avocado, coconut, banana and mango) or the Hunky Monkey (almond milk, cinnamon, banana and chocolate protein). “It’s highly recommended to add a shot of espresso to the Jumpin’ Monkey or Hunky Monkey,” she says.

516 March St., Easton | 610.438.1350 mojo516cafe.com

CycleFit Lehigh Valley

BEST SPIN/CYCLE STUDIO

CycleFit Lehigh Valley in Easton bills itself as an indoor cycling and strength training facility that offers group classes in a boutique setting. If you’re nervous about taking it for a spin, so to speak, know this, says Allie Grantz: “We have all had our day one and it only gets easier from there.” Grantz, who co-owns CycleFit with Paul Lutz, became serious about physical fitness about 20 years ago. Now, as an instructor, she’s serious about making sure each and every person breaking a sweat in her studio feels seen. “We love getting to know each person in our classes,” says Grantz.

1800 Sullivan Trl. Suite 145, Easton | 610.360.3518 cyclefitlehighvalley.com

Stella Fitness

BEST PERSONAL TRAINING PROGRAM

Count on Stella Fitness for stellar results. Through healthy eating and movement habits, Stella Brown is helping clients reach their goals.

1232 Northampton St., Easton 610.730.0058 | stellafitness1

Steel Fitness Premier

BEST FITNESS CLASS

With 80-plus weekly classes, Steel Fitness Premier has your fitness journey covered. Choose from studio classes, yoga and

Barre3

BEST BARRE

HEALTH SELF

Barre3 in Allentown and Bethlehem combine strength, cardio and mindfulness for an efficient and effective workout that leaves participants feeling balanced and empowered.

3900 Hamilton Blvd., Allentown 610.841.8200 | 3303 Bath Pike Bethlehem | 610.625.5955 barre3.com

Physical Methods

BEST PILATES

Stacey Redfield opened the Physical Methods Pilates studio in 2000. Located in the trendy Laros Lofts building, her boutique style studio offers private and group classes using the machines invented by Pilates. “Stacey Pilates” is a fun, challenging and effective workout designed to support and develop alignment.

670 E. North St. Suite 202 Bethlehem | 610.814.0603 staceyredfield.com

St. Luke’s Fitness and Sports Performance Center

BEST GYM/ FITNESS CENTER

St. Luke’s offerings range from general fitness, medical fitness, youth fitness and adult elite fitness to tactical fitness, training and conditioning. They’ve got group classes at their Allentown, Bethlehem, Easton and Phillipsburg, NJ, locations.

Multiple area locations slhn.org/fitness

Hot Yoga Hut

BEST YOGA STUDIO

Hot Yoga Hut offers yoga for all levels. Head to the hot room for a 75-minute set sequence or opt for their Beginning Yoga class to learn the poses before advancing. Private lessons are also available for individuals and groups.

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

Forward Thinking Fitness

BEST FITNESS COMMUNITY

The team at Forward Thinking Fitness believes that community is what separates individual failure from success in the journey to better health. Go far with the support of FTF Nation behind you!

6750 Iroquois Trl. Suite 12, Allentown 610.395.9595 | trainftf.com

Test Your Metal Fitness &

BEST CROSSFIT/ FUNCTIONAL TRAINING

Test Your Metal offers group classes, private coaching, specialized training and more. Here, everyone is welcome, coaching is elite and athletes are supported on their quest to becoming their best.

3601 Sullivan Trl., Easton 610.829.1070 | testyourmetal.com

A Soft Place To Land

BEST NUTRITIONIST

A Soft Place To Land focuses on unlearning diet culture and relearning body trust. Everyone deserves A Soft Place to Land as they heal.

484.519.0096 asoftplacetolandllc.com

Sunny Life Coach, Kathleen Tucka BEST LIFE COACH

Life and Master Business Coach Kathleen Tucka honors her clients’ dreams, challenges their excuses and gets them the results they’re looking for all while having some fun along the way.

sunnylifecoach.com

INKIE Brow Studio BEST PERMANENT MAKEUP ARTIST/STUDIO

Striving for the most natural-looking hyper-realistic results, INKIE Brow Studio wants to enhance your features and spotlight your beauty.

42A S. 3rd St. Suite 202, Easton 848.219.3149 | inkiebrowstudio.com

The Quillian Tattoo

BEST TATTOO SHOP

Count on The Quillian Tattoo for clean, safe and professional work.

614 N. 19th St., Allentown 610.770.7587 | thequillian.com

best holistic WELLNESS EXPERIENCE

Kim’s Healing Center

Kim Ng says she learned bodywork, massage and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) from her grandfather. “My grandfather was an herbalist, a medicine man for the village,” she says. “I followed him around to treat patients in the 1960s.” She wanted to share her knowledge of alternative medicines and treatments with people in the U.S. after she moved here with her family, so she opened Kim’s Healing Center in 1989. Now the place in Easton offers a host of services, including tui na, a form of deep tissue massage. There’s also cupping, infrared sauna, reflexology, yoga, herbal teas and natural herbs and much more. Clients can join a membership program to score discounts.

1223 Butler St., Easton | 610.559.7280 | kimshealing.com

home to the counseling environment, providing a warm, inviting and safe place to talk about the most sensitive of subjects.

best waxing

The Deca Salon

Courtney McIntyre and Annie Mcintosh are the owners of The Deca Salon in Emmaus, but when it comes to claiming the Lehigh Valley Style crown for best waxing, they give all the credit to Macie Taylor, their on-site master esthetician. They say Taylor is “skilled, professional and treats each client like a friend.” Taylor specializes in full body waxing but also offers a variety of services, such as facials, lash lifts, brow laminations and spray tans. Deca is derived from deka, the Greek word for 10; leave your waxing and beauty needs to the ladies at Deca, and you’ll feel like a 10, too.

10 S. 4th St., Emmaus | 610.421.6136 | thedecasalon.com

Skinterest Skincare Boutique

BEST EYEBROW ARTIST/STUDIO

In addition to their massage and facial services, Skinterest is a onestop shop for brows, offering waxing, lamination, shaping and tinting.

1274 Simon Blvd. Suite G101 Easton | 610.258.1702 skinterestskincare.com

Lashes by Gab

BEST LASH ARTIST/STUDIO

Lashes by Gab is here for all of your lash needs, from extensions to lifting to tinting.

1331 Roth Ave. Suite 1, Allentown 2880 Center Valley Suite 603 Center Valley | lashesbygab.com

KYRASKIN Aesthetics & Acne Specialists

BEST FACIAL

Choose from KYRASKIN’s Ultimate Glow Facial, their Dermaplane Facial, their Hydrofacial Express and their Hydrofacial Deluxe. You won’t be disappointed.

1040 S. Cedar Crest Blvd. 2 nd floor Allentown | 484.763.0395 kyraskinmedspa

best hair stylist

Jo Sandoval

Jordan (Jo) Sandoval says everyone around her knew she belonged in the beauty industry before she did. “I always enjoyed sitting with my grandma and my mom during their hair appointments,” she says. “Then once middle school and high school came, I was always doing my friends’ hair for dances.” Sandoval opened Sand + Co in Center Valley in October of 2022 and loves making new friends in her chair.

“Being able to truly connect with clients on a personal level is a blessing,” she says. And as for her salon, she says exciting things are in the works, so stay tuned.

3060 Center Valley Pkwy. Suite 800 Center Valley 610.890.4446 jo.sandandco

Makeup by Roxy

BEST MAKEUP ARTIST/STUDIO

Heading to a special event or just a fun night out? Team Makeup by Roxy is here to get you ready! Or let them show you their tricks with makeup lessons (they teach everyday beauty, aging gracefully, color matching and technique, new product recommendations and more).

301 Front St. Suite 3, Catasauqua | 484.820.0202 | makeupbyroxy.com

BB DeCheine

BEST WOMEN’S SALON

BEST MEN’S HAIRCUT

BB DeCheine’s two separate salon floors offer both men and women a private experience in a customized, comfortable environment.

1152 Main St., Hellertown 484.851.3171 | bbdecheine.com

Young and Beauty Spa

BEST MANICURE & PEDICURE

Young and Beauty Spa believes that nails are the period at the end of the sentence; they complete the look.

306 Village at Stones Crossing Rd., Easton | 610.438.4077 | youngandbeautyspa.com

best spray tan

LV Glow

No time to hone your skin’s hue before a big event? No problem. Ally Bishop and Maureen Bucha bring the bronze to you. They founded their mobile spray tan business, LV Glow, in 2021. “We wanted to offer the Lehigh Valley a luxury spray tan experience in a safe and convenient space,” Bishop says. “What better space is there than your own home?” They bring everything needed to transform your skin tone—including a 4’ x 4’ x 7’ mobile spray tent. All you have to do is open your front door and let these ladies work their magic. There’s a standard glow and also a rapid glow option for those with less time to marinate.

267.946.7763

lvglowspraytans.com

best barbershop

Tristan’s Barbershop

Tristan Burke has long understood the transformative power of a new haircut. “I always enjoyed going to the barbershop as a kid and how good I felt after a cut,” he says. Now he’s the guy holding the scissors and the clippers. Burke had been working as a barber for several years in Allentown when he and his wife came across a vacant space for rent near their apartment in Bethlehem, and Tristan’s Barbershop was born. Burke says he’s worked to cultivate a family-friendly atmosphere in his shop. “We treat our customers like family and create a vibe that everybody can feel comfortable in.”

411 W. Broad St., Bethlehem | 610.419.0627 | tristansbarbershop.com

Healing Hands Massage and Wellness Center

BEST MASSAGE

Whether you’re in the market for a warm bamboo massage, a deep tissue massage, a sports massage, a prenatal massage or something else entirely (they do neuromuscular therapy, reiki, myofascial release, reflexology and more), Healing Hands has the answer. They even do couples massage lessons!

518 Main St., Bethlehem | 610.882.4325 healhands.com

SHOPPING

best pet boutique

Doggy Dao & Cat’s Meow

Julie Van Vliet opened Doggy Dao & Cat’s Meow in Hellertown in 2013. She calls it the epitome of a small, local business. “It’s ‘mom and pop’ without the pop,” she says. It’s also a one-stop shop for pet owners looking for natural and holistic food, treats and supplements for their furry friends. “I combine my experience of working in the medical field, veterinary care, pet retail and service dog training in helping someone choose the most appropriate diet for their pet,” says Van Vliet. She’s also a proud dog mama to Louie, a German Shepherd, and Miley, a Shepherd/Husky mix.

1238 Main St., Hellertown | 610.838.1900 doggydaocatsmeow

Hello Beautiful Salon & Boutique BEST WOMEN’S BOUTIQUE

Combining classic, edgy and bohemian styles, Hello Beautiful Salon & Boutique guarantees quality.

7812 Main St., Fogelsville 610.351.4247

hellobeautifulsb.com

Assembly88

BEST MEN’S SHOP

Assembly88 believes that fashion is architecture; it’s a matter of proportions. Count on them for brands like Peter Millar, Patagonia, Fair Harbor and more.

544 Hamilton St., Allentown 610.433.7625 | assembly88.com

Let’s Play Books Bookstore BEST BOOKSTORE

As their first location celebrated its ninth anniversary, Let’s Play Books debuted their second location this year, offering even more opportunities for locals to fall in love with a new read.

244 Main St., Emmaus 610.928.8600 | 3055 Tilghman St. Allentown | 610.871.3949 letsplaybooks.com

Weil Antique Center

BEST ANTIQUE/ VINTAGE GOODS

Explore more than 150 dealers displaying furniture, clocks, jewelry, memorabilia and more at Weil Antique Center.

2200 31st St. SW, Allentown 610.791.7910 | weilantiquecenter.com

Lehigh Valley Home & Garden Center

BEST HOME & GARDEN STORE

Explore Lehigh Valley Home & Garden’s acres of nursery stock; it’s a selection like nowhere else.

4220 Crackersport Rd., Allentown 610.391.1570 | lvhgc.com

Bears Repeating BEST RESALE SHOP FOR KIDS

Find gently used clothing, toys, books and tools for infants, kids and teens at Bears Repeating.

7617 Hamilton Blvd., Trexlertown 610.398.7187 | bearsrepeatingpa.com

best home décor shop

GailGray Home

When Gail Gray decided to retire and hand over the reins of her namesake store in 2022, she had the perfect successor in mind. Carolyn Gagnon started working at the home décor shop in Center Valley in 2010 and has held every position there, from sales associate to bookkeeper to inventory manager to interior designer. Gagnon says she’s made it her mission to carry on Gray’s tradition of excellence for shoppers looking for that special something. “We have the most unique items that you just can’t find anywhere else in the Valley. We have something for literally everyone’s taste, style and budget. From full-on designer glam to simple, sweet home décor, we have it all.”

2960 Center Valley Pkwy. Suite 712 Center Valley | 484.223.3301

gailgrayhome.com

CBD American Shaman BEST CBD STORE

CBD American Shaman Fogelsville is dedicated to bringing wellness to the world through ultra-concentrated, terpene-rich CBD oil derived from all-natural, high-quality industrial hemp.

7727 Glenlivet Dr. W, Fogelsville 484.656.7771 | cbdfogelsville.com

Redd

&

Co.

Fine Jewelers

BEST FINE JEWELRY STORE

Find the highest quality jewelry with unique custom designs available to fit nearly any lifestyle or budget at Redd & Co.

5248 Hamilton Blvd., Allentown 610.841.0930 reddandco.com

FD Market

BEST ECO-FRIENDLY GOODS

Designer Consigner BEST RESALE BOUTIQUE

Head to Designer Consigner’s Instagram page to peruse their luxury handbag offerings.

77 W. Broad St. Suite 19 Bethlehem | 610.419.0913 designerconsignerbethlehem.com

The Curious Pantaholic

BEST INDOOR PLANT SHOP

This past April, The Curious Plantaholic expanded its reach with Plants + Coffee (a coffee café with a plant shop inside!).

45 E. Belvidere St. Nazareth | 610.905.2495 curiousplantaholic.com

FD Market is on a mission to make sustainable living obtainable and beautiful for everyone. Find them at their new location at The Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley.

158 Northampton St., Easton | 2845 Center Valley Pwky. Suite 814 Center Valley | 1.888.450.5333 | fdmarketco.com

Something Different Boutique

BEST ACCESSORIES STORE

Shop brands like ALEX AND ANI, Kendra Scott, Ania Haie and more at Something Different Boutique.

351 Town Center Blvd., Easton | 610.515.8006 | somethingdifferentshopping.com

as seen in:

PPL Center

BEST CONCERT VENUE

This past May, Janet Jackson’s Together Again tour touched down at Allentown’s PPL Center.

701 Hamilton St., Allentown 610.224.4625 | pplcenter.com

Musikfest

BEST FESTIVAL

This year’s Musikfest will run August 3 through 13, with headliners including Maren Morris, Dan + Shay, Walker Hayes, G-Eazy, Goo Goo Dolls and more. musikfest.org

The Weekenders

BEST LOCAL BAND/MUSICIAN

The Weekenders rock an upbeat eclectic mix of dance music from the '70s to today, providing the perfect soundtrack to any weekend.

610.442.2352 | theweekendersrock.com

Three OAK Steakhouse

BEST DATE LOCATION

FUN GAMES

Experience this old-fashioned New York-style steakhouse in the heart of Easton.

323 Northampton St. Easton | 610.559.5510 threeoaksteakhouse.com

Pints & Pies

BEST PLACE TO WATCH THE GAME

Pints & Pies recently announced the news of its second location— your local neighborhood pub is coming to Bethlehem!

2049 Northampton St., Easton 21 E. Elizabeth Ave., Bethlehem 610.438.1456 | pintsandpiespub.com

McCall Collective Brewing Co.

BEST TRIVIA NIGHT

Follow along on Instagram to keep up with McCall’s trivia night events!

102 E. Susquehanna St. Allentown | 610.973.5403 mccallcollectivebrewing.com

Easton Chick Chat

BEST SOCIAL GROUP OR MEETUP CLUB

Past Easton Chick Chat meetups include brunch at Easton Wine Project, happy hour at Townley House’s Bar Bix, dinner at Terry’s Italian Restaurant and more.

meetup.com/easton-chickchat-social-group

Glasbern

BEST STAYCATION

Retreat into history at Glasbern’s one-of-a-kind hotel.

2141 Packhouse Rd., Fogelsville 610.285.4723 glasbern.com

PHOTO BY JIM WILLIAMS PHOTOGRAPHY

best food account

Sumfoodie

Who among us hasn’t posted a casual food pic to social media at one time or another? But there’s nothing casual about Sumer Moreau’s foodstagramming (@sumfoodie). Every morsel she consumes when she’s out and about in the Lehigh Valley (and beyond) is captured and catalogued in all of its Technicolor glory: wings, nachos, doughnuts, pancakes, pasta, sushi. You name it, she’s probably had it on her plate at one time or another. Moreau says her goal is supporting the Lehigh Valley dining scene and finding the most unique foods. “There are some solid spots right now, but I’m really looking forward to the future and watching it grow.”

sumfoodie

Dana Alyss (@danaalyss)

BEST SOCIAL MEDIA ACCOUNT

Dana Alyss is a lifestyle, travel and Disney social media content creator with more than 135,000 followers. Her bright and eccentric personality comes through in each and every post!

danaalyss

Mike Kelly

BEST LOCAL RADIO PERSONALITY

Listen to Mike on B104 on weekday mornings from 5–10 a.m. mikeandstephb104

Eve Russo

BEST LOCAL TV PERSONALITY

Find Eve on 69 News at Sunrise between 5 and 9 a.m. Monday through Friday.

The Official Brunch Boys

BEST LOCAL PODCAST

It’s more than just a podcast, it’s a lifestyle. From local to global, The Official Brunch Boys love celebrating food experiences.

theofficialbrunchboys

Moreau is pictured enjoying the affogato dessert at Hellertown's PA House.

FUN GAMES

best seasonal farmers’ market

Captured LV Escape Room

BEST ESCAPE ROOM

Bethlehem rooms include The Mayan Temple and The Haunted Theatre while Allentown rooms include The Devil’s Den and The Soul Collector.

559 Main St., Bethlehem

610.419.0449 | 4640 Broadway Allentown | 610.351.2026 capturedlv.com

Skeggy’s Axe House

BEST AX THROWING

Book your lane for an exciting night out in Downtown Easton, featuring a self-serve bar.

42 Centre Sq., Easton 484.544.3003 | skeggys.com

Lehigh Valley Sports Turf

BEST PLACE FOR KIDS’ ACTIVITIES

Offerings include their preschool program, birthday parties, youth soccer, public and private play, turf rentals and more.

7035 Schantz Rd. Suite 200 Allentown | 484.273.2518

lvsportsturf.com

Run & Brew

BEST OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL OR SPORT GROUP

It’s pretty simple: they start and end at a brewery, pick a short or long run, and celebrate with friends afterwards.

runandbrew

Easton Farmers’ Market

The oldest, continuous open-air market in the country is celebrating its 271 st season.

128 Larry Holmes Dr., Easton | 610.330.9942

Seiple Farms

BEST PUMPKIN PATCH

Seiple Farms is celebrating more than 40 years of pumpkins. This fall, experience the fun any weekend September 23 through October 29.

5761 Nor Bath Blvd., Bath 610.837.0847 | seiplefarms.com

Grim’s Orchard & Family Farms

BEST PICK-YOUROWN ORCHARD

Pick your own apples, strawberries, cherries, potatoes and pumpkins at Grim’s.

9875 Schantz Rd., Breinigsville 610.395.5655 | grimsorchard.com

Unangst Tree Farms

BEST CHRISTMAS TREE FARM

Count on Unangst for your Fraser firs, concolor firs, Douglas firs and Canaan firs.

7317 Bethlehem-Bath Pike Bath | 610.837.7531

unangst-treefarm.com

X-Golf Lehigh Valley

BEST VIRTUAL GOLF

We can’t wait to check out X-Golf Lehigh Valley’s new location coming soon!

New location coming soon playxgolf.com

Rockin’ Ramaley

BEST PARTY DJ

Choose from The Sound Package, The “T” Package, The Paramount Package and The Ceremony Package for your celebration.

44 W. 1 st St., Wind Gap 610.922.1460 | rockinramaley.com

Lavish Haus Design & Event Co.

BEST EVENT SPECIALIST

Lavish Haus is a full-service event planning and design firm providing clients with peace of mind in a beautiful way.

191 Main St. Suite 300, Emmaus 484.325.5140 | lavishhausco.com

Abominable Productions

BEST VIDEOGRAPHER

Count on Abominable Productions’ team of cinematic storytellers to capture the authentic moments of your day.

abominableproductions.com

Alison Conklin

BEST PHOTOGRAPHER

Alison Conklin believes that there is no moment in our lives that doesn’t deserve to be captured and remembered, and the ones in between the big events are the ones that make our story.

alisonconklin.com

Kraft & Co.

Specializing in luxury garden inspired floral designs, Kraft & Co. delights and inspires. By taking on a limited number of events each year, the husband-and-wife team guarantees personalized care and attention. Tatiana KraftJones and Erich Jones promise to fill any occasion with color, movement and beauty, whether it needs table centerpieces, personalized bouquets or ceremony/ reception installations. Through custom color palettes and carefully curated blooms, they'll create your vision with their hands.

230 Ferry St. Suite 104, Easton kraftandcompany.com

Dogtopia

BEST PET GROOMER

Count on Dogtopia for doggie spa services, including baths, brush-outs and more.

669 S. 25th St., Easton 610.839.0550 | dogtopia.com

Queen of the Valley Farm

BEST PET DAYCARE /BOARDING

Dogs receive the royal treatment at this pet resort.

6702 Vera Cruz Rd. S Zionsville | 610.967.6371

queenofthevalleyfarm.com

Leader of the Pack Canine Institute

BEST DOG TRAINING

From basic training to advanced skill level classes to behavior modification, Leader of the Pack is here to help.

6346 Farm Bureau Rd., Allentown 610.366.8282 | lopci.com

best special occasion florist

PHOTO BY BIANCA TANG

Style Award Winner

Gluten-Free Options

Vegetarian Options

Wheelchair Accessible Serves Alcohol

BYOB

BUCKS

MCCOOLE’S AT THE HISTORIC RED LION INN $-$$$

Buongiorno!

Dine al fresco at Bethlehem’s award-winning family-owned Italian restaurant, proudly serving the town since 2007

546 Main Street, Bethlehem 610.867.9802

MamaNinaBethlehem.com

201 Cherokee St. Bethlehem

610.419.1101

thewilburmansion.com

Live Entertainment

Outdoor Seating

Entrée Price Range:

$ under $15

$$ $15-$25

$$$ $25+

4 S. Main St., Quakertown, 215.538.1776, mccoolesredlioninn.com

Offering a dining room, martini lounge and bar in a beautifully restored inn from the 1700s. Monthly featured wines and brews from their own Red Lion Brewery. Also offering a complementary door-to-door and hotel shuttle service within a five-mile radius of the restaurant to bar and restaurant patrons, as well as private events at McCoole’s Arts & Events Place. Brunch, lunch & dinner.

SPRINGTOWN INN $$

3258 Main St., Rte 212, Springtown, 610.346.7262, springtowninn.com Springtown Inn is intimate dining in a historic country inn, featuring steak and seafood. Catering all life celebrations! Dinner.

LEHIGH

Brü Daddy’s Brewing Co.

$

732 Hamilton St., Allentown, 610.351.7600, brudaddysbrewingcompany.com

Brewpub featuring food that’s as good as the beer and an authentic outdoor beer garden. Brunch, lunch, dinner & late night.

COPPERHEAD GRILLE $$

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

Copperhead Grille is a place where handcrafted recipes and sports merge to form the ultimate sports dining experience. Lunch, dinner & late night.

Eight Oaks Farm Distillery

$$

7189 PA-309, New Tripoli, 484.387.5287, eightoaksdistillery.com

Seasonal cocktails. Farm-to-bottle spirits. Great locally-sourced food and wonderful country views. 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.

HOUSE & BARN $$

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

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

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.

MADELINE’S $$$

1250 Turnstone Dr., Fogelsville, 484.277.2250, madelinesfogelsville.com

Casual fine dining with a creative gourmet flair. Madeline’s, where friends gather. Brunch, lunch, dinner & late night.

Mama Nina Foccacheria $

546 Main St., Bethlehem, 610.867.9802, mamaninabethlehem.com

Mama Nina’s Foccacheria uses only fresh ingredients, everything delivered fresh daily and prepared on-site. 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.

NOTCH MODERN KITCHEN & BAR

$$$

5036 Hamilton Blvd., 610.351.8222, notchmknb.com

Modern American with an Asian Twist. Lunch & dinner.

POCONO BREWERY CO. $$

938 Lifestyle Center, Whitehall, 610.264.2194, poconobrewery.com

Authentic wood-fired pizza, imported meat and cheese boards, nachos, salads and craft beer. Lunch & dinner.

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.

SWITCHBACK PIZZA $$

525 Jubilee St., Emmaus, 610.928.0641, switchbackpizza.com

Neapolitan pizza using local ingredients cooked in their Italian wood oven for guests to enjoy. Lunch & dinner.

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.

Wild Turkey Grill $$

3625 Shankweiler Rd., Allentown, 610.395.3369, theclubattwinlakes.com

From juicy burgers to fresh salads, the Wild Turkey Grill has something for every taste bud. Brunch, lunch & dinner. Brunch, Lunch, Dinner.

YOUELL’S OYSTER HOUSE $$$

2249 Walnut St., Allentown, 610.439.1203, youellsoysterhouse.com

Sea to table since 1895. The region’s destination for fresh seafood and steaks. 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.

BeamYard at Steel Club

$$$

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

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

*Highlighted entries are LehighValleyStyleadvertisers. Look for their ads in this edition!

LOCALLY SOURCED. SEASONALLY INSPIRED.

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.

BOLETE RESTAURANT & INN $$$

1740 Seidersville Rd., Bethlehem, 610.868.6505, boleterestaurant.com

Bolete is a fine dining restaurant where the team’s care and passion for what they do is evident in each carefully and skillfully prepared dish. Brunch, lunch & dinner.

Chop House at Wind Creek $$$

77 Wind Creek Blvd., Bethlehem, 877.726.3777, windcreekbethlehem.com

A modern, upscale twist on the classic American steakhouse. Chop House at Wind Creek is the place to dine in the Lehigh Valley— serving only-the-best steaks, seafood, signature creations and handcrafted cocktails. Dinner.

DADDY’S PLACE $

650 Northampton St., Easton, 610.438.4442, daddysplaceeaston.com

Mediterranean Lebanese Cuisine, freshly baked bread, 1,100 craft and import beers and full bar. 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.

THE DIME $$$

12 N. 7th St., Allentown, 484.273.4000, thedimeallentown.com

Contemporary American cuisine. Breakfast, 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.

PA House $

662 Front St., Hellertown, 484.851.6662, thepahouse.com

Low-key premium restaurant with great food, drinks and vibes. Lunch & dinner.

SOCIAL STILL $$$

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

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

SURV RESTAURANT $$$

1800 Sullivan Trl., Easton, 484.544.0624, surveaston.com

Dual-concept restaurant with a New American menu and wood-fired pizza. Dinner.

THREE OAK STEAKHOUSE $$$

323 Northampton St., Easton, 610.559.5510, threeoaksteakhouse.com

Classic American steakhouse with an extensive wine list and beautiful destination decor. Dinner

TWISTED OLIVE $$$

51 W. Broad St., Bethlehem, 610.419.1200, twistedolivebethlehem.com

A casual, bistro-style restaurant with a world twist serving creative, casual cuisine, along with house-made infused cocktails. Lunch & dinner.

Two Rivers Brewing Company $

542 Northampton St., Easton, 610.829.1137, tworiversbrewing.com

House-made craft beer and the freshest, locally sourced ingredients to provide the highest quality dining experience. Lunch, dinner & late night.

YIANNI’S TAVERNA $$$

3760 Old Philadelphia Pike, Bethlehem, 610.410.9300, yiannistaverna.com

Authentic Greek restaurant specializing in the clean flavors of the Mediterranean and seafood. Brunch & dinner.

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.

STEEL CLUB

700 Linden Ave., Hellertown 610.838.7018 x1 | steel.club

Become a fee-free dining member and enjoy Steel Club’s BeamYard Patio and Alley Bar & Grille’s unbeatable views.

Golf course setting w/open tent & both open-air and covered patios

Adirondack chairs & dining tables w/umbrellas

Sunlight shades, outdoor fans, fire pits, string lights, plant features & special outdoor menu

Live music, outdoor games, TVs & bar

BeamYard Patio: 110 person max; Alley Bar & Grille: 100 person max

BeamYard: Sun. 10 a.m.–8 p.m., Closed Mon., Tues.–Sat. 11 a.m.–9 p.m.; Alley Bar & Grille: Noon–7 p.m., seven days a week, Memorial–Labor Day Reservations required for the BeamYard Patio; No reservations req’d for the Alley Bar & Grille

THE WILBUR

201 Cherokee St., Bethlehem 610.419.1101 | wilburmansion.com

Enjoy outdoor dining at Bethlehem’s new premier restaurant all season long!

Unbeatable views of the Lehigh River and SteelStacks amidst one-of-a-kind historical architectural features

Patio seating w/umbrellas

Locally sourced, seasonally inspired dishes and handcrafted beverages

Open Wednesday–Sunday

SUMMER CIDERS

5 Maidens

5 Maidens Cider Company has a lineup of hard ciders perfect for sipping all summer long. Co-owners Andrew David and Brian Williams are recommending their Back

Nine (a re-release), Blueberry Lemonade and Pomegranate Cider this season—as well as a few others to keep an eye out for.

The Back Nine is a semi-sweet base blended with lemon to make their signature lemonade cider. “It’s then steeped with black tea for that Arnold Palmer boost through the back nine!” they share. “We released Back Nine last year in a very limited quantity. This cider was a huge hit during Musikfest, with many stopping in for mug fills.”

Their Blueberry Lemonade cider also starts with a semi-sweet base that’s

BY KRISTEN WAGNER PHOTOGRAPHY BY MATTHEW CANNON

blended with lemon but it adds blueberry juice to the mix. The pair describes it as a “delightful blueberry lemon aroma and flavor with a touch of apple base in the background.” Meanwhile, their Pomegranate Cider is blended with pomegranate juices to give a sweet yet slightly tart taste.

Other varieties David and Williams are looking forward to releasing this summer include a Pineapple Cider (a semi-dry base with just the right amount of pineapple flavor), the Steeped Series

(mango guava black tea

cider featuring tropical fruit flavors with a smooth black tea finish) and the Charlie Goes to Idaho: “Our awardwinning Charlie, a cider dry hopped with Centennial and Cascade hops, will receive a second hopping of Idaho 7 hops to add a more intense citrus flavor.”

5 Maidens hosts live music every Friday and Saturday night, so follow along on social media to stay up to date with all the fun!

327 Polk St., Bethlehem | 5mcider.com

Tom Garrity Compass Point Family Business Consultant

Kevin Campbell Barry Isett & Associates President

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