Lehigh Valley Style March 2023

BEAUTIFULLY UPDATED

UPPER SAUCON TWP

Professionally landscaped with mature trees and bushes. Spend lazy days on the covered front porch and cozy evenings around the backyard fire pit. Featuring hardwood floors and vaulted ceilings throughout the first level, a modern kitchen and large windows for natural light. 6 bedrooms, 3 full/1 half bath. $795,000

CAPTIVATING VIEWS

LOWER SAUCON TWP

Surrounded by natural beauty on a private cul de sac in desirable Saddle Ridge, this stately stone home offers a flowing interior with hardwood floors, light-filled picture windows and plenty of space to spread out. Charming, terraced gardens and panoramic views. 5 bedrooms/4 full/1 half bath. 1.74 acres. $930,000

The Lehigh Valley’s Premier Real Estate Group

ELEGANT 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 baths. 1.017acre. $1,845,000

5 ACRES & POOL

LOWER SAUCON TWP

Impressive home situated on 5+ acres in the Saucon Valley School District. Open floor plan w/beautiful details. Cherry wood floors throughout. Complete with a 3 car garage, first floor owner’s suite and sparkling inground pool. 4 bedrooms, 3 full/1 half baths. 5.09 acres. $795,000

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.

Debra

George Heslin, REALTOR ®

Elizabeth Bowers, REALTOR ®

Shanna Sigmans, REALTOR ®

AGE IN PLACE

SALISBURY TWP

Custom-built brick home in desirable Buckingham neighborhood with 4-season sunroom + 1st floor master suite. Beautiful finishes & magnificent amenities. Private, fenced-in yard w/beautiful hardscaping and mature landscaping. 4 bedrooms, 3 full/1 half bath. 0.5 acres. $895,000

BRING YOUR BUILDER BETHLEHEM

TWP

Premier flat lot within lovely enclave of estate-sized homes in the highly desirable Southampton neighborhood. Public utilities + natural gas. 5 min access to Rt. 33/22/I-78. Deed restrictions include 5000 sq.ft. minimum + 3 car attached garage to establish enduring value. 1 acre. $275,000

Colleen Pierson, REALTOR ®

3477 Corporate Parkway, Center Valley 484.280.6212 direct • 610.282.4444 office

RebeccaFrancisTeamInfo@gmail.com

RebeccaFrancisRealtors.com

Rebecca L. Francis, Associate Broker, MBA

Protchko, REALTOR ® MBA

get ready for

LET OUR TEAM HELP YOU CELEBRATE YOUR SPECIAL EVENT

We’re the Lehigh Valley’s most anticipated new venue — and the area’s only resort to offer a full range of on-site amenities to enjoy before, during and after your event.

Weddings

Vow Renewals

Rehearsal Dinners

Rites of Passage

Celebrations

Cocktail Receptions

Reunions

Birthday Parties

Showers

NEW HOTEL TOWER OPENING SOON!

Bachelorette & Bachelor Parties

Farewell Breakfasts

Three magnificent ballrooms | New 270-room luxury hotel | Upscale lobby bar

Rooftop indoor pool | On-site spa

WindCreekBethlehem.com

La Grange

Originally conceived as a stable with living quarters above, this stunning 7,800 square foot home was fully renovated in 2022 and includes 5 bedrooms and 8 full baths in the main house. Recently completed, the three-car detached garage includes a guest apartment above, with a full kitchen and bath. Newly installed just this year, the heated in-ground pool and hot tub boast panoramic views in every direction. Almost 90 acres of rural tranquility surround this sprawling converted barn. $5,999,000

Newport Ridge Lots

Custom home builder Myron R. Haydt works with homeowners who will settle for nothing less than extraordinary quality, location, and design to create their dream home with materials gifted by nature and honed by fine craftsmen. Protective covenants, including a 4,500 square foot minimum, have been developed to establish enduring value. Starting at $2,700,000.

Bethlehem Luxe 5310 Saucon Ridge Road

This single-story home is the ultimate in mid-century modern design. The east hallway opens to the large and sunny 2021 kitchen with granite countertops and stainless appliances, which flows easily to the family room with a nearby half bath. On the west side of the house, a den and bar area separate public spaces from private quarters. The primary suite features abundant windows, a walk-in closet, and ensuite bathroom. Two more generously sized bedrooms share a hall bath. The detached 2-car garage also includes two large storage rooms. $899,000

Atop Saucon Ridge, on one of the highest points in the community of Blue Ridge West Estates, are two remaining lots on which to build and watch the seasons change across far horizons. At the end of a cul-de-sac, the properties offer both open and wooded land and will allow you to position your home for a walk-out basement. The neighboring homes boast lovely architectural designs and present some of the highest values in the Lehigh Valley. The 2.35-acre lot #39 is offered for $315,000. The 4.92-acre lot #41 is offered for $425,000.

Veena Chauhan, shot by Andrew Tomasino.

PHOTO BY MARCO CALDERON

5

DE-CLUTTER: Go through your junk drawer and closets and get organized! Nothing feels better than being able to easily find the things you need and use every day.

KITCHENS & BATHROOMS: Take an inventory of your refrigerator and pantry, wipe down the shelves and dispose of any expired foods. Ditto for your medicine cabinet!

AIR QUALITY: Your HVAC has worked hard all winter, so make sure to replace your HEPAcertified air filters so that your system is prepared for the onset of springtime allergens.

REFRESH: Nothing says “spring cleaning” like some light redecorating. Switch out your throw pillows, curtains, bedding and table linens to greet the change of season with style!

for a Cleaner Spring 1 2 3 4 5

GET OUTSIDE: Wipe down your outdoor furniture, sweep away any lingering winter debris on your porch, deck or patio and get ready to soak in the sunshine!

LOVE YOUR HOME

This month, we teamed up with Shoshana Gosselin, founder of Allentownbased interior design firm Love Your Room, to share a local family’s home transformation project with you. I loved meeting Terrence, Kendra, Madeline and Layla for a photoshoot at their home with Style photographer Marco Calderon. We hope their story and Shoshana’s expert insight inspire you to love your home this spring! Turn to pg. 34.

Then, on pg. 42, we’re so excited to introduce you to Veena Chauhan, the super chic fashion designer, artist and real estate professional living in West End Allentown. Veena has rubbed elbows with most of

fashion’s elite, and has quite the tale to tell. Her home tells her story, with walls showcasing photos she’s collected, art she’s painted and her own fashion design sketches. Go inside Vasari Showroom on pg. 20, learn the steps for building a custom home with Rotelle Studio(e) on pg. 23 and discover what’s on the menu at the new Kabinett Wine Bar & Garden on pg. 50. Is your home ready to be featured? Email photos to editor@lehighvalleystyle.com for future editorial consideration!

Warmly,

At home with Veena Chauhan—and Stylephotographer Andrew Tomasino.

“Because of the ExecuHealth program at St. Luke’s, I was able to have open heart surgery at St. Luke’s. I would recommend this program whether you THINK you are healthy or whether you ARE healthy, because, as I found out, you really never know. I feel like a dark cloud was lifted over my head that I didn’t quite know was there, and I am a new man because of it.”

Mike Barra Business Development Director, Aesculap, Inc.

Good health is good for business.

St. Luke’s ExecuHealth is a one-day executive health and wellness program tailored and customized for YOU. ExecuHealth provides a comprehensive, evidence-based picture of your overall health, designed with your busy and fast-paced life in mind.

I don’t have any major projects on my list, but I plan to show my laundry room some love this year!

President/CEO

Paul Prass

Vice President/COO

Lisa Prass

Publisher

Pamela Deller

Editor-in-Chief

Kristen Wagner

Director of Creative Services

Mike Matuczinski

My entryway nook is getting a moody coat of paint and some new art, but overall, I am looking forward to adding more playfulness to my home design projects in 2023!

Well, for me, home projects occur every month! So, for March, I’ll be doing a backsplash in my kitchen that I will install myself.

Graphic Designers

Thomas Körp, Elaine Wyborski

Corporate Marketing & Events Manager

Jen Fronheiser

Sales & Marketing Account Managers

Caroline Adams, Denise Lichty, Arielle Solliday, Pam Taylor

Contributing Writers

Susan Bianchi, Carrie Havranek, Amy Unger, Daisy Willis

Contributing Photographers

Marco Calderon, Matthew Cannon, Geoff Conklin, Andrew Tomasino

Proofreader

Lori McLaughlin

Accounting

Donna Bachman, Sarah Varano

Circulation Manager

Andrea Karges

My home project is purchasing a home!

One home project I would like to get done this year is redoing our deck and garden in the warmer months.

This year I need to redo my backsplash. It’s humbling to admit, but I was the one who installed this backsplash, poorly, and I curse myself every day. But not for long!

A home project I’m hoping to tackle this year is …

DAISY WILLIS

Contributing Writer

I loved hearing about trends in custom home building from Peter Rotelle. The emphasis on home offices and whether open plan living is still bae makes you think about how homes reflect our changing lifestyles, and existing/older homes bear the shapes of the lifestyles they were current with.

KRISTEN WAGNER

Editor-in-Chief

Style photographer Marco Calderon is a natural at getting little kids engaged with the camera—he’s always willing to be silly with a toy!

THIS MONTH’S PICKS

A BIG DILL

Experience a pickle and wine pairing at Sleepy Cat Urban Winery from March 22 through March 26, where guests can try local pickles, cheeses and meats paired with Sleepy Cat wines. sleepycaturbanwinery

STORY & A SNACK

Every Thursday in March (and continuing through April), little ones can enjoy story time with a snack from 10–10:30 a.m. in the Kids Zone at Easton Public Market. The program is a fun and engaged way for kids to sample new foods as they turn the pages of a book. eastonpublicmarket.com

Restaurant Week

Don’t miss East Penn Restaurant Week, which continues through March 4, for a chance to enjoy some of the area’s eateries. lehighvalleychamber.org

ST. PATRICK’S DAY

Both Allentown and Bethlehem have announced city-wide bar crawls on March 17 to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. Wear green, grab your friends and get wrist-banded to travel from venue to venue at your leisure (via a digital map) while partaking in exclusive food and drink specials. In Bethlehem, the fun kicks off at Tally Ho and in Allentown at Sports & Social. eventbrite.com

THE UNDERGROUND EXPERIENCE

Winter Market

Easton Farmers’ Market’s 11th annual Winter Market will continue every Saturday through April from 10 a.m. to noon. Shop local produce, dairy items, baked goods, meats and more from a record 17 different vendors on the 300 block of Northampton Street. eastonfarmersmarket.com

Enter The Underground Room at Blue Ridge Estate Vineyard & Winery on a Saturday in March and enjoy delicious wines paired with snacks while 14 feet beneath the earth. Owner Randy Detrick offers motivational words throughout the tasting, making it a moving experience. The events tend to sell out, so if you can’t make it this month, book early for next! . blueridgeestatewinery.com

PHOTO BY KORI LIVINGSTON

DISCOVERY NKASSO

Nkasso, which translates to “my home” in Bambara, celebrated its grand opening in January. “Our goal is to make each of our guests feel at home the minute they taste our food,” share owners Habiba Diaby and Adama Coulibaly, who say they started the restaurant with the purpose of letting people discover Africa through their dishes. “We want to make African food known by everyone and share our precious culture and values with everyone in the Lehigh Valley.” Offerings include fufu (pounded yam or plantain), jollof rice (African fried rice), attiéké (yuca couscous) and dibi (seasoned sautéed or grilled meat). “The egusi fufu is very trendy right now on social media and everybody wants to try it,” they share. “And when they come to Nkasso for egusi and fufu, they just fall in love with that food. We also have our African chicken wings made with African seasoning, served with suya pepper on a side. People love that.” Don’t miss Nkasso’s homemade vegan juices, African tea, French crêpes and more.

44 N. 8 th St., Allentown

484.221.1926

nkassofood.com

FOOD TRUCK

DON JUAN MEX GRILL

TRENDING NOW

The food truck menu includes tacos, churros, margaritas and more.

After receiving many inquiries from customers and other local businesses, owners Juan and Melanie Martinez decided to add a food truck to Don Juan Mex Grill’s portfolio. “This addition to our growing restaurant company has already begun to gain a following, and we receive frequent requests to attend festivals, private events and food truck days at local breweries,” they share. “Within days of opening, we were receiving requests from locals.” Perfect for weddings, birthday parties, company gatherings, festivals, fundraisers and beyond, the truck offers a menu featuring tacos, quesadillas, churros, margaritas, beer and more. Those interested in booking the food truck can email foodtruck@donjuanmexgrill.com!

610.438.0895 | donjuanmexgrill.com

RETRO SILVERI & COMPANY

What began as an online business in 2021, and less than a year transitioned into a pop-up shop on the ArtsWalk through City Center’s Chameleon pop-up program, now has its own permanent space in Downtown Allentown. “In December 2022, we decided to move one step forward as a permanent retailer,” says Silveri & Company CEO Kathy Cruz. “We’re still in the downtown area, only a few blocks away from our former space, but the new location is definitely a good fit for our business.” Cruz describes Silveri & Company as an accessories boutique focused on retro and modern pieces. “Our store is most known for its Retro Collection, a selection of purses with interesting shapes such as cassette tapes, rotary phones, vintage cameras and boom boxes. These purses are unique and can elevate any outfit.” Readers are invited to shop online using code “Style” to receive 20 percent off their order.

902 Hamilton St. Suite 150, Cityplace, Allentown | 917.568.9493 | silveriandcompany.com

3 QUESTIONS WITH

Tony Iannelli

PRESIDENT & CEO OF THE GREATER LEHIGH VALLEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

How would you say that the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce has grown and evolved over your many years at its helm?

I think the biggest and the most obvious is the regionalization— the fact that we have grown

in size and with that grown in impact. First and foremost is the growth that we’ve had in terms of regionalizing and bringing the chambers of commerce together so that business owners don’t have to join 10 different chambers. I think politically we’re a little stronger and more able to impact legislation. Just generally, the unification of the Valley, and with that unification I think that the Valley has become stronger economically and stronger relative to its positioning in the state.

What are you most proud of about the work that you do?

What makes it rewarding?

I just think that I’ve been so blessed. I started on the assembly line at Mack Truck and to be where I am today is a miracle. I love being around people, I love government and

what it can accomplish, I love private sector business and what it can accomplish—and it’s the combination of those. My proudest moments are when we are, let’s say, at the annual meeting at Wind Creek, and we have 1,300 people in one room and we’re celebrating the Lehigh Valley. I think that’s one of the areas where we’ve kind of found a niche, and that is to celebrate the Valley—celebrate each one of its main streets, large and small, so while we came together, we’re still focused individually on our communities. I think one of the really proud moments was when the chamber put up about a quarter of a million dollars the first week of COVID, knowing that businesses needed it. They weren’t huge grants, maybe $1,500, but then we partnered with the counties and were

able to give away almost 50 million dollars during COVID. Businesses have been there for us and it was kind of a great reversal that we could then be there for them.

What advice would you give someone looking to get involved in and feel more a part of their community?

It sounds so trivial and so chamber of commerce-like, but never underestimate the impact a singular person can have if they’re motivated and have passion and a strong work ethic— you can accomplish so much in your community and beyond.

BARTON’S AUCTION

BARTONSAUCTION

EIGHT OAKS FARM DISTILLERY

EIGHTOAKSDISTILLERY

550 S. Green St., Nazareth by appointment only 484.546.2442 | bartonsauction.com

7189 Route 309, New Tripoli 484.387.5287 | eightoaksdistillery.com

Featuring finely curated sales with an emphasis on accessibility and attentive customer service, Barton’s Auction is the Lehigh Valley’s premier location to buy and sell vintage designer furniture and decorative art. Visit online for news about the upcoming auctions!

Award-winning Pennsylvania craft whiskeys and spirits, made from grain they grow in the Lehigh Valley. Eight Oaks’ original American spirits are crafted to revive the tradition and lift the spirits of everyone who shares in their enjoyment.

Watch the Unscripted with Russo podcast video with Tony Iannelli at lehighvalleystyle.com

LEHIGH VALLEY WOMEN OF ADVENTURE

After losing her mother in February 2022, Jackie Seidman was nominated by friends for a women’s adventure weekend in Kanab, Utah, sponsored by Dreamland Safari Tours. While participating in the weekend with women from across the country, Seidman says that she realized the importance of providing a safe environment for women to empower each other. “From that point forward, as a 61-year-old female, I found myself wanting to do whatever I could to empower the women around me by encouraging them to better themselves, specifically by finding a way to experience the outdoors in a safe environment with others with common interests,” she explains. “The mission statement of the Lehigh Valley Women of Adventure is to promote women’s sense of self-worth, their ability to determine their own choices and their right to influence social change for themselves and others.” To achieve this mission, they organize outdoor adventures for women, including walking, hiking, running, backpacking, snow sports and water sports. Events can be found on the private Lehigh Valley Women of Adventure Facebook group, and all are welcome to join. With more than 2,500 members at time of press, the group is growing rapidly and in the process of becoming a nonprofit in order to reach and empower as many women as possible.

HomeSpot Media delivers premium HDR photography, video and 360 tours for residential and commercial real estate. Their team of photographers are degreed professionals and are FAA licensed drone pilots. Their marketing experts provide lead generation services to help real estate businesses grow. HomeSpot Media has photographed over 9,000 properties in the greater Lehigh Valley.

High St., Bethlehem 610.973.3710 | homespotmedia.com

Lehigh Valley Women of Adventure

The new Da Vinci Science Center at PPL Pavilion’s innovative design and interactive spaces will bring science to life and lives to science through world-class exhibits and educational experiences that will inspire curiosity for generations to come.

MKSD Architects has led specialized projects ranging from commercial realty to higher education and health care for more than 17 years; however, Da Vinci Science Center at PPL Pavilion is a unique opportunity to collaborate on a community-based science center.

“Not only did Da Vinci Science Center set out to build a 21st Century science center in the heart of downtown Allentown, but the organization also wanted to build a space that was designed with input from the community and reflective of the Lehigh Valley, essentially creating a space built by and for the community,” explains Senior Designer, Chris Connors.

MKSD masterfully uses the art of creativity to design spaces and in the case of the 71,000SF facility is orchestrating the joining together of ideas to create a functional and inspiring space that is unique to the Lehigh Valley community. These spaces both set the stage for and facilitate the exhibit galleries. The firm is working in concert with Roto Group,

a leading exhibit design company and Ideum, which specializes in design through interactive technology, to create an awe-inspiring space that invites guests to explore, experiment, create and observe the world around them. The other key partners helping bring the new science center to life are Alvin H. Butz, Inc., Barry Isett & Associates, EMS Consulting, Gross McGinley, and HBEngineers, Inc.; with financing provided by Fulton Bank.

Slated to open its doors in spring of 2024, Da Vinci Science Center at PPL Pavilion features immersive exhibit and learning spaces including Curiosity Hall, presented by the Lovett Family; Lehigh Valley Health Network My Body; Science in the Making presented by ATAS International; Lehigh River Watershed, City Center Gallery, and the Da Vinci STEAM Learning Center.

Designed by the Community, for the Community.

THE GOODS

The showroom is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., no appointment necessary.

VASARI SHOWROOM

Tell us about the decision to move your paint-making atelier and open a Vasari showroom in Easton. Describe the journey that led you there!

Since 1995, we have helped artists personally select their colors at our New York City showroom and now here in historic Easton. We wanted a larger space that would accommodate both our paintmaking atelier and a showroom within a community that celebrated both history and traditional artisans.

What can locals expect in a visit to the showroom?

Vasari Classic Artists’ Oil Colors welcomes you to our spacious new quarters in Easton’s Simon Silk Mill. This amazing space, at street level, faces the access bridge to the Karl Stirner Arts Trail and Bushkill Creek, with free parking right at our front door.

Tell us about the demonstrations that visitors can witness in the store.

The very people who make

STEPHEN SALEK Founder and Paintmaker

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARCO CALDERON

Step inside Vasari Showroom in Easton and discover a massive variety of rich, buttery oil paint colors, a library of books filled with inspiration from past exhibits, and demonstrations of their handcrafted process.

the paint will demonstrate pigments for your palette and our handcrafted process of making the colors, filling the tubes and labeling each one, one at a time, will be on view.

Describe the variety of paints that can be purchased on site!

All of our 140-plus colors are available on site, individually in both small and large size tubes or in curated selections as sets of artists’ palettes or artistic movements in history. Intensely pigmented, our paint is ideal for mixing, enabling painters to create and discover their own special colors.

Tell us the significance of working exclusively with oil colors.

Oil colors are one of the only artists’ colors that can be handcrafted without any additives that would dull or weaken their beauty. All pigments, from historic earths to the latest innovations in modern color chemistry, can be made into oil paint and are available from us.

Is the showroom welcoming to artists of all skill levels?

Yes, seeing color in its purest form, as rich, buttery paint that’s easy to brush right from the tube, is a treat for anyone.

Our library of books and exhibition catalogs collected over the past 30 years is a welcome inspiration for visitors to our Easton showroom and the display of antique art materials is a visual delight.

What’s the overall vibe of the showroom like?

Color everywhere you look, from the painted display boxes lining the walls, hundreds of tubes to try out on our palette table, to the plein air paintings on the wall of the Karl Stirner Arts Trail. It’s spacious with lots of seating to take in all the color and light with nature peeking in through the windows!

Is there anything else you’d like to note?

We can accommodate class visits with advance notice. Call or visit our website for further descriptions and our sale items!

1235 Simon Blvd. Silk Mill Unit 102, Easton 800.932.9375 vasaricolors.com

Seeing color in its purest form, as rich, buttery paint that’s easy to brush right from the tube, is a treat for anyone.

BY DAISY WILLIS | PHOTOS COURTESY OF ROTELLE STUDIO(E)

BUILDING A CUSTOM HOME WITH ROTELLE STUDIO(E)

Peter Rotelle CEO & OWNER, ROTELLE STUDIO(E) rotelle.com

A bespoke home can seem like an untouchable dream, only possible for those with a bottomless budget and nerves of steel, but Rotelle Studio(e), custom home builder based in Chester County, not only works to a reasonable budget but makes every step transparent and smooth for its clients. CEO and owner Peter Rotelle explains the why and the how.

MOVE BEYOND MISCONCEPTIONS

Even if you already spend your “me time” salivating over your dream house Pinterest board (and Rotelle would love to see it), common misconceptions about new construction might be holding you back. Haunted by specters of timeline and budget that spiral out of control, anticipating massive unforeseen headaches and no idea where to begin? Rotelle is well aware of the common concerns and built his business around minimizing each of them.

“Our goal is to have it look easy for our clients,” Rotelle says. “We have more than 35 years of home building experience and a staff of 30plus people taking the heavy lifting off of you.”

give your counters some CURVE APPEAL

601 South 10 th St. Allentown 610.266.3121 easternsurfaces.com

ASK THE EXPERT

Their streamlined and transparent process lets clients enjoy the fun part: the excitement of creating their perfect nest. From finding the right land and securing the best financing to confirmation on harmony of finishes from in-house designers, Rotelle offers a concierge experience where everyone shares the ambition to get the absolute best for their budget.

“From the day you come in to see us, it’s anywhere from eight to 14 months before you’re walking into your new home,” Rotelle estimates. “We can’t control township approval or agencies, but once we break ground we know the time frame.”

ONE-STOP SHOP

“We felt there was a niche to be met,” Rotelle says. “Custom homes for people who don’t want to spend three-quarters to a million dollars for a tract house built by a huge public company.”

Their stylish, state-of-the-art office doubles as an educational center where the team, including architect, designer and permit wrangler, walks clients through the whole process, offering the opportunity for a smooth and supported experience to those who might have felt building was out of their reach.

Rotelle Studio(e) can source the right land, facilitate every aspect of the transaction and estimate site improvement costs with their proprietary calculator. “It allows people to make really informed decisions,” Rotelle says. “We deal with the township, with the engineer. We do it all in-house or through trusted contract relationships that we’ve negotiated to really good prices.”

At the end of the journey, Rotelle delivers their clients neatly through the front door of a beautiful home.

THE BENEFITS OF BESPOKE

There’s undeniable charm in the architectural flourishes and antique character of old buildings. Rotelle used to be an aficionado of the stately old home himself. But at a certain age or simply sensibility, there’s more charm to having adequate closet space, more than a handful of electrical outlets and life without the tangible caress of drafts.

“You’re definitely going to have a more energyefficient home,” Rotelle says. “Our homes are clean and crisp, almost like a fresh start.”

COSENTINO DEKTON® STONIKA TAGA

Your kitchen is the heart of your home. Make it a place you love to be with help from the area’s leading fabricator of natural stone, quartz and solid surface COUNTERTOPS for residential and commercial use.

COSENTINO DEKTON® STONIKA TAGA

And instead of your family fitting its habits to an old home built around old lifestyles, you get a space that suits the way you live. When Rotelle’s family all piled into an eight-foot-by-six-foot room off the kitchen of their vacation home to watch the World Cup 12 years ago, he realized they really liked gathering this way. “We put in our new place a little cozy TV room off the kitchen,” he says. “I love to cook and hang out with everybody, and also have a little cozy room together.”

home.

homes are

YOUR CASTLE

Meanwhile, tract houses are offering fewer features, cheaper construction and uninspired box design for comparable costs that could be invested in a unique, mindfully made home.

Let your imagination take the reins and think about what your dream house would hold. In-law suites as well as home offices and multipurpose rooms are proliferating, whether it’s to work from home or prioritize hobbies.

“We do pretty much anything,” Rotelle says, style-wise, though architecture is trending towards the contemporary. “It’s fun to mix it, bring a sterile contemporary design a little rustic charm with some exposed beams.” Cozy contemporary, he says, combines the minimalism and comfort we crave.

ROTELLE’S DREAM PROJECT

An aspect of a home that can be an afterthought is not what’s inside or even what the house looks like from outside, but what it looks onto. On Rotelle’s own wish list is building with an emphasis on views. “It’s challenging, it’s expensive,” he admits, “but I’d love to build something overlooking a body of water, a stream, out into a valley. We’ve done some really cool stuff but something on concrete pilings with a glass wall would pay dividends. Every time you’re in that room and look out you get that impact.”

"

"You’re definitely going to have a more energy-efficient

Our

clean and crisp, almost like a fresh start.

BY SUSAN BIANCHI, MS, HEALTH & WELLNESS COACH

NAVIGATING LIVING WELL

SUPPLEMENTS

from the sourcing of ingredients to the manufacturing practices of the supplement company. “You can’t just go to the drugstore, buy off the shelf and assume you are getting the nutrients or herbs that are on the label,” says Hockenbroch. “Because it is an unregulated industry, the dosage listed may not be the actual amount and you may be getting other unwanted contaminants like fillers, heavy metals or pesticides, to name a few.” Supplements should be NSF certified and U.S. pharmaceutical grade, which ensures the raw ingredients are free of contaminants and the end product does not contain binders, fillers, dyes or unknown ingredients.

Increasing awareness and desire for ways to address and improve health has grown the supplement world into a $33-billion industry. Choices once limited to vitamins and minerals have expanded to herbals, adaptogens, enzymes, pre and probiotics, powders and drinks in any host of combinations guaranteed to solve your issue. With so many supplement products on the market offering solutions to every health issue or promise of “super health,” discerning can be daunting. Leading functional medicine practitioners Kristen Bentson, DC, MS, IFMCP, and Jill Hockenbroch, CRNP, CFMP, share some insights to help you better navigate your way towards health.

A TARGETED APPROACH

Bentson and Hockenbroch approach utilizing supplements in very targeted manners to address health concerns and support the body’s processes. Through in-depth health history along with specific functional testing, a clearer picture unfolds for each patient as to where their individual imbalances may be. Then, specific targeted supplements can be introduced to address issues and optimize health.

Bentson sees the number one issue with patients as their not realizing they are taking one or more nutrients that are in several of their supplements. Unknowingly, they are far exceeding safe limits and potentially contributing to or causing some of their symptoms.

Many of the supplement products entering the market today are blends of herbs, enzymes, adaptogens and other nutrients combined in a broad one-size-fits-all manner. To further complicate things, combination products are often listed as “proprietary blends,” so a consumer doesn’t know the sourcing or the exact amounts they are consuming.

Even though the initial costs of quality supplements and proper testing may seem higher, in the long run it is often less expensive by not wasting money on things you don’t need, things that don’t work or things that are actually causing distress for the body.

KNOW YOUR SOURCES

Both Hockenbroch and Bentson stress the importance of quality,

Bentson says that where you are purchasing from is equally important. Products may be stored inappropriately, mislabeled or even be fraudulent. Purchasing directly from the supplement company or a reputable online dispensary helps better ensure that you are getting a quality product. If doing due diligence, Bentson notes that one should be able to get a Certificate of Analysis (COA) of the product. Some trusted brands include Pure Encapsulations, Thorne, Standard Process and Metagenics.

Similarly, various forms of a vitamin or mineral can have varied roles in the body as well as varied bioavailability. Magnesium is a prime example. Magnesium oxide is one of the most often purchased forms. It also happens to be the cheapest, the least bioavailable and has mainly just a laxative effect.

“Those looking for help with tension, poor sleep and headaches may benefit more from magnesium glycinate introduced slowly into the diet,” says Bentson.

“The key is getting the right magnesium form for you.”

The way to go

MORE ISN’T ALWAYS BETTER

Vitamin D is an essential when living in the Lehigh Valley but Hockenbroch cautions that some may be overdoing it. She notes that typically the average person taking 2,000 mg of vitamin D is safe; however, if taking more than that, you want to have your levels checked. “Some people store and hold on to vitamin D better than others,” she says. “Being a fat-soluble vitamin, levels can quickly become too high and lead to toxicity.” It is also very important to recognize that vitamin D functions as a hormone and, as such, levels should be monitored regularly.

FAMILY OWNED FOR OVER 70 YEARS

Pre and probiotics are on everyone’s list to support digestive health as well as the immune function. However, depending on the state and makeup of your microbiome, you may not need them. Bentson shares that particular strains may be more appropriate and beneficial than others. The probiotics “off the shelf” may not have the particular strains your body needs or works the best. Especially when dealing with gastrointestinal issues, what, when, how and if you should be taking pre and probiotics matters. Working alongside a provider can help better identify and pinpoint what is beneficial and what isn’t.

A consideration often overlooked is the actual serving size. Bentson notes that most serving sizes are based on an average male weighing 175–180 pounds. That may or may not be appropriate for you, not only based on physical size but how well your body is utilizing and absorbing the supplements. Bentson’s aim is to help her patients get to the lowest, most effective dose. When introducing or reintroducing a supplement, she encourages titrating up, beginning with the smallest dosage and then increasing over time to see what is most effective, not necessarily what is the “serving size” listed.

TAKE A BREAK

Knowing how long a supplement or botanical should be used is also often missed. Many products are meant to be used short term or on an as-needed basis; oil of oregano and echinacea are just a few. Post COVID, Hockenbroch has seen an overuse of zinc supplementation. While zinc can be helpful for supporting the immune system, she notes that it should be utilized no more than two to three

months at a time or on an as-needed basis. Overdoing it on zinc can lead to copper deficiencies and imbalance in the zinc, iron and copper relationship in the body.

Bentson often has her patients go on a two-week supplement holiday, not only to give the body a rest but also to help identify which products are actually helpful. She has patients reintroduce them one at a time in a graded and targeted manner to see if they are reacting, responding or not responding to the supplement. Her goal is to get the lowest most effective dose. It can be eye-opening for some patients to realize a tightly held supplement or powder may have been contributing to their symptoms.

SIMPLE STEPS

Bentson offers some simple, smart steps when evaluating and taking stock of your supplements.

1. Check the expiration date on your bottles. You may be surprised that some products you are taking are past the expiration date.

2. Examine the ingredient labels thoroughly and check for extra ingredients —things like additives, fillers, dyes, sugars, sugar alcohols, whiteners like titanium dioxide, or other chemicals, should not be in the supplement.

3. Write down the ingredients of every supplement and powder you are taking along with the dosage amount. Bentson says that even the most well intentioned and educated patients realize after this exercise that they were overlapping and overdosing on some nutrients and botanicals, far exceeding what is needed and safe.

With so many supplement products becoming combinations of vitamins, herbals and adaptogens, it is even more critical to closely check for possible interactions with your medications as well as within the supplements themselves.

Bentson and Hockenbroch both stress that supplements are not a replacement or stopgap for poor dietary and lifestyle choices. They are only one piece of the puzzle to be used strategically and purposefully in combination with diet, exercise, sleep and stress management for a holistic approach to restoring and optimizing health.

drkristenbentson.com | peakpotentialhealth.com

As Certified Senior Advisors, we help families find assisted living, independent living, memory care, and in-home care options for your senior loved one. Let us take the pressure off by helping you make informed decisions about senior care options that would best fit your need. Plus, we’ll facilitate the transition, connect you with resources and information along the way. Our services are offered at NO COST to you. Call us for a free consultation.

From cooking classes to comedy nights, taking care of yourself can be fun.

AGING GRACEFULLY

Young or old, these practices will help maximize quality of life, and as we get older the benefits only become clearer! Here are five ways to stay happy and healthy as you live out your life.

1. MAINTAIN BALANCE WEST

END YOGA

2313 W. Highland St., Allentown | 484.860.3044 | weyogacenter.com

From the sweaty intensity of 95-degree Hot Yoga (not recommended for those with cardiovascular issues) through gentle Yin Yoga and infinitely accessible Chair Yoga, yoga meets you where you are to help you get steadier, stronger, more flexible and relaxed. Check out the classes offered online and in-studio at West End Yoga in Allentown to get some you time on the mat!

2. EAT WELL

EMMAUS

FARMERS’ MARKET

Triangle Park, Emmaus | emmausmarket.com

The Lehigh Valley is surrounded by farms growing vegetables, mushrooms and even the hemp that makes ache-soothing CBD tinctures. Peruse fresh and nutritious produce at a community venue like the Emmaus Farmers’ Market, now in its 20th year, and you’ll also find baked goods, condiments, prepared food, meats, cheeses—everything you need for a healthy meal!

3. STAY CURIOUS

LEHIGH CARBON COMMUNITY COLLEGE

4525 Education Park Dr., Schnecksville | lccc.edu

Interests and intellect stay more active the more we feed them fresh ideas. It’s always a good age to try something new, and you can get a jump start on a new hobby or add to an existing one with classes like the noncredit offerings at community colleges. Lehigh Carbon Community College offers gardening and cooking classes, including Date Night Asian Cuisine—a great way to keep relationships flourishing, too!

4. KEEP LAUGHING

ARTSQUEST CENTER AT STEELSTACKS

101 Founders Way, Bethlehem 610.332.1300 | steelstacks.org

A good sense of humor about the world and ourselves helps it all go down easier. Laughter releases feel-good chemicals in the brain that help us bond with others and even relieve pain. So go after the giggles with whatever tickles your funny bone, like the stand-up, improv and guest stars shown through the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks’ vibrant comedy schedule. This month TikTok sensation Pinky Patel takes the stage.

5. RELAX

METTA RELAXATION CO.

618 W. Broad St., Bethlehem | 610.419.2044 mettarelax.com

Metta Relaxation Co. in Bethlehem is known for their float tanks, where clients are buoyed in a concentrated Epsom salt solution, along with other therapies like shiatsu massage and reflexology, but the wellness center also hosts a meditation class complete with readings and group discussion. The benefits of giving your thinking mind a break like this include better clarity, flexibility and tolerance of life’s ups and downs. A worthy practice at any age!

STEEL CLUB

STEEL.CLUB

Nestled in the hills of Saucon Valley, Steel Club features the Championship 18 course and newly designed practice areas including TrackMan Range. This Donald Ross masterpiece offers impeccable course conditions. With various tee choices, golfers of all skill levels can enjoy the course that has hosted multiple U.S. Junior Girls’ Championship Qualifiers and U.S. Open Local Qualifiers. Numerous membership opportunities are available.

700 Linden Ave., Hellertown 610.838.7018 | steel.club

THE CLUB AT TWIN LAKES

THECLUBATTWINLAKES

Come play a uniquely challenging golf course featuring elevated tees, sloping fairways and water hazards. Constructed in the late ‘50s and early ‘60s, The Club at Twin Lakes is a mature public course located on the grounds of an old iron ore mine. Players will be delighted by the variety of approaches, including gettable par-fours, challenging par-threes and breathtaking views of the Lehigh Valley on the par-fives.

3625 Shankweiler Rd., Allentown 610.395.3369 | theclubattwinlakes.com

Food for the Body, Mind & Soul

PATHSTONES BY PHOEBE

Most older adults hope to age in the comfort and familiarity of their own home, staying healthy for as long as possible. However, many older adults do not know how to make this hope a reality. Pathstones by Phoebe was designed to help older adults put their wishes into a solid plan of action. With an office in Lower Macungie Township, Pathstones by Phoebe is part of Phoebe Ministries. This continuing care at home (CCAH) model combines the key features of care coordination, wellness services and long-term care insurance to help members navigate the aging process.

Executive Director Lisa Hoffman believes good outcomes are the result of good planning. She initially joined Phoebe in 2009, before becoming the Executive Director of Pathstones in 2019. Lisa uses her over 30 years of experience in the long-term care and insurance industries to help older adults plan for their future needs, and oversees Pathstones’ operations and membership services.

Membership Coordinator Jessica Hardiman spends a great deal of her time in communication with Pathstones members. She organizes events, including a recent bus trip to Philadelphia. Attendees visited the Museum of the American Revolution before enjoying lunch at the Reading Terminal Market.

Mimi Leinbach, Senior Wellness Coordinator, meets with each Pathstones member to design a personalized wellness plan. Her visits include wellness assessments, home safety inspections and medication evaluations. Leinbach serves as an advocate for members and their families in the event of an injury or illness. As health care needs change over time, Pathstones is there to help shoulder the burden of coordination that would generally fall on family members or friends.

Pathstones by Phoebe also helps older adults protect their financial assets. Someone turning 65 years old in 2020 has nearly a 70 percent chance of needing some type of long-term care services. Regardless of where these services are provided, long-term care is expensive, and costs will only continue to rise. With Pathstones—depending on the membership plan selected—the entire cost of long-term care can be covered for life, thereby protecting members’ financial assets.

4847 Hamilton Blvd., Allentown 610.794.6700

pathstonesbyphoebe.org

Pathstones by Phoebe is an innovative approach to aging and is one of only five continuing care at home (CCAH) programs in Pennsylvania. Pathstones by Phoebe is licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Insurance.

Left to right: Mimi Leinbach, Jessica Hardiman, Lisa Hoffman

IIt began, as most projects do, with a plan. The assembling of a team. The sharing of a vision. Goals. Schedules. But… what’s that saying about the best-laid plans? Terrence and Kendra Sullivan hoped to have the renovations they envisioned for their newly purchased home in the Lehigh Valley completed before moving day. “It was foolish, looking back now,” says Kendra. “What we thought could get done in three to four months ended up taking almost a year,” adds Terrence. Supply chain shortages and other challenges brought out by the COVID-19 pandemic left their timeline in tatters. But now, as they cozy up with their two young daughters inside their updated home, with most of the heavy lifting in the rearview mirror, they can rest assured it was all worth the wait.

Kendra and Terrence began eyeing a move to the Lehigh Valley in 2020. Natives of nearby Hunterdon County, New Jersey, the Sullivans were already very familiar with the region. These high school sweethearts (classmates at Delaware Valley Regional High School) held their 2013 wedding reception at Historic Hotel Bethlehem. Amid the pandemic, Kendra, a teacher, decided to leave her job at Frenchtown Elementary School to become a stay-at-home mom for daughter Madeline. “If I was ever going to stay home with her, that was the perfect time to do it,” Kendra says. And, since she would no longer be working as a teacher in New Jersey, the Sullivans were no longer mandated to live in the state. A move to the Valley would mean a shorter commute for Terrence,

who works for Lehigh-Countybased Shift4, the payment processing company founded by Jared Isaacman.

However, like a lot of potential homebuyers at the time, the Sullivans didn’t have the luxury of ruminating over potential properties. “The market being how it was, it was kind of nuts,” Kendra says. “As soon as something came out you had to go and see it.” A home in Lower Saucon Township caught their attention. The location was ideal (“It’s rural enough that it reminds us of where we grew up, yet it still has a lot of amenities,” Terrence says), and, at about 5,000 square feet, it was double the size of their New Jersey home. Although the Lower Saucon home already had received multiple offers by the time the Sullivans put in theirs,

they closed the deal and got the keys in January of 2021.

The two-story Colonial-style house, built in 2004, wasn’t a fixer-upper. The Sullivans say they could have left everything as-is. But turning the space into a place that felt like their home would require some work. “I called it a blank canvas,” says Kendra. “I could see a lot of potential for doing really anything we wanted.” Enter Allentown-based interior design firm Love Your Room. Founder and principal designer Shoshana Gosselin says the getting-to-know period with the Sullivans involved a number of conversations about how the family of three (baby Layla would arrive in 2022) would use the space, and what particular vibe they were seeking. “We wanted something that looked more modern, more up to date,” Kendra says. Both the Sullivans and Gosselin describe the initial look and layout as dated.

...turning the space into a place that felt like their HOME would require some work.

PHOTO BY MARCO CALDERON

The home had been a rental property for several years before the Sullivans purchased it. “It was pretty well-worn,” Gosselin says.

The bulk of the renovations were focused on the kitchen, the dining room and the family room. In the kitchen, it was out with the light brown cabinets and hardwood, and in with white cabinetry and darker, more rustic-looking flooring. A closet was replaced by a large, walk-in pantry with bold, marine green doors. A space under the stairs became a coffee bar. A new, larger island was installed to create a welcoming seating area for family members and guests. “We designed legs and a large X on the outer sides, to make it feel more like a piece of furniture,” Gosselin says.

New lighting fixtures also added an element of warmth to the room. “The island pendant is one of our favorite elements in the kitchen,” Gosselin says. “It’s bold and playful, a real conversation piece.”

A tougher request to fill was a kitchen backsplash that had the appearance of a stone veneer. “Stone is not the easiest material to clean in a kitchen, and it is important to grout any backsplash you use,” Gosselin says. “We sourced a lot of options to find this one. It has a blend of natural stone hues but a flat surface, so it’s washable.” Another special touch, courtesy of Kendra: what Gosselin describes as a “romantic little valance” over the kitchen window. “Details like that were important to her,” says Gosselin.

An observer may notice (or not notice) the electrical outlets in the kitchen. The Sullivans requested they not be visible along the backsplash, so they’re tucked underneath the cabinets.

The redo of the adjacent family room was at first an exercise in subtraction rather than addition. Gone is the knee wall that used to separate the two areas, so now the rooms flow together as one big space. That solved one problem.

Another issue was making the two-story family room feel less imposing and more inviting. “Our approach was to design the space with warm patterns and textures at eye level, to balance the tall height of the ceiling,” Gosselin says. “We chose a very large dramatic chandelier and brought it down to a more pleasing height to create a comfortable ambiance.” The fireplace needed a bit of an assist to assert itself as the room’s focal point. Love Your Room came up with a design that included a custom-made mantel as well as new ledgestone that extends up the wall. Gosselin says hints of green in the stone tie in with the kitchen pantry. Floating furniture—furniture that fills the center of the room rather than hugs the wall—completes the look. The oversized coffee table is also kid friendly—no sharp edges.

Photo walls became part of the décor in the family room as well as the dining room. In the former, it was a series of oversized frames that the Love Your Room team pre-hung for Kendra so she could fill them with favorite family pictures.

In the latter, Terrence’s photosnapping skills are in the spotlight; a collage of pictures arranged above the buffet showcases different places he’s visited during his business travels. The dining room also features an oversized table with room to comfortably seat eight people—a definite plus for the Sullivans, who say they love to entertain.

Although the family hoped to have the bulk of the changes completed in the first few months after they bought the

home in early 2021, shipping and manufacturing delays (their microwave alone took about a year to arrive) pushed the true completion date to March of 2022. Undaunted, the Sullivans have more items on their renovation wish list, and they intend to keep Love Your Room busy in 2023. “It was very much a one-stop shop with them,” Terrence says. “They made it

very easy in that regard.” Adds Kendra: “They kind of took all of this input from me and put it together in a way that I think they captured my style better than I could capture it myself.” Gosselin, too, says it was a winning collaboration all around, one that helped everyone involved stay the course, even when things didn’t go according to plan. “It’s a lot easier to work through it and find solutions when you all have a kinship,” she says. “And it makes it so much fun.”

...a collage of pictures arranged above the buffet showcases different places he’s visited during his business TRAVELS.

TRISHA LUTTEROTY

REALTOR | Keller Williams Realty Group

Trisha Lutteroty is a full-time real estate agent who has called the Lehigh Valley home for over 20 years. She has established herself as a knowledgeable and respected professional known for her strong negotiating skills, client-centric approach and willingness to go above and beyond duty to deliver results. She focuses on the client experience as her top priority. When listing a property, Trisha offers her clients a comprehensive strategy. She guides her sellers through a step-by-step process to prepare their home for sale. Once the home is ready for sale, the marketing process begins with professional photography and copywriting. She also uses her in-house social media expert to share her online listings through targeted digital campaigns. She is just as attentive when working with buyers and truly enjoys helping families find and purchase the home of their dreams.

Communication and trust are of high importance to her which means she always ensures that her clients feel heard and understood throughout the process. Her clients use words like diligent, patient, attentive and dedicated when describing her. Trisha’s dedication to providing exceptional service is evident in her commitment to her clients’ satisfaction.

As a member of Keller Williams Realty Group, the highest-rated real estate company in the world, she is equipped with a technological edge, worldclass training and a top-notch leadership council. After working with a mentor that specialized in farm and land sales, Trisha became a land and farm sales specialist and is excited to have recently earned her KW Luxury agent designation. She works with a close-knit, top-rated team based in Collegeville, Pennsylvania, but helps clients all over the Lehigh Valley, Bucks County and Montgomery County.

It is most likely to find Trisha camping, working out or enjoying some fabulous wine in her free time. She is an animal lover and is passionate about volunteering at a local animal rescue, dedicating her time and energy to helping local animals in need. She has partnered with several shelters to create a fundraiser where she donates a portion of each sale to a different rescue each quarter. She also has two rescue dogs at home with whom she loves spending time.

Photo by Samantha Mravlag Scuadro Photography

STEPHANIE MEDFORD

Owner | Refined Living Interiors

“Steph brought my vision to life when updating the bathrooms in my salon. She went above and beyond to understand my style and I love the wallpaper and décor she chose!”

Refined Living Interiors brings a new approach to creating beautiful spaces. This interior decorating service is focused on cohesive, curated designs for every budget, and strives to make each room a reflection of their clients. Pricing with transparency, sourcing from major retailers and reusing existing items allows them to create Instagram-worthy spaces in any home.

Owner Stephanie Medford begins each project with a personal consult, visiting the client’s home or business to understand their personal aesthetic and individual needs. Refined Living focuses foremost on functional style. They believe each room should look beautiful, while also enhancing the experience of the person using the space. Durable fabrics, hidden storage, organization and optimized seating are just a few ways Refined Living makes beautiful design work for their clients.

Every person deserves a home they love spending time in. Reach out to Refined Living today to learn how they can help!

610.496.2570

refinedlivinglv.com

“YOUR HOME, YOUR STYLE”

House Splendid, a noteworthy design studio and retail shop based in the heart of Emmaus, first opened its doors in 2003 and has been proudly serving the Lehigh Valley and beyond ever since, specializing in kitchen and bathroom renovations, as well as beautifully designed custom cabinetry for every room in the home. The specialties don’t stop there. With thousands of finely selected decorative and architectural hardware choices—from the fun and funky to the sleek and sophisticated—clients will find the perfect finishing touches to elevate their home to a whole new level. And for those standout items to complete the home or gift giving, visit House Splendid for a distinct array of home accessories, seasonal décor and customizable gifts.

Owner and principal designer Lia Papasimakis Fraccaro has been firmly established for her uniqueness as both a kitchen and bath designer and an interior designer, and continues to create and transform spaces of every kind. From rustic farmhouse to urban contemporary, House Splendid leads clients from design conception through to the completed renovation. And now with coastal design projects spanning to the Hamptons, the Jersey Shore and Southeast Florida, her range of creativity has no limits.

345 Chestnut St., Emmaus

610.965.3030

housesplendid.com

–LINDSEY TITONE, OWNER OF HELLO BEAUTIFUL SALON AND BOUTIQUE

Photo by Emily Rather Photography

House Splendid offers kitchen and bath renovations, custom cabinetry, full interior design services, decorative and architectural hardware, home décor, accessories and unique gifts.

WELL-BEING THROUGH THOUGHTFUL DESIGN

Jarrett Design specializes in kitchens and baths as well as sustainably sourced, locally made cabinetry for all areas of the home.

Jarrett Design believes that the functionality, comfort and beauty of living spaces feed well-being. Visit their website for an introduction to their award-winning, certified designers, to be inspired by their portfolio and to learn about their comprehensive design and project coordination process. Meet with a designer in their cozy boutique design studio in downtown Emmaus. Studio hours are by appointment or by chance.

Jarrett Design proudly serves the Lehigh Valley and surrounding communities, Bucks County, Main Line Philadelphia, New Jersey and beyond.

312 Main St., Emmaus

610.421.8183

jarrettdesignllc.com

REDEFINING JOY IN THE HOME

Love Your Room (LYR) is an award-winning interior design firm that is recognized for creating impactful, purpose-driven and one-of-a-kind home transformations. Their celebrated designs and signature service give clients more than they expect. Whether it’s assisting with a house to be built, a full home renovation or a smaller remodel, homeowners benefit from hiring their friendly experienced team. LYR does the design work, then handles all the moving parts of the project down to the final details. They are the best choice for hard-working homeowners looking for a wellexecuted end result with quality craftsmanship.

Founded in 2006, LYR provides a unique hands-on approach producing customized spaces perfectly tailored to each client’s needs. Their design studio is connected with a wide network of skilled artisans and vendors. With an office in the Lehigh Valley, they work with clients throughout Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York.

Contact LYR today to book a consult.

610.387.6002

loveyourroom.com

“LYR completely understood my style, and translated that to every fixture, color choice, piece of furniture and design scheme. They made the process easy.” –PATTI, EASTON

Veena Chauhan AT HOME WITH

Fashion Designer, Artist & Real Estate Professional

BY AMY UNGER

PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANDREW TOMASINO

They’re

" "

masterpieces. They’re not just clothes. They’re art.

Labels really aren’t in vogue anymore, except perhaps for the labels that are literally in Vogue, the magazine, or its like-minded, fashionforward cousins. Chanel, Prada, McQueen, Dior: these are some of the brands that have earned a coveted spot in the pantheon of couture icons. Veena Chauhan has much appreciation for their craft. “These people were true masters in what they did,” she gushes. “Look at the seams, look at the stitching, look at the cut. They’re masterpieces. They’re not just clothes. They’re art.” Perhaps one day Chauhan will be on that list of greats, too. The Lehigh Valley may know her best as a realtor who specializes in high-end properties, but fashion is also a passion. Although her designs have turned a few prominent heads over the years, including that of Anna Wintour’s former right-hand man, the timing was never quite right for Chauhan to get her own line off the ground. But now, with a deeper understanding of how the business works, coupled with the tenacity that comes easy for her (“When I take anything seriously, I go full force,” she says), Chauhan’s talent will find the wider audience she craves.

Chauhan (nee Gowda) was born and raised in Bangalore, India. She says as a child she was fascinated by her mother’s collection of English embroideries and penchant for fine fabrics. “My mother and her sisters, they all made their own clothes. They grew up in a very elegant family.” She can recall the intricate detail of the knitting and crochet work on her mother’s dresses. Chauhan says her father was also always sharply

dressed: “He never left the house without an old-school blazer and a shirt. That was always in my head—to be proper and be impeccable.” The architecture around her made an impression as well— she remembers the cathedral ceilings and the intricacies of the ancient stone relief work of the Belur and Halebid temples. All of these early observations stayed with her and would later shape her designs.

Post high school, Chauhan studied architecture in India for a year before moving to California, where she enrolled at Pepperdine University and focused on international business. After graduating, she worked in sales and marketing for a few technology companies but she knew something was missing. “My heart was never really into it,” she says. By 1999 Chauhan had relocated to New York City. Among her business aspirations on the East Coast: she toyed with the idea of opening her own restaurant in Manhattan. She spent time at the high-end Indian restaurant Tamarind to learn the ropes. Those plans later fizzled, but the experience would prove to be life-altering, anyway, just not in the way Chauhan had imagined.

A patron had noticed Chauhan at the restaurant in 2003. That man—Sidhartha was his first name—inquired about her the next time he came back, but Chauhan’s gig there was over. Undeterred, he persisted and pestered and eventually managed to get her telephone number from the restaurant’s manager. They later met for drinks at The Plaza Hotel, and romance bloomed. They were engaged in December of 2004 and married the following year.

The couple moved to New Jersey after Veena found out she was pregnant. Their son Aryaan was born in 2006. Chauhan says it was her husband who encouraged her to try her hand at fashion design. Although she had no formal training, she was often complimented on the ensembles she put together for herself. She knew she had an eye for beauty. She was also compelled to act by the fashion fatigue she felt on shopping excursions. “Every time I would try to buy clothes, I was tired of the same cookie cutter styles here,” Chauhan says. “There was nothing that really excited me in the design sense.” In 2010 she started working on sketches and designs, laying the foundation for a namesake company and fashion line. Her very first sample, she says, was a cocktail dress. She gravitated toward high-end couture because that’s what she knew.

But then 2012 delivered a gut punch to the Chauhan family when Aryaan was diagnosed with leukemia. When asked to recall her reaction to that devastating news, she pauses. “I died,” she says finally. But it wasn’t long before her pragmatism kicked into overdrive. “I said, ‘OK, what do I need to do now?’ I became a tiger mom. A warrior. I didn’t cry for almost five years. I couldn’t. If I did, everything else would collapse. I was the foundation.”

Chauhan persevered with her fashion line as best as she could, calling it a blessing in disguise that kept her task-oriented and distracted while her son was undergoing treatment. She befriended Jacqui Wenzel, founder of JWM, a consulting

and merchandising firm that helps emerging designers become global brands.

Wenzel helped Chauhan make inroads in the industry. Chauhan recalls rubbing elbows with notables like the late André Leon Tally, the onetime creative director and editor-at-large at Vogue magazine. She says he complimented her on a jacket she was wearing, a Chauhan original. “He said, ‘Do not ever give up fashion design. You’re very talented,’” Chauhan recalls.

By 2017, she was learning a lot about the business and selling her pieces at trunk shows, but the pressures of running her own company were mounting. “Everything was adding up and it was taking way too much from me,” says Chauhan. She decided to put her design company on the back burner while she focused on a different career path: in

2016 she had obtained her real estate license. And 2019 brought a change of scenery for the entire family. Her husband, head of commercial excellence and operations

“hamlet,” provided them with all of those things.

for Sanofi’s U.S. diabetes division, was tired of battling New Jersey traffic, and both Veena and Sidhartha wanted a quieter, smaller community to raise their son, preferably near a park. Allentown’s West End, which Chauhan calls her

Aryaan, now 16 years old and cancer-free, is a student at Allentown’s Central Catholic High School. “He’s my hero,” Chauhan says. “He’s my inspiration.” Chauhan is a real estate agent with Berkshire Hathaway, specializing in high-end commercial and residential properties. Most recently, she also became a painter, thanks to the encouragement and tutelage of her friend, Allentown dentist Thomas George, who sadly passed away after a battle with prostate cancer last November. “I have never painted ever in my life and today I paint acrylic abstract paintings,” Chauhan says. “Moral of the story is, everyone can do anything and don’t let anyone stop you from your dreams.”

And so, Chauhan once again is pursuing that

other dream—the dream of establishing herself as a fashion designer. She’s working on a women’s collection that she says will be sophisticated, elegant and classy—think 1950s and ’60s vibes with a touch of European glamour. “Every woman should feel great when they wear a piece,” Chauhan says. She’s also assembling a new team and retooling her website— look for a revamped veenachauhan.com in the fall. This is where her pieces will be available for purchase. Chauhan is excited to return to a journey that began more than a decade ago. “I am going to go back and finish what I didn’t finish then,” she says.

veenachauhan.com

"

"

When I take anything seriously, I go full force.

BEYOND THE MENU

GOURMET CAMPUS BAGEL WITH JAY’S LOCAL OWNER LYELL SCHERLINE

several snack, healthy and vegetarian options and locally sourced products to showcase the great nearby farms and small businesses that enhance the Lehigh Valley food scene.”

As for the name, Jay’s Local is in honor and memory of Scherline’s father, whom he describes as an attorney, entrepreneur, philanthropist and all-around friend to anyone he ever came in contact with, and who fell in love with the Lehigh Valley upon moving to Allentown with Scherline’s mom, Lorrie.

Scherline says he’s always been an adventurous eater, but opening Jay’s Local really allowed him to play around with ingredients in a creative way and introduce new ones he’s discovered through his travels. “Our customers are interested in new menu items and specials so we focus a lot of our attention on exclusive weekend offerings,” he says.

According to owner Lyell Scherline, developing the concept for Jay’s Local was a collaborative effort between his family and the students of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Department at Muhlenberg College. “Our location is directly across the street from the college, so we knew the students would be frequenting us once we

opened,” he shares. “Hearing horror stories about the restaurant business from practically everyone I know, it was important to pinpoint what the students and local neighbors wanted on the menu of an off-campus eatery so our customers would like what we serve.” Scherline explains that students split into groups as part of a course

assignment to research business concepts, menu items and food preferences from both the campus and West End Allentown community. “The outcome of the students’ presentations assisted in not only our menu at Jay’s Local, but our hours of operation, commitment to affordable prices, all-day breakfast, high speed Wi-Fi for studying,

Here, Scherline is sharing the recipe for the Gourmet Campus Bagel, which was introduced as a weekend special at Jay’s Local and quickly became one of the eatery’s most popular items after adding it to the menu full-time. What makes it so special? Some might say it’s the aioli. “We really enjoy making homemade sauces. One sauce we always wanted to put our own spin on was aioli,” explains Scherline. “We were waiting for the right opportunity, and this breakfast sandwich was it.” To differentiate it from other aioli sauces, they added a dash of fresh roasted garlic and a hint of dill pickle juice to make it super flavorful. “This bagel sandwich has more flavor than any breakfast sandwich I’ve ever had before,” he says.

Order it with their most popular drink, The Local Freeze, made with banana, Nutella, Four Monkeys’ cold-

PHOTOGRAPHY BY GEOFF CONKLIN

brew coffee and vanilla ice cream. “We blend it smooth, then top it with whipped cream and house-made caffè mocha sugar crystals.”

2301 W. Liberty St., Allentown

610.351.3100 | jayslocal.com

Serves four

INGREDIENTS

1 cup mayonnaise

1 Tbsp. chopped garlic

1 tsp. dried parsley

1 Tbsp. dill pickle juice

8 pieces turkey bacon

8 pieces asparagus

8 large eggs

1 Tbsp. oil or butter

4 slices sharp cheddar cheese

4 fresh bagels

Salt and pepper to taste

INSTRUCTIONS

Garlic Dill Pickle Aioli

In a large bowl, add mayo, garlic, parsley, pickle juice, and salt and pepper to taste. Mix all ingredients until smooth with a whisk or immersion blender. Transfer aioli into squeeze bottle or serving bowl and place in fridge.

Asparagus

Wrap a piece of turkey bacon tightly around each piece of asparagus. Place on a foilcovered baking sheet and cook for 10–15 minutes at 350 degrees until crispy. Keep warm until ready to serve.

Eggs

Heat large pan on medium high heat on stovetop. Crack eggs in a large bowl and scramble. Add salt and pepper to taste. Pour eggs into oiled or buttered pan. Once eggs begin to cook, fold eggs over similar to an omelet. Use a spatula to separate the eggs into four separate servings that will fit on four bagels. Flip the eggs so they cook on both sides. Add one slice of cheddar

cheese to each serving. Once cooked through, keep warm until ready to serve.

Bagel

Toast bagel to desired darkness. Transfer to plate.

Place portion of cheese-topped eggs onto bottom half of bagel. Top with two pieces of turkey bacon-wrapped asparagus in the shape of an "X". Spread

desired amount of garlic dill pickle aioli onto top half of bagel and place on top of turkey bacon.

Note:

Jay'sLocalusesthick-cut smokedturkeybaconsinceit's leanerandabithealthier,but feelfreetouseanybaconor breakfastmeatofyourchoice.If youlikespicy,addafewdropsof hotsauceintoyouraioliorontop

ofyoureggs.Jay’susessharp white cheddar from Conebella FarminElverson,butanycheese isgreatonthissandwich.

Tag @lvstylemag and #livelvstyle when you make it at home!

INSIDE DISH

BY CARRIE HAVRANEK | PHOTOGRAPHY BY GEOFF CONKLIN

OPEN KABINETT’S DOORS for a Global Food and Wine Experience

But Kabinett isn’t just a physical space, it’s also an offdry style of riesling.

“I love that it speaks to our favorite grape, which is so versatile it grows well in both Germany and Australia. As a native German, I also love its double meaning—as a small, cozy place where winemakers stashed their special bottles for themselves. We aim to share all our bottles with everyone, of course!” says Hansche.

The name feels apt, as the pair have made it their mission to bring amazing wines that you likely haven’t had before, along with a globally inspired menu. Kabinett will likely give restaurants in bigger cities (and with deeper staffs) a serious run for their money. It’s an understatement to say that they know what they’re doing here, but let’s back it up for a minute.

What does it take to make a dream come true?

Sometimes, it takes the crossing of continents, the changing of jobs and the opening and closing of a business to make a dream come true. And a deep and mutual immersion for several decades in the world of food, wine and travel helps materialize the dream as well. Mix in a magical suggestion from a mum who proposed her son tag an affirmation on the fridge—one that reflects the literal marriage of like minds

in order to amplify each other’s goals. On a practical level, too, it’s useful when you’ve been steadfastly stashing the empty bottles of every notable wine you’ve ever enjoyed so you’re ready to adorn that dream space when it appears. And that place deserves a fitting name, one that aptly captures the culmination of all that came before it, and all that is yet to come, too.

Enter Kabinett Wine Bar & Garden.

Kabinett is the culmination of a lifelong dream of husband-

and-wife team Jason Hoy and Melanie Hansche. You might remember them as the Australian couple behind Tucker at the Silk Mill, which they ran for five years before closing in early 2022 in order to pivot toward the development of Kabinett. The concept itself goes back many years and, Hansche says, “It’s a name Jason’s been knocking around in his head for a long time.”

“It’s where the most special wine is held. It’s also easy to remember and easy to say,” says Hoy.

Hansche has a remarkable career in food and wine editorial (she’s literally the deputy editor for that magazine), which has afforded her an enviable range of culinary experiences that inform their thinking about running restaurants. It’s fair to say the genesis of Kabinett began some 30 years ago, when Hoy was 18 and long before Hansche entered the picture. He was working in wine stores and just fell in love with it. Through his 20s and onward, he developed a reputation for not only making them look great but selling lots of wine, too. He learned as much as he could, traveled all over Europe and soaked up even more. In the meantime, Hansche’s career in food media was skyrocketing (Google the name Donna Hay; Hansche worked for her) and her trajectory landed them in the United States in 2014 when she accepted the job as executive director of food content and strategy at Rodale (now owned

by Hearst). They packed up everything, including those scores of bottles Hoy had been saving, along with corks, too. “I’m a hoarder,” he jokes.

He’s not, really. He (and Hansche) just repeatedly took specific, intentional steps toward his dreams for many years. That’s what makes things happen, but keeping your goals very visible helps. We’re talking about the affirmation Hoy’s mom suggested many years ago, which lived on their fridge in Australia: “Mel has the magazine job of her dreams in New York, and Jason has the wine bar of his dreams in Brooklyn.”

“My mom’s a bit of a hippie,” he says, with a chuckle. We’ll overlook the fact that Easton isn’t Brooklyn, despite what people say, and that Rodale’s roots are in Emmaus and, later, also New York. These are minor technicalities. It’s all come to fruition. Kabinett is alive and well.

There’s even a kabinett in the dining room, too, one which emits this magical, work-in-progress vibe wherein one door leads to another. “It feels a bit like Narnia at the moment,” says Hoy. The further you move from the front door, the more you encounter these labyrinthine elements of surprise. So much awaits. A wine bottle shop next door comes next, which will beget a selective yet comprehensive grocery store experience with creative, socially conscious brands, lots of local produce and so forth. Think of it sort of like Tucker on steroids, an assessment Hoy agrees with. “We will sell things we believe in, one or two brands per product type, tops,” he says.

Keep ambling through this former garage space, and you’ll be met with a door that will ultimately lead to an outdoor wine garden with river views, adorned with a couple of

pergolas and supported by a second kitchen. Pending the customary hurdles to completion, the rest should ideally be ready to open by summer. It’s definitely an ambitious project. In terms of scale? The entire operation is about the size of the Easton Public Market, says Hoy.

As Hansche describes it, she says Kabinett is about bringing “something wholly new and fun to Easton that’s also deeply personal: a beautifully designed, wine-forward restaurant that captures our Aussie and German backgrounds and sensibilities; a place that’s delicious, glamorous and cheeky in equal measure,” she says.

Much of that is evident upon arrival—at least via its design and menu. Design can make or break the experience and it seems increasingly rare to find a restaurant that feels like a portal: it’s that feeling when

you walk into a restaurant and instantly feel transported into someone else’s welcoming and specific vision. In this case, it’s a warm, classy Art Decoinspired space with repurposed elements from Tucker’s interior and soundproofing so effective you can actually have a conversation. Naturally, Hoy’s bottle collection proudly rings the dining room.

The vision is consistently transcendent, all the way down to the menu design (a kabinett “handle”) and even the bathroom. No one wants to walk into a bathroom that arrests the experience by neglecting to carry through the dining room’s thoughtfully appointed aesthetic, thereby reminding you why you’re in there. No, the bathrooms at Kabinett are swanky.

But enough about the bathrooms. Let’s talk about the food and wine. So, what are they serving here? Oysters,

charcuterie, cheese service, yes—and small plates, bigger plates and dessert. And an incredible list of accessible and noteworthy wines designed specifically to go with what you’re ordering. The array and its stellar descriptions make you want to try every single one and rethink everything you thought you did or didn’t like about a particular varietal. It’s pretty safe to say you probably haven’t seen so many rieslings on one wine list in Pennsylvania. So, what’s the food like?

“There’s no putting a neat label on the cuisine; the menu deliberately embraces an exciting diversity of flavors and ingredients from across the world that happen to go really well with wine—very much the modern Australian wine bar model,” says Hansche.

To that end, however, the menu is heavily influenced by the food you would find

INSIDE DISH

in wine-growing regions, she says. Think like this: “The salty, briny bites typical of Spanish or Portuguese tapas, the rich gaminess in French and German food or the bright acidity and freshness of Mediterranean cuisine,” says Hansche.

The goal here is to bring food and wine together in ways that really excite the palate. It’s a refreshing attitude, considering that wine (and wine bars) have a reputation for snobbery and exclusivity. Kabinett, however, dispenses with such old-school ideas. There are wines from all over the world. I got stuck on the Moric Hausmarke Rot Blaufränkisch MV (that’s multivarietal), a biodynamic wine whose flavors become more complex the more they

interplay with food.

These wines have stories to tell. Hoy and the staff are happy to tell them, and they want you to be able to afford to hear them, too. About 10 or so of the 100-plus bottles are available by the glass. They’ve taken great pains to not overly mark things up. “We want people to have a life-changing, profound wine experience, not feel like they took out a mortgage to enjoy wine,” says Hoy.

The emergence of a place like Kabinett comes when the era of egocentric and overwrought dining experiments is having its moment of recognizance (NOMA closing, the film The Menu, etc.). Here, you won’t find food that’s unrecognizably and necessarily esoteric. There’s plenty to love at first bite; no persuasion needed. You might recognize steak tartare on the menu, but its presentation is distinguished by crunchy house-made prawn chips. You’ll recognize a cauliflower head, but maybe not the presentation, whereby the cauliflower boasts layers of flavor, is rubbed down with a Persian spice mix and situated on top of a

swoosh of labneh, along with pomegranate arils and fennel— fronds included. The beef cheek is succulent and breaks off the fork with ease, thanks to a 12hour braise. A sunchoke purée and black trumpet mushrooms add earthiness, and perfectly blistered cherry tomatoes offer a welcome hit of acidity and brightness. You don’t need steak when you have a dish this umami-forward. Don’t miss dessert; let’s just leave it at that.

In short, everything here is approachable even if you aren’t sure. Ask questions; the servers are happy to explain what’s happening on the plate.

People are surprised and loving what they’re ordering, says Hoy. “I don’t think there’s a dish on the menu that hasn’t been well-received.” The kitchen is stoked, and brings forth tons of ideas that the team collaborates and brainstorms together on. Kabinett is likely to maintain a careful balance; new dishes will surface but not necessarily at the expense of yanking stuff that works.

Things are little different at Kabinett in other ways, too. If you didn’t know it beforehand,

Braised Beef Cheek with sunchoke puree, ground cherry, black trumpets and chicharrón

Whole-Roasted Confit Cauliflower with Persian spices, labneh, fennel and pomegranate

Steak Tartare with black garlic, espresso, preserved kumquat and shrimp crackers

you’d see it right away on the menu with the first item: “Pay it Forward.” At $15, it’s a donation to local food pantries and school initiatives, a continuation of the communityminded approach they took at Tucker. Employees are paid a fair wage along with health insurance. There are two coexecutive chefs, Paige Robinson and Jacob Watson, each with ample and admirable culinary experience. The business is set up, as Hoy explains it, so that at some point in the future they can hand half of the business over to employees in a cooperative model. The pandemic has brightly illuminated a long-known

Kabinett Wine Bar & Garden

125 Northampton St., Easton 484.545.7670

kabinettwinebar.com

HOURS

Wed. & Thurs.: 6–11 p.m.; Fri. & Sat.: 5 p.m.–midnight; Brunch: Sat. & Sun.: 10 a.m.–3 p.m. (No dinner service on Sunday.)

Reservations: Absolutely recommended for Friday and Saturday via Resy (accessible through their website), with more room for walk-ins on Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday.

Parking: Street parking; garage parking

WHAT TO ORDER

fact: the hospitality system is broken. But Kabinett aims to make improvements.

“We’re a mission-driven business determined to change the conversation around hospitality, an industry historically plagued by inequity, abuse and low wages. We’re trying to create a fairer and more sustainable model: paying above a living wage, providing health care and benefits to our full-time staff and pooling gratuities equally between the front and back of house,” Hansche explains. How does this look for patrons? “It’s all hands in,” says Hoy. “Everyone can help everyone.”

One last thing. If you’re looking for a slower pace and an experience to savor, show up for brunch. Hoy admits it’s his favorite service, a sentiment that’s not universally shared by restaurant owners or chefs. “People come in and it’s leisurely, they go home and have a nap, maybe, but they’re in a good place to go enjoy the rest of their day,” he says. Sounds pretty sweet.

Regardless of whether it’s day or night, however, it’s very easy to feel that way when you close Kabinett’s door behind you.

Bread service (don’t miss!), the “krauted” beets are as delicious as they are beautiful, braised beef cheek (we’ve already discussed its finer points), steak tartare, whole roasted cauliflower, crispy new potatoes with house cultured butter, and anything else, really.

SPECIAL EVENTS

Wine and dinner pairings on the last Thursday of the month (inquire within!), and much more to come.

NOTCH MODERN KITCHEN & BAR

5036 Hamilton Blvd., 610.351.8222, notchmknb.com

Modern American with an Asian Twist. Lunch & dinner.

$$

938 Lifestyle Center, Whitehall, 610.264.2194, poconobrewery.com

Authentic wood-fired pizza, imported meat and cheese boards, Lunch & dinner.

$$$

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

$$

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

Neapolitan pizza using local ingredients cooked in their Italian Lunch & dinner.

$

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

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

$$$

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.

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 Brunch, lunch, dinner & late night.

THE TRAPP DOOR GASTROPUB $$$

4226 Chestnut St., Emmaus, 610.965.5225, thetrappdoorgastropub.com

Upscale food in a fun, relaxed atmosphere with an extensive craft Brunch, dinner & late night.

$$

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

A casual American bistro serving lunch and dinner six days a 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.

$$$

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

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

order from our curbside menu and shop our retail offerings at

Wed.-Sat. 4:30-10pm Sunday 1-8pm

Favorite Fine Dining & Special Occasion

4330 Lehigh Dr., Walnutport, 610.760.3207, acamiapa.com

Unique, homemade, Italian cuisine made with fresh flavorful ingredients; served in a family-friendly atmosphere. Lunch &

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 &

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 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.

CORKED $$

515 Main St., Bethlehem, 610.625.9463, corkedwinebar.com

Up beat/high energy Vegas-style wine bar & steak house located in downtown Bethlehem. Offering 32 wines by the glass, 24 tap beers, 1 great menu. Lunch, dinner & late night.

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.

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.

THE FLYING EGG $$

451 Main St., Bethlehem, 610.691.5100, theflyingeggbethlehem.com

Boutique diner serving breakfast all day & lunch in the heart of Bethlehem. Breakfast, brunch & lunch.

INDIGO 52 $$$

52 S. Main St., Nazareth, 610.365.2026, indigo52.cafe

100 percent gluten-free, dairy-free restaurant serving creative fresh-local cuisine made from scratch, by reservation only. Breakfast, brunch, lunch & dinner.

JUMBARS $$

1342 Chelsea Ave., Bethlehem, 610.866.1660, jumbars.com

Great food. Great atmosphere. Everything made fresh to order. Desserts are delectable! Breakfast & lunch.

MITZI’S TABLE $

3650 Nazareth Pike, Bethlehem, 610.730.1670, mitzistable.com

Retro dining—all day brunch—classic comfort food kicked up with regional and ethnic specialties. Breakfast, brunch & lunch

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.

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.

DRINK THIS

BY KRISTEN WAGNER | PHOTOGRAPHY BY MATTHEW CANNON

CRAFT COCKTAILS

Birthright Brewing Co.

Choose from innovative seasonal specials or opt for your go-to drink of choice.

READY TO TRY IT?

Tag @lvstylemag and #livelvstyle!

To kick off 2023, Birthright Brewing Co. delighted locals with its announcement of a full-service craft bar. “We wanted to appeal to the taste of a broader audience as well as highlight local spirits in new and classic ways,” says Wayne Milford, founder and brew master. “We have always been known for innovative brews, and capture that same spirit with a craft bar.” Milford says he hopes current brew fans will

be enticed to try new things.

Pictured here are the Clover Club, Campfire Old Fashioned, Blooming Gimlet, Axe Tea Toddy, Black Cherry Manhattan and the Pink Cranberry Lemon Drop.

The menu will change seasonally, with fun specials added regularly, but guests can also order their go-to drink of choice. “We have a full craft bar of spirits as well as fresh ingredients and juices to mix them with,” explains Milford.

They’ll be utilizing many local spirits, including Stateside Vodka, Boardroom Spirits, Bluecoat Gin, Resurgent Spirits, Maggie’s Farm and Hidden Still Spirits.

“We are excited about creating a new experience for guests and drawing in a crowd,” says Milford. “The craft bar is just the beginning.”

57 S. Main St., Nazareth 610.365.2225

birthrightbrewingco.com

Compass Point Family Business Consultant Tom Garrity

The Yurconic Agency COO Colleen Driscoll & President John T. Yurconic