Style’s 15th Annual
Restaurant Awards
From Easton to Allentown to Bethlehem—and everywhere in between—there is no shortage of spots (old and new) to dine, sip and snack. How does one choose? The Valley’s loyal foodies have spoken; here are their favorites.
Favorite New
Urbano Mexican Kitchen and Bar
The team of Rafael Palomino, Juan Carlos and Cara Paredes are the brains behind Tapas, Flying Egg and Mesa Modern Mexican restaurants. They know how to put together well-designed spaces—Urbano features lots of exposed brick—and well-designed menus with a variety of tastes for everyone. The latest incarnation, Urbano Mexican –Kitchen and Bar opened in March 2018, offering a menu loaded with tacos, rice bowls, appetizers and more appetizers. “We don’t offer any entreés unless the chef runs specials, which is a great addition when he does,” says Paredes.
As far as Mexican-themed places go, it’s unusual to find a range of proteins such as falafel, shredded duck, Mexican chorizo and pastrami, but that’s how it goes at Urbano. Tacos can be ordered as lettuce wraps if you like, and the full bar, like at Mesa, offers a range of margaritas made from fresh seasonal ingredients whenever possible.
526 Main St., Bethlehem | 610.419.1736 | urbanobethlehem.com
Photo by Marco Calderon
/ Chorizo Tacos -Spicy Mexican sausage, guacamole, romaine lettuce and corn salsita
Favorite Indian
Nawab Indian Restaurant
Nawab offers dine in, carry out and delivery (within radius), making authentic Indian food always attainable. Sourcing ingredients locally and seasonally, Nawab’s menu changes every six to eight weeks, offering an assortment of new and signature dishes.
13 E. 4th St.Bethlehem | 610.691.0388 | nawabindianrestaurant.com
Favorite Spanish
Tapas on Main
After winning Style’s “Favorite New” restaurant award in 2011, Tapas has proven itself as a Main Street mainstay. Guests love the sangria, truffle fries, flat breads and array of meats and cheeses.
500 Main St., Bethlehem | 610.868.8903 | tapasonmain.com
Photo by Shelbie Pletz Photography
Favorite Gourmet Pizza
Stoke Coal Fire Pizza
Coal-fired pizza is hard to resist. The oven gets scorching hot, the pizza takes on the flavor of the oven and it cooks very fast. But that’s nothing if the dough itself isn’t made from the right stuff, and in the case of this kind of authentic pizza, it’s what’s called Tipo 00—typically an imported Italian flour that is ground very finely. Chef Abe Lopez uses a family marinara recipe.
You can put just about anything on a pizza these days, and some of their compelling creations include the Fig and Pig (figs and prosciutto and arugula) and the Funghi Bianco, with mushrooms, béchamel and caramelized onions. However, the gold standard for pizza in any location—no matter how large or small, renowned or hole-in-the-wall—is always going to be that key balance of crust, tomatoes and cheese. And so, the Margherita is the best seller at Stoke, made with crushed New Jersey tomatoes, mozzarella cheese and basil.
1 Lehns Ct., Easton | 610.829.1400 | stokecoalfirepizza.com
Photo by Marco Calderon
/ Margherita pizza -Mozzarella, crushed tomatoes, and fresh basil
Favorite Thai
White Orchids Thai Cuisine
At White Orchids, quality is paramount. Their seafood is delivered fresh from Philadelphia two to three times a week; their tofu is locally sourced and extra firm; their vegetables are hand-cut. And the menu is transparent when it comes to base ingredients used, stating that there is no usage of MSGs or trans fats.
Related: 15 Places to Dine Outdoors in the Valley
The Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley | 610.841.7499 | whiteorchidsthaicuisine.com
Photo by Andrew Tomasino
/ Seafood Combo Pad See’ew -Shrimp, sea scallops, PEI mussels, hand-cut calamari over pan-fried wide rice noodles, broccoli, egg, garlic, and carrots with a light and sweet soybean sauce.
Favorite Modern American
Grille 3501
Owner John Trapani was inspired to open Grille 3501 based on his desire to create a casual yet upscale dining destination in the Valley. Residents are clearly happy that he did, as Grille 3501’s been racking up Style restaurant awards since 2005.
3501 Broadway West End, Allentown |610.706.0100 | grille3501.com
Photo by Shelbie Pletz Photography
/ Grilled Prawns w/ roasted corn and apple salsa, pickled shallots and bacon saffron dashi broth
Favorite Deli
David’s Italian Market
Perhaps you’re familiar with David’s spot in the Allentown Fairground Farmers’ Market, where they started selling imported pasta, olive oils and Talutto’s ravioli from Philadelphia about two years ago. About a year later, owner David Maiatico opened up a spot with a kitchen in Emmaus and more retail options, too. Thus began the parade of soups, homemade chicken cutlets, Philly-style roast pork sandwiches and, of course, made-to-order hoagies. “We feel we have the best hoagies on the planet,” he says.
Guests can stop in for breakfast, too. And those with vegan, gluten-free or vegetarian diets can easily be accommodated here, which is not something that can be said for every deli.
346 Main St., Emmaus | 1825 W. Chew St., Allentown | 484.661.1085 | davidsitalian.com
Photo by Shelbie Pletz Photography
/ Deli Catering Tray
Favorite Mexican
Torre
Torre’s tequila tower is an immediate eye-catcher, but another would certainly be its wall of Sugar Skulls. In Mexico, these hand-painted sculptures serve to celebrate Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, in November. All Saints Day—on November 1—and All Souls Day—on November 2—are effervescent holidays that honor the lives of loved ones who were lost. The Sugar Skulls are represented in many forms throughout Torre, and they invite guests to enjoy the spirt they symbolize this month—and every time they dine!
Related: A Towering Ode to Taste
The Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley | 610.841.9399 | torrerestaurant.com
Photo by Marco Calderon
/ Cochinita Pibil -Banana leaf-roasted pulled pork, served with sour orange, pickled red onions, salsa roja, crema, queso fresco, guacamole and flour tortillas(left); Torre's tequila tower(right)
Favorite Inn/Tavern
Limeport Inn
Limeport is one of those warm and rustic roadside inns that Pennsylvania does so well, and this one’s been owned by Mark and Angel Jamison since 2001. (You may know their sister biz, Jamison Publick House.) She makes all the desserts using eggs from their farm, and Mark is often found behind the bar.
At Limeport, people love the patio, especially when the weather is good. The beer selection is “very old world,” says Emily Fischer, manager and chef, with old German beers such as Weihenstephaner and a rotating selection of local craft brews. In terms of the menu, it’s a classic New American setup, which these days means a little bit of everything, from sea bass to well-crafted sandwiches to pizza. And of course, a pasture-raised organic burger that “has been selling tremendously.”
1505 Limeport Pk. Limeport | 610.967.1810 | limeportinn.com
Photo by Alison Conklin
/ Angus Burger -PA pasture-raised natural
Favorite Breakfast/Brunch
Tied: Jumbars Cafe & Mitzi's Table
One shouldn’t have to choose between these two Valley mainstays, both serving stand-out breakfast and brunch specials for those who just can’t get enough.
Jumbars was first established in Vermont in November 1996, but it didn’t land in Bethlehem until 2003—exactly 15 years ago this month—when husband-and-wife team Paul and Mary Hoffert moved back to the Valley. Even after Mary’s passing in 2008, their family kept the Jumbars legacy alive, serving cozy cuisine and cultivating community. Local favorites include the Greenwich St. Special, grilled sticky buns and the Jumble Berry pie. Jumbars invites diners to enhance their weekend brunch experience with BYOB champagne!
Mitzi’s Table offers comfort food with a twist, using locally sourced ingredients and serving regional favorites and ethnic specialties. What’s more, there’s plenty of vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options to choose from! Mitzi’s board of inventive specials is always changing, but some of their lunch favorites include shrimp and grits, Greg’s grilled cheese, the Southern fried chicken plate, Asian noodle bowl and daily quesadilla.
1342 Chelsea Ave., Bethlehem | 610.866.1660 | jumbars.com
3650 Nazareth Pike, Bethlehem | 610.730.1670 | mitzistable.com
Photos by Matt Bishop
/ Jumbars (left); Mitzi's Table (right)
Favorite Seafood
Youell’s Oyster House
Youell’s dates back to 1938, when Bob Youell bought the restaurant, aiming to put emphasis on seafood, but it didn’t become Youell’s Oyster House until 1984, when it was acquired by longtime patrons, the Filipos family.
What should one order? Youell’s Oyster House is celebrated for its jumbo lump crabmeat! Try the crabmeat-stuffed shrimp, the crab- cakes or the sauteed soft shell crabs.
Related: The Return of Youell's Oyster House
2249 Walnut St. Allentown | 610.439.1203 | youellsoysterhouse.com
Photo by Alison Conklin
/ Coconut Shrimp-Stuffed Dumplings -Served with a citrus soy
Favorite Mediterranean
Nostos Greek Restaurant
Homey and homemade—those are two words that can be used to describe the vibe and the food at Nostos, this relatively new spot in Allentown serving Greek food. The approach is fresh, the dining room is welcoming and Nostos is open for lunch and dinner. Because it relies so much on vegetables and fresh foods, Greek food is very friendly to vegetarians. Plenty of fish specialties feature well here, too, but you’ll also find the usual suspects such as spanakopita, moussaka and more.
701 N. 19th St., Allentown | 484.350.3799 | nostospa.com
Photo by Alison Conklin
Favorite Italian
Mama Nina Foccacheria
Enjoy a complimentary glass of one of their house wines with a heaping bowl of pasta at Mama Nina’s, which is also BYOB! Guests have been returning to this Valley staple for more than 10 years.
546 Main St. Bethlehem | 610.867.9802 | mamaninabethlehem.com
Favorite Middle Eastern
Aladdin Restaurant
Escape from the norm and dine atop plush pillows beneath the “stars” inside Aladdin Restaurant, where each dish is crafted with passion. On Saturdays, experience a live belly dancing display!
Related: Magical, Authentic Middle Eastern Fare
651 Union Blvd., Allentown | 610.437.4023 | aladdinlv.com
Photo by Donovan Roberts Witmer
Favorite Asian
KOME Fine Japanese Cuisine
Celebrating 10 years next month, KOME offers upscale hibachi entertainment, made-to-order rolls at the sushi bar and a sake lounge, where guests can enjoy tasting flights.
The Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley | 610.798.9888 | komerestaurant.com
Favorite Locally Sourced
Bolete
Co-owner and head chef of Bolete, Lee Chizmar wants us to celebrate the food of Pennsylvania—what he calls Pennsylvania Modern heritage cuisine—the way people might in other regions. It’s a hyper-regionalist approach to farm-to-table, something Bolete’s been doing for more than a decade.
Related: A Decade Later, What’s Next for Bolete?
1740 Seidersville Rd., Bethlehem | 610.868.6505 | boleterestaurant.com
Photo by Alison Conklin
/ Roasted Marrow Bones -Served with house-made chunky peanut butter, Scholl's Orchard peaches, blackberry jam, sesame brittle, sea salt and sourdough toast
Favorite Chef
Tony DiMaio - Gio Italian Grill
If you talk to Tony DiMaio, he’ll be a bit chagrined about the award: “I’m not a chef!” He says he was talking to Shawn Doyle of Savory Grille and told him about this victory, telling Shawn, “I’m not a chef.” Doyle (never one to mince words) says to him, “Of course you are!”
Whatever the case, DiMaio is the guy you see when you walk through the door at Gio; he’s always the one who’s making the pizzas and chatting up customers and talking to kids. “I love kids; they are so honest, they have no filter,” he says.
6465 Village Ln., Macungie | 610.966.9446 | gioitaliangrill.com
Photo by Marco Calderon
Favorite Steakhouse
OAK Steakhouse
The team behind OAK has two other restaurants in Easton, making it pretty clear that they love this city. So when the steakhouse encountered some hiccups early on in its construction process, the team (and building) stayed strong, like an oak tree. At OAK, all beef is sourced from the highest-quality Midwest ranches and aged in-house in a Himalayan-salt-brick-lined dry-aging room (one that guests can even dine in!).
323 Northampton St., Easton | 610.559.5510 | oak-steakhouse.com
Photos by Alison Conklin
/ 48oz Tomahawk Ribeye -rib-eye cut with a long, handle-like bone ranges in weight from 30 to 60 ounces and has a corresponding price tag of $68 to $135 (left); Faux tree inside along with each floor offering varying degrees of dining and lounging options (right)
Favorite Diner
Diner 248
Though the dessert case does serve as a major tease on the way in, guests are sure to satisfy their every craving with the sweet and savory options on the menu. The diner’s full-service bar offers wine, beer and cocktails to make every meal a celebration.
Related: Diner 248's Chocolate Grace Cake
3701 Easton-Nazareth Hwy., Easton | 610.252.4300 | diner248.com
Photo by Shelbie Pletz Photography
Favorite Fine Dining
Savory Grille
At Savory Grille, leisurely two-hour reservations are pretty common, as they believe fine dining is an experience to be savored. And here, hot food is served hot!
Related: Savory Grille: A Delicious, 20-Year Engagement
2934 Seisholtzville Rd., Macungie | 610.845.2010 | savorygrille.com
Favorite BYOB
Tre Scalini
Tre Scalini, an old-world, old-school dining experience, is the definition of a hidden gem, but if you like polished Italian fare with a fresh, more continental feeling, you may already know about it. Or perhaps it’s the fact that so few Italian restaurants lack liquor licenses. Robyn and Santo Ingaro have been welcoming diners to their restaurant in an old Colonial home since 2006. The warm hospitality sets the tone, but the BYOB nature accentuates the feeling that you’re dining in someone's home. Just make sure you make reservations on the weekend, order the Bolognese and bring your favorite bottle.
Related: 4 Valley Favorite BYOBs
221 E. Broad St., Bethlehem | 610.419.1619 | trescalini.net
Photo by Matt Bishop
Favorite Atmosphere
Melt
Despite being an upscale, special-occasion dining destination, Melt packs in all the cozy, with a massive fireplace, warm lighting and a wine cellar that could go on for miles.
The Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley | 610.798.9000 | meltgrill.com
Favorite Vegetarian
Jenny’s Kuali Malaysian & Vegetarian Restaurant
Wonton Mee, Poh Piah, Curry Puff and Roti Paratha are just some of the homemade, exotic vegetarian dishes available at Jenny’s Kuali, and they are all authentic to the cuisine of Malaysia.
102 E. 4th St., Bethlehem | 610.758.8088 | jennyskuali.com
Photo by Alison Conklin
Favorite Easton Restaurant
Ocean
The team at Ocean describes the atmosphere as quiet, romantic and candlelit. The seafood options range from starters like octopus bruschetta and the duck confit quesadilla to caramelized diver scallops and lobster ravioli.
Related: Ocean is as Constant and Reliable as the Waves
235 Ferry St., Easton | 610.559.7211 | ocean235.com
Photo by Alison Conklin
/ Seared Grouper -Crab, artichoke and potato cake, spinach, safron beurre blanc
Favorite Bethlehem Restaurant
Apollo Grill
Despite its owners of 19 years announcing their retirement last October, Lehigh Valley residents are still celebrating all that Apollo Grill has to offer under the new ownership of the restaurant’s longtime general manager. In September, Apollo introduced brunch as an offering!
85 W. Broad St., Bethlehem | 610.865.9600 | apollogrill.com
Photo by Shelbie Pletz Photography
/ Pan-Seared Scallops -Cranberry, maple and bacon jam, toasted hazelnut bacon crumble and chive oil
Favorite Allentown Restaurant
The Hamilton Kitchen & Bar
Whether it’s brunch, lunch, happy hour, dinner or just dessert, The Hamilton provides a vibe and atmosphere that’s unparalleled. What’s more, their whiskey selection is off the charts—regulars have been known to call the restaurant, begging for the secret recipe for their Old Fashioned.
645 W. Hamilton St., Allentown | 610.433.3535 | thehamiltonkitchen.com
Photo by Shelbie Pletz Photography