Photo by Colin Coleman
Whether they are seasoned winners—like Apollo Grill—or first timers—like Grain—the Decadent Dish Restaurant Awards recognize Valley eateries with the warmest servers, tastiest meals and sweetest atmospheres. Flag these pages for expert recommendations, right at your fingertips, all year round.
Molinari’s
Favorite Italian
It’s easy to see why family-run Molinari’s has been employing the hashtag #savetheairfare for almost five years now. Executive Chef Geo Dodig leads a team revered for its regional Italian fare put together with love and a plethora of fresh, local ingredients: Primordia for mushrooms, Scholl for fruits, Liberty Gardens for greens and veggies, and so on. That’s the authentic Italian way—with some twists. (Try the Mushroom Manhattan.)
Molinari’s is one of those places where it’s impossible to decide what to order, but, happily, the homemade rosemary focaccia and a local olive oil will appear tableside without request. What about the pizzas, crisped to perfection in an 800-degree, wood-fired oven? Or the plethora of homemade pastas (rosemary linguine with smoked onions, lardo and confit duck leg)? Or the grilled octopus appetizer? Save room for decadent chocolate budino or house-made gelati or sorbetti.
Lee Minnucci, general manager and sommelier extraordinaire, says the restaurant has begun a successful bimonthly series of ticketed dinners celebrating every region of Italy—a multi-course meal with pairings from their award-winning Wine Spectator list.
322 E. 3rd St., Bethlehem | 610.625.9222 | molinarimangia.com
Nawab
Favorite Indian
Nawab offers traditional Indian cuisine, many cooked tandoori-style in their clay oven, with spices, herbs and rice.
13 E. 4th St., Bethlehem | 610.691.0388 | nawabindianrestaurant.com
Photo by Alison Conklin
Gio Italian Grill
Favorite Gourmet Pizza
Giovanna and Tony DiMaio, both born to Sicilian parents, know a few things about high- quality, authentic Italian pizza. Gio’s repeat wins over the past nine years testify to just that. The restaurant’s open-flame oven is what Giovanna calls “the centerpiece,” and all that skilled hand-tossing of the homemade doughs helps to create some of the tastiest pizzas around.
Here, ingredients make the difference. Gio only opts for the good stuff: a special, super-fine “00” Italian flour, along with imported San Marzano tomatoes (which have a signature taste thanks to the volcanic soil they’re grown in). Toppings follow in the same high-quality vein, with homemade sausage, wild mushrooms, salami, Gorgonzola cheese and Nonna’s meatballs. The open-hearth oven, which hits a sizzling 600° Fahrenheit, cooks quickly and evenly. (Oh, and the ravioli is homemade, too—if for some reason someone dining with you wants something other than pizza.)
6465 Village Ln., Macungie | 610.966.9446 | gioitaliangrill.com
grain.
Favorite New
With a bar on the first floor and a room for dining on the second, Grain provides the perfect atmosphere for happy hours, meetings and special occasions.
536 W. Hamilton St., Allentown | 484.221.9465 | grainallentown.com
Photo by Shelbie Pletz
White Orchids
Favorite Thai
Flavorful, creative and lively—that describes the Thai food, and the vibe, at White Orchids, an instant hit at the Promenade when it debuted ten years ago.
Owned by the Virojanapa family, White Orchids is several steps above the average strip-mall Asian eatery. Start with moneybags or potstickers, or head straight for pad Thai, drunken noodles or red curry. “Almost everything we do is made in-house, from sauces and curries and dressings to signature appetizers and desserts,” says Jeff Virojanapa. Bonus: The restaurant uses locally made organic tofu from Fresh Tofu in Allentown.
Oh and don’t forget those cocktails. Virojanapa recommends the Rama Sazerac, with Bulleit rye whiskey, Peychaud’s bitters, Thai basil-infused simple syrup, orange peel and club soda. If your day requires something more assertive, the Thai Spicy Bloody Mary, another fave, should do the trick.
2985 Center Valley Pkwy., Center Valley | 610.841.7499 | whiteorchidsthaicuisine.com
Billy’s Downtown Diner
Favorite Diner
With healthy choices like California Oatmeal and signature dishes like Mic’s Cannoli Tower, it’s easy to see why Billy’s is a breakfast favorite. Lunch begins at 11 a.m. and it’ll be just as hard to choose between burgers, wraps and salads as it is to decide on breakfast.
10 E. Broad St., Bethlehem | 610.867.0105 | 840 Hamilton St., Allentown | 610.432.5484 | billysdiner.com
blue grillhouse
Favorite Steakhouse
Enjoy specialty-cut steaks like the Black Angus Porterhouse or Prime NY Strip in their lavish dining area or outdoor patio.
4431 Easton Ave., Bethlehem | 610.691.8400 | bluegrillhouse.com
Bolete
Favorite Farm to Table
Chef Lee Chizmar serves seasonal, farm-to-table American cuisine at this rustic-chic restaurant, where the menu is created daily.
1740 Seidersville Rd., Bethlehem | 610.868.6505 | boleterestaurant.com
Photo by Shelbie Pletz
DiMaio’s
Favorite BYOB
Good food is often a family affair: Anna DiMaio of DiMaio’s is the sister of Tony DiMaio at Gio. DiMaio’s is a comfy, classic Italian-American spot in Hellertown, and has been for 31 years, creating its own bread, pizza dough and sauces from scratch. Full-fledged pasta dinners are available, along with sandwiches and New York-style Neapolitan pizza. “We have been told over and over that we have the best Chicken Francaise in the Lehigh Valley,” she says. “I just really think people enjoy that they can come and have a great Italian meal with their own wine or beer and not have to spend that extra money. We do not charge a corkage fee,” she says.
27 Main St., Hellertown | 610.838.8004 | dimaios.net
Photo by Alison Conklin
Melt
Favorite Special Occasion
Restaurateur George Paxos has said that he strives to create an experience akin to theater at his four restaurants. It’s true. Diners can always count on this team to consistently execute unique productions. But Melt’s particular backdrop, replete with high ceilings and sculptural lighting, sets the stage for an Italian feast. The 150 wines, along with extensive cocktail and martini lists, make celebrating with libations easy.
“People celebrate everything here—birthdays, anniversaries, retirements, promotions, baptisms, communions, showers, you name it,” says Craig Farley, events manager for Melt and Top Cut. The banquette seating in front of the fireplace and two-story wine wall are big draws. Private rooms can accommodate parties of up to 120 people.
Good restaurants strive for guests to enjoy the meal, the service and the ambiance, but Melt aims higher. “Our goal is to make our guests feel like rock stars, but in a setting that feels very approachable,” says Farley.
2880 Center Valley Pkwy., Center Valley | 610.798.9000 | meltgrill.com
Kome
Favorite Japanese
It’s easy to relax with Kome’s soaring ceilings and warm earth tones. And dinner is best described in two words: gourmet hibachi.
2880 Center Valley Pkwy., Center Valley | 610.798.9888 | komerestaurant.com
Shawn Doyle of Savory Grille
Favorite Chef
Between stellar farm-fresh fare, his gregarious personality and easy, infectious laugh, it’s not much of a surprise that Style readers voted chef-owner Shawn Doyle as their favorite. He’s the very definition of engaging—the door to his kitchen is glass and he moves between there and the dining room as often as he can.
Doyle and his wife, Dorothy, have been running Savory Grille, which sources as much as possible locally, since 1997. To supplement, the Doyles grow as much as they can on site, such as herbs, flowers, peppers, squashes and some tree fruits. Additionally, they plan to put a greenhouse on the property to “add to our agricultural landscape,” and to “allow Savory Grille to be integrated in the ‘farm to fork’ arena,” he says. Perhaps, if all goes well, it’ll be a tasty way to celebrate their 20th anniversary in 2017.
2934 Seisholtzville Rd., Macungie | 610.845.2010 | savorygrille.com
Photo by Alison Conklin
Yianni’s Taverna
Favorite Mediterranean
With bright blue accents and crisp white linens, Yianni’s Taverna calls to mind the Aegean Sea, and that’s before you even taste any of the food. Its endless list of mezze—small plates—means it’s fairly easy to sample a smattering of dishes and never, ever, go away hungry. You may, however, need to come back to work your way through its offerings.
Sisters-in-law Maria Manakos and Melissa Zannakis have been running Yianni’s for the past seven years. “We converted it to all Greek and never looked back,” says Zannakis. “We are both 100 percent Greek and strive to bring our memories and cuisine of Greece to the Lehigh Valley,” she says.
In addition to all those small plates and veggie-loving dishes, Greek food favors seafood—the country is surrounded by three bodies of water, after all. The grilled whole fish is a signature, and they typically offer sea bass, red snapper and dorado.
3760 Old Philadelphia Pike, Bethlehem | 610.867.8821 | yiannistaverna.com
Photo by Shelbie Pletz
Black Forest Deli
Favorite Deli
Vica Shparber and her mom, Milana (“mamachka”), are total pros when it comes to making comforting homey dishes.
If that sounds like an oxymoron, it’s really not. Black Forest Deli, or BFD to those in the know, was a real sleeper when the pair took it over ten years ago. Through active word-of-mouth, dedicated social media efforts and oh, really good fare, the secret quickly slipped out. Readers revere the space for numerous reasons: the daily specials, the old-fashioned pierogi and the fresh, scratch-made food.
The pair demonstrates serious hospitality chops through their multi-course, family-style Kiev dinners. These weekly, intimate events feature family recipes (they’re from Kiev) and are typically capped at around a dozen people. Vica says the recipes are “as authentic as you can get. Everything is made that day, just for the dinner.”
Black Forest Deli’s dedication is as unmistakable as the red beets in borsch. “Our passion for our business and our local community keeps us going every day and inspires us to come up with new and creative daily dishes,” says Vica.
745 W. Union Blvd., Bethlehem | 610.865.3036 | bethlehemdeli.com
Tapas on Main
Favorite Spanish
It’s difficult to order here with such a wide variety of Spanish-inspired dishes and a changing cocktail menu (including eight seasonal sangrias), but their Papas a la Francesa (truffle fries) will not dissapoint.
500 Main St., Bethlehem | 610.868.8903 | tapasonmain.com
Maxim’s 22
Favorite French
From the Croque Monsieur/Madame burger to a huge selection of wines, Maxim’s 22 serves French cuisine at its finest.
322 Northampton St., Easton | 610.252.2622 | maxims22.com
Torre
Favorite Mexican
Modern Mexican cuisine with a flair—guacamole, salsa and over 80 varieties of tequila.
2960 Center Valley Pkwy., Center Valley | 610.841.9399 | torrerestaurant.com
Photo by Colin Coleman
Jenny’s Kuali
Favorite Vegetarian
This Southside Bethlehem fave, owned by Jenny and Roy Lim, specializes in Malaysian and vegetarian cuisine. Kuali is the Malay word for wok, and you’ll find a bit of a Pan-Asian approach at this BYOB, which is natural. “Malaysia is populated by people from India, Singapore, Thailand and China; Singapore is its neighbor, so the cuisine is very similar as both countries have influenced each other over the years,” explains Jenny.
Since 2012, Jenny’s Kuali has been turning out fresh, made-to-order food. “We are able to accommodate almost all taste buds. What sets us apart is the flavor. We use lots of different spices that are native to Southeast Asia,” she says, such as fresh curry leaves and kaffir lime leaves, along with lemongrass, turmeric and “curry spices.” Folks dig the nasi goreng, nasi nenas, chow kuey teow and, naturally, the curries. When in doubt, the vegetable dumplings are winners.
102 E. 4th St., Bethlehem | 610.758.8088 | jennyskuali.com
Aladdin
Favorite Middle Eastern
Violette Younes, owner and head chef, creates each dish with passion and care to represent the quality in their homemade dough, daily batches of hummus and babaganouj and hand-rolled grape leaves.
651 Union Blvd., Allentown | 610.437.4023 | aladdinlv.com
The Bayou
Favorite Neighborhood
Welcome to home away from home! Dig in to Southern New Orleans comfort foods while listening to blues and sipping craft beers and cocktails.
702 Hawthorne Rd., Bethlehem | 610.419.6669 | dat-bayou.com
Photo by Shelbie Pletz
Jumbars
Favorite Café
The lines on the weekends tell you everything you need to know: Arrive here early, because they don’t take reservations and everyone loves the lively, retro-feeling Jumbars. (Or come during the week, as breakfast is served Tuesday through Sunday.) It’s as simple as that. The food is worth every single minute of your wait; ask for a menu if you’re not seated immediately so you can try to decide what to order.
Jumbars is loved for its scratch-made fare, right down to the bread and the salad dressings. It’s a favorite spot for breakfast, lunch and brunch. Your meals are made to order, so be prepared to relax here as your omelet, tofu scramble or waffles are prepped. The highly visible sweets (along with homemade jams) beckon from the counter; we dare you to leave without trying the signature warm and gooey, grilled sticky buns.
1342 Chelsea Ave., Bethlehem | 610.866.1660 | jumbars.com
Hunan Springs
Favorite Chinese
Located inside an old barn with exposed brick and wooden beams and serving vast vegetarian options and the popular steamed duck, Hunan Springs offers a twist on eating Chinese.
4939 Hamilton Blvd., Wescosville | 610.366.8338 | hunansprings.net
Photo by Colin Coleman
Edge
Favorite Atmosphere
It’s not hard to pull off a romantic lighting scheme that makes everyone feel like a million bucks: Dim the lights and ignite some candles. But truly remarkable ambiance that’s consistently lovely, whether you’re at the bar with friends, dining al fresco on the landscaped, covered patio or ensconced in one of those cozy nooks
gently partitioned by gauzy curtains, results in accolades.
Restaurant manager Karen Widrick says that “Edge delivers an atmosphere that will fit any evening occasion,” and she’s about right. Meet for drinks with friends at the bar, or on the patio, overlooking Main and Broad Streets.
Besides, people wouldn’t keep coming back to Edge, a mainstay of Downtown Bethlehem, if the New American fare didn’t entice them. Good looks only get you so far; great meals and fantastic service play a significant role, too.
74 W. Broad St., Bethlehem | 610.814.0100 | edgerestaurant.net
Photo by Colin Coleman
Apollo Grill
Favorite Bethlehem
It’s almost comical how many times Apollo has won a dining award in the Lehigh Valley—it’s nabbed a Decadent Dish Award at least 20 times since 2004, when the awards began. However, when you start to think about how difficult it is to run a restaurant well—let alone make it an outstanding one—
it’s not so funny anymore.
Simply put, ever since Apollo landed in Downtown Bethlehem in 1999, it’s been in a category all its own.
Maybe it’s the fact that you never feel rushed—the reservations are typically allotted about two hours for dinner. Maybe it’s the endless list of small plates and appetizers that always please and are happily shareable. Maybe it’s the inventive cocktail menu and lively bar scene. Maybe it’s all of these things wrapped into one consistently reliable and enjoyable bistro. Co-owner Dyanne Holt puts it this way: “Our aim is to make our customers become a part of our Apollo family. We feel this connection has driven our success for 17 years.”
85 W. Broad St., Bethlehem | 610.865.9600 | apollogrill.com
The Hamilton Kitchen
Favorite Allentown
Classic American dishes paired with great conversations in an urban yet inviting atmosphere—what more can one ask for?
645 Hamilton St., Allentown | 610.433.3535 | thehamiltonkitchen.com
Ocean
Favorite Easton
The perfect place for quiet, romantic evenings accompanied by elegant dishes and seafood galore.
235 Ferry St., Easton | 610.559.7211 | ocean235.com
Photo by Colin Coleman
Hotel Bethlehem
Favorite Brunch
Chef Michael Adams has been elevating our dining expectations ever since his days at the former Farmhouse in Emmaus. That translates, too, when it comes to the epitome of slow-paced, indulgent, weekend dining: Sunday brunch. At Hotel Bethlehem, it’s a musical experience, and every week the selections vary; one week it might be jazz, another Celtic, or even Moravian College music students.
Adams and his executive sous Rodney Rivera orchestrate the whole production. Guests have endless options, from the requisite carving and omelet stations, to French toast, waffles, pastries and bagels, and classics such as whitefish salad and smoked salmon. Dessert appears in the form of a chocolate fountain and petite desserts.
True to their commitment to farm-fresh fare, Adams and Rivera are mindful of the seasons. “Whether it’s a peach and arugula salad in the summer or butternut squash risotto in the fall, the seasons are reflected on the buffet,” says Brynn Levine, the hotel’s marketing coordinator.
437 Main St., Bethlehem | 610.625.5000 | hotelbethlehem.com
Youell’s Oyster House
Favorite Seafood
Serving the finest seafood since the late 1800s, Youell’s Oyster House is the place to eat. Be sure to try the renowned crab cakes!
2249 Walnut St., Allentown | 610.439.1203 | youellsoysterhouse.com
