Photo by Peter Gourniak
So, in our travels around the Valley this past year we found things that we enjoyed for the first time, we had some exciting new encounters in new places and we remembered how great some of our time-tested experiences are here. That said, we are so excited to share some of those Favorite Things with you!
City Center, Allentown
If anything can truly be called the epicenter of the “new” Allentown, it would have to be City Center in the heart of Center City. Confused? Here's a quick rundown of the places and the players that has Allentown breathing new life—and we're not just talking about Phantoms hockey players, either, although there are plenty of them around, too. It was, after all, the development of the arena or PPL Center that kick-started the revitalization that we are now enjoying in Allentown. Yes, we said “enjoying.”
On any given night, you'll find people going to the arena for a show or sporting event or dining at one of several new restaurants, including ROAR Social House and The Dime. The Dime happens to be part of the chic Renaissance Hotel, and even more dining is anticipated with the opening of Shula's Steakhouse this summer. Oh, yeah, and there's shopping again! A Sorrelli Jewelry store and the recent confirmation that the Moravian Book Shop will open a second location in the Center has everyone excited about being able to spend some quality time with their wallet in Allentown. The other up side? So far, hundreds of new jobs have been created and it looks like there will be many more as City Center continues to add retailers and provides lots of reasons for people to come downtown.
645 Hamilton St., Allentown | citycenterlehighvalley.com
Photo by Robert Cort
Allentown Symphony Orchestra
You just don't know until you go! A night at the symphony isn't what it used to be and then at times when you need it to be, it is just that—an enriching, sophisticated way to spend an evening. We are actually incredibly fortunate to have our own symphony in a city the size of Allentown.
You can pretty much put aside any preconceptions of a stuffy, tight-shirted type of event. The people who work behind the scenes at Miller Symphony Hall are smart and know how to attract bigger and even younger audiences. Many of our local school-aged children have had the opportunity to experience the symphony through free performance opportunities and as part of community outreach programs like El Sistema, where kids can learn to play the instruments they are seeing and hearing.
And remember, while you are watching and listening to a performance, you are also witnessing the conducting excellence of Music Director Diane Wittry, an exciting and engaging conductor who has garnered international acclaim. Come hear for yourself!
Miller Symphony Hall | 23 N. 6th St., Allentown | 610.432.7961 | allentownsymphony.org
Photo by Kenneth P. Volpe
The Women's 5K Classic and EXPO
Like a boxer's characteristic one-two punch, the Women's 5K Classic and EXPO, seeks to deliver a knockout blow to the #1 most common cancer to be diagnosed among women: breast cancer. This multi-day event began back in 1993 by a community leader whose mother had received the life-changing diagnosis of breast cancer. Event founder Wendy Body walked along with some 250 other participants that year, and together they raised over $2,500 for the cause.
"Wendy wanted to do something positive and decided to reach out to her friends and start a race that promoted health and fitness and at the same time raised funds that would remain in our Lehigh Valley,” says race committee member Jane George. Since its inception, all funds raised at the Classic and the EXPO have gone directly to support those diagnosed with breast cancer locally. More than 5,000 participants registered for last year's event alone.
As has been customary, the EXPO, which seeks to help empower and educate women in matters of health and wellness, will be held the day prior on October 16. The 2015 Josh Early Candies Women's 5k Classic Health EXPO will be held at St. Luke's West End Health Center in Cetronia. The EXPO does an awesome job of combining educational opportunities with activities that are fun and informative, like healthy cooking classes, boutique shopping, chocolate sampling, mini facials and more.
The EXPO has certainly helped get participation up there, as has the reality that nearly everyone knows someone affected by the disease or has battled it themselves. Since 1993, more than $2.5 million has been raised and that money has stayed here in the Lehigh Valley. It is true there is strength in numbers and the good news is some of the numbers associated with breast cancer are getting better. “Each year the number of survivors grows and the number of years that our friends and sisters survive increases,” George says. And that's an achievement that everyone who puts sneakers to the pavement can be proud of.
Photo by Alison Conklin
Owner Santo Napoli (left) and Store Director Zachary Matthews
Assembly88
Until recently, men in the Valley have been seriously jilted in the cool clothes department. Seeking an opportunity to capitalize on Allentown's revitalization, proprietor Santo Napoli has given men the retail experience they have been lacking with an upscale, urban store on Hamilton Street like you would find in New York or Philadelphia.
Napoli has stocked the store, which is gorgeously appointed with polished wood floors and vintage inspired lighting, with contemporary casual brands previously hard to find in the Valley like Patagonia, AG Jeans and Penfield. And it's not only women who appreciate a good shoe, men also have been known to indulge in quality footwear. The stylish guy will find dress shoes, loafers, sneakers and even some rugged boots from great lines like Redwing, Cole Haan and Sperry Top-Sider at Assembly88. There's also a select inventory of signature accessories in store like duffle bags, backpacks and wallets to help keep the man on the go organized.
544 Hamilton St., Allentown | 610.433.7625 | assembly88.com
photo by Alison Conklin
Seasons' staffers Maggie Sober and Conor Sheridan-McAndrew
The Cheese Shop at Seasons Olive Oil & Vinegar Taproom
Seasons was a groundbreaker in the first place for getting us to think differently about options when it comes to making a salad, bruschetta or even a simply delicious veggie dip. Offering gourmet oils and vinegars that you could sample in their tasteful boutique-like shop that conjures culinary inspiration from the moment you step inside Seasons, turned us from robots at the supermarket into educated consumers and then even connoisseurs with their premium quality olive oils and aged vinegars infused with flavors like blood orange, lemon and fig.
Since expanding to its Main Street location, Seasons has continued to set the bar high with the addition of a gourmet cheese shop last year. You definitely have the feeling you might be somewhere in Europe while you're in the friendly store where they cater to all palates. If you're a cheese novice, the knowledgeable staff is happy to make recommendations. “Seasoned” cheese lovers will be thrilled to find varieties here that you won't find anywhere else.
508 Main St., Bethlehem | 610.866.2615 | seasonstaproom.com
Photo Courtesy of Subarashii Kudamono
Subarashii Kudamono Gourmet Asian Pears
For the love of a pear. Not just any pear in any produce department, mind you, but a rarer pear of an Asian variety. That's why the Subarashii Kudamono pear is even here in the Lehigh Valley at all: someone fell in love with Asian pears after being given some as a gift while on a business trip to Japan. The late founder of Lutron Electronics, Joel Spira (a physicist who is also credited with inventing the dimmer switch), was that someone. The texture and shape was like that of an apple, crisp and round. The taste was that of the sweetest, juiciest pear ever, and unlike anything Spira had ever tasted. He struggled, however, to find a similar pear locally.
That's where having a wife with a botany degree really came in handy. Ruth Rodale Spira and her husband worked with experts from Asia and the US to develop and grow the pears here in the Valley. Never daunted by a challenge, the Spiras did just that and now this pear is grown and thrives on land in our backyard.
7200 Suter Rd., Coopersburg | 610.282.7588 | wonderfulfruit.com
Photo by Alison Conklin
The Avgolemono Soup at Copperhead Grille
Trust us. There's more to this simple looking bowl of soup than meets the eye—and then the palate! What makes this classic Greek soup so delectable is its combo of creamy and slightly tangy elements. This is THE go-to soup when you have had a bad day—or long night out, the sniffles, need comfort food, want to eat light or generally just want to appease your hungry stomach monster. It's on the appetizer menu so it comes out fast, fresh and piping hot.
Owner Mike Dontas, Jr., says our assumption that its secret lies in the way its primary ingredient, the chicken, is cooked, is right on the money! “The chicken is juicy because we season it with 'Copper-spice,' which consists of 14 different spices, then we roast it in our state of the art convection oven,” Dontas says. “Once the soup is done, we dice the chicken and add it in.”
That chicken joins a savory house-made chicken stock, freshly chopped carrots, onion, celery, orzo pasta, some heavy cream, freshly-squeezed lemon juice and a few other ingredients, all simmered together like a great family recipe should be.
Try a big bowl as a meal, or enjoy it as an appetizer as Dontas suggests, and entrée it up with their New York strip steak or Chimmi sirloin or the Cajun Jambalaya. Yum, yum—yummy!
5737 Rte. 378, Bethlehem | 610.282.4600
1731 Airport Rd., Allentown | 610.403.4600 | copperheadgrille.com
Photo by Alison Conklin
The Hula Pie at blue grillhouse
Unless you have a trip to Maui planned, you'll need to get to blue grillhouse in Bethlehem to try this exotic dessert made popular on the Hawaiian Islands.
From the minute your Hula Pie arrives at your table, you will know you are in for a treat that you're going to remember long after that last bite. First of all, it looks impressive—like a mound of luscious fudge. Once the outer layer of that dark chocolate fudge is pierced with a knife, it reveals several sumptuous inches of its rich, vanilla ice cream base beneath. What puts the “hula” in the pie is its sweet yet slightly salty macadamia nut cookie crust. That blend of fudge, nuts and ice cream make this treat similar to a supreme fudge sundae—in a pie! We could go on, but we've teased you enough now.
This dessert is a party waiting to happen for sure! So bring some friends and cut one up, as a slice of Hula Pie is a cut above when it comes to dessert menu items!
4431 Easton Ave., Bethlehem | 610.691.8400 | bluegrillhouse.com
Photo by Peter Gourniak
So, in our travels around the Valley this past year we found things that we enjoyed for the first time, we had some exciting new encounters in new places and we remembered how great some of our time-tested experiences are here. That said, we are so excited to share some of those Favorite Things with you!
City Center, Allentown
If anything can truly be called the epicenter of the “new” Allentown, it would have to be City Center in the heart of Center City. Confused? Here's a quick rundown of the places and the players that has Allentown breathing new life—and we're not just talking about Phantoms hockey players, either, although there are plenty of them around, too. It was, after all, the development of the arena or PPL Center that kick-started the revitalization that we are now enjoying in Allentown. Yes, we said “enjoying.”
On any given night, you'll find people going to the arena for a show or sporting event or dining at one of several new restaurants, including ROAR Social House and The Dime. The Dime happens to be part of the chic Renaissance Hotel, and even more dining is anticipated with the opening of Shula's Steakhouse this summer. Oh, yeah, and there's shopping again! A Sorrelli Jewelry store and the recent confirmation that the Moravian Book Shop will open a second location in the Center has everyone excited about being able to spend some quality time with their wallet in Allentown. The other up side? So far, hundreds of new jobs have been created and it looks like there will be many more as City Center continues to add retailers and provides lots of reasons for people to come downtown.
645 Hamilton St., Allentown | citycenterlehighvalley.com
Photo by Robert Cort
Allentown Symphony Orchestra
You just don't know until you go! A night at the symphony isn't what it used to be and then at times when you need it to be, it is just that—an enriching, sophisticated way to spend an evening. We are actually incredibly fortunate to have our own symphony in a city the size of Allentown.
You can pretty much put aside any preconceptions of a stuffy, tight-shirted type of event. The people who work behind the scenes at Miller Symphony Hall are smart and know how to attract bigger and even younger audiences. Many of our local school-aged children have had the opportunity to experience the symphony through free performance opportunities and as part of community outreach programs like El Sistema, where kids can learn to play the instruments they are seeing and hearing.
And remember, while you are watching and listening to a performance, you are also witnessing the conducting excellence of Music Director Diane Wittry, an exciting and engaging conductor who has garnered international acclaim. Come hear for yourself!
Miller Symphony Hall | 23 N. 6th St., Allentown | 610.432.7961 | allentownsymphony.org
Photo by Kenneth P. Volpe
The Women's 5K Classic and EXPO
Like a boxer's characteristic one-two punch, the Women's 5K Classic and EXPO, seeks to deliver a knockout blow to the #1 most common cancer to be diagnosed among women: breast cancer. This multi-day event began back in 1993 by a community leader whose mother had received the life-changing diagnosis of breast cancer. Event founder Wendy Body walked along with some 250 other participants that year, and together they raised over $2,500 for the cause.
"Wendy wanted to do something positive and decided to reach out to her friends and start a race that promoted health and fitness and at the same time raised funds that would remain in our Lehigh Valley,” says race committee member Jane George. Since its inception, all funds raised at the Classic and the EXPO have gone directly to support those diagnosed with breast cancer locally. More than 5,000 participants registered for last year's event alone.
As has been customary, the EXPO, which seeks to help empower and educate women in matters of health and wellness, will be held the day prior on October 16. The 2015 Josh Early Candies Women's 5k Classic Health EXPO will be held at St. Luke's West End Health Center in Cetronia. The EXPO does an awesome job of combining educational opportunities with activities that are fun and informative, like healthy cooking classes, boutique shopping, chocolate sampling, mini facials and more.
The EXPO has certainly helped get participation up there, as has the reality that nearly everyone knows someone affected by the disease or has battled it themselves. Since 1993, more than $2.5 million has been raised and that money has stayed here in the Lehigh Valley. It is true there is strength in numbers and the good news is some of the numbers associated with breast cancer are getting better. “Each year the number of survivors grows and the number of years that our friends and sisters survive increases,” George says. And that's an achievement that everyone who puts sneakers to the pavement can be proud of.
Photo by Alison Conklin
Owner Santo Napoli (left) and Store Director Zachary Matthews
Assembly88
Until recently, men in the Valley have been seriously jilted in the cool clothes department. Seeking an opportunity to capitalize on Allentown's revitalization, proprietor Santo Napoli has given men the retail experience they have been lacking with an upscale, urban store on Hamilton Street like you would find in New York or Philadelphia.
Napoli has stocked the store, which is gorgeously appointed with polished wood floors and vintage inspired lighting, with contemporary casual brands previously hard to find in the Valley like Patagonia, AG Jeans and Penfield. And it's not only women who appreciate a good shoe, men also have been known to indulge in quality footwear. The stylish guy will find dress shoes, loafers, sneakers and even some rugged boots from great lines like Redwing, Cole Haan and Sperry Top-Sider at Assembly88. There's also a select inventory of signature accessories in store like duffle bags, backpacks and wallets to help keep the man on the go organized.
544 Hamilton St., Allentown | 610.433.7625 | assembly88.com
photo by Alison Conklin
Seasons' staffers Maggie Sober and Conor Sheridan-McAndrew
The Cheese Shop at Seasons Olive Oil & Vinegar Taproom
Seasons was a groundbreaker in the first place for getting us to think differently about options when it comes to making a salad, bruschetta or even a simply delicious veggie dip. Offering gourmet oils and vinegars that you could sample in their tasteful boutique-like shop that conjures culinary inspiration from the moment you step inside Seasons, turned us from robots at the supermarket into educated consumers and then even connoisseurs with their premium quality olive oils and aged vinegars infused with flavors like blood orange, lemon and fig.
Since expanding to its Main Street location, Seasons has continued to set the bar high with the addition of a gourmet cheese shop last year. You definitely have the feeling you might be somewhere in Europe while you're in the friendly store where they cater to all palates. If you're a cheese novice, the knowledgeable staff is happy to make recommendations. “Seasoned” cheese lovers will be thrilled to find varieties here that you won't find anywhere else.
508 Main St., Bethlehem | 610.866.2615 | seasonstaproom.com
Photo Courtesy of Subarashii Kudamono
Subarashii Kudamono Gourmet Asian Pears
For the love of a pear. Not just any pear in any produce department, mind you, but a rarer pear of an Asian variety. That's why the Subarashii Kudamono pear is even here in the Lehigh Valley at all: someone fell in love with Asian pears after being given some as a gift while on a business trip to Japan. The late founder of Lutron Electronics, Joel Spira (a physicist who is also credited with inventing the dimmer switch), was that someone. The texture and shape was like that of an apple, crisp and round. The taste was that of the sweetest, juiciest pear ever, and unlike anything Spira had ever tasted. He struggled, however, to find a similar pear locally.
That's where having a wife with a botany degree really came in handy. Ruth Rodale Spira and her husband worked with experts from Asia and the US to develop and grow the pears here in the Valley. Never daunted by a challenge, the Spiras did just that and now this pear is grown and thrives on land in our backyard.
7200 Suter Rd., Coopersburg | 610.282.7588 | wonderfulfruit.com
Photo by Alison Conklin
The Avgolemono Soup at Copperhead Grille
Trust us. There's more to this simple looking bowl of soup than meets the eye—and then the palate! What makes this classic Greek soup so delectable is its combo of creamy and slightly tangy elements. This is THE go-to soup when you have had a bad day—or long night out, the sniffles, need comfort food, want to eat light or generally just want to appease your hungry stomach monster. It's on the appetizer menu so it comes out fast, fresh and piping hot.
Owner Mike Dontas, Jr., says our assumption that its secret lies in the way its primary ingredient, the chicken, is cooked, is right on the money! “The chicken is juicy because we season it with 'Copper-spice,' which consists of 14 different spices, then we roast it in our state of the art convection oven,” Dontas says. “Once the soup is done, we dice the chicken and add it in.”
That chicken joins a savory house-made chicken stock, freshly chopped carrots, onion, celery, orzo pasta, some heavy cream, freshly-squeezed lemon juice and a few other ingredients, all simmered together like a great family recipe should be.
Try a big bowl as a meal, or enjoy it as an appetizer as Dontas suggests, and entrée it up with their New York strip steak or Chimmi sirloin or the Cajun Jambalaya. Yum, yum—yummy!
5737 Rte. 378, Bethlehem | 610.282.4600
1731 Airport Rd., Allentown | 610.403.4600 | copperheadgrille.com
Photo by Alison Conklin
The Hula Pie at blue grillhouse
Unless you have a trip to Maui planned, you'll need to get to blue grillhouse in Bethlehem to try this exotic dessert made popular on the Hawaiian Islands.
From the minute your Hula Pie arrives at your table, you will know you are in for a treat that you're going to remember long after that last bite. First of all, it looks impressive—like a mound of luscious fudge. Once the outer layer of that dark chocolate fudge is pierced with a knife, it reveals several sumptuous inches of its rich, vanilla ice cream base beneath. What puts the “hula” in the pie is its sweet yet slightly salty macadamia nut cookie crust. That blend of fudge, nuts and ice cream make this treat similar to a supreme fudge sundae—in a pie! We could go on, but we've teased you enough now.
This dessert is a party waiting to happen for sure! So bring some friends and cut one up, as a slice of Hula Pie is a cut above when it comes to dessert menu items!
4431 Easton Ave., Bethlehem | 610.691.8400 | bluegrillhouse.com
