Ice Cream Month #2: The Cup

"The cup” 

1430 W. Linden St Bethlehem, PA  18018

610-691-8422

Hours:  Open Weekdays 11:30am-10pm; Weekends 1pm-10pm
 

Claiming to be Bethlehem’s favorite ice cream store for the past 85 years, The Bethlehem Dairy Store, is going strong.  Otherwise known as “The Cup” for its shape, provides an ideal setting for a local gathering on a warm summer night.   Well-known for its made-on-premises ice cream and wide selection of flavors, be prepared for a long line and full tables of all ages. 

The vintage ambiance secures your confidence that you will partake in a historic treat.  View their website for a full list of flavors divided into famous (maple walnut, bing cherry, almond joy, chocolate fudge brownie, dulce de leche) seasonal (ambrosia, lemon cream pie, pumpkin cheesecake, blueberry cheesecake, chunky pineapple, german chocolate cake, rum raisin, teaberry and more), and novelty items (popsicles, chipwiches, “scooter balls”).  For the more traditional customer, you’ll be sure to find your classic, standard flavors as well.

The cup specializes in ice cream cakes and provides a superb sundae, my husband’s preference.    In addition, they offer a variety of sugar-free hard ice cream, sherbet, and 3 flavors of soft ice cream.   Open year round, their store provides ample seating in a unique setting.  However, if you like action, you will be sure to enjoy sitting outside on one of their many park-benches, overlooking a yard area for the kids to play and the busy metropolis of downtown Bethlehem.   Although there is a location near Lehigh University, be sure to visit their original store for the full “Cup” experience. 
 

Price:  Total bill for a 1 scoop and 2 scoop:  $6.98

Will I return?  When we are looking for a dessert spot in the Bethlehem area, this is definitely one of our considerations.

Ice Cream Month: oWowCow Creamery

oWowCow Creamery

4105 Durham Road

Ottsville, PA. 

610-847-7070

	Hours Mon-Sun 12-9 PM

Ice cream: a hallmark of a summer night; a celebratory delicacy that seems to unite, relax, and envigor its consumer.  It’s also something that reveals personality—as far as preference….and there is most likely more than we realize that goes into your preferred ice cream spot and flavor choice. 

OWowCow….is it for everyone?   Thought I stumble to adequately convey a description, I’ll seek to tell you some of its distinctions and you make your decision.

For one who is willing to make a scenic country drive on a summer night with the windows down, conversation stirring or tunes jamming visit OWowCow’s rural Bucks County location.  Located not too far from Palisades High School, Lake Nochamixon State Park or on the scenic route home from a night out in Doylestown, you’ll join many locals of all ages. 

For one who is adventurous in their flavor choice, you will be overwhelmed with options.  Good thing they offer samples in order to savor their blended flavors of locally sourced, organic ingredients…to make totally unique combinations that I have not seen elsewhere including:  Fudge amaretto swirl, chai cream, grapefruit with chocolate covered lemon peel (AMAZING!); sweet honey cream, going bananas, lemon ginger, honey lavender, rum raisin, caramel cashew, strawberry rhubarb, chocolate jalapeno….just to whet your appetite.  Their facebook page will give you a few more options.  For those of you who like routine, be prepared for the rotating flavors, often based on what is in season.  For those of you who like it simple, they’ll provide your basics—but not without a twist: they have 3 different forms of vanilla! 

If you, like my husband, consider yourself an ice cream connoisseur, you’ll notice the difference with their ice cream made on location in small batches.  The texture is repeatedly described as “creamy” and “the best around” in several reviews.  If you are lactose intolerant or prefer an ice cream alternative, they offer a variety of sorbet flavors.

If you support “buying local,” you’ll enjoy the support they offer local farmers, as well as businesses, including their coffee and ice cream toppings such as organic granola, sun butter (like almond or peanut butter, but made with sunflower seeds).  Honey and other local baked goods are also for sale.

If you enjoy eating outside in a country setting, pleasant and well-trained young staff,  and complimentary water, you should try oWowCow.

If you want a price of a 1950’s dairy stand, oWowCow is not for you.  You are paying for the experience of eating fresh, local, and at times organic ingredients in a creative, excellent product served in an earthy, yet modern way that only Bucks County can do.  Prices:  Kids $2.36; Small $3.11 and medium $4.68. Bring cash--I don't think they accept credit cards.

Will I return?  While this isn’t the spot I’ll hit out of convenience in the Lehigh Valley, OWowCow rivals my favorite local ice cream joint. I like it more each time I go. Thanks to my brother, Nate & “brother-in-law”, Wes, who were the first to recommend it to us.

Breakfast Month #5--Billy's Downtown Diner

Billy’s Downtown Diner-“Not Your Ordinary Diner”

10 E. Broad St.

Bethlehem, PA  18018

610-867-0105

Hours: Daily, 7 AM-3PM

In 1 Timothy 4, Paul makes a short but profound statement to Timothy, with the implication to give thanks for food because it’s a gift of God given for our enjoyment.  As I scanned the vastly innovative menu at Billy’s, this verse came to mind.  God has so graciously created food to be diverse, colorful, and tastefully combined in such a way that food can and should cause us to worship Him. After all, He is the source.  Did Billy know he’d inspire such an effect?

The features for Evans Eats’ Breakfast month were in place until 2 trusted individuals, my brother Nate and friend Mark, recommended Bethlehem’s well-known eatery.   It was a place I had not visited.   I must confess, diners are not my preference so I proceeded with teachable caution.  When I perused the website’s menu, I knew their slogan “not your ordinary diner” was trustworthy.  The best description of my meal was “an eating event.”

A wall full of local awards advertises its success

Let “Billy” speak for himself as he shares the history and vision for the business her purchased in 2000.    While you are there, notice their daily breakfast specials. 

I was so tempted by the Baklava French toast, one of the many items on their breakfast and lunch menu that reveals their Greek emphasis.  Instead, I went for another unique offering--

Gia’s breakfast treat:  Pita pocket stuffed with a creamy chocolate hazelnut spread, crunchy granola,

sliced fresh strawberries and bananas drizzled with honey ($6.29)

 In addition, my friend Courtney ordered Berry Krunch French toast: Three slices of French bread dipped in our own egg mixture crusted with crunchygranola drizzled with homemade brown sugar glaze. Topped with dried cranberries and fresh strawberries. Crowned with whipped cream and cinnamon ($8.29)

Both proved to be unique, but genius combinations of flavoring and texture, not to mention appetite-satisfying.  The menu was full of sweet and savory items for any sized appetite. 

The atmosphere had the comfortable and almost cozy feel of a vintage diner car. It did not take long for every table and booth to be filled, many who appeared to be neighborhood locals.  The service was fast and friendly.  Coffee was average—what you’d expect from an “ordinary diner.”

Will I return?  On occasion—remember it is an “event,” including the “not your ordinary diner” prices—so it won’t be a regular treat. However, there are many other menu items that are waiting to be experienced. Consider these:

Tonga Toast:  Sourdough bread dipped in our own French toast mix and topped with fresh strawberries, bananas and walnuts.  Draped with low fat vanilla yogurt and dusted with cinnamon ($7.99)

Green Eggs & Ham Breakfast Sandwich:  This great sandwich is made with

eggs blended with spinach and basil pesto, sliced ham, melted mozzarella cheese and sliced tomatoes on a grilled ciabatta ($6.59)

Lil' Havana Omelet:  Slow roasted pulled pork in authentic Cuban seasonings with grilled ham, Swiss and Pepper jack cheese wrapped by three fluffy eggs and topped with diced tomatoes ($8.99)

I’ll be back. 

  

Breakfast Month #4--Piccadelly Cafe

Piccadelly Café

3610 Route 378

Bethlehem, PA  18015

610-868-5455

What role does friendly service play in a dining experience?  It’s a subtle yet valuable aspect that contributes to the satisfied, positive feeling after a good meal out.  Piccadelly Café encompasses that.  In fact, they’ve had my vote for “most friendly service” 2 years in a row for Morning Call’s Reader’s Choice Awards.  The women who run the business take such ownership of hospitality and customized care, giving you the impression that they are serving you in their own home.

Piccadelly Café may not look attractive from the exterior.  In fact, it is easily overlooked in its strip mall  location at the intersection of Route 378 and Black River Road.  Yet it is daily filled with dozens of regulars, coming in for take-out, a pre-work breakfast, or a lunch break with co-workers.  They’ll remember your face and peg you with a “usual” order.

Feta & Spinach Omelet

Breakfast menu includes the standard, along with these recommended highlights:

• Feta & Spinach Omelet, side of potatoes and toast

• Walnut Encrusted Croissant French Toast, topped with strawberries

Yogurt Parfait

• And my personal favorite:  the yogurt parfait—combo of lowfat vanilla yogurt and fresh fruit chopped with love, topped with granola…this surprisingly filling dish will be sure to include in season fresh fruit, at times from their own orchard!  In fact, at times it has a subtle minced mint that enhances its flavor.

Keep in mind, these women aim to please and will be sure to honors special requests.  Its 7:00 AM openin g is a highlight of this café, a convenient and quiet location for an early breakfast date.

For coffee lovers, be sure to try Saigon Cinnamon—one of the most enjoyable flavored coffees I have had. 

Piccadelly is open for breakfast and lunch, but closed on Mondays.  Besides the delicious breakfast menu, it offers delicious salads and sandwiches—sure to please male and female!  Sandwiches can even be ordered as a pressed panini.  A personal lunchtime favorite is their housemade quiches, served with your choice of salad or fruit.  Their selection of desserts will be sure to entice you after any meal…don’t pass up the pumpkin cheesecake offered in the fall!

Will I return?  Definitely—this happens to be a regular place that I meet friends for a breakfast or lunch date.