Mexican Month/Week #3: Fiesta Habanero

Fiesta Habanero

500 West Broad Street

Quakertown, PA  18951

215-538-2228

This post brings both sad and hopeful news. Sad news:  Previously reviewed, Empanadas Argentinas has closed.  We are disappointed to say good-bye to those pockets of goodness.  Good news:  Fiesta Habanero, a pleasing new business to downtown Quakertown, has taken its place.

 

Within weeks of opening, the husband and wife duo are hard at work pumping out a reasonable and tasteful sampling of Mexico's finest.  You can't beat a Chorizo taco for $1.75, served on a corn tortilla with cilantro, onion and salsa on the side, or a Tamale with red or

green sauce for $1.50 each.  

Menu includes a full selection of burritos ($5.95), flautas ($6.75), quesadillas ($3.50), including a vegetable or intriguing squash flower.  
  
My husband enjoyed the enchiladas with green sauce accompanied by rice and beans ($8.95) while I stumbled upon a grilled chicken torta ($5.95), a mexican sandwich served with beans, lettuce, tomato, avocado, cheese and jalapenos.

Served fresh with caring service, we enjoyed every bite.  Not everyone's idea of a Friday night out, but we thoroughly enjoyed ordering at their walk-up window and informal seating on a warm spring evening.  Welcome, Fiesta Habanero--we wish you a successful business and look forward to a return visit!

Easter Traditions?

I received this post and wanted to pose the question for feedback: 

Do you know of any restaurants doing special Easter meals? My family and I always going to Hotel Bethlehem for a huge Easter buffet after church, but we wanted to see if there are any other restaurants doing anything like that? 

Readers, can you recommend any local restaurants with Easter specials?

Mexican Month-Week #2: Fiesta Ole'

the original Emmaus locati

Fiesta Ole'

3 Lehigh Valley Locations:

1116 Chestnut St. Emmaus, PA 18049  610-966-5522

1808 Macarthur Rd. Whitehall, PA  18052  484-664-7109

2955 Linden St.  Bethlehem, PA  18017  610-625-4554

Fiesta Ole' offers the most spacious, family-friendly Mexican Restaurant in the LV & B.  Although it has now opened 3 locations and has an expansive menu, it does not lose the authenticity of a modest ethnic kitchen.  With reasonable prices and selections for all-size appetites and preferences, it is a safe option for the less-than-adventurous diners.

Complimentary chips & salsa will curb your appetite as you decide on your entree.  

Some recommendations include:

• Burrito Fiesta Ole'

• Chicken or Steak Fajitas

• Spinach Quesadilla

• Combination Lunch & Dinner which enables you to have a sampling of Mexican traditions including  tacos, chalupas, enchiladas, tamales, or chile rellenos. 

Rumor has it a mariachi band occasionally entertains an evening crowd.  While we have yet to experience this, we've enjoyed sharing this spot with friends while observing families and large parties celebrating over a shared meal.

And...there just happens to be a current Groupon available this week.

Mexican Month Week #1: La Lupita

Taqueria La Lupita

4 W. 4th St.

Bethlehem, PA  18015

610-868-5733

When it comes to authentic Mexican cuisine, La Lupita has become one of our favorite spots to share with others.  Though they have renovated in recent years, the concrete floors, color scheme, and wall hangings still give an atmosphere that matches its genuine menu.  It includes familiar dishes such as a burrito, fajitas and a taco salad. 

However, it has introduced me to some of my favorite picks:

Sopes:  3 fresh made tortillas with blackbeans, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, sour cream and meat. ($7.50 for a platter that includes rice)

Huarache

Huarache:  Large thick corn tortilla fresh made with black beans, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, sour cream, green sauce, and your choice of meat. ($7.50)

Garnachas:  3 flat tortillas topped with black beans, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, sour cream and cheese. ($7.50)

Choice of meat for all dishes includes:  chicken (pollo), Spicy Chicken (tinga), pork (carnitas), roast pork (pierna), Mexican sausage (chorizo), beef tongue (lengua), fried beef (suadero), steak (bistek). Sorry--can't speak to the beef tongue.

Fajitas

Burrito

Other recommended menu items include:

Tamal:  Corn meal stuffed with chicken wrapped in banana leaf and red sauce on top. ($2/each!)

Mexican Flag: presented as a mexican flag, this includes a sampling of their enchiladas and sauces.

Their reasonable menu offers vegetarian options and affordable selections to mix and match a $2 taco, $2.50 empanada or tostada and more.  Of course, delicious tortillas and salsa welcome you at each visit.

Enchiladas with Salsa Verde

Whether you are a local Lehigh University student or want to spend a day shopping in Bethlehem, service is reliable, efficient and friendly.   

Asian Month #4: The Cafe

The Cafe

221 W. Broad St.

Bethlehem, PA  18018

610-866-1686

Mon-Fri 11-2  5-8  Sat. 5-8 Closed Sun-Mon

This week's feature offers a "Euro-Asian" (Thai-French) cuisine in a historic, Victorian Bethlehem home.  Perfect for a lunch date or a private dinner party, there are 2 floors of converted dining rooms, giving you a touch of that "homey" feel.

The cuisine is quite impressive and unexpectedly modern in spite of its vintage decor.  Choosing to try their version of a traditional Thai dish, I ordered the Pad Thai Basil.  It was quite enjoyable with a generous blend of vegetables mixed in with the classic noodles and shrimp.  All dinner entrees come with a side salad--including one with a signature peanut dressing.  Their fresh bread was also a nice touch.
Besides the quiet, private atmosphere and delicious dinner, a highlight was their dessert.  Since The Cafe' originally opened as a French Pastry shop, they are well-known for their sweet endings.  We enjoyed a chocolate hazelnut cake layered with raspberry preserves and a chocolate ganache icing.

One final aspect that sets it apart are its stories of friendly ghost sightings.  Assuredly I can tell you we had no uninvited dinner guests--so hopefully that won't scare you away from trying this local fusion treasure!