Sunday, September 29, 2013

Seven Star Cafe'



Seven Star Cafe'
13 S. Main S,
Coopersburg, PA  18036
484/858/0690
Hours:   Wed-Sat 11a-9p; Sun 10a-8p
Spoon Rates:  

We love living in Coopersburg, but we are often envious of other local downtowns, like Bethlehem, Emmaus & Easton, offering much more of a commercial district of shops and restaurants.  So, we are happy to support the businesses that intermittently appear on Main Street, with its charming potential.  A new option, Seven Star Cafe' is a solid, quiet alternative to the well-known Coopersburg Diner.

Located in a historic landmark, the Barron House, Seven Star Cafe' is serving lunch & dinner, with brunch also offered on Sundays.  Indoor dining includes entertainment on the weekend.  We chose outdoor seating, maximizing this beautiful weather.  The take-out orders were steady as we enjoyed our meal.




The menu contains a variety of creative yet classic sandwiches and salads.  Our party started with one of several appetizer options, the "Macho Nachos", ($6) a generous pile tortilla chips topped with cheddar cheese, taco beef & onion.  We had a variety of selections for our entrees including the delectable 7 Star Salad ($7.95), mixed greens with thin sliced grilled marinated steak, tomatoes, red onion, bleu cheese & pepperoncini , with red wine vinaigrette
The crispy roast beef sandwich ($6.25, topped with cheddar, lettuce, tomato, fried onion rings & horseradish mayo), had a vote of approval.  I chose one of their daily
specials, a scallop poboy--a rare menu option in the Lehigh Valley.  

Decent prices, a flare of gourmet, and a quiet setting.  Ice cream for dessert is conveniently next door at Good Earth.  We hope the locals will support Seven Star Cafe' and grow our downtown metropolis! 

Additional note: After publishing this post, we received this informative reply from the owner.  We wanted to share this valuable information that enhances the value of this restaurant:  

Thanks for the review...We would like to add to it......Many don't know this but we offer lot's of organic choice's. Our chicken is always organic along with our salad mix....We also try to get our produce such as, tomatoes, spring mix, potatoes, onions, kale, pea shoots and anything else we can find in season from local farms that do not use pesticides. Our meats are the best and highest quality. We use Black Angus for our hand made burgers and also for our steak sandwiches! We offer gluten free bread at your request. Since your visit ... We now have home baked fruit and cream cheese filled yummy muffins and desserts available everyday.

We would like to invite you to come in on a Friday evening where specials such as home made (wild caught) crab cakes or other fish choices, 12oz Rib Eye steaks or maybe a chicken pot pie with puff pastry crust perhaps Chicken Saltimbocca....Homemade Lobster wonton sautéed with shrimp in a béchamel sauce.....Butternut squash lasagna or a great homemade soup...... lot's of delicious choices!

Bon Appetit!

 




Sunday, September 8, 2013

Tex's Smokin' Bar-B-Q


Tex's Smokin' Bar-B-Q
3671 Route 309
Orefield, PA  
484/239/9932
Hours:   Fri-Sat 11a-7p; Sun 11a-6p
Spoon Rate: 
Cash Only

Since we have relatives in Texas who have introduced us to real BBQ, we are always looking for something that comes close in comparison in the LV & B.   On a way to my nephew's football game 2 weeks ago, the smoke & large sign near Shankweiler's Drive-in were effective advertisers of a place we didn't know existed.  Food truck, BBQ, outdoor tables...perfect.  We had the opportunity to take the scenic drive on Route 309 N this weekend.  

Open since 2008, they are completing their mission of serving "the real deal."  Inquiring of its validity, I learned the owner is truly from Texas.  Good sign.  Brisket, pulled pork, sausage, ribs, beans, white bread on the menu..another good sign.  We settled on the sampler ($21.95) which included brisket, pulled pork, sausage link, 2 ribs, 3 wings, Beans, Texas Toast and BBQ sauce.  We sacrificed trying some of their unique combo sandwiches like the Betsy (pulled pork topped with slaw, $10.50) or The Belly Buster (Brisket & Pulled Pork, $13.25), but this gave us a wide variety. 

Since we arrived near closing, they were out of sausage (another good sign), so we requested extra brisket instead.  Everything was awesome--smoky, tender, flavorful, delish baked beans....truly impressive and easily gets my vote for best BBQ in the LV & B.  I even think my Texan nephews would approve.

We have enjoyed 3 additional meals from the brisket-so the portions are generous.  Menu includes some family deals and plates of meats and sides.  Tex's plans to stay open year-round as long as the weather cooperates....and it's an ideal pre-drive-in meal. 

Tex's Smokin' Bar-B-Q on Urbanspoon






 

Sunday, September 1, 2013

Summer Stops-Longacre's Dairy

Longacre's Dairy
1445 Route 100
Barto, PA
610.845.7551


Hours:  Nov.-April M-Th 7:30a-8p; Fri 7:30a-8:30p; Sat 7:30a-8:30p Sun: closed
June-Aug. M-Th 7:30a-9p; Fri 7:30a-9:30p; Sat 7:30a-9:30p; Sun: 1p-9p
May, Sept. & Oct M-Th 7:30a-8:30p; Fri 7:30a-9 p; Sat 7:30a-9p; Sun 2-8p



Spoon Rates: 


Savoring the final days of summer with a trip to a local "dairy bar."  Longacre's is known for more than its ice cream, with a history of selling milk since 1920.  It's about time we tasted their homemade ice cream.  While they have a small meal menu (serving breakfast, lunch & dinner), we were there for a sweet treat.  Their restaurant is like stepping back in time with its bar stools and paneled walls. They also have a large covered seating area to enjoy your ice cream outdoors.

Their ice cream menu includes 40 flavors, with traditional & more unusual options (pineapple, pina colada, and cherry garden to name a few).  Over 10 toppings can create a sundae.  The natural flavors, real ingredients and some of the sundae selections give you the feel of having dessert on the farm (peach melba: peach ice cream, raspberry topping, brown sugar praline nuts, whipped cream & a cherry or strawberry shortcake:  vanilla ice cream, pound cake, real strawberries, whipped cream & a cherry.

Our family enjoyed coconut custard, cotton, candy, pineapple milkshake, cherry vanilla, coffee, cookies & cream, and moose tracks....while they do offer a family special called the Garbage Sundae (10 scoops, 10 toppings, whipped cream & a cherry), we individually enjoyed this large sampling of flavors and left satisfied--prices, portions and farm-fresh, creamy goodness.  Definitely a happening place in the quaint town of Barto.