Frites
Lehigh Valley Mall
823 Lehigh Lifestyle Center
Whitehall, PA
484/442/0580
Hours:  Mall hours



Spoon Rate:

The Lehigh Valley can now experience fries on a whole new level.  Local natives have brought an international delicacy to our local mall to totally enhance your next shopping meal or snack..   I had the privilege of sitting and dining with CEO, Richard Scott and his son, William, to learn the history of this recently-opened business, their passion for excellence, flavor and unique eating.  

Richard Scott ended his career in corporate America in May, 2013.  Looking for a change, he joined William, Penn State finance graduate, in this new endeavor.  Richard, born in England, had the opportunity to travel many places as a young boy, exposing him to the diverse expression of food around the globe.  At age 11, he lived in Brussels, Belgium and was exposed to one of their delicacies, pommes frites, meaning "apple of the earth."  Found in "street food" stands, pommes frites was served in cones with a side of mayo. 


Scotts' vision was to have a fast, casual eatery committed to local, fresh products.  While emphasizing the french fry, they wanted it to be distinct, accompanied by the entire dining experience.  Frites (pronounced Freets) seeks to offer us an authentic cultural experience, yet in a setting and delivery that appeals to American taste.  I respect this philosophy and it does not take long to recognize they have achieved their initial purpose.  Greeted by friendly, helpful staff and a clean, bright, modern surroundings, the atmosphere mirrors their personal commitment to excellence.   

A behind-the-scenes tour impressively revealed there is "nothing frozen" and "nothing from a can."  In fact, they removed the freezer upon obtaining this prime location at the Lehigh Valley Mall.   What is the secret ingredient that makes these fries extraordinary?  The time and care committed to each fresh USA Russet potato.  I learned that "sugar is the enemy of frying." The process of washing, cutting the ends, evenly slicing and rinsing the potatoes removes excess starch that could lead to burning.  Preparation of these potatoes is a 16-24 hour process.  This gives a whole new meaning to the expression "made with love!"  After soaking overnight, there is a two-stage frying process.  Cook, blanch, drain, and cook again.  Fries are made to order and served at room temperature.  After fried to perfection, they are placed in a "Frites tosser", imported from Europe.  The holes on the bottom of this special creation allow them to be tossed with delicious sea salt and maximum grease removed.  Quality ingredients, these fries are also gluten free, and vegan/vegetarian-friendly.

If you are not yet convinced that these fries are worthwhile and memorable, let's review the menu.  One can receive the traditional cone of frites (small, large or double, ($4.99-8.99), with your choice of 1 dipping sauce, or 2 dipping sauces for the double order.  I recommend taking a friend and ordering the double so you can try 2 of their 17 dipping sauces.  Also made fresh on location, each sauce is bursting with flavor and creativity.  Only one of their options is not housemade, the frite sauce, imported from Holland.   While hard to narrow down a favorite, curry ketchup and pow pow (a thai sauce) were my preferences.  Garlic parmesan and ranch are  two more traditional sauces for the less adventurous palate.    

Frites again achieves superiority with their meal options, a Bowl or Frita.  The Bowl ($6.49-8.99) combines fries topped with fresh toppings.  We sampled the Mexicano ($6.49), topped with black beans, vegetarian chili, jalapenos, pico de gallo and cheddar jack.   This bowl is bursting with flavor and a beautiful combination of sweet and spicy.  If you are looking for the most unique offering on the menu, I would recommend the poutine bowl ($6.99).  This provides a sampling of the unique Canadian delicacy of Wisconsin cheese curds, gravy and bacon.  Scott, describing himself as a "voracious researcher," found the best local supplier of cheese curds, remaining true to his commitment of excellent, fresh, and local products.

All menu options can also be made into a Frita, their unique sandwich version, a grilled pita stuffed with fries and toppings.  Pita bread, a sturdy successful carrier of these ingredients, is from a New Jersey supplier.  I was thrilled to try the Barbecue Brisket frita ($8.99).  Supplied by Big Papa's Backyard BBQ, we sampled freshly smoked brisket and locally made BBQ sauce, also topped with coleslaw.  Undeniably wonderful.

This father-son duo are ambitious and have a vision to see at least 3 more locations in the LV & B region.  They have done their part in contributing to the LV Eating Scene....now it's up to us to appreciate, support and enjoy their efforts towards frites excellence.

Wash your meal down with one of their unique teas, including a seasonal option.

Melting Pot Month-Week #3: Sogo

Sogo Fusion Lounge
237 Northampton St.
Easton, PA  18042
610-250-0198
Spoon Rate: 

We rarely take advantage of up-and-coming downtown Easton and its selection of restaurants.  A free pair of tickets to a concert at State Theatre provided the opportunity.  We settled on Sogo for this venture--I was skeptical of it comparing to our favorite Lehigh Valley sushi spot, The Other Fish.  Admittedly, Sogo held its own.

shumai (steamed shrimp dumplings)

A spacious dining room provides an open atmosphere with plenty of seating to allow for privacy.  The sushi chefs efficiently rolled up our selections which included some classics: spicy tuna ($5.50) & rainbow roll ($10), and house special rolls:  monkey roll ($11-shrimp tempura topped with avocado and spicy sauce) & valentine roll ($9, salmon, crabmeat & avocado roll topped with tuna.)  Of course, not everyone loves sushi as they should--and there are plenty of other options on the menu including soups ($3-6), salads ($3.50-8), entrees ($10-24), noodles & rice ($10-12).  I can only attest that the sushi is excellent & recommended for downtown Easton!



 

Melting Pot Month- Week #2: Damascus

Damascus

449 N. 2^nd St

Allentown, PA

610-432-2036

Hours: T-Sat 10a-8p

Spoon Rate: 

Damascus:  one of those restaurants that has left its memorable impression since our visit on a snowy night this winter.  We were curious after the recommendation of a few different friends.  Family-owned and operated by Syrian natives, authentic cuisine & friendly service are part of the experience. (Their slogan on their t-shirts and menu says it all:  "Food so good you'll think we stole your mother!")  In an unassuming house in this Allentown neighborhood, it has modest yet hospitable decor.  Its large tables promote communal eating with a vast

grape leaves & babaghannouj

menu of Middle Eastern dishes.  


We sampled 3 of their appetizers:  stuffed grape leaves (vegetarian & meat, 12 for $6),hummus ($4.50) and babaghannouj (smoked eggplant dip with lemon, garlic & sesame paste $4.50) with pitas.  Wow. 

fatoush

The smoky taste of the "baba" made it superior to others we've tasted.  The expansive appetizer menu left many more to be explored upon another visit--including some unfamiliar to me (ie. spiced labnie; shankleesh, foul moudammas are sure to give me an educational adventure!)

falafel

The dinner specialties include a salad (which can be upgraded to $1.50 for greek, fatoush or tabouli).  I chose my favorite, falafel ,with a fatoush salad (includes toasted pita and their "secret" dressing.)  The falafel was delectable.  The lamb gyro is always a classic--and compared well to others we have had.

A definite highlight was the dessert.  Not only was it the best baklava I've experienced, they have a "choclava", otherwise known as chocolate-infiltrated baklava.  Wow.  Totally memorable and I wouldn't put it past us to drive there just for dessert sometime.

An overall charming experience and a definite recommend to the Lehigh Valley.

"Melting Pot" Month-Week #1: Jenny's Kuali Authentic Malaysian Cuisine

Jenny's Kuali
Authentic Malaysian Cuisine
102 E. 4th St.
Bethlehem, PA  18015
710-758-8858 
Hours:  Mon.-Fri. 11a-8p   Sat. 11a-9p    Sun. Closed 

Evans' Eats Spoon Rates:   

Last post, I featured a true "hole-in-the-wall" restaurant on a Malaysian river.  Thanks to our ever-increasing international cuisine right here in the Lehigh Valley, we have our own Malaysian hotspot.  Ideal for Lehigh University students or those who are in this southside neighborhood, Jenny's has been open since Summer, 2012.   I don't know a lot about Malaysian food other than their popular noodle-based dishes often accompanied with spices like curry & turmeric.  This seems to be a solid selection and would be a recommended Asian alternative for those wanting a break from their local chinese take-out. 

Jenny's is cozy, clean and modern in its aesthetics (I especially loved the red chair cushions!) and has a 
 reasonably-priced menu (average dish $8-$10).   

A highlight was the appetizer menu.  We settled on vegetable steamed dumplings ($5) and curry puffs ($2) filled with chicken, curry & potatoes.  These were enjoyed with their complimentary sauces  If we return, we may just choose a sampler of appetizers and take the opportunity to try one of their soups ($1.50-2.50).  

 Jenny's provides a variety of  vegetarian, beef, chicken or shrimp dishes that come with white or brown rices.   The noodle dishes come with your choice of lo mein (egg noodles), mai fun (rice noodles) or chow fun (flat rice noodles).  Our orders of vegetable mai fun and shrimp noodles with chow fun almost came too quickly (recommended if you are on time constraints!) & were OK. (Again, the highlight was the appetizers.)  

Evans' Eats has also started a long overdue rating system.  Here are the standards that will be used & listed at the beginning of each post.:

 5 Spoons: I loved it. Can't wait to go back & take a friend.

4 Spoons: I really liked it & will return.
3 Spoons: I liked it. Worth a visit & might return. 

2 Spoons: OK, but probably won't return.
1 Spoon: Don't bother.