Melting Pot Month-Week #4 Paprika's

Paprika's
1180 Main Street
Hellertown, PA  18055
610-838-6570
Hours:  M & T Closed; W & Th 12-7:30p; F & Sat 12-8:30p; Sun 12-6:30p
Spoon Rate: 

Dozens of times have I driven by & overlooked the only Hungarian restaurant in the Lehigh Valley & the ultimate source of comfort food.  Thankfully our good friends & Hellertown residents introduced us.  It was a truly enjoyable evening because it was so different from our normal weekend fare.

It brought me back to my childhood--we do not have Hungarian roots--but I recall many meals of noodles embedded in warm, creamy comfort.  Now I have a deeper appreciation for an opportunity to embark in the cultural heritage of this family-operated restaurant.  

We were greeted warmly and served joyfully.  The meal contains classics:  pierogies ($6.50); cabbage & noodles (appetizer size:$5.75-suitable for a smaller appetite; dinner: $10.75)   chicken or beef paprikas ($12.75, special sauce served over homemade noodles); halupkis (stuffed cabbage also served with mashed potatoes, $12.75); hungarian cottage cheese with noodles & breaded pork chops ($15.99); hungarian goulash ($11.75)--to name a few.  Dinners are served with rolls and soup or salad.  The portions are HUGE, adding to the comfort--nothing like a second experience of leftovers the next day. 

The casual atmosphere encouraged taking our time and enjoying conversation. Beyond the satisfying dinner, we saved room to sample their coffee & crepes.  Apricot & strawberry/nutella were our selections amongst at least 8 options.  Slightly thicker than the thin French crepes I have tried in the past.  Definitely a worthwhile ending.  Paprika's is family-friendly, non-pretentious home-cooking dining.

   

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.