Charly's Thai Restaurant

Charly's Thai Restaurant
832 E. 4th Street
Bethlehem, PA  18015
610-866-3490
Hours:  T-Sun 12-9 (Closed Mondays)
Cash Only
Spoon Rate:    

This was a surprising treasure.  For some reason, we have overlooked Charly's in spite of driving by many times.  Perhaps it looks small from the outside or the "Thai food to go" sign misled us.  We chose this one Friday night by default.  We were in route to another new place, but due to time constraints, we knew we needed to move on to Plan B.  As we drove by, we decided to try it.   
An early arrival for a Friday night, the place was quiet.  A clean, modern atmosphere, we were amazed by the prices on the simple, yet complete menu.  An entree for $4.95?  A hardworking couple took our order and served us a fresh, hot, delicious and reasonable meal.  We enjoyed spring rolls (3 for $2.95), red curry bowl with tofu ($4.95) and pad thai ($4.95).  

There are a few tables for dining in, but it is primarily a take-out.  Personally, with Steelstacks in view from the bar table at the window, I would love to go again this summer and enjoy some take-out at a free outdoor concert.  If you love reasonable, thai food and don't need fancy aesthetics, Charly's is for you.                     

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 #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.

2012 In Review

2012 In Review:

Another year of enjoyable cuisine from the Lehigh Valley & Beyond.
Here are a few categories we've chosen in reflection of some of our favorites.
What have been the most memorable meals for you and your family in 2012? We'd love to hear your comments!

Best Mediterranean:  True Blue Mediterranean


Best Cheese Steak: Rascals Cheesesteaks

Best Burger:  Creamery on Main

Best Bakery: Dolce Patisserie

Most Fresh Menu:  Cafe' Santosha

Favorite Find:  Prince Palace Dumpling House

Best New Spot in LV & B:  Fiesta Habanero

Most hip atmosphere:  Horns
 
Best True "Hole in the Wall"(& best sushi):  The Other Fish 

Most Memorable Meal:  True Blue Mediterranean, Bethlehem (falafel gyro with a side of basmati rice and mediterranean salad, especially during the power outage of Superstorm Sandy)

  Happy New Year--we look forward to more creative eating in 2013!

"Who knew?" Month-Week #3: Prince Palace Dumpling House

Prince Palace Dumpling House

5000 Bath Pike (Route 512)

Bethlehem, PA  18017

610-419-8199

Hours: Mon-Sat 11a-9:30 p; Sun 11a-9:30 p

When I first read some online reviews, this sounded too good to be true—a dumpling house that rivals Manhattan’s Chinatown?  On Bath Pike in Bethlehem? 

Prince Palace is literally a hidden treasure—a spacious restaurant sitting far off the road can be easily overlooked.  However, if you are looking for authentic Asian cuisine, family-friendly, with hospitable staff and unbeatable prices—consider this treasure discovered.

The menu inspires ordering an assortment of dumplings, “steamed juicy buns,” egg rolls and more due to the inexpensive prices.  Dumplings (including our recommendations: shrimp boiled; chicken and napa cabbage boiled; curry chicken boiled) range from $3.50-4.75 for 8!  Steamed crab and pork juicy buns were bursting with flavor $3.95-7.25 for 6.   A bowl of chicken corn soup ($1.75) was tasty but heavy. 

We took our friends back for a second trip and enjoyed exploring more of the menu.  This time our meal ended with a sweet Asian dessert.  We also ventured into their beverages including coconut milk tea and bubble tea. ($2-2.75)  Prince Palace is ideal for large parties and take-out.  For a home gathering, you can purchase frozen dumplings (50 for $15-22.00).   

An all-around delicious meal and enjoyable place to eat!