2015 Year in Review

Lehigh Valley & Beyond, 
You've provided many delicious meals, enjoyable moments and satisfying options for all of us in 2015.  Evans' Eats wants to take some time recognize a few of them.  This list is not exhaustive of every food genre, but rather gives some recommendable highlights from our longtime and recent dining experience:

Best Mediterranean/Middle Eastern:  Damascus Restaurant (Allentown, PA)
Best Mexican:  Fiesta Habanero  (Quakertown, PA)
Best Burrito:  Cali Burrito (Allentown, PA)
Best Sushi:  The Other Fish (Bethlehem, PA)
Best Appetizer:  Karisik Meze at Aci Halal (Allentown, PA)
Best Breakfast Spot:  Blue Sky Cafe (Bethlehem, PA)
Best Sandwich:  Now That's Italian (Coopersburg, PA)
Best Dessert:  Baklava, Anatolian Kitchen (Bethlehem, PA)
Best Ice Cream:  The Inside Scoop (Coopersburg, PA)
Best Deal:  Prince Palace Dumpling House (Bethlehem, PA)
Best Night Out:  Aladdin (Allentown, PA)
New & Noteworthy: Tony's Pizza, especially the cheese steaks & calzones (Coopersburg, PA)
Thankful Addition to the LV & B: Penn State Creamery ice cream at The Shoppe at Hotel Bethlehem  (Bethlehem, PA)
 


 

Anatolian Kitchen: Turkish & Mediterranean Cuisine

Anatolian Kitchen
3016 Linden Street 
Bethlehem, PA
610-419-8204
Hours: M-Sun
Spoon Rate:  

We entered a cozy environment, every table filled with friends and family sharing appetizers and appetizing-looking entrees.  The hardworking, friendly servers greeted us and I was optimistic to have a satisfying experience.  The Lehigh Valley is blessed with a wide variety of restaurants serving variations of Mediterranean/Middle Eastern cuisine.  Anatolian Kitchen, describing themselves as serving Turkish/Mediterranean fare,  is another to add to the list, and an asset to Bethlehem's restaurant selection, just a few miles outside of Main Street shopping/dining district.

Our accompanying friends have recently become regulars, and recommended we start with Karisik Meze Tabagi, a mix of all their appetizers (small, $9, large, $16).   Perfect for sharing, flavor and variety, it includes a variety of spreads, such as hummus, baba ganoush, an eggplant salad, stuffed grape leaves, and more, served with fresh warm bread.

We chose a variety of their classic entrees, including lamb kebabs ($13,95), chicken kababs ($11.95), manti (traditional Turkish dumplings, $10.95), & kibbee.  We enjoyed sharing the generous, delicious and continually flavorable portions.  

Our meal was completed with turkish coffee served in a classy, special cup.   We chose three classic desserts, including baklava and kunefe (also spelled kanafeh, a pastry that includes a sweet cheese.)  Most noteworthy is the baklava.  The first bite caused me to pause and say "Wow.  I think this is the best baklava I have ever eaten."  This sounded dramatic, I needed to confirm with the second bite, and it proved to be just as extraordinary as it melted in my mouth.  The others tried and each of us had similar reactions.  It's true.  There is something special about the baklava--don't miss it.

 Anatolian Kitchen is the kind of place you can easily revisit and want to bring your friends and family.  It's casual but classy, warm, comfortable and the food is extremely satisfying. 

 

The People's Kitchen

The People's Kitchen
639 Linden St.
Bethlehem,  PA

610-849-2080
Hours:M-F 6a-3p; Sat 7a-3p; Sun 8a-2p
Spoon Rate:
  
There is always room for another neighborhood breakfast joint in the Lehigh Valley, especially quaint Bethlehem.  I was eager to try The People's Kitchen after stumbling across an advertisement, and wonder how did I miss hearing about this place earlier since they have been open since October, 2014?! Located on active Linden Street, but off the beaten path of popular Main Street, this has the desired feel for a local spot to meet with friends and neighbors for breakfast or lunch.  Fighting off envy that it is not within walking distance to frequent more regularly, I enjoyed watching the camaraderie of its guests of all ages.

The environment is clean, fresh, with a hipster touch in its decor  (this may be their intended look since one of their menu items is the hipster bagel).  It has limited seating, giving the classic "hole-in-the-wall" feel that Evans' Eats prefers.  We visited for breakfast and enjoyed their classic menu, with a gourmet twist to some basic selections.  Menus uniquely and endearingly arrived on clipboards, displaying a variety of choices, along with some seasonal specials.  A chalkboard on the wall shared their current fresh bread selection: cinnamon bread and honey whole wheat with spiced cran-apple jelly.  This was difficult to overlook, but I settled on the quiche with roasted red peppers, spinach & gouda cheese with a hash brown crust ($7), giving this local hotspot a notch above your local diner.  Thankfully, my mom and I have similar tastes and she chose the other menu item calling my name, so we could share.  She received a shortstack of cranberry pancakes drizzled with cream cheese apple cider sauce.  The shortstack included 2 LARGE delicious pancakes.  Our only regret in ordering these two items is not having the opportunity to try the many other unique offerings:  Breakfast mac n' cheese ($7), BBQ shrimp & grits crepes ($9), & croissant french toast ($8) to name just a few. 

Lunch menu included some classic burgers, salads and sandwiches and intriguing options:  chicken & prosciutto croquettes with gouda dipping sauce ($8); crab bread ($10) and pulled pork flatbread with cheddar, roasted red pepper, spinach, & chipotle BBQ ($8).

Bethlehem can be proud for another business that is hip in atmosphere, classy in cuisine, and friendly in Lehigh-style.

Machu Picchu Peruvian Restaurant

Machu Picchu
1330 E. 4th Street
Bethlehem, PA 18015
610/865/5838
Hours: M & T: Closed; W-Th 12p-7p; F 11a-8p; Sat & Sun 11a-10p
Spoons: 

Southside Bethlehem has an appealing variety of ethnic cuisine, including a family-friendly Peruvian restaurant in the heart of one of its neighborhoods.  To my knowledge, it's the only Peruvian restaurant in the region.  Having a wonderful experience at one in New York City with our Peruvian friend, we were curious to see what Machu Picchu brings to the LV & B.  

Though the atmosphere temperature was a little too cool for comfort on the cold evening we visited, the dining room is spacious, clean and ready for many local guests.

Although we didn't try the traditional Peruvian dish, ceviche, (a raw fish cured in citrus juices), we were eager to select from the appetizing traditional menu options.  We always appreciate the authenticity of a restaurant when the menu is primarily Spanish, with English Translation.  Of course I attempted to resurrect my rusty Spanish from high school education as I order.  The menu includes a variety of beef, chicken and fish ($6-$15, depending on portion size)  Entrees served a variety of sides, including rice, french fries, fried bananas or beans.  I ordered Pescado Frito Filete Arroz con Yuca ($10-fried fish fillet with rice and cassava).  The meal was simple, but delicious and comforting.  An accompanying housemade green sauce, that appeared to include oil, parsley and garlic, was a key addition for flavor.
My husband ordered pollo a la brasa con papas fritas y ensalada de lechuga ($9-chicken with french fries and salad).  His selection was flavorful, tender and generous in portion. 

As we dined, the tables slowly filled on an early Friday evening.  Some came in for take-out orders, while other groups of all ages, including families, joined us for dine-in service.  
Our meal ended with leftovers and a full satisfaction from South American hospitality and comfort cuisine.    

Our next visit will definitely bring a sampling of their ceviche and something from their dessert menu, like crema volteada (flan).

Johnny's Drive-In: Known for Its Gyros

Johnny's Drive-In
2722 Easton Avenue
Bethlehem, PA  18017
610-865-9999
Hours:  M-Sat 11a-9p; Sun: Closed


Johnny's Drive-In.  An unassuming yet intriguing exterior is sure to provide a satisfying experience.  After a long-time recommendation from a friend who knows we enjoy gyros, we finally took the opportunity to visit.  On a Friday evening, there was a steady stream of local customers who seemed to be regulars.  While the menu provides a wide array of classic American options (cheeseburger, cheese steak, chicken fingers), we went to our preferred and recommended:  "the New York Gyro" ($6.15), topped with lettuce, tomato, onion and tzatsiki sauce.  Our sides included french fries (large: $2.99) and a greek salad (small: $4.59).  
While we waited, we overheard someone raving about the gyros.  He visited another city and ordered a gyro while out to dinner.  He then proceeded to tell the owner of this restaurant: "If you want to learn how to make a gyro, go to Johnny's gyros. They're the best I've ever had!"  This was an encouraging validation of our imminent meal.  
We enjoyed our sides:  greek salad, topped with a stuffed grape leaf and black olives and generous portion of french fries.   However the highlight was the delicious gyro, definitely of the best we've had in the Lehigh Valley & Beyond.  Perfect temperature of fresh meat and pita and ideal amount of accompanied tzatsiki sauce.  
Another asset of Johnny's is its personable ownership, who were working hard, while greeting and serving their customers.  While there is limited seating and most seem to come in for take-out, the environment was bright, clean and inviting.  Now that we've been to Johnny's, it will be at the top of our list when asked where to go for the best gyros in LV & B.
 

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.