2013 in Review:

The end of 2013 brought time for reflection & thanksgiving...the Lehigh Valley really does have a lot to offer the food scene--our year of eating included Mexican, Turkish, Middle-Eastern, French, Southern BBQ, Jamaican, Spanish/Portuguese--to name just a few.   Locally grown products, health-friendly, comfort food--old and new spots include it all.  While we have our favorite spots we continually return, we want to share just a few categories to reflect some of our favorite eating in 2013.  What have been your most memorable meals? We'd love to read your comments!

Favorite Mexican:  Fiesta Habanero

Favorite BBQ:  Tex's Smoking BBQ

Favorite Ice Cream:  milkshakes at MOO

Noteworthy addition to the Lehigh Valley & Beyond:  Full of Crepe

Favorite Thai:  Charly's

Favorite Find:  Damascus

Favorite Comfort Food:  Paprika's

Most Memorable Meal:  Europa Barbeque

 

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.                     

Asian Month #2: Wild Rice Asian Cuisine

Wild Rice Asian Cuisine
Tilghman Square Shopping Center
4624 A Broadway Rd.
Allentown, PA  18104
610-395-7888
Hours: Mon-Thurs 11a-9:30p Fri & Sat 11a-10:30p Sun 12p-9:30p

This post is dedicated to Jacob Stephen, a special boy born this week. It was his parents who introduced us to Wild Rice, their favorite Asian restaurant in the LV & B. 

It was a warm summer evening when they took us there and started our meal with a "pressert" (a term used for eating dessert before dinner).  When they presented us with fortune cookies which we assumed came form the hostess station, little did we know the matching messages stating: "a joyful heart and a radiant smile reveal a new mother,"  were a ploy to tell us that they were expecting their first baby!

We enjoyed the celebration over an eclectic meal providing a customized Asian experience.  Its assets include a reasonable price, generous portions and a selection of Chinese, hibachi, and sushi under one roof.  Its ambience is a cut above the average Chinese restaurant and its presentation matches a trendy urban bistro.

For an appetizer, we recommend the egg rolls, spring rolls, or shrimp dumplings.

If you are a sushi lover, they have a satisfactory selection for a decent product, but it does not earn our   vote for Best Sushi in the Lehigh Valley. 



For the classic Chinese entrees, we recommend the General Tso's Chicken, voted "Best in the Lehigh Valley" by Jacob's dad.  He thoughtfully observed that its bite-sized pieces are often overlooked in Chinese food accompanied by an extra-sweet sauce.
 

General Tso's Chicken

Jacob's mom recommends the pork fried rice that accompanies



the combo platter (a reasonable option $6-lunch; $8-dinner including a traditional selection with pork fried rice and choice of egg roll, wonton soup, or egg drop soup).  Steer clear of szechuan sauce.



 
I was thoroughly satisfied with the Thai grilled salmon (lunch $7.50;
 dinner $9.50) including miso soup and wild rice (a dark purple sticky Thai rice.)  In fact, the additional options of wild or brown rice are assets that set apart this Asian dining experience.

miso soup

While we can't guarantee a "pressert" birth announcement, Wild Rice is an impressive Asian spot.  We look forward to returning with Jacob! 

Asian Month #1: Thai Thai II

Thai Thai II
509 Main St.
Bethlehem, PA  18018
610-868-1919
Hours:  Tues-Sun Lunch & Dinner

What first comes to mind when you think about Asian food?  Hopefully this month will expand your horizons to the local options besides your neighborhood Chinese take-out joint.  For those of you who still celebrate Valentine's Day, the LV & B offers a variety of Asian restaurants proving to be ideal date spots.

My primary local preference for Thai food is found  in downtown Bethlehem: Thai Thai II.  To my knowledge, it shares an owner with relatively new to Emmaus: Thai Thai House.  If you have had the    opportunity to try the downtown Emmaus location, we'd love to receive your comments!

Thai Thai II offers a quaint location, clean, bright, modern environment, with exceptional service.  Its menu, aesthetics and respectful staff provide a seemingly overall authentic experience, which often seems stripped down in current trendy Thai restaurants.

Spring Rolls

If you are new to Thai food, consider it a less heavy, more flavorful version of Chinese food.  A classic is Pad Thai, but as you peruse the vast menu you'll be sure to find a selection that suits your interest of vegetables, sauces and your choice of meat:  pork, shrimp or chicken. In addition, a dinner guest will receive their desire of rice or noodle dishes and customized level of spice. 

Thai food is a vegan and vegetarian-friendly genre, also offering tofu or meatless dishes.  Our friends enjoy the Pad See Aew, a stir-fried flat noodle with egg, chinese broccoli and seasoning soy sauce.  Drunken noodles is another stir-friend flat noodle served with a variety of vegetables, choice of meat and basil sauce.

Vegetarian Kra Prow

One of my favorite selections on their menu  is Vegetarian Kra Prow: a variety of vegetables, tofu, and a distinct, palatable basil sauce served over rice.  For a starter, I recommend thai dumplings, spring rolls or a thai salad drizzled with the classic peanut dressing.  For the sweet tooth, try a classic Thai iced tea.

Thai Thai II is versatile, providing an environment for a romantic date, night out with friends, lunch with a coworker, and ample seating for a family outing.  Its quiet setting promotes quality conversation.  However, if there is a birthday in the room, you'll enjoy "Happy Birthday" played loudly with the lights dimmed!  Finally, you'll leave satisfied, tastebuds enlightened, with a light, healthy feeling.