Las Delicias Restaurant: Colombian & Spanish Cuisine

Las Delicias
144 W. St. Joseph Street
Easton, PA  18042
610-559-9490
Hours: Sun 9a-8p; Mon: Closed; Tues 10a-8p; Wed-Sat 10a-9p 
Spoon Rate: 

"La clave es hacerlo con amor."

 

Our friends introduced us to this charming, neighborhood restaurant in Easton.  The simple exterior and atmosphere include an inviting feel with a steady stream of customers throughout our time there.  We are handed menus, yet our eyes are also drawn to the chalkboard menu which displays an intriguing variety of breakfast, lunch, and dinner specials--too many things to try for one visit!  Sandwiches, quesadillas, empanadas, traditional dishes that include steak, beef, chicken or fish, and arepas are among the options.  (Arepas, made from maize, could be considered a pita or tortilla of Colombia.  It can be ordered plain or filled with cheese, avocado, meats, etc. 

The bottom of the chalkboard reads: "La clave es hacerlo con amor."  In spanish this means, the key is to make it with love.  This won my heart before trying the food.
We started our meal with their delish guacamole and chicken and beef empanadas.

The entrees arrived with generous portions.  I ordered the tilapia (can receive it broiled or fried), enough for 2 additional meals after this one.  Topped with a creamy mushroom sauce, it was truly comfort food.  Entrees come with choice of sides. I took advantage of the opportunity to order plantains and cassava, satisfying compliments to the flavorful fish.
Our friends ordered churasco, a skirt steak, with a tasty chimichurri sauce, accompanied with their choice of plantains, rice and beans.
Las Delicias also serves breakfast all day, including one of our orders:  eggs mixed with vegetables and side of steak and beans.
Quality service and food, comfortable friendly environment, generous portions with reasonable prices and made with love=overall enjoyable experience. 

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.

Jesse's Barbecue & Local Market

Jesse's Barbecue & Local Market
98 N. County Line Road
(entrance: Chestnut St.)
Souderton, PA  18964
215-723-4600
Hours:  Sun & M: Closed
T-Th 11a-7p
F & Sat 11a-8p
Spoon Rate: 


We are always looking for a good BBQ spot in the Lehigh Valley & Beyond and were thankfully introduced to this intriguing place south of us.  A good sign is a hopeful statement for quality.  The rustic, yet clean modern exterior as you walk into this restaurant/market also add to the positive curiosity.  As we arrive to the entrance, the long, energetic line makes yet another statement about this quaint gem.  Besides viewing the daily specials, the long line gives us time to 1. hope they haven't yet run out of meat that is smoked on-site; 2. view local products (like raw honey, coffee, salad dressings) in their market area.  


The perfect menu item for our curious appetite was the BBQ sampler, including 3 ribs, 2 slices of brisket, 1 drumstick, & pulled pork ($18.50)  Accompanied by your choice of 2 sides (with classic offerings:  mac & cheese, coleslaw, cornbread muffin with honey butter, collard greens, or BBQ baked beans), it was a generous amount for 2 to share.  We also sampled a side of their wings.  As if there is not enough flavor in these delish meats, one of the highlights was their sampling of complimentary sauces for a diner's dipping pleasure.  Freshly brewed sweet tea was the ideal beverage for this satisfying, traditional BBQ meal.
One more highlight:  outdoor dining at picnic tables overlooking the meat smoker that made this meal possible.  The atmosphere is bustling with energy of families and friends enjoying their meal.  Indoor & outdoor seating are limited, but for those who find a spot, it's an enjoyable evening with a simple, but quality meal and setting.  Jesse's also offers take-out & catering.

 

Vassi's Drive-in

Vassi's Drive-in
1666 Main St.
Hellertown, PA 18055
610/838/1877
Hours: M-Sun 11a-9p
Evans' Eats Spoon Rate: 
 

 Summertime is ideal for simple, outdoor eating.  We started our season of alfresco dining by finally visiting Hellertown's historic, well-known and loved, Vassi's Drive-in.   Easily accessible to Route 78 and nearby the popular Saucon Rail Trail, Vassi's is a delightful stop for summer sojourners.  For "hole-in-the-wall" alfresco lovers, it has an attractive front which features a walk-up and order ice cream counter.
    

The menu offers a simple classic sampling of classic family-friendly favorites including burgers, hot dogs, salads, sandwiches and a variety of sides and appetizers.  We highly recommend their New York gyro ($8.65) as a flavorful, satisfying treat.  We also sampled the buffalo chicken cheesesteak ($6.70), a solid option, but it did not top their locally well-known gyro.

For those who are interested in a sweet ending, Vassi's offers soft and hard ice cream, sundaes, milk shakes and banana splits.  

Outdoor eating does provide a view of current roadwork, so it requires some flexibility.  An indoor dining room is also available for a more quiet experience.   This summer keep it outdoor, simple, family friendly and inexpensive.