There are New Yorkers who have never been to the Statue of Liberty. It’s no surprise that some people in the Lehigh Valley are unaware of the Bay Leaf Restaurant. It's easy to overlook this storefront establishment on Hamilton Street in Allentown. It’s tucked unobtrusively in the middle of the block between 9th and 10th streets, up from the PPL Tower. Those who have discovered the Bay Leaf, however, and the culinary options within, are likely to return repeatedly. The independent, family-owned restaurant has been in business at the same location for 30 years offering what it describes as “…

At LongHorn Steakhouse, everything is crafted to simulate an experience reminiscent of the American West. Images and statues of horses, actual saddles and cowboy boots, framed silver belt buckles, and chandeliers fashioned from wagon wheels and antlers constitute the décor. Seating is a mix of substantially proportioned wooden booths and tables under high ceilings with exposed beams. The music playing on the speakers is exclusively Country Western. Steaks grilled to order are the staples of the menu. Diners choose from an array of cuts, each with suitable seasonings or sauces: filet, New York…

As a billboard once succinctly described, Cracker Barrel is “Half Restaurant. Half Store. All Country.” The big establishment just off Interstate 78 and Route 100, with a row of wooden rocking chairs on the front porch that beckons guests to set a spell, is part of a nationwide business that caters to travelers and locals alike. Both “halves” are constructed and decorated with the rustic charm of an old country store. The walls are chock full of Americana memorabilia and vintage signage. Principally, the place seems best suited as a dependable way station for people taking road trips. Cracker…

Sometimes simplicity hits the spot. That’s a big part of the success of Potts’ Hot Dogs, a local family-run business that has been serving hot dogs for more than 40 years. Potts’ on Tilghman is the newest location, owned and operated by the founder’s granddaughter. The establishment is in a shopping strip on W. Tilghman Street, near Wild Birds Unlimited. The menu is basic, which for many adds to the appeal. Potts’ offers pork and beef or turkey and beef frankfurters ($1.50 and $1.75, respectively). Customers have their choice of combinations of classic hot dog toppings, including Potts’ own …

  It’s brand new and nearby. It’s bright, colorful and full of smiles. It’s the Menchie’s frozen yogurt store at the Shops at Cedar Point. The first location of this franchise operation opened in 2007 in California. A mere five years later there are more than 200 Menchie’s locations -- in North America and internationally -- and about twice that many in development. At Menchie’s, self-service is a crucial part of the experience. With 16 flavors of frozen yogurt and sorbet and more than 50 toppings, the whole point is for the customer to make his own mix and his own fun. First-time guests need…

  Many things about the Cosmopolitan restaurant command attention before one ever takes a bite of food. Out on the sidewalk, dramatic uplights at night bathe the façade in a pink or purple glow. The valet parking, always available, is complimentary. One step inside, and it becomes clear that expense was not spared in the renovation and furnishing of this restaurant, which opened in fall 2010. High ceilings, architectural detail, tailored banquettes and drapes in shades of cream, flax and camel, a vintage Hess’s chandelier (one of the large ones) and a sheer curtain waterfall coming out of …

At Molinari’s on Bethlehem’s South Side, simple meets sophisticated. The restaurant is quite new (open only about six months) and occupies a corner location in a bustling, pedestrian-friendly sector. Outdoor seating on the broad front sidewalk adds another dimension to the dining experience. Inside, high ceilings and contemporary décor—sleek lines, dark wood, absence of clutter and kitsch—create an airy space to focus atttention on fresh Italian dishes with subtle flavors. Service is for dinner only, Monday through Saturday. Molinari’s menu has been carefully edited. Just a few dishes appear …

On the surface, Mangos Coastal Cuisine's name and colorful image of three mangoes may connote more of an island theme, but a review of the lunch and dinner menus reveals a generous selection of Mexican dishes. A variety of seafood also makes a notable appearance. Appetizers include nachos, quesadilla, pulled pork empanadas, spicy beef taquitos and fried tomatillos. Seafood options are calamari, mussels, seared ahi tuna and guava glazed shrimp skewers, the latter two served with piquant mango salad. Sandwiches, burgers and tacos are prominent at lunchtime, with many of the choices around $7.29…

It’s just a hot dog, after all. Yet there’s something about this particular combination of flavors and textures that makes Allentown expatriates fiercely loyal to a Yocco’s dog. When aficionados no longer live close enough to drop into one of the six Lehigh Valley locations, their cravings can be assuaged by the handy Yocco’s Doggie Pac. For decades this beloved make-it-yourself gift of 12 Yocco’s dogs, 12 rolls and all the fixings has been shipped across the United States and around the world, bringing a taste of Allentown to those who insist there’s nothing like a Yocco’s hot dog. …

Of all the ingredients this restaurant serves its diners, Sangria’s signature flavor is its location. At street level on one of downtown Allentown’s most prominent corners (9th and Hamilton streets), in the Butz Corporate Center, Sangria’s floor-to-ceiling windows ensure that the streetscape is part and parcel of the dining experience. The sleek, contemporary décor contributes to Sangria’s refined urban style. In mild weather, tables on the broad outdoor patio literally pull patrons into the activity of downtown. If there is to be a revitalization of center city Allentown, Sangria has staked …

Behind a simple façade at the Shops at Cedar Point lies Bamboo, a sit-down restaurant offering a range of Asian cuisine. The setting is open and airy, the décor neutral and minimalist. The menu, however, abounds with options, including dishes from Japanese, Chinese and Thai traditions, as well as freshly crafted sushi. From the sushi bar, guests may choose a la carte sushi or sashimi (one piece per order), full sushi and sashimi entrees (served with miso soup or salad), or from among more than 40 varieties of rolls. Standard rolls (California, salmon, blackened tuna, spicy scallop and walnut…

Brew Works has become a well-known brand in the Lehigh Valley. Three establishments share the name and family ownership. Unlike Brew Works Allentown and Brew Works Bethlehem, which make their home in the heart of their respective downtown districts, Brew Works on the Green is nestled within the confines of the Allentown Municipal Golf Course. That makes the sweeping views from the dining room and patio as much of an attraction as the food and beverages. Brew Works on the Green is open to the public whether or not they are patronizing the golf course. As a natural extension of its setting, …

Set off the road, along a quiet stretch of Willow Lane in Lower Macungie, The Williows is far from foot traffic and retail activity. Yet for more than 60 years, the establishment has been attracting loyal patrons. The staff greets regulars by name and gives a similar convivial welcome to newcomers. The restaurant opens every day at 7 a.m., and in diner fashion, will serve breakfast upon request all day. The place is open till 8 p.m.; 9 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. In the minds of many diners, The Willows has a reputation for having homey Pennsylvania Dutch fare — which it does — but those …

The vicinity of Cedar Crest and Hamilton Boulevards is replete with eating establishments, and now there’s one more option in the neighborhood. Gourmet Buffet and Grill is in the Dorneyville Shopping Center, around the corner from the Chicken Lounge and Teppan Hibachi Steak House. Gourmet Buffet and Grill is exclusively an all-you-can-eat buffet. Diners make their own selections from hundreds of items displayed in more than half a dozen large buffet islands. The restaurant is open seven days a week, serving both lunch and dinner Monday through Saturday and dinner all day on Sundays. The adult…

With recipes and know-how he learned as a boy in Italy, and experience refined at several bakeries in New York and New Jersey, Riccardo “Pete” Alaimo brought his passion and his family to Lower Macungie, and opened La Dolce Vita Italian Bakery on Hamilton Boulevard near Krocks Road. Now the bakery and coffee bar is not only a realization of Pete’s dream, but also a place where customers can stop to partake of their own slice of “The Sweet Life.” The bakery offers showcase after showcase of fresh pastries, cookies, bread and cakes. Selections change daily. Standards are the Italian semolina …

Flowers can dress up a table, say “Thinking of You” and make a great hostess gift. Edible Arrangements can do the same things and provide a fresh, tasty snack at the same time. In a little more than 10 years, the concept of fresh fruit, carefully cut into shapes and artfully arranged into colorful “bouquets,” has taken off as a ubiquitous franchise venture. Now with more than 1,000 locations worldwide, Edible Arrangements delivers gifts with visual impact that are meant to be consumed and enjoyed. The nearby location is at Hamilton Boulevard and Mill Creek Road, near Walgreens, in Lower …

The holidays are approaching. There will be shopping to do, decorating, baking, wrapping, not to mention meals to prepare for company. If the prospect of simplifying at least one of those tasks sounds appealing, you may be interested to know about the Honeybaked Ham Company on Grape Street in Whitehall, where you can pick up a spiral-sliced ham (quarter, half or whole), smoked and dressed with a sweet, crunchy glaze, fully cooked and ready to serve. Advance orders are not necessary, but if you care to save some time or browse the selections in your pajamas, it’s possible to visit its website…

Wert’s Café is a well-established family-run business that has been operating since 1968 in a residential/retail neighborhood in the West End of Allentown. For patrons who are regulars—and clearly many are—Wert’s offers an “everybody knows your name” familiarity. Any discussion of the food at Wert’s needs to begin with the burgers and the onion rings. The burgers with their distinctive toppings have been named the best in the Lehigh Valley numerous times. Varieties include bacon and bleu cheese; provolone, hard-boiled egg and mayo; homemade BBQ sauce; and a broiled salmon burger with dill …

Red Robin Gourmet Burgers is a casual restaurant chain (the Tilghman Square location is one of about 450 across the United States and Canada) that prides itself on made-to-order burgers, fresh ingredients, Bottomless Steak Fries and employees who will take extra steps to ensure that customers are satisfied.   Gourmet burgers start with fresh beef and are built into tall creations with additional ingredients that define thematic flavors. The Whisky River BBQ Burger gets its identity from signature Whisky River BBQ Sauce drizzled over a burger dressed with onion straws, cheddar cheese, lettuce…

In a quest for the quintessential diner, the Trivet can tick all the boxes. Open 24 hours. Big, clean, bright. A stone’s throw from several highway exits. Decent food at reasonable prices. Add the gleaming exterior of curvy chrome, neon and glass block, and you’ve got not just a diner, but a 21st century version of a classic 1950s American diner. Clip art on the menu does what it can to reinforce the theme: jukeboxes, car hops and pink Cadillacs. The spiral-bound menu deserves some attention. Twelve big laminated pages list options in all the usual diner food groups and then some. It would be…