Food & Drink

The German-inspired holiday market opened on Friday, Nov. 16 at ArtsQuest's SteelStacks campus.

The company — most often recognized for its locally owned Red Robin franchises — is undergoing a rebrand to reflect its future and potential growth. The move will unite Red Robin and Wingstop franchises under one entity: Lehigh Valley Restaurant Brands.

After more than 30 years of business in Bethlehem Township, the 2722 Easton Ave. Johnny's Gyros building will operate under a new name. Real estate agents confirmed another Greek restaurant will lease the space.

Opening the shop is a dream come true for owner Gina Passerman, who said she got the idea during COVID-19 lockdowns. Her goal was to make a place where people can go to "spend time, enjoy each other's company, and smile and be happy."

Paranormal Pizza has a new home on Sundays, with Jay's Local in Allentown hosting the beloved vegan pizzeria until they open their new brick and mortar location.

The coffee chain has billed customers an extra charge for dairy replacements like soy and almond milk. That charge will cease in early November.

Thousands of guests swarmed downtown Easton for PA BaconFest 2024 on Saturday, Nov. 2, with all sorts of savory and sweet dining options, on top of plenty of bacon merchandise and entertainment.

"Owning a restaurant is hard and expensive, and lots of aspects of it are out of your control," said Rachael Prosseda of the Vineyard Di Norma. The restaurant will close Dec. 24.

PA BaconFest returns to Easton on Nov. 2 and 3, featuring tons of eateries, vendors, competitions and more, all featuring everyone's favorite crispy, salty, savory food.

The restaurant changed hands and its name around two years ago. Now, it's set to soon return to what the community last knew it as: Spiros Restaurant.

The 10th anniversary of Clam Jam, the Easton festival held by Third and Ferry Fish Market, brought hundreds of seafood devotees to the city Sunday and crowned new chowder and homebrew champions.

The Lehigh Valley Zoo is hosting its annual Brew at the Zoo again in 2024. This year, it falls on Saturday, Sept. 14, and will feature more than three dozen craft beers and ciders.

The Blendery in Easton will host a special Bereaved Father's Day event on Sunday to help men coping with loss and seeking comfort in community.

Starbucks' pumpkin spice latte and accompanying pumpkin-flavor coffee customizations are set to return Thursday. Local coffee shops plan to bring back — or already have — seasonal favorites, too.

Beloved Yardley brewpub Vault Brewing is set to open a new location at 225 Ferry St. in Easton this fall, featuring craft brews and a specially-curated menu.

The Pizza Joint, operating in a unit formerly home to a Metro by T-Mobile store, will neighbor a local magistrate’s office and the Southside staple Seven Sirens Brewing Co.

The Pen Argyl restaurant was brought into the limelight by Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy several months ago. Now it'll join Portnoy for his one-day One Bite Pizza Festival.

Gov. Josh Shapiro recently signed House Bill 829 and Senate Bill 688 into law. Both expand on the state's unusual and complex liquor laws, including an increase in happy hour and combo meal opportunities.

A couple retailers told LehighValleyNews.com they rely on a few things up their sleeve, including specials each day, a plethora of flavor combinations and a variety of inventory to choose from.

Bethlehem's Austin Shaffer downed five ears of corn in just over four and half minutes to win the Aw Shucks Corn Eating Contest at Musikfest on Wednesday night.

In what it calls "a gastronomic spectacle," the fair will have its first Scrapple Eating Contest at 3 p.m. Aug. 31 in the fairground's Farmerama Theater.

Tuesday, Aug. 6, is opening day for the Lehigh Valley's first Raising Cane's, in Lower Macungie Township. It's the 11th Raising Cane's to come to the Keystone State, but not without celebration. A soft opening was held Monday.