Food & Drink

ArtsQuest’s annual Souper Bowl, in which area restaurants compete for recognition as creating the best bouillons and superior stews, will return for a 14th year, the organization has announced. In addition, this year’s event will feature a new experience: a Best Thing You Ever Made soup demo with Chef Lee Chizmar, an Allentown native from the restaurant Bolete and Mr. Lee’s Noodles.

Take a look at stories that ran throughout the week of which we are most proud, had a profound impact on readers or that you might want to look at again.

Both the number of guests and vendor sales were up substantially over 2022. The Winter Market begins Jan. 6.

A popular cocktail bar and restaurant is closed on Bethlehem's Southside, but the owner says she hopes to reopen early next year.

Take a look at stories that ran throughout the week of which we are most proud, had a profound impact on readers or that you might want to look at again.

The wait is over! The Lehigh Valley Mall has finally opened the doors for The Cheesecake Factory, with the new location offering 250 dishes and dozens of delectable desserts.

The store's general manager said more progress reports are coming, as co-op officials also are gearing up to hire the group’s second-ever employee: its marketing coordinator.

The Pub on Main in Macungie, which closed in 2022 citing staffing issues, has been sold to a new owner that hopes to return a new bar and restaurant to the space.

Hoagie-making contests, T-shirt giveaways and free coffee highlighted the grand opening of the Wawa on Hellertown Road in South Bethlehem on Thursday.

Holiday shoppers at the Lehigh Valley Mall will have a new place to sate their appetites next Tuesday, when The Cheesecake Factory opens the doors of its long-anticipated new location.

Nearly six years after it opened, the Downtown Allentown Market has closed due to lack of customers.

Popular Lehigh Valley eatery Billy's Downtown Diner is looking to bring their beloved classic breakfast, brunch and lunch cuisine to customers across the country with a new goal to franchise their operation.

Love them or hate them, marshmallow Peeps are inescapable around the Easter holiday. Millions of the brightly colored candies are made daily in Bethlehem by Just Born Quality Confections.

Easton's Historic District Commission approved revised plans for the demolition and reconstruction of the McDonald's on Larry Holmes Drive at their Monday meeting.

The state-of-the-art St. Luke's SportsPlex, which offers everything from pickleball memberships to sports performance training, will soon offer something specifically for the 21-and-over crowd: beer.

TacoFest, the annual event that pays homage to that Mexican dish that fills a fried tortilla with fresh, flavorful ingredients, will return to SteelStacks from 1-6 p.m. June 1, ArtsQuest announced.

The restaurants are a fast-casual Mexican restaurant with a location in downtown Allentown; a new bar and lounge concept from the owners of Amigos; and a café, City Center said. The restaurants will open this summer.

Wondaffle, a waffle and ice cream shop on the Southside, has officially opened its doors, offering customers indulgent Liege waffles with small-batch ice cream and tasty toppings.

Two Rivers Brewing Co. has secured a variance which will allow the business to transform a run-down lot adjacent to its property into a new outdoor beer garden.

Queso at Casa and Casa 401 owner Andrea Rincon is set to open Crepes at Casa in the Easton Public Market this spring, offering up intriguing takes on the French dish.

The Parade of Shamrocks, hosted by Celtic Cultural Alliance, kicked off Saturday afternoon and wound its way through the city’s Northside. Crowds were packed shoulder-to-shoulder on sidewalks along Broad and Main streets.

Jose Garces, a James Beard Award-winning chef who won the second season of "Iron Chef," said Rosa Blanca will open for dinner and cocktail preview nights from 4 p.m. to midnight Friday, March 21, and Saturday, March 22.