Food & Drink

This week, the LehighValleyNews.com digital desk has handpicked three events for you to enjoy, including the "Starstruck: An American Tale" art exhibit, Screamin' Green Hauntoween at Crayola Experience and some indoor activities.

Pat's Pizza & Bistro in Bethlehem, which went viral for its pasta flights earlier this year, is offering up a seasonal menu of fall comfort foods. It features (what else?) a sage pumpkin gnocchi in a homemade pumpkin cream sauce.

This year, people seeking Halloween thrills have a real selection of places to go and things to see: Have a butterbeer, a ride in a spooky hot air balloon or scream your lungs out. Your choice.

LehighValleyNews.com newsroom has handpicked 3 Valley events for you to enjoy this weekend. This week we feature Autumn Splendor Fall Foliage Train Ride, Eerie Easton Walking Tours and a very Lit performance at Musikfest Cafe.

Ciao! Sandwich Shoppe continues to expand its Lehigh Valley footprint with a third location on in Easton’s College Hill neighborhood.

Maybe you woke up this morning wondering, "What is escovitch fish?" (Maybe you didn't?) We answer that and more in this daily list of useful information chosen to inform and enhance your day.

Mikey’s, named after Jamaican-born owner Michael Frazer, serves popular Jamaican entrees such as ackee and saltfish, brown stewed chicken, barbecue shrimp, curry goat, jerk pork and oxtail.

The former Taps Tavern, which closed in 2020 amid the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, is set to become a Plaza Azteca Mexican restaurant.

Easton's Garlic Fest saw a good turnout despite the threat of rain.

The annual festival is back for its 12th year featuring beer, food, music, and wiener dogs.

The Korean-born, French-inspired Paris Baguette franchise is looking to expand its footprint in the Lehigh Valley as it chips away toward its goal of opening more than 1,000 cafes across the country before 2030. The bakery-cafe chain is specifically taking interest in the Allentown-area market.

Longtime borough resident Jennifer O’Neill has purchased the building at 2 N. Main St. and is transforming the space into Circle Cafe on Main, a café inspired by European coffeehouses that aims to foster community connection.

Bear Creek Mountain Resort in Longswamp Township, Berks County, has installed 10 new fully automated “state-of-the-art” snow guns that adjust automatically to weather conditions, “maximizing snow production when temperatures drop,” the resort said in a release.

Flooding and water damage has forced Clever Girl Winery, on the ground floor of the Commodore at 116 Northampton St., to shut down its Easton tasting room.

After years of turmoil, the owners and operators of vegan pizzeria Paranormal Pizza are asking the community for a couple bucks to help launch their new brick-and-mortar spot.

Garlic Fest is back, and this year promises more of everyone's favorite Allium in a wealth of savory and sweet dishes, drinks, and more, including a special preview night on Friday.

"Iron Chef" winner Jose Garces has opened Okatshe, a Japanese-inspired izakaya on Hamilton Street, with an eight-foot sushi roll instead of a ribbon-cutting. Located across from Rosa Blanca, Okatshe offers small plates, sushi, sake,and whiskey in a modern take on Japan’s traditional neighborhood bar.

Barley Creek Brewing Company is planting roots in the Lehigh Valley, opening a taproom at the Promenade Saucon Valley. The Pocono-based brewing company expects to serve customers with "100% Pennsylvania products" this fall.

The Wilbur Mansion transforms with Swift, a rebranded dining experience in the Fountain Hill District of Bethlehem, offering seasonal menus, handmade cocktails, outside dining, and historical flair.

Just five months after officially being in business in their recognizable bright yellow teardrop-shaped trailer, co-owners Melinda Schneck and Josh Elmer are expending Roasties Mobile Cafe into a brick-and-mortar coffee shop. It'll take root where the couple says its heart is: Macungie.

Foodies now have another late night option in Southside Bethlehem. The Barbecue Boys, which opened Tuesday, Sept. 16, offers a fast-casual dining setting that's open Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday from 12 p.m. to 12 a.m. and 12 p.m. to 3 p.m. from Thursday through Saturday.

Pennsylvania saw 201.6 million visitors, generating $49.9 billion in visitor spending and $83.9 billion in economic impact in 2024. In the Lehigh Valley, visitor spending increased 1.5%, generating just over $2.5 billion.