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.

MeLVin will join families for a Phamily Phun Night at Bear Creek Mountain Resort on Aug. 13.

Ending months of BYOB, which patrons have come to like, the former Nonna Sulina's has moved to Fountain Hill under a new name and can finally announce full-service status.

At 7:30 p.m. Saturday, July 19, Copeland will headline ArtsQuest's Blast Furnace Blues Festival, performing on the Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks stage. The concert and festival are free.

The action ramps up Friday with Market to Go, open from 3-7 p.m., with offerings of blueberry crumb pie, coffee cake, strudel, sugar cookies and blueberry swirl ice cream. The event continues Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days.

The Zucchini 500 returned to Easton this Wednesday for its 19th year, offering kids and adults the chance to transform a squash into a vehicle and compete in a race of creativity and community.

Insomnia Cookies opened its first location in the Lehigh Valley on East Third Street in South Bethlehem, offering classic and deluxe sweet treats late into the night. The grand opening is Wednesday.

“Tony n Tina’s Wedding,” which had popular runs at Musikfest Café at ArtsQuest Center in Bethlehem from 2012-17, will perform one night only Aug. 22 at Bear Creek Mountain Resort.

The Dubai chocolate trend was in the Lehigh Valley years before it went viral online. But recently, the trend has recirculated online and brought about new inspiration at local businesses.

ShopRite at Madison Farms in Bethlehem Township has deployed smart carts that let customers pay for and bag groceries all at once as they walk through the aisles.

There are 51 stops on this year’s trail. In its eighth year, the trail is focused on celebrating local creameries across the state while driving business during the summer months.

Easton officials announced Thursday that the city will begin leasing public parking from the county lot and the Social Security building lot to address access to public parking.

Check out a roundup of activities, places, and times to see the fireworks as the Lehigh Valley celebrates Independence Day.