Easton, the easternmost city in the Lehigh Valley, has quite a lot to boast about these days. The downtown area is packed with a diverse array of restaurants offering up foods to please any palate along with beer and drink lists longer than the dinner menus. With so many opportunities for creative, affordable fresh food and great beer, I’m going to help you choose which establishment to patronize.
Here are just a few of the best of what we found in Historic Downtown and the West Ward. Keep in mind, all are within seven blocks of the Center Square, west of the Lehigh River, so you can easily park your vehicle and walk to all seven in one day if you dare. The list begins closest to the river and then travels west.
Pearly Baker’s Alehouse
Just off of Center Square, Pearly Baker’s is found among a grouping of pubs and bars awaiting the foot traffic that crowds the square during all four seasons. The extensive marble bar and semi-circle bar seating is what you encounter when you first enter, though what is certainly most memorable about the décor of the almost 20-year-old establishment is the striking crystal chandelier hanging in the back dining room. Back up front at the bar, you can typically find more than 20 beers on tap including many local options such as Weyerbacher and Fegley’s, which far outweighs the limited options in bottles.
Classic pub fare abounds at Pearly Baker’s, including burgers, wings and sandwiches, though the dinner menu boasts some more notable options such as salmon, veal short rib and lamb t-bones. Our suggestion would be to grab a seat at the bar and order a beer on draught and a giant basket of their delicious onion rings. The friendly service, hearty snacks and hundreds of taps to check out on the ceiling will keep you there far longer than you would expect. 11 Centre Square, Easton, (610)-253-9949
Mesa Modern Mexican
Half a block down Third Street you will find one of two ethnic establishments on our tour of downtown Easton. Mesa Modern Mexican is one of the newer downtown eateries, opened in December 2012. There’s no mistaking the type of cuisine served at Mesa, as visual and audible cues such as the low hum of mariachi music and tequila bottles lining the back dining room scream south-of-the-border cuisine.
With a large bar at the front of the dining room and plenty of banquette seating along the walls, Mesa fills most open space with patrons during happy hour and into the night. The décor mixes industrial and rustic pieces with traditional Latin touches such as tiled flooring and stucco walls. The large lunch and dinner menus boast a variety of snacks (Botanas), tacos, salads, sandwiches and entrees, though the item that’s not to be missed at Mesa is the tableside guacamole. With options like traditional (Palomino), tempura shrimp, fruited (mango and pomegranate) or chorizo, anyone can find a favorite guacamole. Pair that with one of their mason-jar margaritas (try the Pomegranate Jalapeno!) or one of many bottled or draught craft beers, and you have the perfect combo. 42 South Third St., Easton, (610) 829-2101
Maxim’s 22
West of Center Square, less than a block up Northampton Street, is the French brasserie Maxim’s 22. Like Mesa, Maxim’s 22 opened in late 2012 to crowds hungry for escargots, marrow bones and cassoulet. When entering the large doors, a tin ceiling and marble tables evoke the feel of the French countryside. Small marble bistro tables are arranged along banquette seating in the dining room, with rooster-etched glass panels separating the dining room from the large bustling bar. The extensive draught list is chalked on a large board hanging close to the entrance so you can choose your beer selection before being seated. The list consists of both local brews as well as quite a variety of European beers worth trying.
The specials are always very tempting with cheese, soup, oyster and fish entrées, but the not-to-miss has to be any one of the dry-aged steaks as well as oysters on the half shell. The hangar steak with pomme frites is a patron favorite, providing serious umami flavor from the dry-aging and a crunchy counterpoint from the thin and crispy frites. Whether sitting down in the dining room for a multi-course meal or stopping by the bar for some oysters and a beer, the service will be friendly and the setting will be a welcomed respite from the chaos of life outside the French poster-filled walls. 322 Northampton St., Easton, (610) 252-2622
Two Rivers Brewing Company
Traveling west on Northampton Street, on the corner of Sixth Street, sits a large, four-story brick building housing Two Rivers Brewing Company. The owners restored the early 17th-century building, keeping the original tin roof, wrought iron railings and terrazzo floor. The first-floor dining room and bar feature dark wood and brass as well as art-deco accents. Behind the bar is a bevy of whiskies, bourbons and scotch, along with a row of taps pouring more than a dozen craft brews, though none of the Two Rivers brews have made it to the taps just yet (construction on the brewery upstairs is ongoing).
Two Rivers has quite an adventurous menu transforming typical pub fare into a gastronomic adventure for your taste buds. They have quite the love of pork, as the protein makes its way into at least half of the dishes on the menu. The hog wings are certainly a must try; sticky from the sweet chili sauce, you’ll find them much meatier than their yardbird cousins the buffalo wing. The usual burger and fries are updated with burgers topped with unique ingredients, and fries are made extraordinary with the addition of duck fat, a douse of truffle oil and a shower of Parmigianino Reggiano. If you’re opting for a burger, the peanut butter bacon cheeseburger is a definite must, and always ask for the duck fat fries on the side. Pair that with a local brew and you’ve got a meal fit for the gods. 542 Northampton St., Easton, (610) 829-1131
Daddy’s Place
Tucked away in a large industrial building off of Northampton Street is an unassuming-yet-vibrant Mediterranean eatery, bar and six-pack shop all rolled into one. Daddy’s Place is the newest establishment on our tour of Downtown and the West Ward, opening its doors in October 2013. Daddy’s place has quite a unique setup in that it has the square footage to house not only a sit-down restaurant but also a small bar and an extremely extensive cold case filled with domestic, import and craft beers; ciders; and malt beverages. One can order a plate of Qarnabitt (fried cauliflower with tahini) and, while waiting for it to arrive, pick out a six-pack (or more) of tasty brews to take home. Grab an extra bottle from the case to sip while you dig into the piping hot, freshly fried cauliflower, or have the bartender make a quick cocktail if you’re able to grab a seat at the small four-five seat bar.
The food menu has the usual Mediterranean fare found at other establishments—falafel, kabob, hummus, etc.—but the real gem at Daddy’s place is the premise-made Lebanese desserts. Grab an almond-studded Nunmoora or a diamond-shaped slice of Baklava on your way out, hopefully with a six-pack in hand. 650 Northampton St., Easton, (610) 438-4442
Black & Blue
Veering off Northampton Street, a block and a half Southwest, you’ll find Black & Blue, a gothic-inspired haunt on Walnut Street. Glowing orange and blue lights are scattered throughout the dining room and bar area, accompanied by décor reminiscent of Halloween. The six tables in the dining room are surrounded by random, vintage wooden chairs and upholstered armchairs, evoking a feeling of sitting at friend’s kitchen table. The service is also just as comfortable and welcoming, making one want to stay for much longer than planned, sipping on a Belgian beer or a glass of absinthe.
Black & Blue, like other Easton eateries, enjoys patronizing local products, which is evident in dishes like the Margherita pizza made with spent grain from Easton’s own Weyerbacher Brewery. The menu also boasts lots of shareables, so come with friends and enjoy a giant plate of Black & Blue Nachos with one of the many craft beers listed on the draught list and stay for a while; it’s pretty easy to do. 683 Walnut St., Easton, (610) 438-3604
Porter’s Pub
The last stop on the tour of fab food and beer ends in the cozy and intimate Porter’s Pub. The first thing to notice when walking into the establishment are the pewter mugs lining almost every inch of the bar’s ceiling. The mugs belong to the many bar who have completed the Porter’s Mug Club, a 60-beer list of libations in which one is awarded the engraved mug after finishing the entire list. Like the other eateries on the list, Porter’s one-ups the typical pub fare with offerings such as their jalapeno lump crab dip and artisanal cheese board.
A must try for Porter’s is to grab a seat at the bar and start working through the Porter’s Mug Club list while noshing on one of the bar specials like the duck bacon sausage, plump meatballs served on a bed of savory couscous. Or, if in the mood for something a bit more traditional, the award-winning chili is a must-try with any one of the many beer options available. 700 Northampton St., Easton, (610) 250-6561
- Maxim's, Two Rivers, and Daddy's Place photos: Cheryl Doll
