Many of us love to go out after a long day at work. But if you’re like me, it hurts to see the sad look in your dog’s eyes as you’re heading out the door. With these three Lehigh Valley restaurants, you can take your furry friend with you and dine al fresco on their dog-friendly patios!
The Wooden Match
If you find yourself in Bethlehem, take a drive to The Wooden Match on West Lehigh Street. Not only does it have an outside lounge and restaurant, it also has a cigar bar. Choose from an array of options including mild, infused, medium and full-bodied cigars. Brands such as 5 Vegas Gold, Man O’ War Virtue and Diesel Unlimited are just a few on the extensive list.
Your dog will appreciate the spacious, laid-back atmosphere and the wonderfully friendly staff. Take a seat on the lengthy patio situated right next to a train track, giving it an olden, rustic feel. Tent-like structures cover the patio to shield guests from the sun while still allowing light to peek through.
Its eclectic menu item names will intrigue you from the start. Order some lighter fare, such as the Pledge Allegiance, which includes bacon cheeseburger soup, shredded romaine, roasted grape tomatoes and a brioche crostini. If you prefer something a bit heartier, try the Mule Kick. It’s a 10-oz. beef patty with arugula, smoked ghost pepper jack, chipotle ranch and pickled jalapenos on a brioche roll.
Other entrees include Jacob’s Ladder, braised barbecue boneless beef short ribs; the Great Depression, turkey bacon meatloaf with maple gastrique; and the Loch Ness, Faroe Island salmon with beurre au citron, otherwise known as lemon butter sauce. Each entrée is served with a salad and a starch—either smoked Gruyere mash or roasted garlic Parmesan risotto—and a vegetable, which is usually green beans and carrots or the seasonal option.
Make sure you browse the restaurant’s list of cocktail options as well as its wine and beer lists. From IPAs to stouts, The Wooden Match is sure to please just about anyone. And if you’re around Thursday through Saturday, enjoy live entertainment in the evening. 61 W. Lehigh St., Bethlehem, (610) 865-1777
The View at Morgan Hill
Another ideal place to take your pup is The View at Morgan Hill in Easton. Although mostly known as a golf course, this gem will wow you with its handmade cuisine and spectacular views of the Lehigh Valley.
What’s more, every Thursday is “Yappy Hour,” where you can bring your dog to socialize with his or her friends while you relax with yours!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BG5pKIOomSf/?taken-by=morganhillgolfcourse
Relish the sights on the new outside patio next to Morgan Hill’s newly added banquet room. Head inside only to place your order and a waiter will bring your dish right to you when it’s ready. Enjoy those Yappy Hour specials from 5–8 p.m. during the spring months through October.
While your furry friend is enjoying his or her time out and about, you can enjoy the freshest ingredients found in every dish at The View at Morgan Hill. A few items from the dinner menu are featured as happy hour specials, but with dishes as delicious as these, you’re probably going to want to order a full supper.
For starters, try the truffle fries, which includes house-cut potatoes tossed in truffle oil, parmesan and herbs or go for the lobster mac and cheese, made with penne pasta tossed in a white cheddar cheese sauce with fresh lobster. A few additional items on the happy hour menu include tilapia tacos, mini crab cakes and a margarita flatbread.
If you decide to stay for dinner, try the chilled seafood salad created with your choice of shrimp or crab with chilled sushi rice. The dish is stacked with avocado and cucumber, sprinkled with sesame seeds and drizzled with a ginger wasabi and sriracha aioli.
Any burgers or sandwiches you order can be substituted with a vegan black bean burger or a piece of grilled chicken. Try the Italian Tuscan burger topped with mozzarella, fresh arugula, grilled onion, tomato and pesto mayo. It’ll have you dreaming of Rome!
The grilled balsamic chicken breast served with triangle risotto cakes is a must-try. Although simple, its flavors and plating speak for itself. If you’re a fan of seafood, choose the crab-stuffed salmon entrée. This dish features pan-seared Atlantic salmon stuffed with jumbo lump crab meat atop basmati rice, and is finished with a champagne beurre blanc. You’ll be sure to enjoy a delicious meal here with your friends (and your pooch) overlooking stunning scenery. 100 Clubhouse Dr., Easton, (610) 923-8480
The James Eatery
A bit down the road in Palmer Township was The James Eatery, a quaint, dog-friendly and BYOB restaurant. Although it recently closed, you can still enjoy chef Corey James’ delicious eats in the comfort of your own home.
While the owners are actively searching for a new, larger building to accommodate their needs, they’re offering in-home private dining. Now you can invite some friends over and hang out with your pup all at once! And if you want to make it a party, no worries. The James Eatery will host your event so you don’t have to stress about food!
From fishing for fresh protein to getting his vegetables out of a garden, growing up in nature helped chef Corey James develop an early love for food. He praises the land for what it provides here in Pennsylvania, and uses local ingredients in his dishes when he can. For example, his honey is from Whitehall and his coffee from Lancaster. Guests can expect fresh cuisine inspired by what James loves to eat.
Most of the eatery’s menu items will be available for in-home dining. Some breakfast fare includes a lox plate made with a smoked salmon filet, cream cheese, capers, tomato, onion and cucumber all atop a bagel. Add a layered fruit and yogurt parfait with vanilla Greek yogurt, fresh fruit, granola and honey to go along with it.
Lunch and dinner items are also available, such as lettuce wraps made with teriyaki chicken, sesame slaw and mango habanero salsa and a charcuterie board with three cured meats and three artisan cheeses. If a piece of meat (accidentally) falls off your plate while you’re enjoying your gathering, your pup will be glad for his or her unexpected treat!
Appetizers like octopus seared hard with a sweet corn and roasted red pepper puree and a pan-seared, aged mozzarella dish served with extra virgin olive oil, fresh parsley and crostini are just some additional plates to choose from for your in-home dining.
Enjoy entrees such as a ginger chicken dish made with chopped chicken thighs served atop stir-fried rice with sautéed vegetables, almond and egg or a peppercorn-crusted ribeye served with roasted garlic mashed potatoes. Seafood lovers also have options such as five cast-iron-seared sea scallops with lemon micro-greens, roasted asparagus and almond rice pilaf.
Hopefully you won’t be too full from your meal, because The James Eatery also offers many desserts. Try the banana cake with white icing and peanut butter mousse, fruit sorbet with homemade whipped cream or rice pudding with cinnamon or toasted coconut! I’m sure your dogs won’t mind all the food and company at home while you satisfy your sweet tooth, especially if they get a little bit of the leftovers. Stay updated with the James Eatery on Facebook or email [email protected] for booking inquiries.
Now that you know of some dog-friendly restaurant options, grab your furry friends and head on out (or in) without feeling guilty for leaving them behind!
- Dog photo: Davin Jurgensen
- Cheese plate photo: BigStock
