PA House in Hellertown is a breath of fresh air
I am aware that many of my reviews have mentioned, a bunch of “new favorites” (yadda yadda yadda). I truly mean it every time. But I’ll tell you what, this latest new joint hits the spot with a magnificent culinary experience I didn’t even know I needed. And it’s just in time for summer!
Frankly, dining at Hellertown’s new PA House eatery feels like being transported to a place where the weather is always fair — like California or Italy. This place elevates “pizza night.” It’s an upscale yet casual paradise where you can meet up with friends, or a date, or your mum on her birthday.
PA House’s origin story is as lovely as the couple who own it. Franco DiCarlo (whose family hails from Naples, Italy), his wife Rachel, and children have spent the last several years living in Brooklyn and Saucon Valley. While in The City, they referred to their Saucon home as the “PA House.” There’s the name.
Getting the restaurant on its feet in the midst of a pandemic was no small task, but after years of dedication, DiCarlo and his wife opened their passion project in late April. I’m actually giddy writing this and calculating my next free night and a return to this special spot.
Let’s talk through the details.
Setting and décor
The food at PA House is a slam dunk, but this place is really all about the divine atmosphere. Rachel DiCarlo works in the New York fashion industry. Her taste and panache are evident in the restaurant’s interior design.
Sitting just along the Saucon Rail Trail, the PA House is a refurbished auto body shop, painted with sleek hues of black and gray. The building’s massive garage doors roll up on sunny days to let
the light pour in.
High ceilings — like firmament above — cap the open-concept space. The kitchen and bar are exposed for all to observe and admire. The massive pizza oven glows while your tummy grumbles with anticipation. The floors are polished cement — contributing to the garage’s utilitarian feel. Potted foliage, gleaming steel light fixtures, and chic leather stools sit at shining wooden table tops. The interior is sophisticated yet not pretentious. The room achieves a cozy warmth and a reminder that you are somewhere special.
If you venture outside for some al fresco dining, you’ll notice DiCarlo’s Hello Joe Coffee Trailer in the parking lot. It’s a glistening steel Airstream caravan that serves baked goods, fruit smoothies, cappuccino, lattes, and cold brew on tap, from April to December. Imagine taking a break from your ride, run, or hike on the Rail Trail and stopping for an icy little cold brew. Are you sold yet? PA House does it all.
Service
The service is kind, attentive, and extremely quick. The staff is laser-focused and well equipped to handle the daily patron traffic.
According to one of the chefs, it has been “absolutely nonstop” since PA House opened. This was no surprise. Twice I had shown up at PA House thinking I could snag a seat at the bar, only to find the place packed with no availability for a few hours.
As I watched the staff work and interact with customers, I couldn’t
detect a hint of fatigue. Everyone from customers to servers, to the kitchen seemed pretty pleased to be there.
More exciting PA
House news is that the to-go window will be up and running in just a few weeks. Here, you can enjoy a PA House picnic, or a take-home dinner and movie experience. Both sound great to me.
Food
Many options at PA House include artisanal pizzas, salads, sandwiches, plates to share, and the best fries I’ve ever had (no joke).
I was not able to taste everything, but you can bet your buttons I’m on a quest to.
Here’s what I know:
The Margherita Pizza:
No shame here. The entire pizza was gone at the end of the night. Clean plate club. What made it so good? It’s obviously authentic. The dough is fluffy yet crisp. The sauceto-cheese ratio is light, flavorful, and refreshing. According to a chef, the dough is made from scratch each morning. Every item on the menu is
super fresh and only made from what is in season.
Hot Tip: On the menu, dishes with a lighter font are not being served because they are out of season.
The Seasonal Vegetable: Balsamic grilled asparagus, red pepper coulis, parmesan, confit leeks and blistered cherry tomatoes. I was very close to licking my plate. The savory asparagus, layered with the airy tanginess of the parmesan countered by the sweet punch of cherry tomato was a scenestealer.
Beet and Goat Cheese Salad: With golden raisins, supreme orange wedges, pistachios, and an orange vinaigrette dressing, this was the epitome of refreshment. This salad is the perfect addition to your day and your entree, pizza, or sandwich.
Other honorable mentions:
The Burger ( juicy and packed with flavor), The Veg Out Sandwich (a blend of veggies I never thought would taste so marvelous together), and the Avocado Hummus.
Hot tip: The avocado hummus is not guacamole. It tastes like hummus, but smoother with a mint green tint. The accompanying pita bread — also made from scratch — feels like one big, warm, culinary hug.
Beverages: I would spend my happy hour at the PA House any day.
You can kick off the night with a selection from their list of aperitivos (an Italian, bitter, carbonated cocktail with lower alcohol content). If you’re looking for something a little stronger, the cocktail menu offers delicious takes on the classics. I recommend the Martini. For the beer lover, PA House offers an eclectic list of IPAs, Belgians and German goldens, and popular bottled beers.
The drinks are carefully selected to be the perfect pairings with the menu, and to stimulate your appetite.
The bottom line
As PA House is currently only accepting reservations, I highly recommend you make one. You will thank me. The DiCarlos are offering incredible, authentic Italian-American-inspired cuisine and a breath of fresh air. If you’re in need of an escape from your stressful world, the crew at the PA House has created the ideal haven right here, at home. Treat yourself on a date, you deserve it.
PA HOUSE
Where: 662 Front St, Hellertown, PA 18055 Contact: 484-851-6662 Hours: Sun., Wed., Thurs. noon to 9 p.m. Fri. and Sat. noon to 11 p.m.
Prices: Starters $8-$14, Entrees: $14-$18
Bar: Full bar
Credit cards: Yes Handicap accessible: Yes