Kavva’s offers up a taste of Poland
Market in Bethlehem features a variety of food items reflecting Eastern European culture
If you have some foodies on your gift-giving list, ditch the cookies and candy canes and consider surprising them with delectable Polish chocolates, pastas and other goodies, available at Kavva’s on Broad in downtown Bethlehem. Of course, you also can treat yourself.
The Polish and
European market, which opened
Dec. 9 at 99 W.
Broad St. (former
Vintage Flair space), sells a wide range of sweet and savory items — from chocolate-covered plums and gingerbread cookies to sauerkraut and spices — from
Poland, Germany, Russia and other European countries.
You can find Polish breads, doughnuts, dried fruit, pickled mushrooms and peppers, chips, pretzels, crackers, jams, mustard, mayonnaise, flour, spices, and beverages such as juices, soda and tea.
The shop’s focal point is a deli case with European cheeses such as Gouda, morski, podlaski and provolone and meats such as Black Forest and Westphalian hams, Kracow and kabanosy sausages, corned beef and soppressata.
“We want to offer something different for downtown Bethlehem, which is what this city’s all about,” said Kacper Waskiewicz, who is operating the market with his parents, Wojciech and Irena Waskiewicz.
“We are originally from Poland and then lived in New York for close to 15 years, where Polish and European delis are a dime a dozen. We became very used to those high-quality meats and grocery items and, unfortunately, there just aren’t many places to find these products in the Lehigh Valley.”
Customers can customize their sandwiches or choose from signature selections, $7.49 each, such as the Cygan (Gypsy Canadian bacon, Grandma ham, smoked Polish cheese, lettuce, tomato and mayonnaise).
There also is a cooler housing butter spreads, cheesecakes, herring fillets and pierogies with unique fillings such as sauerkraut and mushroom and spinach and feta cheese, among other items.
“A lot of people living downtown have to go out of their way to get even basic necessities such as bread and butter,” Kacper said. “So, we’ll help them by offering eggs, milk and more.”
Kavva’s is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Info: kavvasmarket.com. rice or mixed vegetables. Entrees will range between $15 and $20. Info: Steel City Gyro on Instagram.
In downtown Allentown, a popular dish in Hispanic cultures is taking center stage at another upcoming restaurant.
Empanada City, offering more than 20 kinds of empanadas, is expected to open by early January at 44 N. Eighth St., according to David Vargas, who will operate the eatery with his fiancee, Evelyn Martinez.
The fried doughy pastries, most priced between $1 and $2.50, will feature a wide variety of fillings, including Buffalo chicken, cheeseburger, crab, pepperoni, pork, salami, shrimp and vegetable, Vargas said.
Other menu highlights will include burgers, cheesesteaks, chicken wings, fried sweet potatoes, Dominican-style hot dogs, rotating soups and yaroas, which Vargas describes as “fries or mashed sweet plantains, topped with your choice of meat, melted cheese and sauce.” There also will be homemade desserts such as flan and tres leches cake and natural fruit juices and smoothies.
Several readers have asked for an update on the re-imagined Madeline’s Restaurant, which I reported in March as coming in the fall to Route 100 and Glenlivet Drive West in Fogelsville.
According to a Dec. 9 post on the business’ Facebook page, husband and wife owners Jay and Nadine King now anticipate opening the restaurant in late March.
The original Madeline’s, known for its “casual, fine dining with creative, gourmet flair,” extensive wine menu and top-notch service, operated in Orwigsburg, Schuylkill County, from 2007 to 2012, when it closed following a fire.
A newly-constructed Madeline’s, featuring a 125-seat dining room on the ground floor and banquet space for about 75 people on the second floor, will feature seasonal selections and a mix of new and old dishes, including the popular crab cakes, steaks and lamb entrees, Nadine said in March. Info: facebook.com/madelinesrestaurant.
One last bit of restaurant news: After weeks of remodeling, a Wendy’s restaurant at 204 S. Wood Ave. in Wilson is set to reopen Sunday, according to a worker who was helping with renovations earlier this week.
The restaurant will feature the brand’s “modern and contemporary design,” including large windows allowing for natural light, open and bright dining areas with multiple seating options, enhanced menu boards and a Coca-Cola Freestyle beverage dispenser, according to a news release.
At a grand re-opening event, tentatively scheduled for 10 a.m. Dec. 22, the first 100 paying guests (18 or older) will receive a card allowing them one free premium sandwich or entree salad with any purchase each week for one year.
Also in Allentown, Lucky Bamboo opened in late October at the Allentown Fairgrounds Farmers Market.
The business, which previously operated at the recently-closed Zern’s Farmers Market in Douglass Township, Montgomery County, offers a wide variety of indoor and outdoor handmade crafts and gifts and home, including bird houses, framed artwork, garland, ornaments, outdoor flags, wooden signs and holiday decorations. Info:
Lastly, if you’re looking to refresh home furnishings in the new year, the Lehigh Valley area’s third Just Furniture store is set to open in about two weeks at 4750 Tilghman St. in South Whitehall Township, according to a worker at the one-year-old Palmer Township store.
The business, which also has a location in Quakertown, sells a variety of sofas, tables and other furniture.
The company offers no-moneydown financing. Info: justfurnitureonline.com.
Retail Watch keeps track of new stores, restaurants and banks in the Lehigh Valley. Contact Ryan Kneller at 610-820-6597 or retailwatch@mcall.com. Retail Watch appears every Sunday.