Eating well in the Lehigh Valley
These two restaurants feature ‘almost vegan’ and ‘healthy-ish’ fare
Maintaining a healthful diet is no easy task, especially in the summer.
Backyard barbecues, poolside cocktails, ice cream trucks and more can throw a wrench into even the strictest of eating regimens.
Fortunately, two new Lehigh Valley restaurants — Almost Vegan in Allentown and Off the Trail in Hellertown — are serving up goodfor-you goodies to help keep you on track.
Almost Vegan, a pescatarian cafe serving wild-caught seafood, plant-based dishes and organic smoothies, opened July 25 at 627 W. Liberty St.
Husband and wife owners Anthony and Nadia Al- exander overhauled the former Yocco’s hot dog shop with new counters, flooring, kitchen equipment and more.
The couple, along with executive chef Katrena Polo, are serving up breakfast items such as mung bean eggs, quinoa grits and spelt and zucchini pancakes; and lunch options such as vegan pizza, Maryland-style crab cakes and a teriyaki grilled shrimp kabob salad. Tacos, featuring grain- and soy-free shells, are available in two varieties: salmon and fennel bean.
“We have seafood dishes with vegan sides, but we also have entirely plant-based options as well,” Anthony said. “So vegans, transitioning vegans and people who just prefer not to eat red meat will all find something that they can enjoy.”
The 24-seat Almost Vegan, which also offers vegan desserts such as apple caramel cheesecake and vanilla walnut cake, is open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sundays. Info: 484-866-8695.
Off the Trail, offering acai bowls, smoothies, artisan toast and more, opened Monday at 650 Main St. (former home of The Coffee Shop Company).
Owner Allison Guido, who also operates Hellertown’s 3year-old Brow Society, featuring eyebrow, eyelash and spray tan services, describes the new eatery as “healthy-ish.”
“We have a little something for everyone,” she said. “We have salads and smoothies, but we also have bagels and danishes.”
The 14-seat eatery, which also has a couple of outdoor tables, offers such smoothies as strawberry banana and peanut butter chocolate; acai bowls like mango coconut and “Berry Fresh”; such baked goods as croissants and muffins; and weekly specials such as grilled cheese with cheddar on cinnamon bread and grilled pita layered with hummus, roasted red pepper, feta, cucumber and olives.
Artisan toast, available with sprouted, sourdough or glutenfree bread, includes “The Favorite,” featuring avocado, tomato, burrata, basil and balsamic drizzle.
“I’m also trying to support other local businesses as much as possible,” Guido said. “So we’re carrying items like High Point Kombucha and brownies, cupcakes and other baked goods from Vegan Treats in Bethlehem.”
Off the Trail, which takes its name from the nearby Saucon Rail Trail, is open 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays. Info: 484-851-3173; instagram.com/offthetrailpa.