CC, then OC at Cristkindlmarkt Bethlehem

[Noah_Zark]

We headed out early on Friday to spend Fri and Sat in the LV, my daughter getting together with some friends and fellow recent graduates from DSU, and to do our part keeping the economy going by parting with some $$$ for Xmas gifts at Christkindlmarkt held this year next to the "Steel Stacks" near Artsquest and the Ice Rink.

A beautiful day, sunny and warm and the tents got a bit heated inside. I started out wearing a light rain proof windbreaker over a oxford shirt, but had to shed the jacket. Tucked into an IWB was a SIG 1911 Ultra Compact Nitron (45 ACP). I really wasn't paying attention to the crowd so much as the vendors and their merch, and the only time I got a comment was leaving the entrance tent -- one of the male staff saw the SIG as I put the jacket back on and his eyes bugged.

"Are you a cop?"

"No, why?"

"You can't wear that in here!"

"Well, I'm leaving so it probably doesn't matter. That said, I have a License to Carry Firearms."

"A what?"

"A License to Carry Firearms. Anyone can get one from the county sheriff after passing a background check."

"Really?"

"Why would I be making this up, standing here with a handgun on my hip?"

"So you can get a license from the sheriff, and you can carry a handgun?"

"Pretty much."

"Just in Lehigh Co.?

"No, any county in PA. Look, gotta run, we're meeting some friends for supper and our reservations are in 10 mins."

"OK, thanks, have a nice evening."

"You too."


At dinner at the Bethlehem Brew Works I didn't get a second glance from anyone, including my daughter's friends. She was tickled to see them after graduating from DSU in May and now doing graduate school in Pittsburgh.

My daughter likes BBW, but I have yet to have a good meal there. Friday night I ordered the "Garden Penne" and at no more than two forkfuls. The pasta was way overcooked, the broccoli and zucchini were undercooked, and the dish way WAAAAAY too spicy, so much so that my mouth was on fire and I could not taste the dish for the pepper. It was like trying to taste something after eating a habanero. I sent it back, and because the service was late due to the level of business I had no time to reorder, so I got a quick 6" Subway for the road while driving to the evening's entertainment after dinner.

Bethlehem Brew Works' beers may be OK (I don't drink anymore), but after six visits and five shitty dishes over the past three years, their food sux.

Noah

[sprrdhawk44]

Sounds good, though I think that person was a perfect candidate for a flyer, or at least directions to this site.

[uniballin]

Someone got kicked out of Brew Works for carrying and made a thread on here about it.

edit: http://forum.pafoa.org/concealed-ope...rew-works.html

[Ten*K]

The Mint is right up the road and has way better food and beers for around the same price.

[9orangeletters]

My daughter likes BBW

...misleading.


Take this as a second recommendation for the Mint.

[Draxton Smitz]

...misleading.


Take this as a second recommendation for the Mint.

Argh ya beat me to the BBW comment. I wish I could rep from my iPhone.

[Noah_Zark]

We ate at the Mint once when the wait at Brew Works was like 50 mins. I thought the food was pretty good, but Brew Works was the designated hangout for my youngin' and her crowd.

Noah

[Ten*K]

Well, to be frank, they need to find better places to hang out. You don't want them going through life thinking the Brewworks beer is actually for drinking... And Mint is all ages. There's also Tapas on Main, Momma Nina's on Main, Apollo on Broad, and Starfish.

Unless you mean younger than teen age... Then just drop them off under the bridge at Broad over the Monocacy... I played down there as a kid all the time...facing danger builds character.

[Noah_Zark]

Doesn't matter anymore. She graduated from DSU in May with degrees in Biology and Spanish and is now in nursing school in Pittsburgh getting her BSN. We were in LV over the T-giving break to do some shopping and for her to meet some former classmates. One-shot deal.

Nothing in LV can compete with Primanti Bros anyway. :P

Noah

[ungawa]

...Nothing in LV can compete with Primanti Bros anyway. :P

Noah

Very little in LV can compete with much anywhere else in the world food wise. With a few notable exceptions, and a few honorable mentions. It's going to be bad if you're paying for it. If it's a party, well, that's entirely different Can't understand why people around these parts cook so well yet eat out so poorly.