Living Our Bucket List Life: November 2015

My spouse and I dined at The Hamilton Kitchen most recently on a Sunday afternoon in early November 2015; however, we have dined there several additional times since it opened in July of 2014, both as a couple and with extended family. Valet parking is available for a charge ($6 currently), although we have always managed to find our own parking on the street or in a nearby parking lot. The Hamilton Kitchen is open daily for lunch (brunch on the weekends) and dinner. They accept reservations by telephone and via the Open Table reservation system.

The Hamilton Kitchen is located on the corner of Seventh and Hamilton Streets in Downtown Allentown, just across the street from the PPL Center. The restaurant footprint has a huge outdoor patio (which is used well beyond the summer season because they have outdoor heaters that resemble giant lamps) with modular bar units, regular tables and chairs, and high top tables and chairs. Inside, the bar area is light and bright because of the many windows that overlook the patio beyond to the bustling intersection. The bar itself seats about 25 guests, and it prominently features more than 100 whiskeys in a glass case at one end. (The restaurant also serves cocktails, beer, wine, and non-alcoholic drinks.) The bar area contains several high-top tables that can hold various size parties. There are three areas to the dining room, one of which can be closed off to accommodate private parties; two of these areas hold both booths and tables, and one holds tables only. The vaulted ceilings are made of beautiful curved brick arches, accented by wood, hand-painted ceramic tiles, and leather seating. Vintage jugs, baskets, buckets and other rustic accents add to the ambience. Be sure to check out the enlarged postcards of Downtown Allentown from the early 1900s that hang in the hallway on your way to the restrooms.

We have enjoyed many different menu items here, and all have been good, including chicken pot pie, meatloaf, beef short rib, fried chicken, pasta, flatbreads, and charcuterie; however, our favorites are the pork belly, the prosciutto and arugula flatbread, the grits, and the peanut butter pie. The restaurant has made modifications to the menu since it opened, which shows that they care about pleasing their diners. (Old menu items that we did not love including the chicherones are no longer offered; however, at one point they served a gnocchi with short rib that was amazing and is no longer available). The menu prices range from single digit snacks and appetizers to more pricey $20+ entrees, so there is something to fit everyone’s budget. Service staff have always been professional and knowledgeable.

We really enjoy the upscale comfort food at The Hamilton Kitchen, and it will remain one of our “go to” spots for lunch and dinner. We particularly like that they are open all day on Saturdays and Sundays.

November 2017:

My spouse and I dined at Kome most recently on a Friday evening in late November 2015 along with several family members. We have dined at Kome many times over the years since it opened in December of 2008. Kome is the sister restaurant to Ooka in Doylestown. Kome is open for lunch and dinner daily. Reservations are available by telephone or using the Open Table system (however, you cannot reserve on the hibachi side of the restaurant on-line).

Kome contains three areas: the modern-looking bar/lounge area, the hibachi room, and the fine-dining room. We have eaten all of our meals in the dining room, except for one single visit to the hibachi side with work colleagues. This review focuses on our dining room experiences.

The dining room features seating on two levels: the main level contains booths, tables, and a sushi bar, while the second-story mezzanine offers table seating and is generally reserved for private events or overflow when the restaurant is exceptionally full. The décor features high ceilings and light-colored leather booths with wooden tables. In warm weather, patio seating is available using all-weather wicker furniture.

On our most recent visit, we shared a few appetizers: edamame, pork gyoza (dumplings), and calamari. Please note that the appetizers at Kome are served in smallish portions; each dish is carefully crafted and presented, but it is not enormous. Each dish feeds 2 people approximately. (For example, do not expect a pile of calamari; instead, the rings are laid out one by one and next to each other, topped with a few tiny octopi.) Some of our favorite appetizers are the cold filet mignon (shabu shabu) and the cajun tuna bites, but we have enjoyed many other dishes on their menu including the warm carpaccio, mushroom toban, tempura, Asian pear/beet salad, popcorn chicken (with apricot sauce), fried chicken bites (with three different types of matcha salt), seaweed salad, and udon and soba noodle dishes, and nearly every one has been an overwhelming success. The sushi (both “regular” and “soyless designer”), sashimi, and specialty rolls are also highly recommended because they are of the freshest quality. The menu usually features some specials (two or three appetizers, and two or three entrees), and we often order from that because of its variety. Desserts like the bento box (chef’s choice of four items that most recently included crème brulee [with a fruit gelee topping that was surprisingly good], pumpkin tiramisu, poached pears, and pistachio house-made ice cream), but the deconstructed banana split is another favorite. We have also enjoyed Kome’s omakase (tasting) menu on several occasions, but the restaurant does not offer it nearly enough (and never during busy dinner hours on weekends)!

We truly love Kome, and we think that it is one of the best restaurants in the Lehigh Valley (also high on our list are Bolete in Bethlehem, Ocean in Easton, and the Savory Grill in Seisholtsville).