571529 Tue Nov 11 20:45:30 -0800 2008 3 15 Pennsylvania 0 4166365 We just got home from an amazing dinner at an intimate restaurant in an old inn in Bethlehem, PA of all places. In the 13 years we have been in the Lehigh Valley we have seen a welcome transformation in the food scene with the opening of some excellent restaurants over that time. After our meal tonight at Bolete Restaurant I realize I no longer have to travel to Philly, New York, Portland, Kennebunkport or Little Washingtonin to have a meal prepared with creativity and and true passion for the art of cuisine. The 6 course tasting menu was a reasonable $75 with a cheap $50 wine pairing considering there was a wine for each of the courses and a California port with desert.. Given the casual dress of the front of the house staff I was surprised by his knowledge of preparation of the food and the surprising wines chosen for the pairing. It was clear the young owners had taken great pain to recruit from outside the area to hire suitable staff to handle the cuisine. The only iffy course for my wife and adult daughter was the salad course with crispy duck confit topped with a soft boiled egg that was dipped in panko and I assume then lightly deep fried to crisp the panko. If it was a quail egg it would have been perfect but given the chef's prediliction to buying local I understand. The chef owner and his maitre'd wife were very engaging and it was refreshing to meet two young people living their dream. Sorry for the rambling but I was so impressed, I just felt the need to share. Tue Nov 11 20:45:30 -0800 2008 216123 folprivate 1 4166849 Thanks for posting this. I have heard of Bolete and will definitely plan to visit soon. I am from Kennebunkport. Where do you like to eat when you visit there? Wed Nov 12 05:59:33 -0800 2008 4166365 163011 crazyspice 2 4167047 The White Barn Inn is our favorite and we enjoy Stripers as well. I can't remember the names of some of the other places we have eaten. We have been going to Maine for over 20 years and our closest friends moved to Scarbourough about 10 years ago. We have had some great fine dining and pub meals in Portland and Ogunquit as well. Wed Nov 12 07:16:19 -0800 2008 4166849 216123 folprivate 3 4167512 We really enjoy Stripers. We like the beer at Federal Jack's too. There are a couple of restaurants in Dock Square I don't really care for. When I was growing up , I worked at The Riverview, long gone now. K-port has really changed! Wed Nov 12 09:42:02 -0800 2008 4167047 163011 crazyspice