Eat, drink and get a Taste of Allentown

By Rebecca Sodergren  |  Read Original Article on Post Gazette Website

A Taste of Allentown returns for the third year on Friday.

It is the Allentown business district’s longest-running business showcase and offers small bites from eight restaurants and caterers that are served with beer or wine.

Onion Maiden, Black Market Deli, Leon’s Caribbean, Paisano’s, Phat Girlz A Cookin’, Mi Empanada, Breakfast at Shelly’s and Alla Famiglia will provide food. While Breakfast at Shelly’s and Alla Famiglia will serve their dishes on site, the other six serve small bites at six other stops that will be open for the event: Black Forge Coffee House, Hilltop Pharmacy, Weeping Glass, Dark Root Barbershop, Dr. Tumblety’s Apothecary & Tasting Lounge and WorkHardPGH.

Guests will be able to stroll through the businesses and taste the small plates between 6 and 8 p.m. The event closes at Alla Famiglia with an after-party.

The fact that the event is only three years old doesn’t negate its significance as the neighborhood’s longest-running business showcase. Four years ago, Allentown’s business district had over a 45% vacancy rate. Now it’s less than 15%, according to Gordon Hall, who serves as the Allentown business district manager for Hilltop Alliance, an economic development organization serving 11 South Pittsburgh neighborhoods.

The East Warrington business district in Allentown is being revitalized, and this event is “our flagship thing,” Mr. Hall said. “It’s a good way for the businesses to collaborate with one another. It’s a small but close-knit business district.”

This year’s menu is still under wraps. In previous years, Alla Famiglia served mini tiramisus; Mi Empanada served three types of empanadas including sweet potato and black bean; Leon’s made jerk chicken wings; Phat Girlz served peach cobbler; and Onion Maiden made mini vegan doughnuts, Mr. Hall said.

Ticket sales are capped at 150. Tickets are $30 and are available on eventbrite.com (search for 3rd Annual — A Taste of Allentown). Hilltop Alliance has also announced a promo code: Save $10 by entering the code “Discount” at the eventbrite checkout.

Proceeds will be used toward continued improvements to the business district.

Rebecca Sodergren: pgfoodevents@hotmail.com; @pgfoodevents.

Correction, posted June 13, 2019: The story has been updated to reflect the correct day the Taste of Allentown will be held.

First Published June 12, 2019, 8:00am