by Maddie Marriott
MORNING, NOON, OR NIGHT, Passerine in Lancaster is open to provide everything from omelets to cocktails in the city’s downtown.
Passerine owner (and Passenger Coffee co-owner) Kyle Sollenberger was on a mission to provide a space that could be home to a full day’s worth of dining when he opened this past April.
“I really had a desire to create an all-day space, so we have a brunch menu from 10 to 3, and our dinner menu that’s served from 5 to 9,” he says. In between, patrons can enjoy an early happy hour by sampling one of the 20 beverages on tap, which include eight beers and a collection of wines and batch cocktails.
“It’s a lot of hours to keep, but we really felt that it was important to provide that to our community—to provide a place where you can have a nice business lunch or a night out with your significant other,” says Sollenberger. (If his name is familiar, it’s because he separately co-owns Merrymaker Catering, Commissary Kitchen & Bakery, and Prince Street Café.)
Passerine’s menu can be described as French-inspired New American, with small bites and shareable plates. The café takes full advantage of the abundant local farms and purveyors and the menu varies significantly based on the season. Their popular springtime mushroom soup, for example, was switched out for a chilled squash soup when summer rolled around.
Beverages at Passerine in Lancaster, too, proudly feature favorites from close to home: 60 percent of the over 100 wines in their connected bottle shop come from Appalachia or the East Coast, and their beer and cider inventory features breweries as close as Bulls Head Public House in Lititz.
Sollenberger recommends reserving a table on Resy for a dinner visit. To keep up with all their happenings, including sneak peeks at the current menu, visit cafepasserine.com or @cafepasserine on Instagram.
9 Can’t-Miss Fall Festivals Full of Food
by Maddie Marriott
Once fall hits, there’s seemingly no end to the number of great things to do outdoors that celebrate food, drink, and everything in between. Here are nine worth driving out of your way for.
Boyertown Oktoberfest
September 15 & 16
Town Center in Boyertown
buildingabetterboyertown.org/oktoberfest
Every Deutschland-lover’s dream, the festival features themed games, vendors, food, and—most importantly—beer.
Celtic Classic Festival
September 22, 23, 24 | Historic Downtown
Bethlehem | celticfest.org
Celebrate all things Celtic with this festival: traditional sports, bagpiping, dancing, and food from Ireland and the British Isles.
Lititz Craft Beer Fest
September 23 | TAIT in Lititz | lititzcraftbeerfest.com
As if beer and food trucks don’t have enough appeal on their own, the proceeds of this event benefit local charities.
Blues Festival
September 30 | Blue Ridge Winery & Vineyard in Saylorsburg | discovernepa.com
This is the third year for this musical event, which combines Blue Ridge’s world of wine with the cool sounds of live blues—plus plenty of food trucks.
Monocacy Farm Food Festival
October 1 | Bridle Path Road in Bethlehem | monocacyfarmproject.org
Bring the kids to this one, especially if you love listening to live music, petting animals, eating local food, and learning more about farm life.
Bethlehem Oktoberfest
October 6, 7, 8; 13, 14, 15
SteelStacks in Bethlehem
steelstacks.org/festivals/oktoberfest
If October rolls around and you haven’t had your fill of beer yet, join this celebration with brews, food, and local businesses.
Easton Garlic Festival
October 7 & 8 | Centre Square in Easton eastongarlicfest.com
Ever tried garlic ice cream? Come eat, drink, and stink at the 20<sup>th</sup> annual celebration of garlic in downtown Easton.
Lehigh Valley VegStock
October 14 | Llantrisant Retreat and Wellness Center in Tatamy lvvegstock.org
VegStock celebrates all things plant-based, so you can feel good about the delicious offerings in a pretty setting along the Bushkill Creek.
PA Bacon Fest
November 4 & 5
Larry Holmes Drive in Easton
pabaconfest.com
Festival-goers will see downtown Easton transform into the land of (bacon) grease, love, and happiness. Park your car and take the shuttle.
