Warming Up to Jumbars

Exterior of Jumbars in Bethlehem, PA
Even though my first breakfast at Jumbars didn't live up to my expectations, leaving me feeling disappointed and underwhelmed, I was determined to give their weekend brunch another shot. Especially since Stephen is such a huge fan of their pancakes.



Outdoor Seating at Jumbars in Bethlehem, PA

Because the interior of Jumbars is small, they must maximize the space as best they can in order to accommodate more people at once. Unfortunately, the cramped dining experience that results doesn't translate to the relaxed Sunday brunch that I prefer. Once they started offering outdoor seating, everything changed and our breakfasts at Jumbars turned into more pleasant affairs.

We could sit a relatively spacious table and soak in the sunshine while reading the Sunday Times without worrying about blocking the aisle with our elbows or bumping into the people sitting at the next table as we turned the page.

Much better.

Breakfast Parfait at Jumbars in Bethlehem, PA

And, for some reason, having more room to maneuver made the food taste better. In addition to coffee, which is a non-negotiable brunch must for both of us, Stephen likes to start with the Breakfast Parfait ($4.00). Whole-milk organic yogurt is layered with seasonal fruit and pure maple syrup and then topped with their house-made granola.

I've never watched a man devour yogurt so quickly in my life. I tried to sneak a spoonful once and almost lost my hand.

Omelette Special at Jumbars in Bethlehem, PA

For me, omelettes are the thing to order at Jumbars. On this occasion, I had the Omelette Special ($9.00). The omelette was filled with crab, asparagus, and farmer's cheese and served with toast (rye, in this case) and potatoes on the side. I enjoyed this omelette much more than the New England Omelette I had on my first visit to the restaurant. The flavors were balanced and the freshness of the farmer's cheese really elevated the dish to the next level.

I do have to be critical about one thing, though. The potatoes, arguably one of my favorite components of Sunday brunch. Jumbars has been consistently inconsistent in their preparation of their potatoes. Some come out of the kitchen cooked perfectly, crisp on the outside and tender on the inside, while others are unmistakably raw. There's room for improvement there.

I wouldn't say that Jumbars is my favorte brunch spot in the Lehigh Valley, but I am warming up to the idea of adding them to our regular weekend rotation.

Jumbars

1342 Chelsea Avenue

Bethlehem, PA 18018

(610) 866-1660 | Map

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