Two Cool Places in Downtown Bethlehem (or My Big Mouth, Big Waist, Big Head)

I love a good Reuben, and got one yesterday at Deja Brew on 4th Street in Bethlehem.  The rye bread was thick and toasted just right, the corned beef sliced thin with not a bit of extra fat, and the sauerkraut fresh (and it didn't overwhelm the sandwich, which fit perfectly into my big mouth. . .)

My iced Americano -- believe me, I'm picky about Americanos, especially after living in Seattle -- was excellent, though it could have used a bit more ice.  I was there with two of my sisters, one of whom also had an iced Americano and chugged it down (go, Lyd!), obviously cafeeine-deprived, or maybe just used to drinking her coffee really fast, the way she eats. . . Ret had a mocha with skim and sipped hers in a very ladylike (as my Mom would say) fashion throughout her lunch.  After the caffeine hit, though, she let loose, which fit in well with the bustling lunch atmosphere at this obviously popular local spot.

The staff were all very friendly, and the layout open and inviting.  The walls were covered with local arts news and posters, and being a huge Beatles fan, it didn't take me long to spy the post that was painted with Sergeant Pepper-era Beatles.  I look forward to re-visiting for one of Jeff's Pulp-Fiction-inspired sandwiches.

Before Lunch, we stopped at Underwired to browse and chat with Lisa.  I used the Gift Certificate I'd won from Lisa's Mother's Day contest, where I'd entered a picture of Aunt Moogs (see the Underwired blog). I tried on a couple of 50's dresses.  Let me tell you (and Lisa agreed) -- waists were smaller back then, (some heads were, too, as all of the hats I tried on just sat on top of mine).  Although I was able get the zipper up, I would have had to wear Spanx underneath if I wanted to go for a Reuben in that dress!

I ended up with a dear little 1944 Modern Library Edition of Green Mansions, and a big ring that I plan to wear on my index finger.

It's great to see two old buildings in Bethlehem being creatively and respectfully utilized.  There's an art to coffee-making, and an art to the handling and display of vintage clothes and artifacts.  At Deja Brew and Underwired, artists are at work.  Their work is done with the care and attention to details that make for successful small businesses.  Check them out next time you're on the South Side.