By Taylor Smith 

Serving lunch, dinner, brunch, and cocktails in quaint New Hope, Pa., since 1978, Karla’s Restaurant at 5 West Mechanic Street features a European flair and an open-air setting that offers plenty of opportunities for people watching. Yelp reviewers repeatedly recommend both the outdoor seating and sunroom dining experiences. 

Tasty brunch offerings include a quiche du jour and house salad, Bananas Foster French Toast, multiple variations of Eggs Benedict, and a tantalizing lineup of omelettes (fresh herb and cream cheese, anyone?).

On the lunch menu are a Moroccan Onion & Goat Cheese Burger; Adobo Crusted Grilled Tuna Club; Korean BBQ Tacos; Gorgonzola Garlic Bread; Panko Crusted Mac & Cheese with ham, spinach, or bacon; and a Crab Cake Sandwich with avocado on brioche. 

Fresh fruit martinis and margaritas can be ordered as classic lime, passionfruit, blood orange, mango, or ruby red grapefruit. Red, white, and sparkling wines are offered by the bottle and glass. Each of Karla’s signature cocktails is guaranteed to “be made with fresh ingredients and a whole lot of love.” The Juniper Breeze is gin, grapefruit juice, lime, and St. Germaine. For a kick, try the Hot Momma featuring Altos Silver tequila, lime hibiscus, and chipotle. Russian Brunch is vodka, champagne, and blood orange. The Cappuccino Martini is surprising and delicious. 

Evening diners can partake in French Onion Soup; Crispy Calamari with spicy Harissa Aioli; Braised Short Ribs of Beef & Scallops; Stuffed Chicken; risotto of the day; and Grilled Bronzino with anchovy butter, roasted baby potato, and Brussels sprouts. Finally, house-cut fries are available by the plate or basket. 

For over 20 years, Karla’s has served a special Local’s Night menu as a way to say thank you to all of their returning customers. The three-course tasting menu ranges from $12-19 for soup or salad, entree, coffee, tea, and dessert. There are always plenty of options, and the menu changes weekly. Barry Peterson is featured on guitar from 7-10 p.m. and dinner is served from 5 to 10 p.m. Local’s Night is typically every Monday night. Visit http://www.karlasnewhope.com for a current event schedule, or call 215.862.2612.