A Sunny Weekend Roadmap, Farm to Table Favorites, and a Weekend Full of Options

In 1979, Bo Derek starred in the movie “10,” which is what we are rating this weekend’s forecast. This is about as it gets in Monroe County. The rain holds off until Monday. How perfect is that?

Friday is mostly sunny with a high near 82°F and a low around 55°F, just a 5 percent chance of rain. Saturday holds the line, sunny with a high of 83°F and a low of 57°F, 8 percent rain chance. Sunday stays mostly sunny at 83°F with a low of 63°F and just a 4 percent rain chance.

Looking ahead, Monday brings the first crack in the pattern with PM thunderstorms likely, a high of 82°F and a 57 percent rain chance. Tuesday is wetter still; expect thunderstorms with a high of 78°F and a 76 percent chance of rain. If you don’t have plans, that would be a great time to rent “10” with Bo Derek, Dudley Moore, and Julie Andrews.

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Monroe County's culinary scene has quietly blossomed into a destination for locavores, blending the agricultural heritage of Northeast Pennsylvania with creative, scratch-made dining. Here are five great farm-to-table destinations within a short drive, each offering something different: a cozy downtown cafe, a regenerative organic farm, an upscale Main Street eatery, a mountaintop historic stone manor, and a creekside tavern. All have outdoor dining, so take advantage of the great forecast.

Star ratings below are Google Reviews, checked and confirmed by our editor as of noon Thursday.

The Cure Cafe (4.9 Stars). Located right on Main Street in Stroudsburg, this cozy spot is celebrated for its creative daytime fare, specialty coffee drinks, and commitment to fresh, wholesome, locally sourced ingredients. It delivers an exceptional scratch-made experience in a warm, welcoming environment that hits the top of the local charts.

Pocono Organics Café (4.6 Stars). Operating out of a massive 380-acre Regenerative Organic Certified® farm in Blakeslee, this is a premier destination for true seed-to-plate dining. The on-site café utilizes seasonal fruits, vegetables, and microgreens harvested straight from the property's fields and advanced greenhouses, turning out exceptionally fresh, health-conscious bowls and gourmet bites right alongside the growing grounds.

The Farmhouse (4.6 Stars). With locations spanning Stroudsburg, East Stroudsburg, and Blakeslee, Farmhouse brings an upscale, cozy approach to classic American comfort food. Partnering closely with regional Pennsylvania farms, the kitchen keeps things entirely seasonal with scratch-made dishes and artisan cocktails—all served with a strict “no pre-made, no frozen” philosophy.

The French Manor Inn and Spa (4.5 Stars). Perched high in the mountains within a historic 1930s stone manor in Newfoundland, this elegant dining room delivers an upscale, farm-to-table culinary experience. A quick disclosure, since we hold ourselves to a Monroe County-only standard: Newfoundland sits just over the line in Wayne County, but it is close enough (and good enough) that we are making an exception this week. The kitchen emphasizes fine, locally sourced ingredients and classic French-inspired techniques, complemented by sweeping, panoramic views of the surrounding Poconos landscape. A quick warning: the high-class food is matched by high-class prices so check your credit limit before you head out.

The Willow Tree Inn Restaurant (4.3 Stars). Standing beside the pristine McMichaels Creek in Stroudsburg for nearly two centuries, the historic Willow Tree Inn combines timeless Poconos charm with a serious commitment to farm-fresh dining. Helmed by a culinary-trained chef, the kitchen emphasizes scratch-made American fusion, sourcing herbs, produce, and meats from nearby local growers, to be enjoyed inside the historic rooms or out on the multi-level creekside deck.

Thank you to the Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau for sourcing our weekend lineups. Their events calendar did the legwork so you don't have to. Here are our picks:

Friday. Shawnee Playhouse opens its run of Matilda Jr., a fun pick if you are looking for family theater to start the weekend. Blue Ridge Winery in Saylorsburg hosts a one-day-only Summer Soiree, a nice excuse to revisit the winery we told you about back in our July wineries roundup. And if you want something low-key to close out the night, The Olivet in Tannersville has live music.

Saturday. Start the morning at the Monroe Farmers Market at Courthouse Square in Stroudsburg, rain or shine, though this Saturday you will not need the umbrella. The Taproom by Barley Creek in Tannersville throws a one-day-only 80s Party if you are feeling nostalgic. Sherman Theater in Stroudsburg has Willie and the Poor Boys II for one night only. And Camelback Resort brings back illusionist Jason Bishop with his Straight Up Magic show for anyone who wants air conditioning and a little sleight of hand with their Saturday. And if Bishop isn’t your cup of tea, you can head to Mount Airy casino nearby and watch your savings disappear without the cover charge.

Sunday. Catch the Gazebo Concert series in Delaware Water Gap for a relaxed Sunday soundtrack. And with three straight days of sun behind you, Sunday is a great day to finally Tour the Castle Inn in Delaware Water Gap if you have been putting it off since we wrote about Founders Day in Delaware Water Gap a few weeks ago.

Have a great weekend, Monroe County. Storms return Monday, so get your outdoor time in while you can.