Five Cool Restaurants and Bars Coming Soon to the Lehigh Valley

by Carrie Havranek

An-ti-ci-pay-shun….. Remember that Heinz tomato ketchup commercial from the late 1970s?  We’re eagerly awaiting the opening of these five cool places in the Lehigh Valley, in no particular order.

1. The Mint, Bethlehem. The owners of Stefano’s in Bethlehem, the Lombardo family, are opening a swanky restaurant on West Broad Street and 12th Avenue. Cleverly, some of the interior (as well as its name) will reflect its former iteration as the Bank of America. The bank’s safe will be converted into a cool-looking wine rack. Look for an opening within weeks. 1223 West Broad Street, Bethlehem; 610-419-3810.

2. The Trapp Door Pub, Emmaus. Sadly, abruptly, and recently, Tap and Table in Emmaus closed. Beer angels in the form of former employees (and former Magnolia’s Vineyard owner John Kerstetter) have swooped in to open up a similar place in the same space, later this month. A few changes, though: according to some early reports, they’ve decided to embrace a few mainstream bottles, but beer lovers, never fear: owners plan to keep some of the more esoteric and hard-to-find brews that made beer lovers love Tap and Table. Grand opening party is slated for May 26. 4226 Chestnut Street, Emmaus; 610-965-1009.

3. Cosmopolitan‘s rooftop deck, Allentown. It’s coming in early June. It promises two separate lounge areas, lots of opportunities for hanging out and drinking from their amazing cocktail list and the restaurant’s extensive menu. I hope they’re still offering that amazing Tuscan-tasting tomato-based cocktail with pickled garlic and rosemary. 22 North 6th Street, Allentown; 610-435-3540.

4. Black and Blue, Easton. Former Which Brew owner Kelly-Jo Ditze is finally opening a new spot in Easton, and loyalists couldn’t be happier. She and partner Larry Porter are setting up in the former Blue Tone Cafe. There’s no exact opening date scheduled yet but it should be soon. Check Facebook under the group “I Utterly Miss Which Brew” for more updates. (Yes, it’s a bit of a wild goose chase to find information, but it’s going to be worth it, we’re sure.)  Black and Blue, 683 Walnut Street, Easton.

5. Tapas on Main, Bethlehem. The former Tortilla Flat/Tika’s is turning into a Spanish-style tapas restaurant, owned by Rafael Palomino of Pacifico at the Promenade Shops and Juan Carlos Paredes. For the indecisive and/or extremely curious and hungry, there can never be too many places with little plates. For those who are really hungry, there will also be entrées, and the food promises Spanish fare with a Latin twist. It’s slated to open sometime in May, just in time for sangria sipping. 500 Main Street, Bethlehem.

Carrie Havranek is a writer in Easton who is almost always hungry. She’d like to direct you to the regular bloggings of Lehigh Valley Transplant, The El Vee, and The Fork City if you’re curious about new stuff popping up in the Valley.

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• Put Your Mouth Where the Money Was: Eat at The Mint in Bethlehem

• Five Cool Places to Recycle

• Five Cool Places for a Slice of Pizza