Bethlehem is getting a brand new sushi and hibachi spot that offers a nod to the city’s steel manufacturing history. Steak & Steel Hibachi will inhabit a 4,300 sq. ft. space at 44 W. Walnut St. when it opens this summer.
“We wanted to pay homage to the history of Bethlehem in our name,” partner Rob Lewis told What Now Philadelphia. “We also intend to have steel throughout the restaurant. The steel hits home for me too, because my dad worked at Bethlehem Steel. It’s been a part of a lot of people’s lives in Lehigh Valley.”
Steak & Steel Hibachi is owned by a restauranteur group that also owns MYST in Jim Thorpe, a sushi/hibachi/gastropub, and Witch City Hibachi in Salem, MA. Lewis, who previously worked as a manager at MYST, partnered with Mike Heiser, Joshua Crownover, and Mao Xiang Lin to open the Bethlehem location.
“I just love this city. I love the way it’s growing and thriving and becoming more and more of a suburb of Philadelphia if you will. We felt there should be a really awesome sushi and hibachi place here,” Lewis said. “And also, the people in Bethlehem are awesome. Everyone is so nice. It’s a very wholesome and connected area. As a small business, we try to assimilate into that level of community and integratedness. And we hope to be the place people automatically think of in Bethlehem when they think of sushi and hibachi.”
Steak & Steel Hibachi will have six hibachi tables that seat about 55, along with a sushi bar and a cocktail bar. Their menu is centered around fresh ingredients that come in multiple deliveries per week for peak freshness and includes all your favorite authentic Japanese kitchen fare, sushi rolls, and hibachi dishes. The restaurant will also have a full craft cocktail menu and specialty sakes and wine by the bottle and pour to enjoy while dining or hanging out at the bar. Steak & Steel Hibachi will have gluten-free and vegan options, as well as offer an English-fluent guest experience so guests can clearly convey food allergies and preparation requests to the restaurant’s staff.
In addition to the location’s industrial steel decor, the partners intend to adorn their walls with art from local artists. They currently allow artists to sell their work at their MYST location as long as the artist provides a new art piece for their wall every time one is sold. Steak & Steel Hibachi also plans to have promotions offering discounts to college kids and other groups in town. The Japanese restaurant will make dining out easy, even in bad weather. Across the street is a 750 car parking garage with a covered walkway to the restaurant that allows you to stay dry even when it’s raining.
The restaurant is currently waiting on construction and liquor licenses approval before they open. Until then, you can follow them on Facebook here.
