The Orchid, a new upscale Italian steakhouse, is set to open in the former home of Molinari’s at 322 E 3rd St in Bethlehem this spring, representing the culmination of eight months’ work by head Chef Genc Gashi and his girlfriend Samantha Gangewere.
“[Genc] is the former head chef at the best steakhouse in the Lehigh Valley, Three Oak, and I bartended and served about eight years,” Gangewere tells What Now Philadelphia. “And then I gave up the restaurant life and I full-time model right now, so I’ve been saving up money for a restaurant for a long time. And then we met, and we both had the same passion, and wound up opening this restaurant by ourselves.”
Although specifics of the menu are still under wraps, with Gashi telling local media outlet WFMZ earlier this week that it’s “a bit of a secret right now,” it was revealed that the restaurant will offer scratch pastas made in-house and only the highest-quality steaks, as well as salads and appetizers, with Gashi adding, “it’s definitely going to be different than what everyone else is offering in the area.”
Gangewere echoed the sentiment, saying The Orchid – named for Gashi’s sister Orhidea, or Orchid in their native Albanian – will be “something new for the Lehigh Valley,” ultimately bringing a younger vibe and aesthetic to a culinary scene that’s remained largely unchanged over the years.
Cannot support this restaurant – co-owner proudly post transphbic things all over the internet – that is not welcome or in line with the open and accepting community in the south side of Bethlehem
Agreed! Not only is the co-owner transphobic, she is racist, sexist and just all around hateful!
Drew Pittock, you might want to remove your name from this article unless you want to be associated with the hateful co-owner Sammy Gangewere.
Drew doesn’t care. He’s all the way down in Texas, which begs the question: why is he writing about a restaurant in Bethlehem, PA? Consider your news sources carefully people.
Please look into the HORRIBLE things Samantha, the owner, has said on multiple social media platforms about the gay and trans community, Black Lives Matter, rape victims, autistic kids, death threats, etc. Please do not spend your money at this restaurant. There are plenty of places not owned by bigots.
Joining the chorus here, but the views held by Gangewere are not in line with the views and values of the city of Bethlehem. Unless you want your money going to an openly racist and transphobic person, who also makes hateful comments about autistic children and terminally ill people, stay far away from this place.
I am deeply troubled by the hateful posts shared by this owner. I will not be supporting this business and I encourage others to do the same.
There is no way I will be supporting this business after what I’ve seen on the owners social media
No plans to support this restaurant. The co-owner Samantha is openly hateful to trans people, disabled people and more on her social media platforms. Take your hate somewhere else. Bethlehem doesn’t want it!
Absolutely disgusting and hateful people. I’ll be telling all family, friends, acquaintances of all the disgusting things these people have said and make sure I keep spreading the word. You should be ashamed of yourself for writing an article featuring openly hateful bigots.
After learning of this owners hateful social media posts, and then her doubling down when faced with recent backlash, there is absolutely no way I will be patronizing her business. Hate as no home in Bethlehem.
Philly, do better the owners spread hateful comments about every minority group.
Such a shame there are so many hateful people on here attempting to destroy someone because they don’t share the same views as you all. Not even that she doesn’t share the same views, but, that whatever she says will be twisted to make her look like she is anti trans, anti gay, racist on and on and on of whatever you wish to accuse her of. You reposting things and twisting things around makes you far worse than what your assumptions or interpretations are of what she is saying! Why don’t you all go on with your lives and… Read more »
Of course you’re anonymous. The only reason you would be anonymous is because you know that what you posted is inherently and morally wrong. So, minorities should just sit back and be silent while hateful “public figures” blatantly attack them on a public forum? They shouldn’t say anything? They shouldn’t make that figure’s hatefulness known to the population that surrounds her? I heard the restaurant is going to be near a known LGTBQ+ teen spot. How is that not worrisome? Oh, that’s right, their safety and well-being doesn’t matter. Bigots attract more bigots, and that’s all who would dine at… Read more »
Oh, I’m anonymous because I have a life and don’t want pathetic trolls creeping on my social media when they probably should be minding their children or their own business. If you happen to not like a TV show, do you continue to watch it or change the channel and move on? Do you sit a dwell over it or do you move on with your life? I don’t know about all of you, but, I happen to have a life and enjoy living it- minding my own business. I happen to come across this and I am open minded… Read more »
Racist. Homophobic. Ableist. All words that describe this owner. The community is boycotting this place.
Love this place, at least I don’t have to worry about the they/thems being here and ruining my evening.