Foodies have already gotten familiar with the Barn, the former clubhouse of Indian Creek Golf Course converted into a refined rustic sanctuary packing a lengthy craft beer list, live music on Friday nights and appetite-filling sandwiches.
While the Barn opened in late April, we now have our first look at the second part of the two-building operation off Chestnut Street in Emmaus called the House, which opened Oct. 7 in the former Farmhouse restaurant that closed three years ago.
At House & Barn — though separated by just a matter of feet, the House is in Emmaus, while the Barn is in Upper Milford Township — the Barn plays the role of “refined rustic,” while the House is more “casual elegance,” according to executive chef Nate Weida.
“We wanted to find that balance between the fine dining and the casual dining, and I think we hit the mark on that,” Weida said about the House.
Weida cooked up a menu of small plates made with local and fresh ingredients. The menu, which features 24 dishes ranging from $8 to $22, includes the farmers salad ($8), the braised pork belly ($16) and the foie gras (candied brioche, poached pears and autumn citrus gastrique for $18).
There’s also a four-item dessert menu ($10 each) that includes a lemon tart (caramelized lemon dust, rosemary creme and blueberry “jelly”) and chocolate textures (mousse, milk, fudge, cookie, cake and crumble).
“Really, what I want diners to do here is enjoy themselves, make an experience for themselves and not be locked into any one entree,” said Weida, adding that small plates “doesn’t mean you’re going to go home hungry.”
What they’re finding, according to co-owner Carl Billera, is that customers are ordering two or three items and sharing. He added they’re not looking to turn tables every hour, instead hoping that people stay as long as they want and enjoy the experience. Already, the House, which seats about 100, has had customers stay for 3 1/2 hours, Billera said.
After all, there’s a lot to experience in the House in addition to the food and drink menu, which includes about 10 classic cocktails, more than 65 varieties of wine and at least 50 different beers.
The mostly cosmetic remodel of the House was led by the Lehigh Valley’s Tangled Root Interiors, which also did the work on the Barn.
One of the first rooms on the main floor of the House features original wide-plank pumpkin pine floors that were redone. The structure’s windows and deep window sills were maintained, in addition to the original fireplace in the restaurant’s gathering room, where people can have a drink, get something to eat and hang out.
But what former regulars of the Farmhouse have really wanted to see, Billera said, is what became of the old bar on the structure’s bottom level that could only seat a handful of people.
What the House did was extend the bar to accommodate more people. But while the bar was revamped, the original back bar remains. And right outside the space is the tavern lounge — once you sit in one of the comfortable round chairs there, “you won’t want to get up,” Billera said.
While Billera and his business partners, Scott Amey and husband and wife Peter and Nicole Adams, have future phases planned for the site (additional outdoor seating will supplement the Barn’s patio next year), they believe their vision for the property is coming together nicely.
For one, the Barn — which Billera said he was approached at one time to turn into a microbrewery — has been busy in its first 5 1/2 months, especially with private parties.
And now with the more upscale House open as well, Billera has given people who visit the property two distinctly different venues to enjoy.
House & Barn is closed on Sundays and Mondays, except for private parties. On Tuesday through Thursday, the House is open from 4 to 9 p.m., while the Barn is open from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on those days. On Fridays and Saturdays, the House is open from 4 to 11 p.m., while the Barn is open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Info: houseandbarn.net.
Turning our appetites toward Bethlehem, changes are underway at Broadway Social.
The 3-year-old restaurant and nightclub at 217 Broadway has hired a new general manager, Steve Gilbert, as well as new kitchen staff.
It’s introduced an entirely new food menu, which includes more than a dozen small plates ($6-$12) such as pulled pork spring rolls, house-made tater tots and chicken wings (available in five different sauces); and five entrees ($19-$27), including braised beef short ribs, lump crab cakes and wild salmon.
A new cocktail list includes about a dozen drinks ($8-$10), including The Mountain Hawk, Social Mojito and Southside Sunrise.
There’s still 20 rotating draft beers, but all food and drink prices have been reduced.
“We want to appeal to everybody,” owner Greg Salomoni said. “The trend over the past few years has definitely been tapas-style dining and we’re offering a lot more small plates at affordable price points.”
Salomoni also recently introduced a new shuttle bus that transports up to 30 guests to the venue, either as part of a package or as a courtesy.
“Now, people don’t need to worry about driving,” he said. “We come to you.”
The biggest change is yet to come though.
Salomoni is working on another yet-to-be-named dining/social spot, which he is hoping to open in the spring, in the adjacent building that previously housed a salon and three apartments.
On the first floor, there will be an eatery in the front with a dance floor and overflow dining for Broadway Social in the back half, he said.
On the second floor, there will be a party room with a versatile stage opening to a rooftop patio.
The second floor is being raised with new steel beams and both floors will feature interior connections to Broadway Social.
The new venue was prompted by a few factors, including Salomoni’s desire to accommodate more private parties (multiple events will be able to be hosted at the same time), as well as his desire to serve food into the very early morning hours, a market that is “currently underserved.”
“It also will spread out the crowd on weekends,” he said. “We have people coming from Kutztown, Scranton, Philadelphia and Jersey just to party with us.”
The new venue will offer a “whole new scene,” especially with live music, Salomoni said.
Menu items will include unique takes on mac and cheese, omelettes, pizza and other comfort foods, along with some healthy options such as salads and wraps.
Salomoni is planning to tease the concept by introducing a late-night menu at Broadway Social within the next couple weeks.
“We’re all about versatility,” Salamoni said. “We already have people coming for dinner, then hanging out at the bar and then coming upstairs to party the night away. Sometimes we’ll also do something else like a comedy night, teen night or burlesque show. People label us as just a nightclub, but we do it all.” Info: thebroadwaysocial.com.
Shifting gears into the dealership world, Ciocca Subaru in Wescosville earlier this month held its grand reopening of the dealership at 4611 Hamilton Blvd.
The $2.25 million renovation and expansion, a nine-month project that started in January, added 3,500 square feet to the dealership’s showroom, where six cars — up from three — can now be displayed.
In addition, the number of sales stations increased from 12 to 25, the number of business offices increased from three to 11 and the customer lounge was redesigned with complimentary Wi-Fi, beverages and a big screen TV.
Changes have also been made to four Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores in Pennsylvania, including one local location in Quakertown.
The store refresh includes a new product assortment, redesigned merchandising and new fixtures and signage.
“With updated signage and the integration of new touch-screen kiosks these communities will find that we’ve enhanced and modernized our approach,” said Jerry Foringer, a district manager of Sears Hometown Stores in Pennsylvania.
With the new store design, appliances occupy more than half of the sales floor and include more brands with improved presentation. Info: searshometownstores.com.
For those who often find themselves hungry while pressed for time, here is some news regarding a trio of popular quick-service chains.
First, a Wendy’s restaurant recently opened on South Cedar Crest Boulevard in the Cedar Point West shopping center in South Whitehall Township.
The stand-alone eatery with a drive-thru is where Friendly’s once stood, about 50 yards away from where another Wendy’s was torn down in the same shopping center.
At the former Wendy’s location, construction of a new Wawa is in its early stages. Messages seeking a tentative opening date have not been returned.
Second, baked goods chain Cinnabon recently closed on the lower level of the Lehigh Valley Mall in Whitehall Township.
According to mall spokesperson Jordan Washington, the mall is finalizing details on a new brand for the space for early 2017.
Lastly, the Valley’s second Steak ‘n Shake restaurant will call the Madison Farms complex on Freemansburg Avenue in Bethlehem Township home.
According to a rendering on the project’s website, the 2,520-square-foot eatery will be adjacent to a PA Premium Wine & Spirits store.
The fast food chain, known for its steakburgers and hand-dipped milkshakes, opened its first area location in the spring in Fogelsville. Messages seeking a tentative opening date for the Bethlehem Township eatery have not been returned.
Let’s finish with some news from Lehighton:
First, the Carbon Chamber and Economic Development Corporation on Sept. 20 hosted a grand opening celebration of Bonnie & Clyde Pub & Grill at 111 N. First St.
The full-service restaurant and bar, owned by Joyce and Stephen Mazalewski, offers 36 seasonally changing draft beers, specialty drinks and a food menu that includes salads, sandwiches, wraps and customizable “burgers & such” (natural raised chicken breast, roasted portobello mushroom, GMO-free beef patty and organic bison).
Other menu highlights include appetizers such as drunken’ clams and spring rolls and various beef, chicken and seafood entrees.
Entertainment includes occasional live music, NFL Sunday Ticket and trivia (8-10 p.m. Wednesdays). Info: 610-377-0777.
Second, Habitat Building Group on Wednesday held a grand opening of its new showroom at 613 E. Blakeslee Blvd.
Highlighted in the vast array of kitchen and living space settings are award-winning domestic manufacturers such as Waypoint and Fabuwood.
The new showroom displays a plethora of stylish interiors, cabinetry design, innovative fixtures, modern counter-top materials and more. It also showcases options for your home’s exterior, including siding, roofing, windows, doors and decking.
The full-service home builder and remodeling company was founded by Brian Valish. Info: habitatbuildinggroup.com.
Retail Watch keeps track of new stores, restaurants and banks in the Lehigh Valley. Contact Ryan Kneller at 610-820-6597 or retailwatch@mcall.com. Retail Watch appears every Sunday.
