A new restaurant will bring some sizzle to downtown Bethlehem’s dining scene.

Steak & Steel Hibachi, a full-service restaurant offering sushi, hibachi dishes and Asian fusion specialties such as traditional Chinese dumplings and Japanese udon noodles, is expected to open in late fall at 44 W. Walnut St., partner Rob Lewis said.

Steak & Steel Hibachi, a full-service restaurant offering sushi, hibachi dishes and Asian fusion specialties such as traditional Chinese dumplings and Japanese udon noodles, is expected to open in late fall at 44 W. Walnut St. in downtown Bethlehem. (Ryan Kneller/The Morning Call)

“We’re shooting for November,” Lewis said in reference to the business’ target opening date. “That would be the best case scenario.”

Steak & Steel Hibachi, named in honor of Bethlehem’s rich steel-making heritage, is owned by a restaurateur group that also operates MYST, a nearly three-year-old gastropub specializing in sushi and hibachi dishes in Jim Thorpe.

The group also operates about a half dozen other Asian restaurants, including Pearl Sushi Bar at Mohegan Sun Pocono in Wilkes-Barre Township, Luzerne County; Uma Japanese Hibachi Steak House in St. Clair, Schuylkill County; Umi Hibachi Steak House & Sushi Bar in Indiana, Indiana County; Shogun Japanese Restaurant in Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County; Oliran Japanese Restaurant in Bloomsburg, Columbia County; and Witch City Hibachi in Salem, Massachusetts.

In Bethlehem, the partners are planning to serve up freshly prepared sushi, including more than 20 signature rolls and about 30 standard rolls such as California, Philadelphia, spicy tuna and spicy yellowtail, along with hibachi dishes such as chicken, shrimp, salmon, red snapper, scallops and New York strip steak.

“We may also offer some short-term specials highlighting finer cuts of meat and other unique features,” Lewis said.

Steak & Steel Hibachi, a full-service restaurant offering sushi, hibachi dishes and Asian fusion specialties such as traditional Chinese dumplings and Japanese udon noodles, is expected to open in late fall at 44 W. Walnut St. in downtown Bethlehem. Pictured are sushi rolls offered at Steak & Steel Hibachi's sister restaurant, MYST, in Jim Thorpe. (MYST/Contributed photo)

The 4,300-square-foot restaurant will offer seating for around 150 customers, Lewis said. A variety of accommodations will be available, including a 12-seat sushi bar and six hibachi tables — each with room for eight diners, Lewis said.

The partners are knocking down a majority of the interior walls to give the dining space an open-concept design.

Other renovations will include new gray tile flooring, pendant and LED lighting, decor paying homage to Bethlehem Steel and a 40-foot-long bar serving beer, wine and cocktails. A red, black and gray motif is planned.

“We’re definitely keeping the windows,” Lewis said. “We’d be silly not to. They’re beautiful and provide great natural light. They’re also great for taking in all the action happening downtown.”

Hours are still being finalized for Steak & Steel Hibachi, but Lewis anticipates the restaurant operating for lunch and dinner daily. Takeout and catering are planned.

“We’re excited to join the Bethlehem community,” Lewis said. “It’s a beautiful, wholesome and active city, and everyone is super friendly. It’s where I enjoy spending my free time.”

Steak & Steel Hibachi will follow the debut of another new tenant, Catalina Dry Bar, on the building’s ground floor, across from the Walnut Street Garage.

Catalina, offering blow drying, hot tool styling, hair treatments, haircuts, color services, updos and makeup, recently moved to its 24 W. Walnut St. digs from spot a couple of blocks away.

(Ryan Kneller/The Morning Call)

The pair of leases brought the office and retail building at 3 W. Broad St. to full occupancy, according to Larken Associates, the New Jersey residential and commercial real estate firm that acquired the Bethlehem property in 2019.

Larken is in the midst of an extensive capital improvement plan to modernize the two-story, 105,866-square-foot building. Constructed in 1980, it’s home to a diverse mix of tenants, including PowerSchool, Twisted Olive, I.R.S. and Intelliquip.

Renovations include finish upgrades in the common areas, replacement of outdated escalators with a new elevator and floating atrium staircase, new wood façade accents and replacement of outdoor railings, paint, lighting and signage.

“Through our capital improvements and hands-on leasing at 3 West Broad Street, we aim to capitalize on the long-term growth potential of the city as we create the premier retail and office destination in the market,” said Rob Marek, executive vice president of Raider Realty, the in-house brokerage division of Larken Associates.