More Bethlehem eats
The Christmas City is filled with foodie news these days.
On the South Side, Sagra Beans Coffee House & Roastery opened Nov. 25 at 306 S. New St.
The coffee shop, the sister company of the 10-year-old Sagra Bistro in Hellertown, is the first dining establishment to open in the new Gateway at Greenway Park — a six-story, 125,000square-foot mixed-use building that in the coming months also will house Taza Egyptian Cuisine and Grille 3501’s sister restaurant, ZEST bar+grille.
It joins a host of other south Bethlehem coffee spots — from chains such as Dunkin’ Donuts, Saxbys Coffee and Starbucks to independent joints such as Cafe the Lodge, Deja Brew Coffeehouse & Deli and Lit Coffee Roastery and Bakeshop.
“South Bethlehem is really turning into a little coffee district where you can hop around,” Sagra owner Robyn Cavallaro said.
Sagra Beans, occupying a 1,300square-foot space on the building’s ground floor, serves traditional beverages such as cappuccino, espresso and hot chocolate, as well as specialty drinks such as matcha tea latte, nitro coldbrew coffee and Ka’chava meal-replacement shakes.
Cavallaro roasts beans from various countries — currently, she’s using Nicaraguan, Brazilian and Indian beans — via an on-site roaster surrounded by counter seating.
The 30-seat coffee shop also serves made-to-order artisan toast, along with grab-and-go and preassembled food items such as breakfast sandwiches, meatball burgers, yogurts, vegetable and hummus cups, soups, salads and vegan and gluten-free baked goods from Lehigh Valley bakeries No Whey Vegan Bakery and Bake-A-Re. Info: 610-8492039.
Just a block away from Sagra Beans, Rakkii Ramen is looking to open within a few weeks at 1 W. Fourth St., according to owner Marco Lu.
The 40-seat, BYOB Japanese noodle bar, with an entrance toward the back of the building at South New and Rink streets, will specialize in ramen noodle dishes. Info: facebook.com/RakkiiRamenLV.
One last bit of Bethlehem dining news: Bella Latin Cuisine opened in late September at 825 Linden St., a few doors down from Aqui Es: A Taste of Mexico.
According to owner Yeymy Molina, the 20-seat restaurant specializes in Latin American cuisine, but offers “a little bit of everything,” including pasta and other Italian dishes.
Menu highlights include churrasco, mofongo, tacos, barbecue ribs, roast chicken and pork, shrimp with garlic sauce, fried yucca, sweet plantains and seafood soup.
Bella Latin, offering catering and free delivery, is open 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. Info: 610-849-2565. including electronics such as video doorbells and smartphone picture printers; home goods such as pet fur removers and portable chargers; toys such as hoverboard carts and L.O.L. Surprise! Dolls; and health and beauty products such as eyeshadow palettes, gel pillows, massagers and weighted blankets. Info: ca.shopatshowcase.com.
If you’re looking to give back while shopping, the Lehigh Valley’s first outpost of Box Lunch, a “civic-minded web and brick-and-mortar specialty retailer offering a curated collection of licensed and non-licensed merchandise,” opened on the upper level next to Buckle.
The company, specializing in pop culture-themed apparel, accessories, home goods and gifts, donates a meal through the Feeding America program for every $10 spent.
Bags, blankets, dinnerware and more feature designs paying homage to popular movies and television shows such as “Bob’s Burgers,” “Deadpool,” “Harry Potter” and “Stranger Things.” Info: boxlunch.com.
For the sports fans, Pro Image Sports, offering college and professional sports apparel, home decor and more, opened on the upper level in the former Best Buy Mobile space next to Build-A-Bear Workshop.