Bam! Emeril's Chophouse Hits Bethlehem, Pa.

by Pervaiz Shallwani, Posted May 20th 2009 @ 3:00PM

To much of the country, charismatic Food Network star and restaurateur Emeril Lagasse has become, well, just another household name. But in Bethlehem, Pa., tucked in the foothills of the state's Pocono Mountains, Emeril has become a culinary heartthrob whose embrace has sent the locals into a frenzy.

For the residents of this overhauled steel town already gaga over the coming of its first casino, the addition of Emeril's Chophouse side-by-side with the slots is a coup. After all, the Yankee (he hails from Fall River, Mass.) bypassed New York City (where he has a second home) and Boston (an hour from his birthplace) for "Christmas City" to house his first northeast eatery.

The Bam! man was on hand Tuesday for a media luncheon, and is currently in Bethlehem overseeing a test run of his 230-seat restaurant for its sold-out Friday opening. Located inside an old steel mill building, the restaurant is fittingly outfitted with cast-iron steel flourishes and a menu combining Emeril's bayou style with the no nonsense meat and potato sensibilities of the region: "We are very sensitive to the market no matter where we are," he told us.

Along with local Amish chickens and valley greens, in keeping with Pennsylvania Dutch who settled the region, Emeril's menu boasts plenty of pie: apple, banana coconut cream and ice-box lemon meringue. (We loved the rhubarb, and were saddened to hear it won't be on the menu.) "This is a cool area," Emeril said. "There is a lot going on here. It is very eclectic. The people in this area, that's why we are here. And we are excited."

dining room

It may sound like spin, but locals are eating it up. When server Cynthia German was hired, she knew only that she was working at a chophouse. A few days later a friend called to let her know the man behind the chop was no other than Emeril. She recalls the two embracing in a giddy squeal. "I got to shake his hand," German swooned. "I was so happy. I am sure I turned pink red."

Despite the financial boon to his burgeoning "Emeril empire" of 11 restaurants, books and cookware, the so-called ragin' Cajun isn't done in Bethlehem. Apparently Emeril is so smitten with the region he will open a burger joint in the casino later this year and one more eatery whose concept has yet to be hammered out.

Showing the restraint of man who may not want to become a caricature of himself, Emeril didn't leave the crowd of journalists, community leaders and business folks with his customary "Bam!" But that didn't stop local newscasters from imitating his exclamation in their enthusiastic broadcasts. The Massachusetts-born Cajun has found yet another home.

Filed Under: Chefs & Restaurants, Restaurants
Tags: allentown, emeril, emeril lagasse, EmerilLagasse, food network, FoodNetwork, pennsylvania

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Reader comments (Page 1 of 1)

5-21-2009 @10:24PM cookware said... There is nobody like Emril!
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5-22-2009 @5:27PM PAWriter said... I think this post is a little condescending to say that people are "eating it up" as though the locals are stupid and this is just spin. The Lehigh Valley is the third largest metro area in PA, full of lots of natives but also many many transplants from NYC and NJ. But for people who have lived here for a long time, the closing of Bethlehem Steel years ago has made a negative imprint on the collective psyche. The Sands project is part of a larger piece, with an arts organization and other businesses taking up shop in South Side Bethlehem. Furthermore, Emeril is right. It is eclectic. The region is home to lots of good restaurants, not just "meat and potatoes." See places like Bolete and the Farmhouse, which have received national food media attention for their farm-to-table cuisine and attention to detail.

This post is an example of why blogging is not necessarily reporting. Please do a little research before you blog. Thanks!
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6-04-2009 @4:45PM HappyInPA said... I have to agree with PAwriter. Obviously, whomever wrote this piece just "showed up one day" and isn't very familiar with the area. And we're tired of transplants acting like they're doing us a favor by moving here.

Gaga over a casino? The jury is still out about that, but consider this: There are at least 13,000 people out of work in the Lehigh Valley region, so when one employer hires a local architectural firm, 1,000 local contractors, and 1,000 more for casino operations, and, eventually, another 1,000 for the hotel and convention center, that's something to be happy about.

Kudos to Emeril, for scouting out the best local ingredients for his restaurant. In the end, I hope the Sands, Emeril, and the local community are all happy and successful.
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10-23-2009 @7:33AM sandra said... The moms would love this.

I am a member of the bizymoms Bethlehem community. Please network with them. This looks a really interesting event

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10-23-2009 @7:42AM sandra said... The moms would love this.

I am a member of the bizymoms Bethlehem community. Please network with them. This looks a really interesting event.

http://www.bizymoms.com/bethlehem/index.php

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4-21-2010 @11:47AM Jim said... The moms would love this.

I am a member of the bizymoms Bethlehem community. Please network with them. This looks a really interesting event.

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