Spring Menus in Bloom with Breathtaking Views

Chefs Lee Chizmar and José Nero Chaves set the bar high for inventive dining in Bethlehem. Their culinary team at Mister Lee’s Noodles has been crafting Japanese-style farm-to-ladle ramen since 2021, with appetizers, entrées, and desserts that evolve with each season’s bounty of locally sourced ingredients.

This spring, expect a menu bursting with vibrant colors and bold flavors. The Chilled Asparagus Ramen highlights delicate, earthy flavors with crisp tempura asparagus and a soy-marinated egg in a chilled dashi broth. The Chilled Beet Ramen with Crispy Pork Belly balances richness and tang with golden beets, confit potatoes, and a horseradish-dill crème fraîche.

The Pastramen is a bold fusion of Japanese & New York deli flavors with crisp pastrami and Tokyo noodles. The Confit Duck Dumplings are packed with umami and plated to perfection. For dessert, the Persian Love Cake is a standout—floral, indulgent, and topped with lychee honey ice cream.

No visit is complete without a show-stopping cocktail. Mister Lee’s Mixologist & Beverage Director Stephen Pekarik curates an elevated drink menu designed to harmonize with the flavors of the kitchen. Each cocktail is a masterful balance of fruit-forward flavors and subtle notes, combining rich profiles such as plum, passionfruit, lychee, and pineapple with quieter ingredients such as elderflower, honey, and lemon to bring out the “spirits” of each creation.

Fresh, unexpected, and unforgettable—Mister Lee’s is setting the tone for spring in the SouthSide.

With sleek style, bold flavors, and a skyline view that stuns, ZEST bar+grille isn’t just a restaurant—it’s a vibe. Overlooking Bethlehem’s iconic SteelStacks, this cosmopolitan hotspot blends elevated American cuisine with an upscale atmosphere, making it the go-to destination for weekend toasts and unforgettable celebrations.

ZEST’s event management team promises an experience tailored to each client’s vision with a space for every occasion, complete with audio/visual capabilities. Their Bridgeview Room offers a refined and intimate setting for up to 25 guests, while the moodier Steelview Room accommodates larger gatherings of up to 40. The semi-private Corner Lounge guarantees a lively atmosphere for up to 65 people. Saturday afternoon events offer exclusive venue access before dinner service, making them perfect for weddings, vow renewals, birthdays, and more.

“I always tell our clients that this space is a blank canvas and we can set it up however they prefer. Our clients are always so pleased with their events in this area! My husband and I will be hosting our baby shower here since I know how great the space and quality of food are.” 

– Jacque Krawitz, Events Manager

ZEST’s Espresso Martini Tree is a must-try for brunch lovers of the Valley, featuring a trio of expertly crafted martinis—Traditional Espresso, Salted Caramel, and Orange Lavender—alongside indulgent appetizers that balance bold tastes with familiar comforts. Their commitment to elegant dining doesn’t stop at brunch. The expertly curated dinner menu and seasonal spring offerings bring sophisticated dishes to the table, making every meal—morning, noon, or night—an experience worth savoring.

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