ALLENTOWN, Pa. — Forget ribbon-cuttings and giant ceremonial scissors.
On Thursday, "Iron Chef" winner Jose Garces sliced into an 8-foot-long sushi roll to mark the opening of his new Japanese-inspired restaurant Okatshe.
Okatshe is Garces's modernized take on a traditional Japanese izakaya, also known in the Asian country as a neighborhood sake bar that serves an array of whiskeys and small dishes.
Okatshe is at 947 Hamilton St., across from Rosa Blanca, a Cuban eatery that Garces opened in March.
Okatshe transports guests to the streets of Tokyo with its hip decor and laid-back floor plan (foodies can sit in booths, at the bar, or at a middle table).
Inside, glowing Japanese lanterns double as light fixtures, neon signs flash with bright Nihongo script, while colorful omote masks add an artistic nod to Japanese culture.
“I was able to compete in Japan and then went several times to enjoy the culture, so that's the inspiration for this restaurant," Garces said at the event.
“This restaurant has been over a year in the making, and I’m humbled to share this experience with Allentown.”
At the center of the restaurant, the action unfolds as sushi chefs work behind the counter, rolling rice, fish and other treats on bamboo mats with precision.
It is Garces's first Japanese-inspired concept in the Lehigh Valley. Hhe debuted Okatshe in the Tropicana Atlantic City in 2017, and the restaurant closed in 2021.
'Authenticity'
After the ribbon-cutting — er, sushi-slicing — Okatshe's head sushi chef, Kaz Iimori, and Garces cut the 8-foot roll into small pieces for guests.
Iimori was born in Fukuoka, Japan, and moved to the United States when he was 9 years old.
He's the former head chef of Blue Ribbon Restaurant Group, where he oversaw the opening of six sushi restaurants in New York City, as well as in Miami, Las Vegas and Boston.
"I felt it was important we were going to go out and say we're going to be a Japanese-inspired restaurant, that we bring in experts," Garces said.
"And when you really start getting [into] the bites, you'll see that authenticity."
A peek at the menu revealed dishes such as chicken dumplings ($10), miso cod ($28), chashu pork bao bun ($8), soft shell crab tempura ($18) and ceviche con leche de tigre ($18).
Adorning the walls are top-shelf whiskeys and other spirits imported from Japan.
For a complete list of menu and cocktail items, visit the Okatshe website.
'Momentum for Allentown'
Okatshe is in what developer City Center Corp is building as Allentown’s Downtown West district, a hub for shopping and entertainment.
The restaurant is next door to theMoxy Hotel, which held its ribbon-cutting in January, and Archer Music Hall, which opened in March.
“This block has become the beating heart of the Lehigh Valley. When you walk into a space like this, it feels transformative. It shows the incredible energy happening downtown."Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk
“I'm a Philadelphian for 25 years and this feels like the start of something really good in Downtown West,” Garces said.
“Together, we’re building more than restaurants — we’re building momentum for Allentown.”
Present at the grand opening were Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk, state Sen. Nick Miller and representatives from U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie's office.
“This block has become the beating heart of the Lehigh Valley,” Tuerk said.
“When you walk into a space like this, it feels transformative. It shows the incredible energy happening downtown."
Okatshe is open 4 p.m. to midnight Wednesday through Sunday.
Reservations can be made on the restaurant's website.
