ALLENTOWN, Pa. – Award-winning Chef Jose Garces is expanding his Lehigh Valley footprint with Okatshe, a new Japanese sushi house and whiskey bar, set to open Wednesday, October 1st. The restaurant, located in the 900 block of Hamilton Street adjacent to the moxy hotel, promises an immersive dining experience inspired by the vibrant street scenes of Tokyo.
Okatshe marks Garces’ second Allentown restaurant and represents a significant investment in the city’s growing culinary landscape. The James Beard Award-winning chef, known for his innovative approach to cuisine, aims to bring an authentic taste of Japan-sourced from world-renowned Yama Seafood-along with his own unique culinary spin to the Lehigh Valley. The opening is expected to draw regional diners and further establish Allentown as a dining destination.
“Okatshe is my ode to Japanese cuisine and culture,” Garces saeid, describing the restaurant’s concept. “Tokyo, to me, has always been number one in terms of the culture’s appreciation for fine ingredients. All I know is, when I’m in Tokyo, the ingredients in the food is pretty breathtaking.”
Garces, a Chicago native, first gained prominence with the 2005 opening of Amada in Philadelphia, a restaurant credited with helping to revitalize the city’s food scene. he further cemented his reputation as a culinary force in 2009 by winning the Food Network’s Iron Chef competition.
More recently, Garces previewed culinary creations for his Cuban-themed restaurant, Rosa Blanca, which opened in March, from a test kitchen just outside Philadelphia. At Okatshe, he plans to offer both customary Japanese dishes and innovative small plates.
“So we have real, authentic Japanese cuisine as well,” Garces explained. “Along with my collaboration, which is just a little spin on it.” The name ”Okatshe” itself means something sweet, hinting at the delightful experience Garces intends to deliver.