Seeing success with Thai cuisine, restaurateur embarks on next dining venture

With White Orchids restaurant now in its 12^th year at the Promenade Shops in Saucon Valley, the owners of that establishment have added a new concept to their portfolio.

Restaurateurs Jeff Virojanapa, along with Chumroon and Pornpun Virojanapa will host an official grand opening of Notch Modern Kitchen & Bar on Oct. 16 with a ribbon cutting at 5:30 p.m. at 5036 Hamilton Blvd. in Lower Macungie Township.

With this new restaurant, the owners will depart from the traditional Thai cuisine featured at White Orchids and offer an American menu with Asian influences.

“We are looking to explore different Asian flavors,” Virojanapa said.

The menu includes variations on familiar American meals such as chicken wings, crab fritters, smoked tuna dip, fried chicken, pork ribs, fish and chips and hamburgers.

A resident of Center Valley, Jeff Virojanapa said he grew up in the Lower Macungie area and he and his folks wanted to own their own property in the township. They decided to start from the ground up and create a new restaurant in a building formerly occupied by Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Fox & Roach, a real estate firm.

“It was the original first school house in that area,” Virojanapa said. “It has some local history to it. They [the township] wanted to maintain the integrity of the building. We’ve been looking for a spot for the past four years.”

After taking ownership of the building in December 2018, the owners worked with Boyle Construction of South Whitehall Township and Alloy5, an architecture firm in Bethlehem to create the restaurant. DesignPoint Inc. of Hanover Township, Northampton County, was the interior designer.

Virojanapa said the overall total investment in the project is nearly $10 million, including construction costs and the purchase of the building.

Situated across from Hamilton Crossings, a large outdoor shopping center, the 6,000-square-foot restaurant can seat up to 200 people in multiple areas.

A second floor balcony can hold up to 65 people and the restaurant includes a raised patio that’s about 20 feet above ground level overlooking Hamilton Boulevard, he added.

The restaurant includes a 20-seat island bar and a variety of specialty cocktails, beer and wine.

Executive chef Tyler Baxter, formerly of Emeril’s Chophouse in Bethlehem, helms the kitchen while beverage manager Joshua Coates leads the bar.

Overall, Notch employs about 50 people, as does White Orchids, he added.

Virojanapa said he also has private dining space on the second floor for private events that can accommodate up to 65 people.

The Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce will host the ribbon cutting at 5:30 p.m. with an opening party from 5 to 7 p.m.