Foodies will soon say "ciao" to a new restaurant serving up Italian specialties in south Bethlehem. The Orchid Steakhouse, a full-service, modern Italian steakhouse, is expected to open in late May or early June at 322 E. Third St., co-owner and head chef Genc Gashi said.

The corner space, at East Third and Polk streets, previously housed Molinari's, an Italian restaurant that closed in 2022 after 11 years of business. "We're very excited," Gashi said. "The hard construction should be done within the next two weeks. Then we can do the fun stuff - decorate, finalize the menu and so forth."