BETHLEHEM, Pa. – A popular seafood restaurant is bidding farewell in Northampton County.
Adagio, specializing in seafood and continental fare, is set to close Dec. 31 at 530 Pembroke Road in Bethlehem, owner Anthony Spagnola told 69 News.
Adagio operates at 530 Pembroke Road in Bethlehem.
Ryan Kneller
After extensive renovations, Spagnola opened the restaurant in September 2015 at the site of the former 530 Grille. A full bar was added a year later.
Over the decades, the property was also home to other dining destinations, including Nueva Lanterna Fusion Grill and Rum Bar and The Lantern restaurant.
Spagnola is looking to focus on his growing family and other businesses, including Sotto Santi Pizzeria Pub in south Bethlehem and Hot Fitness Factory fitness studio in Bethlehem Township.
Spagnola and the entire Adagio team are appreciative of the community’s support over the past 10 years.
Adagio operates at 530 Pembroke Road in Bethlehem.
Ryan Kneller
“I just want to say, ‘Thank you, everyone,'” Spagnola said.
“It’s been a great run. We took a blighted property, turned it around and brought a new great restaurant to fruition. Serving the community has been so great, and we’ll continue doing so through the end of the year. So, anyone with a gift card can use that through the end of the year.”
Adagio, named after the Italian musical term meaning “in slow tempo,” specializes in freshly prepared seafood dishes, including fried calamari, steamed clams, blackened salmon, stuffed flounder, crab cakes and jerk tuna.
Guests also can enjoy other tasty selections such as burgers, flatbreads and chicken and steak dishes.
Adagio
Popular picks include all-you-can-eat crab legs (returning in November), pan-seared scallops, a broiled signature trio platter (stuffed flounder, scallops and shrimp) and coulotte and ribeye steaks, Spagnola said.
“The Adagio Restaurant specializes in all things you love about European cuisine: fresh fish from around world (Spain, Italy), shellfish dishes including Maine lobster tails or jumbo shrimp cocktail,” a message on Adagio’s website reads.
The restaurant features a roughly 100-seat main dining room, as well as a bar area with a 35-seat rectangular bar and lower-level banquet room accommodating around 160 individuals.
Adagio features lower-level banquet space.
Adagio
Fraternal Order of Police, Bethlehem Star Lodge #20, plans to purchase the Adagio property and convert it into a private membership club for City of Bethlehem police officers, both active and retired, Spagnola said.
On Wednesday night, the Bethlehem Zoning Hearing Board voted to grant a special exception to the FOP to establish a membership club in a current non-conforming restaurant.
The property is in a RT-high density residential zoning district.
The FOP said it plans to use the building on a smaller scale, converting the largest part of the property into a gym with weight equipment for members, a padded training room for defensive tactics and physical skills, and a space for professional training opportunities.
“It’s a great opportunity for the Fraternal Order of Police,” Spagnola said. “They’ll have space for a gym, and it’ll be a great space for past, present and future officers.”
Although the current use has a liquor license, the FOP stated it has no intentions of purchasing the license from Adagio.
In a letter from the FOP describing its plans to the zoning hearing board, the organization said the facility “will provide Bethlehem’s police officers with a dedicated space to improve physical health and fitness, as well as host professional training opportunities that will ultimately benefit the entire community.”
Adagio operates at 530 Pembroke Road in Bethlehem.
Ryan Kneller
“If all goes as planned, the sale should be finalized in early January,” Spagnola said.
For the latest Adagio updates, follow the business’ Facebook page. Info: 610-625-3777; seafoodadagio.com.