Photo by Nilo Hodge
Executive chef of Coal Lounge & Grill, Kofi Armah worked in the restaurant industry for three years at Historic Hotel Bethlehem before opening his own Ghanaian restaurant in December 2018. “I always hoped that there would be a Ghanaian restaurant in the Lehigh Valley someday,” Armah says. “In 2018, I teamed up with Jomana Hanna [general manager], Alphonse Maurice [sous chef] and Edward Asare [media director] to make this vision possible.” Kelewele (spicy fried plantains), peanut butter and spinach soup and khebabs are just a few menu favorites. Unlike traditional restaurants, their West African fusion cuisine is served and enjoyed on couches, ottomans and low-profile pallet benches and tables. “It puts joy in my heart to make a patron their first West African meal, which is my objective,” Armah says, “to introduce diners in America to such a delicious cuisine, which has been hidden from them.”
In addition to the unique dishes and comfortable seating arrangements, Coal Lounge & Grill hosts jazz nights and brunch day parties. In the future, they hope to host live comedy and music performances. “For my first restaurant, I am very grateful to have made it thus far,” Armah says. Despite his passion for cooking, Armah also hopes to become a surgeon one day. After completing his first two years at Moravian College, Armah transferred to Montclair State University where he graduated with his B.S. in Biology in 2016.
81 W. Broad St., Bethlehem | 484.456.1192 | coalbethlehem.com
