Shankara Vegan Restaurant & Juice Bar Coming to Bethlehem

by theelvee_w2oe3m

Chef Wendy Landiak is bringing a vegan restaurant and juice bar to the epicenter of the Lehigh Valley vegan/vegetarian movement: South Side Bethlehem. 

The restaurant will be named Shankara, a word deeply rooted in Indian culture and religion.  It will take over the space at 201 E Third Street, most recently occupied by Hard Bean Café, which for a time moved to operate in conjunction with Euro Yogurt, and then exited the scene completely.  It’s a beautiful space that we’ve longed to see restored to restaurant use.

Chef Landiak is a graduate of Pepperdine University with a major in nutritional science.  She became ‘out of necessity’ during college, as her roommate was a vegan.  Following graduation she traveled around the world, including time in India, which greatly influenced her culinary themes and ingredients.  For a time she cooked at the Green Café in Bethlehem and went on to open her own restaurant, in Balasia, in Emmaus, where it operated until 2008.

Following Balasia she catered events and remains a frequent staple at farmer’s markets across the Lehigh Valley.  Her pop-up restaurant run out of a fire hall, The Honey Underground, has been going strong for two years. 

We’ve had Chef Landiak’s food at a variety of places, including Taste of the Valley, Bethlehem’s Vegfest, and a full meal at The Honey Underground and we can safely say there’s few people around that can make anything close to her level of vegan cuisine.  We’re usually unabashed critics of vegan dishes but hers escape any and all criticisms with their spice, flavor, and complexity.  Restaurant-goers, vegan or not, should be excited about this project.

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8 comments

Jason August 7, 2013 - 11:19 pm

timeframe??? opening date?

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The El Vee August 7, 2013 - 11:51 pm

We’ll post a follow-up once thats confirmed.

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Jack August 24, 2013 - 11:18 am

The interior is very nice, but the exterior of that building is long overdue for a facelift. It screams 80’s, which is probably the last time it was painted. This place sounds like it will be a nice addition.

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christine mastin August 27, 2013 - 10:17 am

nice space!!! i really like the semi enclosed “plaza” area infront; a great place to meet up , sit and converse and have events, under a roof. congrats!!! oxoxox

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Debra Hockenberry December 6, 2013 - 6:20 pm

Wish it was open already!

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Mary Ann Bennett February 5, 2014 - 12:00 am

I attended Shankara ‘ s open house in January and Wendy’s cuisine was honestly spectacular. I have evolved into a vegetarian, and I am very grateful for such a wonderful venue. See you on Valentine’s Day! !

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Casey March 5, 2014 - 3:18 pm

Very interested! Any positions left for hiring?

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tempeh tom March 14, 2014 - 2:24 pm

vegan restaurant well overdue in the area. it would be nice if she would cater to the students and other southside residents and keep prices reasonable as her endevors in the past catered to fancy pants newbies with deep pockets. Eating healthy does not have to be expensive. Southside hasnt had a really good vegi friendly eatery since the days of ” So Eat Already”. Hoping this establishment can change that. Good Luck and see ya soon!

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