“Flesh & Fire,” a 36-ounce ribeye for two, makes a cinematic entrance at the table. Nearly cooked through, the steak is cranked high onto a metal hook, turning heads as it echoes throughout the room. The steak is then engulfed by a flame from a torch, giving it a perfect seared crust on the outside.
Greenery crawls up the walls and spills across the ceiling, as if the building has been overtaken by a gothic garden.
Dark red lighting and candles dripping wax shine on the room, casting an ethereal glow.
The interior of ‘The House Noir’ in Pittston on Friday, June 26, 2026. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Welcome to The House Noir, a restaurant and journey through another world.
Located at 73 South Main Street in Pittston, the city’s newest charm invites guests into a space between modern reality and another world, evoking emotions of love, nostalgia and a melancholy that still feels sweet. The House Noir is a gothic steakhouse crafted with 18th century church artifacts and gothic architecture that complete the experience.
Combining their culinary and creative talents, 47-year old Zach Neil and 36-year old Josh Balz created this restaurant with the hopes of bringing more soul to the local dining scene.
Josh Balz, left, and Zach Neil, inside ‘The House Noir,’ in Pittston on Friday, June 26, 2026. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
“In today’s modern world with chain restaurants there’s no feeling or soul in these places whatsoever. Restaurants used to house the most important moments of people’s lives so we wanted to give it a soul,” Neil said.
Designing a space that will house engagements, first dates, anniversaries and celebrations is what sparked the idea for romantic goth. Candlelit tables and the scent of rich perfume in the air is the experience that Neil and Balz hope to create for their customers.
Neil has been present in the food industry for many years, opening 37 restaurants since his first in 2004. Founder of Hallow Global, Neil has revolutionized the pop-up restaurant movement in the United States, helping create the Will Ferrell pop-up bars “Stay Classy.”
The interior of ‘The House Noir’ in Pittston on Friday, June 26, 2026. (JASON ARDAN / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Balz, a former member of metalcore band Motionless in White, spent years in the music industry before launching The Strange & Unusual in Kingston and Noir Dark Spirits in Scranton. Those establishments have since closed but Balz has continued to channel his energy into new projects.
The House Noir was born as a nightclub in Los Angeles but Neil’s vision for the concept evolved. Now reimagined, The House Noir has transformed to bring a dark theatrical aesthetic to the local area.
“Pittston has some historical value for us because that’s where we met 22 years ago, so it was really full circle for us to come all the way back here,” Neil said.
Courtesy of Zach Neil
A burger branded with The House Noir sits on a plate (Courtesy of Zach Neil)
Although the full menu hasn’t been announced yet ahead of the upcoming grand opening, the preview stage has already drawn in regulars.
“Groups of people have already come three times and our weekends have been sold out so that means they’re booking and rebooking immediately,” Neil said.
A burger stamped with the House Noir’s imprint burns creativity into the meal. That same attention to detail carries into the “Flesh & Fire” experience that adds its own mystique.
“I was thinking aesthetically, how do we come up with a way to present a steak that’s never been done before,” Neil said.
The menu follows the romantic theme of the establishment. Many of the cocktails take inspiration from different parts of the world like Europe, Italy, Spain, and Greece.
Martini glasses drip red over the side, filling the glass with dark romance and a sweet taste. The appetizers represent first date foods and the unknown thrill of a new beginning.
Courtesy of Zach Neil
A martini reflects the restaurant’s gothic aesthetic. (Courtesy of Zach Neil)
The wonton duck tacos with a salted honey lime crema and wagyu beef corndogs are two examples of dishes that draw from different cultural food traditions. Much of the menu is derived from French culinary and Italian cuisine that creates comfort food for the stomach and soul.
“France has an amazing street food scene. Japan has an amazing street food scene. I couldn’t decide on where I wanted to go with it so I decided to fuse these together,” Neil said.
These dishes represent the love and fidelity of a relationship. The main course takes time and effort, signifying the commitment portion of the meal and a connection between two people.
“The end of the experience could mark the end of life, end of time with a spouse, or the end of a relationship, but the taste of love is still sweet,” Neil said.
An evening spent at The House Noir isn’t intended to be just a meal, but a journey through life, love and death.
Reservations can be made at thehousenoir.com.
“I hope people love it,” Neil said. “We want to be here for a decade plus and we want people to really love it.”
Dining and Cooking