Word is out that Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto has signed on to open a contemporary Japanese restaurant in Napa’s Riverfront development. SF Eater and The North Bay Bohemian both have bits on it today, but apparently this wasn’t news to Napans…Thirsty Reader reported that the deal had been inked more than a month ago.
<UPDATE> So here’s a little bit more juiciness…
It sounds as if Morimoto won’t just be a figurehead at yet another celeb-chef restaurant. The company that does the retail leasing says Morimoto is looking to possibly purchase a condo in the development and has “fallen in love with Napa.” “He’s going to be here a lot. He’s decided he’d rather spend time in Napa than in Las Vegas or San Francisco,” according to spokesman Craig Semmelmeyer. The other big news is that yet another big name is expected to be announced in the development. Hmmmm.
Morimoto is about as big as big gets in the celeb chef world. Though his TV presence is limited (his English isn’t ready for prime time) he’s been featured on Iron Chef America and the original Japanese version of Iron Chef. He’s also the star-power behind several restaurants back east.
Does anyone remember the first season of Next Food Network Star when he scoffed at contestants trying to bone a fish. <Shudder>
Morimoto in Phila is my favorite place in the world. Absolutely amazing.
Best of a bunch of good restaurants in Philly
BTW, Red Head, you are getting really heavy on your censorship finger. Really. Censoring my totally on topic comment about AB? You need to step back and get some new perspective, Red Head.
So what’s the problem? AB is not a chef, and most importantly he does not pretend to be one. AB is brilliant, the lone genius at that food channel.
uhm… Alton Brown is not a chef.
The REAL wine country has always been in Napa county. Even before Robert Mondavi!
Suck it up! Sonoma!
@dana: Tyler Florence is opening a restaurant in downtown Mill Valley…with none other than SAMMY HAGAR! he bought the old El Paseo and is currently remodeling and creating menus. All my chef instructors were buzzing about it a couple weeks ago. Hope to see you there
Link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tyler_Florence#Restaurants
This article suggests there’ll be a real domino effect in Napa after this, http://tinyurl.com/p3llym
I am thinking a big name would be Tyler Florence who already lives in the Bay Area but my secret wish that it is Alton Brown. I absolutely love him. And I also agree that we need to get him to SONOMA County – maybe he’ll do a chain?
He should really come to the REAL wine country of Sonoma County!
Someone has to get him to come to the REAL country of Sonoma County….
I ate at Morimoto in Philadelphia, enjoying the chef’s Omakase tasting menu. 9 courses, with sake, tax and tip, $200, and so completely worth it.
I ate at Morimoto in Philadelphia, enjoying the chef’s Omakase tasting menu. 9 courses, with sake, tax and tip, $200, and so completely worth it.
Morimoto is the king. I can’t wait. And yes, I remember that episode, I felt so embarrassed for all the chefs, heheh.