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Morimoto’s New Place to Be ‘Organic to the Napa Market’

Photo: Courtesy of Morimoto

Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto announced plans today to open a restaurant at the Riverfront, a new mixed use development in downtown Napa, Eater reported this morning. Slated to open in summer 2010, it’s the chef’s first West Coast restaurant and sixth overall (he has restaurants in Phildelphia, New York, Boca Raton, Mumbai, and Tokyo). And whereas many a celebrity chef has hawked his name for a shingle in a new city, or ten, often times those are licensing deals, which this isn’t: Morimoto will own and operate this one. “Eastern culinary sensibilities with Western ingredients,” according to a press release, will be served in a space that includes a sushi bar and outside lounge overlooking the Riverfront property. We reached the chef, via translator, for a quick second earlier today to see if we couldn’t hammer him for one or two details on what’s to come. “With a year to go, we’re still determining so many details, but it will definitely be organic to the Napa market,” chef said. “You will see common elements, but overall, the restaurant in Napa will be very different from [my] others.”

Morimoto Confirmed in Napa [Eater]View image

Morimoto’s New Place to Be ‘Organic to the Napa Market’