Japonais Adding Iron Chef Morimoto, Remodeling

Less than three weeks after announcing Eiji Takase as the new chef, the Japonais team is announcing their next chef, Crain's reports. This one carries a much higher stature—Masaharu Morimoto of Iron Chef fame. Changing the restaurant's name to Japonais by Morimoto, it will be Morimoto's first American project off the coasts.

Japonais, a local culinary staple for 10 years, will also undergo an extensive remodel, closing at year's end and reopening midwinter with a sushi bar, open kitchen, and new first-floor bar for Japanese vodkas and whiskeys. Morimoto will also revamp the menu, adding items consistent with his style of Japanese fusion made famous in his New York, Philadelphia, Napa, Hawaii, Florida, and overseas restaurants.

Look for Morimoto to enter the local market by throwing the first pitch at The Cell tonight.
· Iron Chef Morimoto teaming with Japonais [Crain's]
· All Japonais Coverage [-ECHI-]
· Iron Chef Morimoto [Official Site]