Culinary heavyweight and former "Iron Chef" star Masaharu Morimoto is plotting a grand reentrance to the Manhattan dining scene with a sprawling new restaurant. After a five-year hiatus in the area since his Morimoto NYC shuttered, he's preparing to dominate palates once again. The yet-to-be-named dining spot promises to be high-end and is expected to open its doors by late 2025 at 1255 Broadway in Midtown South, according to Eater New York.
The address is smack in the middle of a booming section south of Herald Square, recently transformed from a wholesale district to a bustling hub of hotels and eateries. Morimoto's venture will be stretched over two floors, making use of both the ground level and the basement of an 11-story commercial building. The chef has been tight-lipped about the details but has promised "a concept that will surprise and delight our guests," the New York Post reports. The restaurant will join a handful of other sizable new dining options in the area, hinting to quickly solidify a dazzling footprint.
For food enthusiasts, Morimoto's return is significant. He's teaming up with the Montclair Hospitality Group for both this latest venture and another project, an omakase restaurant and bar called MM by Morimoto, slated to open in New Jersey in 2024. The new Broadway location signed a 20-year lease, indicating a long-term commitment and possibly a nod to the scale and success of Morimoto's previous flagship spot in Chelsea Market.
Despite the closure of his Chelsea restaurant and a few casual New York options in operation, Morimoto has managed to maintain a culinary presence in the city. Alongside new ventures, existing establishments like the hand roll stand Mori Mori in Brooklyn remain popular. The new 17,642-square-foot space at 1255 Broadway was formerly split into small shops, but is undergoing a significant renovation to accommodate the chef's grand plans. Morimoto and the Montclair Hospitality Group have yet to announce a name for the new restaurant, but it's anticipated to continue Morimoto's tradition of Japanese cuisine with a twist, the New York Post further added.
