Word began trickling out earlier this spring that chef Masaharu Morimoto would be expanding his restaurant empire to Toronto, but now it looks like he’s going to have a little local muscle behind him.
The star of Iron Chef and Iron Chef America has partnered with INK Entertainment’s Charles Khabouth and ICON Legacy Hospitality’s Hanif Harji – the same power brokers behind Weslodge, Patria, NAO Steakhouse, and the Storys building – to open the first Canadian Morimoto Restaurant late this year.
The new eatery, which Khabouth promises will present a “world-class Japanese dining experience that is unlike any other in the city,” will occupy a prime spot in Brad Lamb’s new Theatre Park development at 224 King St. West. The chef already boasts restaurants in a dozen U.S. cities, as well as Japan and Mexico in addition to the chef’s name, they share an elegant, novel approach to sushi and seafood and universally-praised omakase menus.
The news comes on the heels of another high-wattage announcement: Italian market/restaurant franchise Eataly, which boasts 32 locations worldwide, is eyeing Toronto for its first foray into Canada.
North Americans might know the franchise best for the star power associated with its New York location: celeb chefs Lidia Bastianich and Mario Batali are partners in the restaurant.
The Globe and Mail reports that the company has teamed with the Weston family, who own Holt Renfrew and Loblaws, to scout out suitable spots for a Toronto location. Wherever they end up, it’s almost certain the retail footprint will be massive. The Eataly concept involves mini-restaurants, food and drink stations, and retail counters (think Richtree on steroids), and company reps say they’re looking for a spot comparable in size to the New York location, which clocks in at 50,000 square feet.
nataliam@nowtoronto.com | @nataliamanzocco
