Iron Chef Morimoto is back in big ways to big apples.
Rockstar's culinary tastemaker, a blend of Japanese and Western styles, has signed a 17,642 square feet lease on 1255 Broadway, Realty Check learned.
This address is part of the office building at 1261 Broadway on East 31st Street.
Morimoto couldn't choose a better place for his comeback. Broadway, south of Herald Square, blossomed in a snowstorm of new hotels and restaurants, replacing wholesalers that have dominated the corridors in recent years.
The restaurant is located on the first floor and on the basement.
The sidewalk level rent was near $225 per square foot, sources said.
It was unclear what shape the new restaurant would take. In a statement, Morimoto promised only “the concept that surprises and pleases guests.”
Sources said if everything goes well, they should open later this year.
The restaurant, named after Morimoto at Chelsea Market, closed 15 years later in the spring of 2021, a victim of the pandemic.
He currently has a small hand roll bar at Dumbo's timeout market, but the new 20-year lease appears to be repeating his return to the authentic menu and style of his Chelsea Market location.
Morimoto's new space, located at 1255 Broadway, was previously split into five stores, but most were costume jewelry.
The handsome 11-storey building has undergone extensive renovations and upgrades.
Office tenants include DBI Project, DBI Construction Consultant and Abrams Media.
The Morimoto Agreement was handled for the owner of the building by Max Keppel, leasing director of landlord Coppel Rosen. Steven Soutendijk and Amy Zhen of Cushman & Wakefield negotiated for tenants, a partnership between Morimoto and Montclair Hospitality Group.
