For Food Network addicts he's known to millions of viewers as the star of Iron Chef where Masaharu Morimoto merges traditionally western ingredients with ingenious Asian cooking techniques served at his namesake eateries in Philadelphia, New York and Florida. Currently in expansion mode, Morimoto brings his culinary prowess to America's food capital in downtown Napa where he takes up residency in an attractive two-story destination eatery that immediately becomes one of the valley's best Asian eateries.
No fans of downtown Napa which looks and feels a bit Disney compared to the rest of the valley, Morimoto is a design all-star inside a Thomas Shoos penned space of open-style retail boutique and raw bar with casual dining option. Further inside, an open-style kitchen draws the eyes before entering a large lounge open late throughout the week and main dining room with mustard-yellow and tall wingbacks and sofa, banquettes, well-selected dining club chairs and intergalactic-looking iron chandeliers.
The Food
A fusion of east meets west, chef Masaharu Morimoto astounds with a sinner menu of toro tartare with sour cream, tuna pizza with anchovy aioli, and lamb carpaccio with scallion ginger dressing. Salads of Tempura calamari and frozen iceberg wedge accompany additional hot appetizers of spicy king crab with micro-cilantro; beef curry bread and amazing oyster with foie gras. Soups, noodles and sushi bar add another component to a menu that makes decisions almost grueling. Main course is duck duck goose with fried rice and frozen foie gras, angry chicken on the bone, assortment of Australian Wagyu with sweet onions and cheeky sea urchin carbonara.
Last Word
Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto merges traditionally western ingredients with ingenious Asian in downtown Napa where he takes up residency in an attractive two-story destination eatery that immediately becomes best of the valley.
