MORIMOTO is returning to New York.
Philadelphia restaurateur Stephen Starr – best known in these parts for enticing “Iron Chef” Masahuru Morimoto away from Nobu – is about to sign a lease for approximately 9,000 square feet at the Chelsea Market to bring the famed chef back to Gotham.
Starr, 48, whose nine eateries are known for their theatrical experience as much as the food, says the unnamed restaurant could open in “nine or 10 months” to showcase Morimoto’s talents.
“We want to make a big, big statement in New York,” he says. “We’re in the process of interviewing designers, but we haven’t decided which direction we’re going to go.”
Starr also plans to bring other restaurants to the Big Apple, including Buddakan, a Buddha Bar-type operation that is the sacred cash cow of his empire.
* More bad news for our four-legged friends – another steakhouse is coming to Manhattan.
Opening at the end of the month will be Uncle Jack’s Steakhouse, an offshoot of the Queens chop shop frequented by cow aficionados like Mayor Bloomberg.
The newest incarn-ation, opening near Penn Station at 440 Ninth Ave., will be a snazzier and larger version of the original, with Old World décor featuring a long hand-carved mahogany bar, pressed copper ceilings, chandeliers, a cherrywood paneled library and presidential-themed suite with a fireplace.
The menu will include those ever-popular cuts like the 48-ounce prime dry aged Porterhouses, hand massaged soybean-fed Kobe beef and giant Australian lobster tails.
* Big news: Potbelly Sandwich Works is coming to New York City.
The Chicago-based firm features the best toasted-to-order sandwiches on the planet.
Full disclosure: The CEO is my brother.
* Regarding last week’s story about the new Junior’s restaurant going to Midtown, Alan Rosen wanted us to make clear that a lease is out but not yet signed. We hope you get it, Alan.