The space may be empty, but get those creative juices flowing and envision the following. Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto (yup, that Morimoto) has partnered with Thomas Schoos of Schoos design (The Penthouse at The Huntley) to open a 10,000 square foot urban restaurant in Hollywood called Live on the corner of Vine and Santa Monica Blvd (next to Yoshinoya). The permits have just been passed, so this project is officially a go! Here's the deal. Thomas Schoos has designed a two floor restaurant with an open air patio complimented by 100 year-old olive trees and fire pits. The ground floor will also house an open kitchen and dining room under the watch of executive chef Troy N. Thompson who has worked in Japan, Vegas, and is currently consulting with the L'Ermitage.
What's so interesting about this venture, however, is that Live marks Morimoto's first non-sushi non-Japanese concept to date. Also, the food won't be incredibly overpriced like one might except from a celeb chef. He plans to serve simple, affordable "market cuisine" that centers around a live, custom-built Brazilian-style rotisserie and grill with a full-on wood burning oven. Fun fun fun. Aside from the dining space, guests will also have the option to shoot the breeze at the bar or lounge, both of which will serve classic cocktails.
Traveling upstairs, here, the restaurant will house its banquet rooms and other private dining spaces. Check out the above photos that show off the polished floors and exposed brick within this building that dates back to 1924.
As for interior decor, there will be vintage tables, communal dining tables, leather chairs, recycled (vintage?) flatware and linens.
Interior modifications should take about three months, and the team hopes to open in November.
In other Morimoto-san news, looks like the Iron Chef really branching out. Eater SF reports on another new Morimoto eatery in Napa. [EaterWire]
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