Modern Honolulu Names its New Restaurant

A few weeks ago I reported that the Modern Honolulu would be ending its licensing agreement with Chef Masaharu Morimoto, better known as the Iron Chef Japanese.  The property, however, had stated that the restaurant would remain open and retain all of its staff, even through its planned close date of December 8.  What wasn’t clear, however, was what exactly the restaurant space would turn into.  However, in an announcement made earlier this week, the Modern Honolulu names its new restaurant: Ravish.

Ravish is set to open today, Wednesday, December 14, and will serve up Pacific Asian and South American dishes.  At the helm of the new restaurant will be Chef Fred DeAngelo, whom once headed up Ola at the Turtle Bay Resort on Oahu’s North Shore, as well as his own restaurant, Grove, in Kailua.  Grove was somewhat popular amongst locals, but lasted only a few short years, and Ola is no more as Turtle Bay attempts to reinvent itself a little.  Chef Keith Pajinag will also assist DeAngelo, and is already in charge of all the other dining venues in the resort.  Beyond a lot of hyped-up marketing speak, though, little information is available regarding the restaurant’s new menu.  The website currently states they’ll have sushi, raw and chilled seafood, charcoal grilled beef, and a dessert menu “that’s sure to tempt any sweet tooth.”

According to an article by Pacific Business News, Ravish was created in partnership with Bespoke Concepts.  It will feature an open kitchen, outdoor dining, and new wall murals.  Which is to say, the restaurant space really isn’t changing except for some artwork and probably new decor.  Maybe there will be new furniture, too, but we’ll see.  Ultimately, I hope the new restaurant does well.  While popular, the Morimoto that once called The Modern Honolulu home wasn’t doing so great.  There were quite a few negative reviews, and amongst my foodie friends, many of us expressed disappointment in the food offerings.  I mean, how on earth do you make wagyu beef tough?  So it’s my hope that not only will Ravish live up to its (in my opinion) ridiculous name, but that Morimoto’s own new restaurants at the redeveloped Pacific Beach Hotel will succeed as well.  He was one of my favorite Iron Chefs after all… And I’m talking about the Japanese version of the show!