Updating the Progress of Morimoto Las Vegas at the MGM Grand

After three years of anticipation, Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto will finally debut his first Las Vegas restaurant this fall, but first he needs to clear some space at the MGM Grand. Morimoto Las Vegas will be taking over the 5,542-square-foot room currently occupied by Shibuya, the resort's Japanese dining destination since July 2004.

Shibuya has yet to announce an official closing date, but is no longer taking reservations from independent agencies like OpenTable after their final service on Saturday, July 2.

Designed by renowned firm Yabu Pushelberg, the restaurant could accommodate 16 guests at the sushi bar, highly visible to hotel visitors walking by the front entrance, 30 diners at the teppan tables and 150 in the main dining room.

For Morimoto Las Vegas, all that has been revealed of the makeover is the promise of "signature sushi creations and spectacular cocktail offerings," plus an "exquisite design." A passionate commitment to some very ambitious plans by Morimoto and his design team in Japan, were long rumored to be the cause of the delays and high expense of his originally planned restaurant at the Mirage.

At the MGM Grand, construction alone has been assigned an estimated budget of $874,921, a small amount for such a high-profile venture, suggesting the interior layout will remain very similar.

Morimoto Las Vegas is currently hiring, including the post of executive chef.