Before the world knew him from appearances on such television shows as Iron Chef America and Top Chef Masters, Takashi Yagihashi knew Ann Arbor. During his nine years as executive chef at Tribute in Farmington Hills, Yagihashi often visited the city on his days off.
"In the summertime, I went to the art festivals and the farmers market, and I liked to eat at Zingerman's," says Yagihashi. "I feel that it's a very great, international city with a lot of students coming here from out of the country."
He never forgot his love of Ann Arbor, and neither did Michigan forget him. After opening his renowned Chicago restaurants, Takashi and
Slurping Turtle, Michiganders would regularly visit, asking when he was coming back to the Mitten. At long last, Yagihashi is satisfying their demands by opening a second Slurping Turtle in the former Borders building downtown.
"You have a very culture-oriented town. When we were starting to think about a Michigan Slurping Turtle, Ann Arbor came to my head right away," Yagihashi says. "Being across the street from the Michigan Theater, and very close to campus was the perfect location for us."
Yagihashi hopes the 5,296 square-foot restaurant will be open in Feb. of 2014, after completing renovations that will make the restaurant similar in style to his clean, modern, Zen-like Chicago location. The restaurant will seat about 100 diners. He expects to hire a staff of 40 to 50 employee, who will be trained both in Chicago and locally with Chicago-trained staff.
The Slurping Turtle will offer Ann Arbor diners a flexible menu that Yagihashi says will be suitable for large, fine dining groups, as well as a quick bite. The menu will include both cold and hot tapas, noodles, side dishes and desserts.
Source: Takashi Yagihashi, Slurping Turtle
Writer: Natalie Burg
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