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Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto is bringing his MM by Morimoto concept to the Vail Mansion at 110 South Street in Morristown, and the question we keep getting is a simple one: when does it actually open? Here is where things stand.
The project was announced in October 2025 by the Town of Morristown alongside Montclair Hospitality Group, the company partnering with Morimoto on the restaurant. Plans call for a roughly 15,000 square foot modern Japanese steakhouse spread across six themed dining areas, with a dedicated steak program and a full mixology program. It would be the second MM by Morimoto in New Jersey, following the Montclair original that opened in the summer of 2025, where the same group also runs the 14 seat omakase counter OEN by Morimoto.
“Together with chef Morimoto, we’re honoring the legacy of Vail Mansion while reimagining what fine dining can be in this region,” Montclair Hospitality Group founder Luck Sarabhayavanija said when the plan was announced.
The building is a big part of the draw. The Vail Mansion was built between 1916 and 1918 for Theodore Vail, the first president of the American Telephone and Telegraph Company, who died before he ever lived in it. Morristown acquired the property in 1922 and ran its municipal offices out of it for roughly 75 years. In the early 2000s it was converted into 36 condominium residences plus a restaurant space, which became Jockey Hollow Bar & Kitchen. Jockey Hollow served its last meal in early 2025, leaving one of the most striking dining rooms in Morris County waiting for a new tenant.
Now the part everyone in our comments is asking about. As of September 2026, no opening date has been announced. Neither the town nor Montclair Hospitality Group has put out a target month, and the Morristown location still does not appear on Morimoto’s own list of restaurants, which continues to show Montclair as his only New Jersey address. Close to a year has gone by since the announcement without a public update.
That is not a sign the project is off. Restaurant builds of this scale inside a century old landmark routinely run long, permitting and historic building work included, and nobody involved has walked anything back. It simply means there is no date to circle yet. We are watching this one closely and will update the moment a real timeline is announced.
In the meantime, plenty has already opened around the county. Here is every new restaurant that opened in Morris County this summer, and if you are looking for somewhere to eat downtown tonight, start with our local’s guide to Morristown.
