Stephen Starr Opening Japanese Restaurant at Bal Harbour Shops in 2011

Restaurateur Stephen Starr

Word has been leaked that award-winning restaurateur Stephen Starr (you know him from Buddakan, Morimoto, and Steak 954 in Fort Lauderdale's W Hotel), will be debuting a new 200-seat Japanese concept restaurant in Bal Harbour Shops early 2011.

A press release mentions "expansive sushi bar offerings and modern takes on traditional Japanese entrees, noodles and rice dishes" for lunch, brunch and dinner.

French design team Gilles & Boissier, who made Steak 954 into a live-jellyfish-and-Sharpie-pen-enhanced haven, will be in charge of the décor. We suspect Starr will resume his ongoing role as human iPod, too, hand-picking the most seductive soundtracks possible.