Modan, a new Japanese restaurant coming to the Scotts Run neighborhood of Tysons, is getting closer to a launch.
The restaurant is on track to open on the ground floor of the Heming apartments at 1788 Chain Bridge Road this fall, according to a press release. While a opening day remains to be determined, the business shared more details about what customers can expect once that date arrives.
Described as “upscale” with a name that translates to “modern” in Japanese, Modan’s 7,000 square feet of space will include a bar, an outdoor patio, an open-concept sushi counter, and a private omakase counter, where diners will be served by Executive Chef Micheole “Chico” Dator.
Previously an executive sushi chef at Nobu DC, Dator says he likes to blend Japanese cooking techniques with influences from Southeast Asian cuisine.
“Traditional Japanese cuisine emphasizes seasonal ingredients, meticulous preparation, and presentation, while modern Japanese cuisine often incorporates innovative techniques and global influences,” he said in the press release. “Adding a touch of Southeast Asian flair can introduce vibrant flavors and ingredients resulting in a delightful fusion of flavors and culinary traditions.”
At Modan, Dator will use a unique dry aging process designed to give diners “a flavor profile they have never experienced before,” per the release:
During the dry aging process, enzymes break down the protein and fat structures within the meat while simultaneously drawing out moisture, resulting in a melt-in-your-mouth experience. Modan will apply their own unique dry-aging techniques not only to beef but fish as well offering a curated variety of buttery, dry-aged cuts from both land and sea for guests.
Though the restaurant’s interior is still being built out, it has already won an award for its design, which was developed by the firm Collective Architecture. Judges for IIDA Mid-Atlantic’s Premier Design Awards praised the concept — or rather, renderings of the concept — for its “captivating interplay of light and shadow” and “harmonious balance of textures.”
The restaurant will serve as the launch of The Modan Hospitality Group, a new collaborative venture led by Joon Yang, the restauranteur behind American Prime in Tysons and Epic Smokehouse in Pentagon City.
Yang says his team felt there was a need for “a one-of-a-kind dining experience” in Tysons.
“We know a lot of people go downtown for something they can’t find in Tysons and we knew we could bring them the modern Japanese experience they are looking for without having to go into D.C.,” Yang said in a statement to FFXnow. “We’re excited for diners to experience the contemporary flair Modan will offer.”
Modan will join a growing number of retailers serving Scotts Run, the mixed-use development emerging south of Route 123 near the McLean Metro station. So far, the neighborhood is home to Body Fit Training and another Japanese restaurant, Sushi Umi, which opened in April.
In addition to Modan, Heming is expected to welcome Apparati Wellness Studio this October and Sunday Morning Bakehouse in the winter.
