North Bay Business Journal

NAPA – Food Network celebrity chef and Mill Valley resident Tyler Florence has signed a lease for a casual, rotisserie-centered eatery in the $72-million Napa Riverfront project. He is the second television star to commit to space in the new building.

Officials with the project also announced the recent signature of prominent North Bay restaurant developer Michael Dellar.

Main Street Properties Services broker Craig Semmelmeyer, who is handling the retail sales for Riverfront owner Channel Properties, said Mr. Florence recently agreed to fill 2,500 square feet in the corner of the Venetian-style building. The Food Network host has appeared on several regular shows and owns a cookware line and retail store. He also worked as the culinary dean and chef with Julia’s Kitchen in the now closed Copia.

The announcement follows recent reports that champion of Iron Chef America and Japan Masaharu Morimoto has leased 7,500 square feet for his first sushi restaurant. Mr. Morimoto currently has restaurants in New York, Philadelphia, Boca Raton, Fla. and Mumbai.

On Monday, Mr. Dellar, co-founder, president and chief executive officer of the Lark Creek Restaurant Group, signed a lease for the development of a seafood restaurant. The company currently operates 10 acclaimed restaurants in Marin, San Francisco, Walnut Creek, Santa Clara, Las Vegas and others.