Michael H. Polaski, owner of the Monsoon restaurant, 17800 Bluemound Rd., in Brookfield, and Mikey's on Cathedral Square in Downtown, has announced that he is relaunching the restaurant with a new Asian fusion concept and name, Umami Moto (oo-mommy).

According to a news release, "umami is a bit hard to translate into English, but the most literal meaning is 'deliciousness' or 'delicious essence.' It has also been associated with words like savory and roundness of  flavor. Beyond this, some offer that there is an emotional connection experienced or a feeling of 'perfect quality in taste.'" 

Since his SU Restaurant Group bought Monsoon from business partner John Vassallo in late 2007, Polaski says he has been inspired to build on the success of Monsoon and offer a new take on Asian fusion and present it in a better way.

“I am a big believer in Asian fusion, but I think it can be done better offering greater flavor and an experience,” Polaski said in the news release. “For years we’ve all known that there are four main tastes: salty, sweet, sour and bitter. Without realizing it, many of us have encountered a taste that lives beyond  these four, a rounder, savory flavor. It’s umami and this is the flavor in certain foods that causes us to crave those foods and now I want to share this experience in my own way with Metro Milwaukee.”

Monsoon will close its doors shortly after the new year and the space will be completely renovated.  The new restaurant is scheduled to open to the public in late January 2008 and will be lead by former Vivo owner and current restaurant consultant, Al Balda.