Moto Restaurant has been bought by the Alinea group months after Chef Homaro Cantu, the restaurant’s creator, passed away.
Cantu’s wife and current owner of Moto Restaurant, Katie McGowan, wrote in a statement Friday that the restaurant came to an agreement to sell Moto to the Alinea Group, calling it a “bittersweet decision” that “comes after deep reflection of the lasting impact” Cantu made with the restaurant.
“Looking to the future, I am pleased to have come to an agreement with Nick Kokonas, Grant Achatz and the Alinea Group,” McGowan said. “I am inspired by their innovation and pioneering spirit, and wish them all the best with their new project. I can’t wait to see their vision and thank them for taking over the space as I begin a new chapter.”
Cantu was the founder of Cantu Designs, a revolutionary food technology design firm, and executive chef of Moto, one of the nation's leading restaurants in the field of molecular gastronomy.
He worked with famed chef Charlie Trotter from 1999 to 2003 before helping to open Moto in 2004 and later becoming its owner. Moto earned one Michelin star in 2014.
“A true visionary, Homaro fused his love of food with his genius for science, and forever changed the landscape of modern dining when he opened Moto twelve years ago,” McGowan said.
“Fervent about revolutionizing how, where and what we eat, he brought new possibilities to light in a way that challenged traditional thinking and inspired conversation worldwide about the future of food. Moto was the wellspring of this passion.”
Cantu was found hanged in a building in the 4400 block of West Montrose Avenue in April last year. His death was ruled a suicide.
Moto’s final day of service will be Feb. 14, McGowan said.
