Former Kazu Team Launching New Global Restaurant Myridia in 5th and Main

The restaurant spaces in the

have always had tremendous potential despite some initial challenges. Now that Allium has been relaunched as

, creative minds are turning to reinventing the former Otter's space next door.

And the change sounds like a dramatic one. Restaurateur Kazu "Kaz" Hishida, who owned Kazu restaurant in Cummins Station from 2003 to '08, is working to open the new 5th and Main restaurant, Myridia, as a chic home for chef-driven global cuisine.

I talked to Kaz today, and he says he's again teaming with his chef dad Kazuhira Hishida at Myridia. The elder Hishida — a classically trained chef who's cooked around the world — will create the menu and launch the kitchen.

Since closing Kazu, the younger Hishida has bolstered his skills with a stint as a catering manager at Vanderbilt and honed his party sense by operating an event space, Avenue 9.

That experience should come in handy at Myridia. In addition to the restaurant and lounge that will fill the former Otter's space, there's a 1,500-square-foot space for private parties of all varieties.