MAPLEWOOD, Mo. — The Benevolent King, Ben Poremba’s restaurant and cocktail concept that’s known for its Moroccan-inspired food, is transforming to a Japanese restaurant.
The eatery, which closed Saturday at 7268 Manchester Road in Maplewood, will reopen in the same space on Feb. 14, Poremba said in a social media post.
“Embracing Chef Eliott Harris’s Japanese culinary expertise, The Benevolent King takes on a new yet familiar journey,” Poremba, whose Bengelina Hospitality Group operates several local restaurant concepts, wrote. Harris, who serves as executive chef at Benevolent King, previously hosted a series of pop-ups at the restaurant, leading Poremba to rebrand the concept.
The concept’s new menu will be inspired by Japanese food and culture, and the restaurant itself will “maintain its renowned cocktail program and retain its sophisticated ambiance,” Poremba, who could not immediately be reached for comment, wrote in the post.
