Add Masaharu Morimoto to the list of renowned chefs coming to the D.C. area. As part of Tysons Corner’s Fall 2005 expansion, the Iron Chef will bring a new concept, an upscale Asian-Fusion restaurant called Pauli Moto’s Asian Bistro, to the expansion wing of the mall. Other tenants will include the area’s only Oakley store, a new Urban Outfitters and a Famous Famiglia.

If you can’t wait until the fall to sample Morimoto’s cooking, you can always jet north on 95. DCist has wonderful memories of dining at Morimoto’s Philadelphia restaurant a few years ago. The sake, the sushi, the steak — our meal was beyond superb, probably the best meal we’ve ever had. If Pauli Moto’s offers anything remotely close, Jeff Tunks and Eric Ziebold might face some stiff competition in the lucrative Asian-Fusion market.

Morimoto will also face off against D.C.’s own Roberto Donna on an early episode of Iron Chef America, airing in January. No hint as to what the ingredient will be — but we’re secretly hoping it’s half smokes.

Edit: Thanks to an eagle-eyed reader who points out that Clime is actually employed at Ceiba, Ten Penh’s sister restaurant. The executive chef at Ten Penh is Jeff Tunks, while the chef de cuisine is Cliff Wharton.