Maynard James Keenan to Open Upscale Sushi Restaurant in Arizona

Maynard James Keenan is set to broaden his culinary horizons with the opening of Queen B Sushi on September 4 in Old Town Cottonwood, Arizona. This new upscale Japanese restaurant will enhance the hospitality empire he has built over the last two decades in the Verde Valley.

Located at 816 N. Main St., Queen B Sushi is an extension of the Queen B universe that Keenan and his wife, Jennifer, have developed. Previously, they launched Queen B Vinyl Café, which has evolved into a café and coffee roaster and serves as a venue for local performances.

Keenan's appreciation for sushi began nearly four decades ago during his time in Boston, but it was his first tour in Japan with A Perfect Circle in 2000 that significantly deepened his love for the cuisine. He recalls that trip as transformative, leading him to carry titanium and hardwood chopsticks from Snow Peak as a personal memento of his passion for sushi.

The culinary direction of Queen B Sushi is in the capable hands of Brett Vibber, a seasoned chef with experience at Roka Akor locations in London, Hong Kong, and the U.S. Vibber has recruited Chef Chuhiro "Thomas" Kato, who trained under renowned chefs Nobu Matsuhisa and Masaharu Morimoto, along with Chef Sheridan "Sher" Chase, an Arizona native with extensive kitchen experience across California and Texas.

Interestingly, the concept for Queen B Sushi emerged somewhat unexpectedly. Initially, while developing the menu for Queen B Vinyl Café, the Keenans considered a full sushi program but hesitated due to concerns about finding the right chef in a small town. They soon realized that Vibber, already part of their team, was the perfect fit.

In addition to sushi, Queen B Sushi will offer a rotating selection of wines from Keenan's own Caduceus Cellars and Merkin Vineyards, ensuring that diners have options to complement their meals.

This restaurant marks another step in Keenan's efforts to establish the Verde Valley as a culinary destination, following his successful campaign for the region's AVA certification in 2021. His local ventures began with the Caduceus Cellars Tasting Room and have since expanded to include multiple wineries and dining establishments.

As Keenan prepares to launch Queen B Sushi, he also looks forward to returning to the stage with A Perfect Circle later this year, showcasing his multifaceted career that spans both music and culinary arts.