Michael Symon, who was named the newest Iron Chef on last year's Food Network reality show "The Next Iron Chef," is planning to open a restaurant in the proposed Milwaukee Hotel Palomar and Residences development in downtown Milwaukee.

Symon is the owner and executive chef of two restaurants in Cleveland, Lola and Lolita, and he recently opened another restaurant in Detroit, called Roast.

He was one of the rotating hosts of the Food Network's show "Melting Pot" and appeared on other Food Network shows, including "Sara's Secrets," with Sara Moulton, "Ready…Set…Cook!" and "Food Nation with Bobby Flay."

Symon was recently named as the new host of Food Network's "Dinner: Impossible." Symon also was named one of the 10 best new chefs in America by "Food and Wine" magazine.

"Michael Symon is one of the brightest talents in the food world," said Marty Collins, chief executive officer of Dallas-based Gatehouse Capital, which is the development firm planning the Milwaukee Hotel Palomar and Residences project. "Bringing Michael's expertise to Milwaukee is a great addition and will make the Milwaukee Hotel Palomar and Residences one of the hottest destinations in the city. We pursued Michael at the strong recommendation of our other chefs, and we are elated to have him join us in Milwaukee."

The Milwaukee Palomar Hotel and Residences would be built at the northwest corner of West Juneau Avenue and Old World Third Street in the Park East corridor. The $150 million development would include 63 condominiums, a 175-room boutique hotel, Symon's restaurant, nightclub, a spa and fitness center, retail space, and a parking structure.

However the economic downturn and the credit crunch that has hit the financial industry and limited the amount of capital for real estate developments have delayed the Milwaukee Palomar development. Construction is now expected to begin around late 2009 or early 2010.

Despite the project's delay, plans for the development are still moving forward, which is why plans for Symon's restaurant were announced today, Collins said.

"Milwaukee is another great city in the Midwest. and I am excited to create a venue that offers a memorable menu and remarkable setting," Symon said. "This is going to be a great dining experience for the people of Milwaukee."