Midori fans will be glad to know the cheerful, authentic Japanese restaurant has reopened in Rancho Mirage in the Pavilion's shopping center at Bob Hope and General Ford Drives.
     For 19 years in Palm Desert on Highway 111, Midori's Owner Ako Hirota has welcomed friends to her bustling, fragrant restaurant. Ako and her loyal kitchen and dining staff now welcome you to the new Midori, a fresh, contemporary restaurant with split-level, granite-topped sushi and martini bar.
     As Midori means a "green place" in Japanese, the restaurant is painted in a cool apple green with smart charcoal accents. Midori has always been an oasis of Japanese culture and cuisine in the desert.
     Polished teak tables are spot lit with blue lotus lamps. Wrought-iron tables under umbrellas on the patio lend even more dining choices. Comfortable teak bar stools are drawn up to the duo bars where diners can sip a variety of martini drinks and sample sushi while waiting for a table, or opt to stay at the sushi bar for the complete experience.

Enjoy such martinis as Hiro's with peach schnapps and cranberry juice, the Geisha with pineapple juice and the Midori Absolut Citron and a splash of Grand Marnier.
     Midori's well-trained sushi chefs know how to entice first-time sushi tasters, as well as when to take experienced sushi lovers on new adventures. Among favorites is the Rainbow Roll with seven kinds of fish, a Caterpillar Roll with eel and avocado atop a California Roll, Spicy Tuna Roll and Tiger Roll with Shrimp Tempura. Midori's full menu of authentic Japanese cuisine includes a variety of noodle specialties, steamed dishes, tempuras, kazus or cutlets, and don style, served over rice.
     Special combination and boat dinners provide samplers of favorites that serve two or more people. Lunch specials include a choice of two entrées such as beef or chicken teriyaki, tempura or sushi served with salad, soup and rice.
     Midori is open for lunch daily from 11:30 am to 2:30 pm and for dinner from 5 to 10 pm.