Maynard James Keenan Adds Sushi to His Verde Valley Portfolio

Maynard James Keenan continues to build out his corner of Arizona’s Verde Valley. Queen B Sushi, the latest venture from Keenan and his wife Jennifer, opens September 4th in Old Town Cottonwood, joining their Queen B Vinyl Café and Keenan’s established wine operations—Merkin Vineyards Hilltop Winery & Trattoria and Caduceus Cellars Hilltop Facility.

The restaurant’s name comes from a 2007 Puscifer song, a consistent thread through Keenan’s off-stage work in the region. The kitchen is led by culinary director Brett Vibber, whose background includes Roka Akor’s London, Hong Kong, and US locations. Vibber’s team includes Chef Chuhiro “Thomas” Kato, who trained under Nobu Matsuhisa, and Arizona native Chef Sheridan “Sher” Chase. Keenan’s wines will be poured alongside the menu.

Keenan’s connection to sushi is not new. He has described eating it since his Boston days in the late 1980s and carrying a pair of titanium and hardwood travel chopsticks for 25 years—a habit that once prompted Janeane Garofalo to tell David Cross and Dave Hill that Keenan used to carry chopsticks in his pocket. He pulled them out to prove it.

The restaurant lands just ahead of a fall spent away from Arizona. Puscifer begins a UK and European headlining tour in October, followed by a joint run with A Perfect Circle through South America, Australia, Japan, and Hawaii. Queen B Sushi is now taking reservations.