My track record isn't very good recently as far as restaurant news is concerned, although I have been able to keep up - barely - on my blog, Dining@Large. First I reported that Jordan Naftal of Jordan's Steakhouse was reopening oZ. Steakhouse in Maple Lawn with Carlos Venegas, an owner of the planned community's tapas restaurant, Ranazul.
Then the next week I told you, oops, Jordan's had closed unexpectedly because of a rent dispute with the landlord, but Naftal was still going ahead with the Maple Lawn location.
It turns out that he has other financial problems, and now he's pulling out of the Maple Lawn project altogether.
"I have removed myself from Carlos & Jordan's Steakhouse," he told me last week, "since I have been unable to reopen and repair Jordan's."
The restaurant that will replace oZ. sometime late this fall or winter will now be known simply as Carlos' Steakhouse. Unused gift certificates from Jordan's will be honored for full value at the new restaurant, Venegas told me.
Banksy's Fine-dining establishments may be hurting (see the unexpected closing of the Brass Elephant as well as Jordan's), but new, casual, relatively inexpensive places continue to open and flourish.
The latest is Banksy's, (6080 Falls Road, 410-377-4444) which has opened in Lake Falls Village where the GlasZ Cafe once was.
Robert Banks, who runs the place and cooks with his business partner, Will Brown, said, "Never have I worked so hard in my life."
The two completely revamped the space before it opened in August. It's brighter and more comfortable, Banks said, with reclaimed church pews cushioned in a Burberry stripe, a leather sectional with coffee tables and an ivory, crimson and black color scheme. The tiny space seats 20 inside with four tables outside.
While the cafe has a full array of sandwiches, Banks is most proud of his crab cake sandwich made with jumbo lump crab and served between Saltines for "an introductory" $7. He's also offering a Bay Mac, a three-decker sandwich on a potato roll with a crab cake, shrimp salad, lettuce and tomato and remoulade for $11. It comes with a side of the day, which might be fresh grilled pineapple rings, pasta or potato salad or slaw.
And, of course, save room for the signature dessert, the Krispy Kreme ice cream sandwich made with a doughnut split, filled with ice cream, dipped in milk chocolate, rolled in chopped almonds and frozen.
Banksy's has breakfast, lunch, gourmet-to-go and specialty coffees. Hours are Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday.
Eastern Shore bistro If you're heading to the Eastern Shore this fall and are a foodie, you'll be interested to know that the Inn at Easton (28 S. Harrison St., Easton) has been sold and will become an upscale American bistro, the Bartlett Pear Inn. It's scheduled to open the weekend of the Easton film festival, Sept. 18 through 20, although that can always change.
The new owners are Jordan Lloyd and his wife Alice, whose middle name is Bartlett. The couple grew up in the area.
Lloyd will run the kitchen; he has worked with such noted chefs as Michel Richard and Thomas Keller. Former owner/chef Andrew Evans is a tough act to follow, but those are impressive credentials.
