Steak Out is out, Ev & Maddy’s is in
82 Steak Out, the cozy steak-and-fries restaurant next to Noodles & Company at Rockville Town Square, closed its doors last week after less than a year in business. It’s the third eatery to fail in that space since 2007, following Bobby’s Crabcakes (another locally owned restaurant with good reviews) and Tippy’s Taco House. Perhaps the fourth time will be the charm: Ev & Maddy’s, a European-style bistro, has begun renovating the space with plans to open next month. Chef/owner Patrick Pak is a graduate of L’Academie de Cuisine, with an impressive resume that includes stints at Komi, the Blue Duck Tavern and Arlington’s Grand Cru Wine Bar & Bistro.
More Peruvian in downtown Rockville
Also new in downtown Rockville is Sazon Inka, a Peruvian restaurant in the former Pita Hut space on North Washington Street. Chef Segundo Silva, formerly with Rockville’s La Limena, is serving up charbroiled rotisserie chicken and ceviche plus specialty dishes like Aji de Gallina (shredded chicken in a spicy cream sauce) and Jalea (the fried seafood dish shown here). Ross Castillon, who’s helping his father Hugo run the restaurant, says they hope to appeal to customers of higher-end eateries like La Canela as well as quick-serve places like Crisp & Juicy. “People around here are really getting to know Peruvian cuisine,” he says. “We have a lot of competitors, and we want to make sure that we stand out.”
What’s up with RadioShack?
The future is not looking bright for RadioShack at the Cabin John Shopping Center, which is now operating as a “clearance store” carrying only heavily discounted items. All regular-priced merchandise has been shipped out to other locations, and employees say they haven’t been told whether the store will remain open. The Wall Street Journal reports that RadioShack Corp. could file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection as early as next week. For now, though, it’s still business as usual at the Rockville Pike and Westfield Montgomery Mall locations — the latter of which is said to be one of the chain’s top performers.
Your wish list for the mall
Thanks to all the readers who told us about their wish lists for Westfield Montgomery Mall (see our query in the Jan. 15 issue). We received hundreds of votes, and the top choice by far was a store that sells house and kitchen items — specifically Williams-Sonoma, Sur La Table, Pottery Barn, West Elm, or a return of the departed Crate & Barrel. In the clothing category, Athleta led the votes for its popular women’s workout wear. Other top requests included Bloomingdale’s, Anthropologie, H&M, Restoration Hardware, a book store and a wider selection of menswear stores. The mall won’t say which of those wishes might come true — although we’re betting that a home goods store is on the horizon. But those who asked for more menswear will be glad to hear that Bonobos is opening next month (click here for more).
Congrats to the winner of our Summer House giveaway
Congratulations to Store Reporter reader Jonathan Beiser, winner of last week’s giveaway: a $50 gift card to the new Summer House Santa Monica at Pike & Rose (click here for our picks from the menu). Stay tuned for another giveaway for the adjacent Stella Barra Pizzeria, which opens next month. Also happening at Pike & Rose next month: the return of La Madeleine and Chipotle.