About three years after it opened, oZ. Chophouse, one of Howard County’s few upscale steakhouses, closed its doors Sunday — making room for the expansion of Jordan’s Steakhouse, a fixture on Ellicott City’s Main Street, into Fulton.

Jordan’s owner Jordan Naftal said he signed a lease last week to take over oZ.’s former building in Fulton’s Maple Lawn development.

“We love Maple Lawn,” said Naftal, adding he planned to start serving customers there in November. “We wanted to open there three years ago, but oZ. was already there. We think it’s going to be great.”

Katie and Tim Buscher, owners of oZ. Chophouse, have posted a farewell message on the restaurant’s Web site, saying they sold their business to Naftal and thanking customers and employees.
 
“This was a very difficult decision for us to make and has had a major impact on us all,” the message states. “We are so appreciative of every person who has stepped in the doors as a guest, and especially an employee.”

During its three-year run, oZ. Chophouse won acclaim for its customized steaks, creative cocktails and unique dining experience. In the middle of the restaurant stood a huge tree.

But the restaurant had fallen on some hard times. Its neighbor, Trapeze, an upscale restaurant specializing in fish dishes, closed last year. It was replaced by Looney’s Pub. At the same time, oZ. stopped serving lunch, citing lower-than-expected customer turnout.  

The chophouse’s last meal, dinner, was served Saturday, Aug. 8.

Despite tough times for other restaurants in Fulton, Naftal said he believes the economy is making a turn for the better and now is a good time to expand his business.

“The economy is turning around. The area [Maple Lawn] is really good,” he said.

Naftal added that altering the menu at Jordan’s     in Ellicott City to include some cheaper options for customers has helped bring back diners.

“We added a whole menu of small plates and options that are less expensive,” he said. “The customers are slowly coming back.

“The past year, we were down like everybody else. But we’re seeing the customer counts come back.”

Richard Story, CEO of the Howard County Development Authority, said he believes Maple Lawn is one of the county’s best areas for growth, despite oZ.’s closing.

“Restaurants are very marginal in terms of profit margins. In this economy, fragile businesses sometimes break,” Story said.

He said there are 37 houses under construction now in Maple Lawn — bringing the total number of homes there to more than 300 — and grocery chain Harris Teeter  plans to open a supermarket there in October.

“That says something about market confidence,” Story said.

He added that developer Edward St. John has purchased property to build six office buildings, and United Methodist Church is building a new regional headquarters in the development.

“Maple Lawn has really been a quality project,” Story said.

---

user comments (8)

user daver says...

Well, I wish Jordan luck. If they do not re-price the menu and get more consistent with their food, they will suffer the same fate as Trapeze and Oz. We dined at Trapeze many times finally giving up. Menu needed work, food not consistent, too pricey for the area. Oz had mostly bad reviews from all we knew who visited. Jordan prices like a Mortons or a Ruth's Chis, but come far short on food and service. Much better to have a menu that is not all ala carte. We try Jordan about once a year to see if they have improved, alas, nave found none. Really we wish it would succeed, but repeating Ellicott City just won't do it.

Posted 5:30 PM, 08.11.09 | Permalink

user hocoterp01 says...

Trapeze was terrible. Food was marginal, prices were bad, and service was spotty. Loved the sweet potato fries at Oz- maybe Jordans can resurrect those? Good luck to them, we'll be in for a taste.

Posted 7:30 AM, 08.12.09 | Permalink

user cyndi says...

I am sooo disappointed. My husband and I love the Oz. They had the best steaks and cream of crab soup. The service was always great. We've been to Jordan's twice and will never go back. Over priced and poor service. If I'm going to pay that much for a steak, I expect good service. I don't know what daver is taking about. Everyone we know loved the place.

Posted 2:54 PM, 08.13.09 | Permalink

user williamsmith says...

If OZ couldn't make how will the new "Jordans?" I mean if they plan to improve the OZ concept with their customary higher prices and lesser service and if their tax evasion and subsequent eviction from Ellicott City is any indication I give them no chance. I wonder if Carlos knew of his new partner's past before his greasy hand-shake deal from Mr. Naftel. I'd bring a can of bug spray as those they lay down with dogs...

Posted 8:48 AM, 08.21.09 | Permalink

user ecworker says...

I work at one of the restaurants in Ellicott City, we recently aquired a cook from Jordan's. Poor cook left Jordan's because he/she kept getting paychecks that bounced. How can someone who can't cover their payroll open another restaurant?

Posted 12:34 PM, 08.21.09 | Permalink

user pbrewstr says...

Three restaurants have failed with THREE BIG EGOS. Lets get over yourselves and put out a good lean but meaty product for family and friends, and nice but not over the top environment, easy on the panache this time because it all boils down to SERVICE.....and PRODUCT.

Posted 12:40 PM, 08.21.09 | Permalink

user restaurantowner007 says...

I would demand cash at the beginning of my shift if I worked for these people - check with their former unpaid employees at Jordan's in Ellicott City who trusted them and got shafted.

Posted 8:15 AM, 08.25.09 | Permalink

user zoom says...

I wont patronize until the wages issues are settled.

Posted 5:03 PM, 08.26.09 | Permalink