Jordan Naftal, the owner of the now-closed Jordan’s Steakhouse in Ellicott City, is no longer part of a plan to open a new restaurant in the Maple Lawn development in Fulton.

“Since we were unable to reopen Jordan’s, our focus 100 percent is now  to figure out how to take care of everyone and to figure out our  plan,” Naftal said. “Doing a new restaurant was not the right thing for us at this time.”

The change in the Maple Lawn plans was announced in an e-mail sent to the media Thursday by Carlos Venegas, the co-owner of Ranazul, an upscale wine and tapas bar in Maple Lawn. Ranazul and Naftal were to be partners in the opening of a new steakhouse in Maple Lawn, in the spot formerly owned by the recently closed oZ. Chophouse.

Chad Price, a spokesman for Venegas, said Venegas still plans to open the steakhouse in Maple Lawn in November, but without Naftal.

The working name for the new restaurant, Price said, will be Carlos’ Steakhouse. The restaurant was to be known as Carlos and Jordan’s Steakhouse.

Jordan's Steakhouse on Main Street, one of the county's better-known restaurants, closed unexpectedly earlier this month. In a previous interview, Naftal said he was locked out of his Ellicott City restaurant by his landlord Aug. 17 because of a dispute over rent payments.

Last week, a former restaurant employee filed criminal charges against Naftal, accusing him of failing to pay her nearly $2,000 in wages.

This article has been updated.

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user comments (5)

user milton says...

Good call, Mr. Venegas.

Posted 5:36 PM, 08.27.09 | Permalink

user ecworker says...

Finally, something that makes sense. good idea Mr. Venegas. Now you have a chance to be successful.

Posted 11:54 AM, 08.28.09 | Permalink

user pepper says...

this has some real drama to it...anyone been thru maple lawn recently? seems like a doomed place for business owners. cant believe the business turnover. used to be a no-no in columbia. mr rouse quietly fixed the financial trouble spots....builders, business owners. guess he knew the problems that were created once the "word got out" that a business or a builder defaulted. the good ol days.

Posted 8:30 PM, 08.28.09 | Permalink

user says...

Smart move by Mr. Venegas (who probably used funds invested by Mr. Naaftal who apparently got the funds for his initial investment and partnership with Mr. Venegas by NOT paying his employees or the rent at Jordan's Steak House) to not put the Jordan name on the new restaurant. Jordan Naftal probably still has a silent partnership or ownership interest in the business because of his financial investment. Sounds kind of fishy to me and should be investigated further. The Maryland Labor Board or other responsible government agency ought to look into this matter on behalf of the employees who were not paid by Mr. Naftal at Jordan's Steak House. If it is indeed found that Mr. Naftal has a financial interest in the new venture, then the appropriate governmental authorities should withhold granting of an operating license to the new establishment until all of Mr. Naftal's former employees are paid in full. A full investigation should certainly be made of this matter.

Posted 3:22 PM, 08.29.09 | Permalink

user hocoterp01 says...

Wish Mr. Venagas the best- this sounds like a much better approach. Ranazul seems to be doing well. And you can't beat their happy hour- pitcher of sangria for $20- the best sangria we've had!

Posted 11:03 PM, 08.29.09 | Permalink