Peter Chang signage removed at Rockville Town Square

The final trace of local celebrity chef Peter Chang has been removed from his former restaurant at 20-A Maryland Avenue at Rockville Town Square. Kungfu Kitchen abruptly took over the space when Chang made his unexpected exit from the struggling Town Center property in April. Chang's eponymous restaurant operated at Rockville Town Square for ten years. His exit stings all the more as the Montgomery County-averse dining critic of The Washington Post just wrote rave reviews of Chang's newest restaurants in Gaithersburg and Arlington. 

Chang's status among celebrity chefs and prolific restaurateurs is remarkable in that his fame derives entirely from the products of his kitchens. He is rarely seen or heard in the media via interviews or public relations efforts, and doesn't belittle aspiring chefs on competitive cooking TV shows, or engage in publicity stunts. Chang is known for one thing: his cooking. Rockville Town Square is increasingly known for...empty storefronts.

PETER CHANG INSTALLS SIGN AT ROCKVILLE TOWN SQUARE (PHOTOS)

The permanent sign is up and lit at the future Peter Chang's China Bistro in Rockville Town Square.

PETER CHANG'S CHINA BISTRO APPLIES FOR ALCOHOL LICENSE (PHOTOS)

The future, eponymous Peter Chang restaurant in Rockville Town Square has applied for its liquor license. It will replace Taste of Saigon at the retail center. In an update from the initial announcement, the name appears to have added "China Bistro" to the end of it. Peter Chang's license hearing will be held today at 9:00 AM in the auditorium of the County Council building at 100 Maryland Avenue.

PETER CHANG RESTAURANT TO OPEN AT ROCKVILLE TOWN SQUARE

Federal Realty has landed a big name in Chinese cuisine at its Rockville Town Square development. Peter Chang will return to the DC area, opening an eponymous new Chinese concept in Rockville's town center. While Federal Realty did not announce the restaurant's location, it appears Chang won't be taking over one of the obvious vacant spaces. Chang's business partner, Gen Lee, told the Washington Post's Tim Carman that the new restaurant will replace Taste of Saigon.

While the restaurant will be only 3100 square feet in size, Chang's Duck in Stone Pot and Grandma's Steamed Pork Belly will be among his legendary dishes to make the Rockville menu. Peter Chang will be open late, from 11:00 AM to 1:00 AM, according to a Federal Realty press release.

While Rockville Town Square is still having some struggles - several tenants (e.g. Cosi) have vacated in recent months - the overall trend has been Federal Realty better matching its mix of tenants to Rockville's demographics. That includes better catering to the burgeoning Asian population in the city (although if Taste of Saigon is really moving out, there won't be a net gain in that department).

Stay tuned for more information as it comes in.