The rumor mill is churning again today and I heard that Chef Marc Bianchini, co-owner of Get Bianchini Restaurants (Osteria del Mondo, Cubanitas, Indulge) is expanding his empire to Bayshore Town Center.

In early 2008, we reported that Cameron Mitchell Steakhouse at Bayshore Town Center had closed. Since then, Bayshore officials have explored several options to fill the vacant space.

Large national restaurant concepts are usually good fits for malls since, at least until recently, most are buzzing with shoppers and density. Several sources, though, say that a Bianchini, a local restaurant star with national experience, is about to make his "Marc" at the mall.

While no one will talk officially, Get Bianchini Restaurants, owned by Bianchini and his wife Marta, should -- if my sources are correct -- take over the vacant Cameron Mitchell space and open a new restaurant by fall.

I like Bayshore a lot and it's really the only local mall (other than grabbing coffee at the Stone Creek at The Shops of Grand Avenue) that I frequent. Adding Bianchini's signature style can only be a good thing for the mall's regional draw.

Bianchini wouldn't comment on this rumor nor would his public relations counsel. An e-mail from Julia Caulfield at Bayshore Town Center said, "Thank you for your inquiry, but at this time we don't have any thing confirm yet regarding Marc Bianchini opening a restaurant at Bayshore." So, we'll leave it up to blog fate to see if my Milwaukee restaurant rumor mill is on the mark today. Stay tuned.

In the meantime, here's my 2006 Milwaukee Talks with Bianchini.