April 26, 2008

The Mysterious Desert Rose

I’ve had a few people asking me what the scoop is on the new business going into the vacant storefront on Hillhurst and Prospect, so I did a bit of digging.

Hillhurst Avenue used to be pretty much a driving street as far as Los Feliz and Franklin Hills residents were concerned—not a lot of reason to stay and linger. But the past few years have seen it transform dramatically, with a wave of new restaurants and boutiques, including The Alcove, whose brick patio is always packed. Now there’s a new addition—Desert Rose…coming soon to the spot that was once occupied by Cap N Cork (which is now across the street, pirate intact thank goodness).

The new restaurant hit controversy before it even started painting the walls, though. CurbedLA pointed out that the original design included a giant rose blooming out of the side of the building like a tumor, and bemoaned it as blight, but thankfully I see no sign of that in the final outcome. There is a patio, though, and I’m all for more places to sit outside, even if it’s on busy Hillhurst, with the buses rumbling by.

Desert Rose’s website is live, but clearly not meant for public consumption—faulty links, bad grammar, and nary a menu to be found—though it promises “mesquite grilled steaks, chicken and fish” at was sounds like the first in a line of chain restaurants. Not sure that’s a bonus…