Ravi DeRossi is no newcomer to the hospitality industry. The mind behind plethoras of concepts — The Bourgeois Pig, Death&Co, and Mother of Pearl to name a few — has more than carved out a name for himself on the scene, deepening the etching with each prominent opening.
Now, James Bear Award-nominated DeRossi, who dabbles more heavily in NY, has returned to the City of Angels to offer us another unique concept:
Last year, DeRossi’s Overthrow Hospitality Group debuted Avant Garden LA, a sister store to his NYC-based vegan eatery. The 7496 Melrose Avenue restaurant later underwent a name change, adding the word “bistro” to its end to reflect and respect the concept’s beverage program, before closing permanently.
“We hope to open in a new location soon, but in the meantime are excited to bring you a new restaurant in our Melrose space,” explained the company’s website.
That new restaurant, DeRossi tells What Now Los Angeles, will be a vegan African eatery called Ubuntu, helmed by Chef Shennari Freeman of Overthrow’s NYC restaurant Cadence. Ubuntu should be in operation come June or July.
As for how and why the change came about, DeRossi says it’s a “long story,” but is willing to tell it as soon as his plane lands.
