The cafe tucked inside the Fort Worth Botanic Garden's Rock Springs building is about to go quiet for a bit. Service will wrap up on June 30, and the space is set to reopen this fall as Flora House, a new concept from Westland Hospitality that promises a chef-led menu along with expanded catering and supper-club programming for garden visitors.
According to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Westland chef Juan Rodriguez of Magdalena's will design the new menu, which the announcement labeled a "bold reimagining." The paper reports that the garden and Westland issued a joint statement outlining plans for the revamped cafe to take over catering for garden events and to host garden supper clubs.
Westland's footprint in Fort Worth
Per Westland Hospitality, the company grew out of JD's Hamburgers and now operates concepts that include Margie's Italian Gardens, Pulido's and West Side Cafe. The group highlights its focus on restoring local dining legacies and lists Juan Rodriguez among its leadership, positioning Flora House as another local-minded project in its portfolio.
About Rock Springs Café
The Rock Springs building has housed restaurant operations since 1992, and the on-site cafe has been managed by Kelcher Entertainment Group under a long-standing partnership with the garden. Information on the Fort Worth Botanic Garden's site describes Rock Springs Café as a bistro-style option that also handles catering for on-site events.
Kelcher's agreement to operate the space will end June 30, and the garden and Westland gave only a broad fall timeframe for Flora House's opening, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Visitors can expect the cafe to remain closed through the summer while Westland prepares the new concept and menus.
