J
ust mention the desert and images of arid
landscapes, cactus, wind blasted rock
formations and debilitating heat come to
mind. There are of course the animals,
hares, rabbit, rattlesnakes, road runners,
scorpions and more. Yet when we think of the
desert perhaps the one thing that rarely if ever
comes to mind is gourmet dining. You expect to
travel the back roads of the western landscape
and stop at some roadside eatery, complete with
motorcycles and weather beaten vehicles parked
out front. In some ways this is exactly the
experience you were expecting, that is until you
discovered a place that would throw your
expectations of desert dining awry.
In Landers, in an area known as Flamingo
Heights, on the long and hilly Old Woman’s
Spring Road is a place you might not notice right
away. Especially if you’re driving too fast or
happen to pass by when they are closed, La
Copine might not immediately grab you. The
understated classically styled black and white
sign fits perfectly in the bright and crisp
landscape that surrounds the restaurant. But you
can’t help but notice La Copine when they are
open for business and there are scores of people
waiting to be seated for a table. I am sure like
most establishments they have a slow period, but
I couldn’t tell you when that would be.
I have had the immense pleasure of dining at
La Copine on several occasions and even when I
arrived prior to open, it didn’t take long for like
minded patrons to arrive and viola, the steady
stream of diners had begun.
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THE CONE - ISSUE #15 - 2018