Walk down Rodeo Drive and you’ll take note of the window displays of top designers – Prada, Saint Laurent, Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci and Dior. You might also notice, appropriately hidden away, The Hideaway, located at the entrance of the Rodeo Collection.

The Rodeo Collection is a 1980s style multi-story shopping center that houses this lovely Mexican steakhouse and seafood restaurant. The large red and white The Hideaway sign illuminates from the rooftop, directing diners down an escalator to the reception desk.

Hollywood party designer Jeffrey Best, along with his investor friends, actors Ryan Phillippe and Evan Ross (son of Diana Ross, brother to Tracy Ellis Ross and married to Ashlee Simpson), opened this dining and late-night oasis in August 2022. Described as a “subterranean late-night Mexican steakhouse,” the menu includes some Mexican favorites such as lobster tortilla soup, esquites (Mexican street corn), frijoles and vegan chile rellenos, as well as fresh grilled seafood and Wagyu beef.

The Hideaway’s “Uno. Dos. Tres” three-course lunch menu, just $28, has been appreciated for its quality and value . Once you try the lunch special, I guarantee you will want to come back for dinner.

They now offer a weekend brunch experience with new food and beverage items, which my husband and I enjoyed last Sunday.

Located in a bold salmon colored building, the entrance has small alcoves with colorful votive candles resting inside. A green decorative door welcomes guests into the stunning reception area with hand painted, Mexican leather barrel chairs. Recycled wood flooring leads diners to a dramatic archway into the oval bar with high back stools. The lounge area is filled with intimate and cozy arched booths decorated with movie posters on the walls.

Beyond the bar are additional interior dining areas, and a stunning light and bright courtyard. Seated at a white wrought iron and glass table, I propped myself against a colorful pillow.

A touch of glamour is given to the custom Talavera tile patio with a dramatic four-way fireplace as a centerpiece. On warm evenings, striped sunshades roll back to allow fresh air and starlight dining.

Greenery hangs from planters on the walls and in beautifully painted terracotta pots, and candles are placed throughout the space. A few dining cabanas on the patio have pink sheer curtains that can be drawn for privacy.

Our waiter Josh took our drink orders of the Tommy Margarita with just tequila, lime juice and a touch of agave. The bar also offers beers, hard ciders, wines, champagnes and creative mocktails.

Our server offered some recommendations on the Brunch menu and encouraged us to also look at the “Uno. Dos. Tres” menu. A choice of eight savory items are offered in the “Uno” section, and six appealing vegetarian, pescatarian and carnivore items are under “Dos.” “Tres” provides four selections of sweet treats.

Crunchy tortilla chips and chunky salsa arrived along with a wood plank with a lime and lemon slice, plus coarse salt to add to the chips and salsa, an interesting touch.

The new brunch menu includes a sweet corn cachapa waffle with smoked bacon bratwurst, Weiser Farms potato hash and Harry’s Berries strawberries. Other items include a black truffle Monte Cristo sandwich; Dungeness crab Eggs Benedict; a large Wagyu chilaquiles; and Maine lobster and avocado toast.

Josh brought a bowl of creamy guacamole with chopped tomatoes to our table to enjoy with our chips. For our order, we selected the lobster and avocado toast, and three items from the “Uno. Dos. Tres” menu.

Thinking the multi-courses would arrive one at a time, I was surprised when they all were presented on a beautiful wooden board divided into sections.

One area on the board was our “Uno” – two perfectly crimped corn empanadas served with a deeply satisfying banana-habanero dipping sauce. The crescent-shaped, savory pastries were filled with a delicious mixture of chopped roasted corn, caramelized onions, roasted red bell pepper and cotija cheese and were baked, not fried.

The “Dos” section featured lightly battered (and not greasy) sea bream on a lettuce leaf next to a small dish of chipotle aioli. Two flour and two corn tortillas were rolled into brown paper. A small side of delicious mango slaw, along with rice and black beans were ready to be scooped onto a lettuce leaf or tortilla to customize our own fish tacos.

Included with this interactive platter was a stunning lobster and avocado toast. Slices of pink and green watermelon radish were topped with bite-sized pieces of succulent lobster and chopped red cherry tomatoes on top of an avocado puree. For a dash of citrus, small wedges of Cara Cara and blood oranges added zest and mini edible flowers provided color. The toast tasted as good as it looked.

We finished with “Tres” – three crisp churros served with the two tiny clay pitchers filled with dipping sauces and whipped cream. One ceramic vessel held dark Mexican chocolate and cinnamon sauce, and the other a delightful prickly pear strawberry sauce.  Other desserts on the menu include flan made with Anejo tequila that is topped with lime zest, and pink champagne or margarita sorbet.

During the evening, The Hideaway takes on a different tone and look, as the fireplace and candles are lit, and a DJ spins music – though softly, so guests can still converse. A theatrical element in the evening are table-side entrée presentations of the New York Wagyu, Tomahawk steak, 36-hour roasted brisket birria or two-pound Maine lobster.

During DineLA, starting April 28 and running through May 7, The Hideaway is offering a four-course dinner menu for $65+. Additional $10 supplements include filet mignon and grilled Chilean sea bass.

The Hideaway is open daily for lunch from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and dinner starting at 5 p.m. The brunch menu is available on Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. $$-$$$. 421 N. Rodeo Drive, (310)974-8020.

This review is also featured in the BEVERLY PRESS.