As we all know, the Silk Road Palace came to a tragic end in October, but we never exactly learned why.  There was speculation that it was related to health code violations, since the City just started their grading system.

It may just be internet hearsay, but I found the following posted on Chowhound:

“We recently heard it was a rent issue. The Silk Road lease came up (makes sense since it’s been about 20 years since they opened). The landlord wanted a huge increase (I heard an increase of $3000 per month from a worker at a nearby establishment). It seems there was just no way for Frank to make that work.”

Additionally, I recently walked by the Road, and found a new awning up: The West Lake Restaurant.  The West Lake is apparently a prominent Chinese vacation spot. Not sure how any Chinese restaurant could make significantly more than Frank’s crew did…

Michelle Young is going to send someone to see if it’s open in the evening and snap a picture of the new awning.