A new American bistro may soon occupy 97 Mt. Vernon Street, the former Persian restaurant Lala Rokh that closed in 2018 after 24 years in operation. The street level site has hosted four restaurants since 1905.

The owner and operator of the proposed bistro, to be named 1928 Beacon Hill, will be Kristin Jenkins, a real estate agent and entrepreneur. Jenkins is president and owner of Leonord’s Antiques in Seekonk.

“I love the neighborhood,” said Jenkins, who plans to move to Beacon Hill after her last child goes to college next year. 1928 is the year her grandfather was born.

“What Ms. Jenkins is looking for is: a neighborhood American bistro,” Gene Richard, Jenkins’ attorney, told the Boston Licensing Board at a February 24 hearing.

Jenkins is applying to transfer Lala Rokh’s full liquor license to 1928 Beacon Hill LLC, which incorporated in November 2020.

“The interior will be decorated with classic antiques, some wood paneling, upholstered seating, and decor with modern flair, creating the ambiance of a private club up on Beacon Hill.

The menu will offer classic American seasonal fare, like steaks, seafood, pasta, all the side dishes and desserts that you might expect, and also classic cocktails and a beer and wine list with two draft beers,” Richard said.

Jenkins, a Boston native and Massachusetts resident, does not have restaurant experience but has pursued related training.

She plans to be an onsite full time manager and will hire a professional general manager, chef, and kitchen and support staff, pending license transfer approval. Jenkins’ life partner is a food industry professional.

The Board has not yet issued a decision on the proposed liquor license transfer.

The Beacon Hill Civic Association negotiated a community agreement with Lala Rokh in 2005 and in return, it agreed not to oppose the business’s application for a full liquor license.

The agreement stipulated a maximum of 124 seats, hours of 11 am to midnight, no TV’s, pinball, electronic games, vending machines, or freestanding outside signs, and that music should be inaudible to neighbors.

The building footprint and total seating will be unchanged, according to Gene Richard.

The draft agreement was updated in November 2020, before the association’s zoning and licensing committee met with 1928 Beacon Hill leadership on December 2.

“We voted in non-opposition,” said Katherine Judge, co-chair of the association’s Licensing and zoning committee. “We were assured that this new owner operator would continue to be a good neighbor.”

The Mayor’s office expressed support for the project at the February 24 Licensing Board hearing, as did City Council Member Kenzie Bok, who represents Fenway, Back Bay, and Beacon Hill. “Councilor Bok is strongly supportive of this license transfer,” said Kennedy Avery, a member of Bok’s staff. “The whole Beacon Hill neighborhood has been missing a restaurant in this space. We’re elated to hear that a new couple is ready to move in.”