Otium

I have to be honest, I was sold on Downtown LA's Otium the moment I heard the words "foie gras funnel cake." Knowing that Chef Timothy Hollingsworth had spent years as Thomas Keller's chef de cuisine at the French Laundry (during which time he received the James Beard Rising Star Chef award), I entirely trusted that the restaurant -- centered around an open kitchen and embodying the Latin root of the restaurant's name, meaning "a place where time can be spent on leisurely social activities" -- would live up to my expectations. With its menu focused on "elegant rusticity" and creative Californian fare, dishes like Hamachi with coriander, avocado, lemon, and dill; and Foie gras terrine with apple fritter (even better than a funnel cake!), coffee, chocolate, onion, and Martinelli's arrived as perfectly plated art installations that were -- amazingly -- even more delicious than they were beautiful. The brunch menu the day I dined also boasted a margarita (with grapefruit, elderflower, birdseye chili, tequila blanco, and nasturtium) that could very, very easily become my new favorite cocktail, and I'm definitely eager for an excuse to hurry back and try out the restaurant's dinner menu.

Sweater: Sourpuss Clowning Around Bella Cardigan
Skirt: Hell Bunny Mariam Skirt in Black and White Polka Dot Full Circle
Purse: Kate Spade (old)
Lips: Anastasia Beverly Hills Liquid Lipstick in American Doll
Brows: Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Definer in Ebony

Margarita with grapefruit, elderflower, birdseye chili, tequila blanco, and nasturtium

Hamachi with coriander, avocado, lemon, and dill

Avocado, beets, wild rice, amaranth, grapefruit, and miso

Foie gras terrine with apple fritter, coffee, chocolate, onion, and Martinelli's

Khachapuri with cheese, egg, prosciutto, truffle, and aleppo