Otium

[dcs]

After a morning visit to the Jasper Johns Exhibit at the Broad (highly recommended) we walked next door to a wood and glass box shaped restaurant that had absolutely no signage for lunch.  We were glad we did.  We grabbed a space at the bar around 12:30 on a Thursday, and soon the place was rocking.  It stayed full until we left well more than an hour later.  We shared some appetizers and had a few drinks and really enjoyed it.  We particularly enjoyed the Hamachi - Rice - Miso appetizer and the Avocado - Beet - Miso salad.  Turns out the place has a name, if not a sign:  Otium.  Now that we know it is there we will be back.  It is a destination in itself even without a visit to the museum.  There is a lot to try here.  Also, experienced a bit of an earthquake while sitting at the bar.  The floor was a rumbling and the hanging lights were a swaying.

[Sundae in the Park]

You guys did so well on your trip! Here's LA weekly's take on the restaurant, which has a freshly minted 2018 spot on their 99 Essentials list.

Eater will make you hungry to visit with a very pretty video of the dishes back from when Otium opened in 2016.