There’s a state of consciousness that I refer to as “aesthetic bliss.” It’s when one or more of your senses is completely enraptured as a result of a highbrow pursuit. It’s the feeling you get while listening to Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, taking in the Bolshoi Ballet’s Swan Lake at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, or viewing a Kandinsky exhibit at LACMA. The food version of this is Orsa & Winston, the dining experience from local superstar chef Josef Centeno.
Centeno is the creative talent behind awesome hipster eateries Bäco Mercat and Bar Ama, as well as the former chef of Lazy Ox Canteen. With Orsa & Winston, Centeno now has a more sophisticated environment to show off his mad skills. The menu has you select from either a five or eight course seasonal tasting menu (or with a 72 hour advance reservation, you can truly indulge and opt for the “Super-Omakase” of more than 20 courses). All come with optional wine pairings, as well as optional supplemental dishes. Each tasting menu is a procession of beautiful, delectable and perfectly executed small plates to experience and savor.
Needless to say, such aesthetic bliss is not inexpensive. But for a special occasion or when you just want to treat yourself to an evening of exceptional food and wine, Orsa & Winston is worth the splurge.
Orsa & Winston is located at 122 W. 4th Street, Los Angeles (Downtown).
Buttermilk and Summer Corn Soup
Smoked Sockeye Salmon Crudo
“Breakfast in a Shell” (Coddled Egg, Maple Syrup, Pancetta, Semolina and Balsamic Whipped Cream)
Milk Bread Focaccia with Parsley, Parmigiano and Speck
Braised Lamb Belly with Cranberry Beans, Hericot Vert and Nectarine Bustarda
Melon Granita topped with Huckleberry and Lavender Mint
Chocolate Caramel Crostada with Candied Banana, served with Banana Rum Ice Cream and Peanut Toffee
Shortbread Cookies
Modern and minimalist decor
In the Old Bank District downtown
