Feb 2014

Orsa & Winston – Los Angeles (Downtown)

Orsa & Winston - Downtown - Los Angeles

I don’t know what’s gotten into me lately, but Los Angeles’ fine dining scene is appealing to me more than ever before. Maybe Chef Ludo spiked my champagne when I dined at Trois Mec a few weeks back? Really though, what’s not to love about pretty plates, perfectly paced? Just feelin’ fancy…that’s all.

Orsa & Winston - Downtown - Los Angeles

My most recent fine dining explorations took me to Chef Josef Centeno‘s Orsa & Winston, which is “named after two little dogs” according the the restaurant’s website. My date this evening, the lovely D Takes a B, and I settled in for a five-course menu comprised of Crudo, Soup, Grain, Meat, and Sweet for $60.

The 20-course Super Omakase for $195 will have to wait for an occasion when I’m feelin’ fancy and flush.

Orsa & Winston - Downtown - Los Angeles

To start, a refined cheesy broccoli situation consisting of taleggio, broccoli panna cotta, and crispy bits of rye bread. This amuse bouche certainly amused.

Orsa & Winston - Downtown - Los Angeles

The Crudo course came together beautifully, a luscious landscape of ocean trout, house-made creme fraiche, pomelo, and radishes.

Orsa & Winston - Downtown - Los Angeles

In addition to the five billed courses, the kitchen sent out a smattering of “gifts.” This one, known as “Breakfast in a Shell,” featured a sweet and savory coddled egg with sherry whipped cream, pancetta, and maple syrup.

Orsa & Winston - Downtown - Los Angeles

Diana and I, carbohydrate fiends through and through, were most looking forward to the Japanese milk bread, another freebie from the kitchen.

Orsa & Winston - Downtown - Los Angeles

Served warm with house-made butter and black cod “tonnato,” the bread was fluffy as all get out. Neither the butter nor the tonnato was necessary, but that didn’t stop us from slathering with abandon.

Orsa & Winston - Downtown - Los Angeles

The second official course was a brilliantly hued English pea soup garnished with creme fraiche and unexpectedly awesome pickled champagne grapes. Sometimes it’s the simplest preparations that satisfy most.

Orsa & Winston - Downtown - Los Angeles

Even though my friends who had previously dined here informed me that the five-course menu would leave me plenty full, I couldn’t help perusing the “antipasti” supplements available. Always in a noodle-slurpin’ mood, Diana and I selected the Squid Ink Spaghettini ($28).

The made-from-scratch strands were accompanied by sweet hunks of Dungeness crab, uni butter, sardo cheese, and charred kumquats. This supplemental course was simply superb.

Orsa & Winston - Downtown - Los Angeles

Next up was a gorgeous risotto made of koshihikari rice, pecorino cream, sea urchin, and geoduck. Comforting yet complex, this course was my favorite of the night.

Orsa & Winston - Downtown - Los Angeles

By the time the cashew ricotta- and egg yolk-stuffed ravioli with braised beef, fennel foam, butternut squash puree, and grilled squash blossom hit the table, I was running out of gastro-real estate. I could only make my way through half of this uber-rich dish before calling it quits. Perhaps that supplemental pasta wasn’t such a bright idea after all…

Orsa & Winston - Downtown - Los Angeles

Transitioning from savory to sweet, we were treated to a very welcomed pomegranate granita with grapefruit and mint.

Orsa & Winston - Downtown - Los Angeles

For dessert, a buttery and flaky crostata filled with pears and garnished with blueberries and mascarpone.

Orsa & Winston - Downtown - Los Angeles

Presented with the check were adorable mochi lemon candies.

If you’re feeling inexplicably fancy these days like me, go ahead and treat yourself to dinner at Orsa & Winston. And while you’re at it, tack on a bowl of pasta to your feast.  It might hurt, but you’ll be glad you did.

Orsa & Winston
122 West 4th Steet
Los Angeles, CA 90013
Phone: 213-687-0300

Did someone say fine dining? My meals of a lifetime:

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4 thoughts on “Orsa & Winston – Los Angeles (Downtown)

  1. It’s on the list, Mike! I’m a little hesitant to go out for Japanese omakase-type meals these days because I can’t say no to blue fin tuna and I really ought to. It’s best to avoid these kinds of situations in my case 😉 But yes, N/Naka sounds right up my alley.

  2. Twas a pleasure fine dining with you! I’ll never regret that pasta supplement – there’s always room for noodles! Thanks for being the perfect dinner date!

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