Fabulous food in beautiful, artistic surroundings, perched on Bunker Hill.

Otium is a much talked about contemporary restaurant located next to the new Broad Museum, the site of the happening art center in downtown Los Angeles.

If you hit up the new Broad in town then dining inside or out at the museum’s new neighbor is a must.

Otium’s box shaped structure is quite impressive. The patio is lovely and there are several bar and high top areas to hang at if you do not have a secured reservation.

The interior’s attention to detail is impressive.

Handcrafted materials abound, many built by local artisans.

Otium was designed from the ground up by Osvaldo Maiozzi.

The herbs and flowers are grown on the roof.

The kitchen is a chef’s dream, spacious and well equipped.

Chef Timothy Hollingsworth, who was the chef de cuisine at The French Laundry, has recently open Otium with prolific restaurateur Bill Chait.

A chef of distinction, Hollingsworth earned the James Beard Rising Star Chef award in 2010.

We celebrated the dynamic duo of Courtny and Toby doing downtown with a lovely sparkling Austrian rose on a very hot Sunday ($14).

Hungry from taking in all the appetizing modern artwork at the Broad we kicked things off we a delicious kale, quinoa, feta, currant and almond salad…very tasty and a healthy portion ($14).

The funnel cake with foie gras, strawberry, fennel and balsamic called to me, but Courtny had already experienced the bliss during another visit so we passed, but I did see it float by and I had foie envy ($26).

We selected the hamachi with nori, avocado and sweet and sour tomatoes ($18). The fish was very fresh and the dish light and appealing.

Neither one of us is a huge pork belly fan, but the server raved so we dove into the pork belly with caramelized garlic, egg, rice and bok choy ($16). It was fabulous…best pork belly ever.

During the meal the gregarious and charming manager, Wassim, strolled by, inquiring as to how our meal was.

We ended up having a long foodie conversation and he insisted we try the crispy potatoes with lemon salt, Aleppo pepper and creme fraiche. It was perfectly prepared and beyond delectable.

The restaurant was prepping for a baby shower in our corner of the restaurant so we were politely asked to relocate.

Not wanting to induce an early delivery, we gladly moved over so the table could be set.

We were generously rewarded with a sumptuous sundae made with heavenly homemade chocolate ice cream.

Great day, fabulous company, terrific food and intoxicating ambiance.

Any given Sunday, when the NFL is on hiatus, one can score big with a winning team composed of the Broad and Otium Restaurant.

Otium 222 South Hope Street Los Angeles, California. Lunch Tuesday-Friday 11:30am-3pm. Dinner Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday 6-10 p.m. Thursday-Saturday 6-11pm. Brunch Saturday and Sunday 10:30am-2:30pm. Valet parking on Grand Street. Reservations on Resy.