Orsa & Winston is a small restaurant that combines parts of Italian and Japanese cuisines in their food. It is named for the chef’s two dogs, which we and Frankie were able to meet at the end of the evening. They serve a 6 course tasting as well as a la carte options. However with 48 hours advance notice they will fix you a “super omakase” tasting which is 20 plus courses served to you while you sit at the bar next to the kitchen. There were 4 stools available for this option but we were the only ones that night. We went well over the 20 courses and they did offer us the option to quit, warning that we had another half dozen savories before they started sweets.
interiorFrankie checks out the kitchen
In fact, the service could not have been more accommodating and friendly. For example, I asked for a couple ice cubes for my water and instead I got a bowl of ice with a spoon on a plate that was constantly refreshed throughout the evening. Chef Josef Centeno was in the kitchen and he creates the Super Omakase menu each time it’s ordered with what’s fresh and available. Maxfield Schnee, general manager and beverage director helped us find an interesting array of wines to have with our tasting but also offers pairings that go with each course if you don’t want to buy bottles. If you get the chance to go, do it – but go hungry. It is a wonderful several hours of interesting combinations of flavors and textures and fun interactions! As it includes so many things I’ll include my comments after the description of the course. Hope you enjoy the pictures as much as we enjoyed the meal!
sparklerSalt & pepper ume, toybox melon amazake. One tart and one salty, and both mixed great with the cool refreshing soup.
Boquerones, sumac honey, coriander. Basically a tempura white anchovy.Santa Barbara spot prawn aguachile. Ceviche like with tomatillo nasturtiums. Amazing textures and the prawns were very good.
adding sauceBranzino polpettas, fermented chile dashi. The branzino ball was mixed with some abalone in a spicy sauce. Great with a terrific aftertaste.
chef in the kitchenMangalitsa pork testa, ninja radish, truffle. Pork cheek and shoulder meat mixed with the truffles – meaty and savory with an wonderful array of flavors. Very rich.
Torchon of foie gras, ear grey champagne grape, brioche. An exciting twist on a classic set of tastes. Brioche among the best ever, texture and taste wise.Frankie met a little pig on the counter
Chef serves burrataSnap pea, smoked burrata, charred scallion. Chef brought the smoked burrata out and divided it on our two plates. Served with mint, pork shreds and fresh peas. Yes! Liked this one a lot!
Koji fried manchester farms quail, tatsoi, kumquat. Baby quail and wing in buttermilk coating with kumquat sauce and a spicy chili sauce then topped with truffles. Another winner.closer
Frankie played with my ice
a5wagyu. This Japanese wagyu ribeye was served on rice that was mixed with bits of meat from the slicer. Served rare and no knife was needed with this tender, succulent meat. The rice was equally amazing. Loved it!wine
startLemon cucumber, bay scallop, damson plum.
kitchen equipment
Rigatoni, carbonara, pancetta. Pork, Espaliet pepper, shiso herbs. Pasta perfectly cooked and the meat bits were crispy explosions of flavor.
White wonder tomato carpaccio, sugar kiss melon, basid bud. The melon was mind blowing and the tomatoes were great. You were supposed to fold over the tomatoes and make a “taco” shaped piece. A perfect pairing of tastes. Wonderful!now fold overFrankie was starting to swoon
Agedashi bone marrow, black lentil. Padron peppers added a slight spice. A great combo. Very succulent!
Squid ink spaghettini, butter poached main lobster claw.
red wine28 day dry aged Pitman farms duck, gooseberry, leek. Also a little spinach and a smashed and fried fingerling potato. Wow, Wow!
Satsuki okayu, katsuobushi. Japanese rice risotto with bark of fish skin truffle. Nice!Frankie posed with the pictures of Orsa and Winston
Mirugai, nebula plum. Amazing fruit that tasted a lot like nectarine and Geoduck. Very good
Shishito and white corn agnolotti, paitan broth. Slightly gummy. Tasted good but a step down from killer of the former courses.plated
Chef Freddy
squash blossom, tonnato ricotta. Very nice strong tasting morel.as platedFrankie took a nap
uni, corn gritsas plated
Chef Jermaine
Ribeye, garbanzo, black garlic. Nebraska ribeye and garbanzo beans. The beef was tender and nicely cooked. The beans tasted of the greens because so they were so fresh.as plated
Buttermilk panna cotta, hibiscus yuzu granita. Perfect textures and a great finish for the savory courses.Hanner with Frankie
Harry’s berries, lemon verbena, mascarpone. Light and luscious. Fragrant!as plated
adding sauceOgden melon soup, crystalized shiso, pickled melon. Loved it!Frankie thought I should have left her some
Green tea custard brulee, pistachio, matcha. Loved this! Like cheesecake with green tea.plated
Romain charming Frankie with his French accentnice group of workersGold dust peach cagliata, burro crostata, hazelnut. Hazelnut shell was so light and amazing. Delicious!!!as platedGeneral manager and beverage director Maxfield Schnee with Frankie
cream puff. At this point who cares if it was good? But it was!the real MaxfieldChef with Frankie, Orsa and Winston