It's official: After nine and a half years, Otium will be closing in Downtown L.A. on September 8. Chef-owner Timothy Hollingsworth, who has largely focused on his pop-up concept Chain in recent years, announced the news on Instagram last week.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has posed unprecedented challenges making it increasingly difficult to sustain our operation,” reads the message on social media. “We never would have thought we would have to shut our doors for 18 months during a pandemic, putting us into a position that was a constant climb to get out of. We are very grateful to have had the Broad by our side throughout the years, their support and partnership has been unparalleled.”
The Instagram post also thanked the restaurant’s staff for its constant dedication, taking heart in the sort of camaraderie that the team was able to nurture.
View this post on Instagram
Fans of the eatery took to the comment section to bemoan the news (“This is heartbreaking,” one user noted), reminiscing about the times they spent on the premises. Many also found some solace when reading the message in which Hollingsworth explains that he is considering reopening at a new address.
“While we are closing our doors at this location, we are hopeful about the future for Otium,” reads the message. “We are working to find another location in Los Angeles.”
To be frank, we aren't surprised by the impending closure. The stunning Broad-adjacent restaurant, which cost $8 million to build, earned three stars from us back in 2022 due to its inconsistency and service, despite a few standout dishes.
Although unrelated to the closure of Otium, we’d be remiss not to remind you that the Broad recently announced that it will be expanding with more gallery space and a rooftop courtyard onto an empty area right next to its current building. As they say: When one door closes, another opens.