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Otus Emerges From the Literal Ashes of Kinaree Thai Bistro on La Brea

A fire brings about a new concept from the same owners.

The forthcoming Otus on La Brea
The forthcoming Otus on La Brea
Farley Elliott
Farley Elliott is the Senior Editor at Eater LA and the author of Los Angeles Street Food: A History From Tamaleros to Taco Trucks. He covers restaurants in every form, from breaking news to the culture, people, and history that surrounds LA's dining landscape.

When a fire gutted Kat Von D’s High Voltage tattoo shop on La Brea last October, news cameras showed up to watch the small business owner rant and rave over the loss of her storefront space. There were no cameras next door at Kinaree Thai Bistro, though, which had been on site for around a decade and also fell victim to the flames.

Sadly Kinaree has been unable to return, but in its place comes Otus, a more coffee-centric all day option from the same owners. The interior has been completely cleaned up and overhauled into a much sleeker spot, complete with hanging lanterns, wood-topped tables, a matte gray paint finish and some seriously gleaming countertop. There’s even going to be a dog-friendly patio in the back.

In a way, that countertop will form the initial basis of what Otus is to become. A Synesso machine will be working overtime making espresso drinks in the AM, using beans by way of Intelligentsia.

For now, the food plan is to serve healthy-ish Thai street options for breakfast through lunch daily, with an eventual eye towards opening for dinner sometime later in the year. The down-the-road menu expansion will also include beer and wine, and will focus on more local, fresh fare from the nearby farmers market.

The team is still finishing their necessary inspections, but barring any setbacks Otus should be ready for soft-opening by next week.

Otus Thai Kitchen & Coffee
1253 N. La Brea
West Hollywood

Kinaree Thai Bistro

1253 N LA Brea Ave, West Hollywood, CA 90038 (323) 969-8611 Visit Website