Drink of the Week: The Bilbao at Fellow, Los Angeles

Every once in a while I come across a cocktail that I can’t stop thinking about. This is one of those drinks. It’s The Bilbao at Fellow in Los Angeles (Westwood to be more exact). Created by Fellow’s bar director, Adam George Fournier, The Bilboa is a modern riff on a martini made with Tanqueray No. 10. gin along with olive oil and a rosemary-lemon-infused vermouth. It is herbal and citrusy and floral and fresh yet also surprisingly viscous and creamy, making it extremely enjoyable to sip (or dare I say gulp). Plus, it looks so pretty. 
The Bilbao martini at Fellow in Los Angeles (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)

Fellow is a beautiful restaurant owned by Philip Camino, a former entertainment executive turned restaurateur and art broker. He also runs the adjoining art gallery, The Galerie at Fellow. 

The restaurant originally opened as a gastropub. But when the pandemic hit, Camino closed the pub, redecorated and completely re-envisioned the concept, reopening in 2021 as a far more upscale yet laid-back restaurant. He brought in a new chef, Chris Flint (NoMad, Eleven Madison Park, Maude), to oversee the kitchen. The food’s very good, as one might expect. But this martini from Fournier steals the show. 

Fellow, 1071 Glendon Ave., Los Angeles, 310-208-1071

Fellow restaurant in Los Angeles (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
Art in The Gallerie at Fellow (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)
The dining room at Fellow in Los Angeles (Photo by Brad A. Johnson)

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Brad A. Johnson is a writer and photographer specializing in food and travel. His work has been honored by the James Beard Awards, Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Awards, World Food Media Awards, pdn Food Photography Awards and others. Based in Southern California, Brad currently serves as restaurant critic for the Orange County Register.

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