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"Shock turned to giddy overwhelm as the passion fruit pavlova’s mess of textures (crunchy, creamy, squirty) and flavors (kumquat, grapefruit, pistachio) set every bell in my mental slot machine ringing; earlier, the alarmingly bright pop of fennel pollen–dusted olives and a mindblowing plate of baked West Coast oysters—each bivalve as fat and creamy as a toddler’s cheek—had already primed me. My server, who is a therapist and only works here a couple of shifts a week, even helped me process it all. With a plum‑tinged glow, a gorgeous list of natural wines, and the assured presence of a place that’s become the queen of Ojai’s dining scene in just three years, this sensational restaurant—owned by Santa Monica–raised sisters Rory and Meave McAuliffe—delivers on every sense." - Lauren Mechling