3 Questions with Chef David Shannon

Chef David Shannon is not only a James Beard Award-nominated chef; he’s a master at creating an ambiance unlike anywhere else. Step into his moody Oregon Hill restaurant, L’Opossum, and you may feel like you’re on the set of a Twin Peaks-esque remake. His embrace of kitschy design and his wicked sense of humor are evident in every detail of the restaurant (see: a clown-themed bathroom). Paired with playful takes on elevated French dishes and killer cocktails, Shannon has created a world all his own, and luckily for you, it takes reservations.

If you weren’t a chef, what would you be?

A Las Vegas Magician

What advice would you give your 20-year-old self?

Own your life. Make it into anything that you want it to be.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Perfect happiness is the ability to appreciate what you have. I have my wonderful boyfriend, Michael. I have a career that I enjoy. I have some amazing friends to love and who love me back.

Make a reservation at L'Opossum here. Shop the Parksley Print here. Photos by Kate Magee.