Bottega Louie

It sounds like a place where you can buy overpriced handbags, except that it's not - at all.

I've heard of Bottega Louie many, many times, but because I've spent so little time in my native city of Los Angeles the last couple of years, I've never had a chance to go - until yesterday! I ventured downtown with my sister and cousin, where we dined and gorged ourselves in their expansive, art-deco inspired dining room, with double-height ceilings and an open kitchen, and a very Dean&Deluca-esque take-out counter.

My family is big on sharing, so we decided to get a sampling of dishes from their extensive menu. We ordered several sides: portobello fries (mind-blowing), brussels sprouts, and roasted beets with goat cheese and arugula. It's barely 10 am, but I'm honestly craving the portobello fries right now! They were lightly tempura battered and came with a pesto dipping sauce.

The Louie Salad: Grilled shrimp, avocado, bell peppers, onion, and iceberg lettuce with a light Dijon dressing.

The Burrata Pizza: Burrata, prosciutto, rapini and parmesean reggiano. Honestly, I know living in New York it's slightly blasphemous to say, but this was one of the best pizzas I've eaten this year.

Bottega Louie is also known for their take-away desserts, including cupcakes, french macarons, classic candy, tarts, and more.

The cupcakes came in beautiful packaging and 4-different flavors: raspberry, vanilla, pistachio, and chocolate-coffee. We took home one of each to share with my parents. The raspberry and vanilla were my favorites.

The macarons were also great, though if you're in LA, the macarons at Paulette's are much better! Yesterday's flavors were raspberry with chocolate ganache, black forrest, cassis, yuzu-lime, chocolate with salted caramel, and rose. (Psst, if anyone at B.L. wants to send me a sampling of macarons, feel free!)

The packaging is beautiful, though they're not even remotely subtle about pulling the design directly from Ladurée!

Overall, I loved the food and atmosphere and would go back in a heartbeat.

Bottega Louie
700 South Grand Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90017
(213) 802-1470