Bottega Louie Restaurant And Gourmet Market

Great Scott, the white walls and sumptuous decor had me at bonjourno. Pros: Pastas Cons: Can be loud more

First Impression: The wait staff and hostesses are all supermodels and hunky superstar lacrosse players/part-time Abercrombie models. There was a manager guy in a suit that looked like he stepped off the page of a Hugo Boss ad. THE CHEEKBONES ON THIS MAN. The staff was so good looking my lunchmate and I barely spoke to each other because we were busy staring around in awe and feeling super under dressed.\r \r Lunchmate: Dude Bobby is looking really good.\r Me: Bobby? How do you know his name? Is he wearing a name tag?\r Lunchmate: No, he just looks like a Bobby.\r Me: Yea, he's got those veins on his forearms.\r Lunchmate: Yea he's making me feel anxious.\r \r We eat in silence.\r \r Me: Do you realize we haven't said more than ten words to each other because you've been staring at Bobby.\r Lunchmate (pretending to be Bobby, grabbing his shirt close to him and gesturing to reach over): Excuse my pecs, I'd like to grab your plate.\r Me: You want Bobby to grab something else, I suspect.\r \r End Scene.\r \r But seriously, let's get down to brass tacks here folks.\r \r 1.The service was reeediculously attentive, to the point that if I even moved my face towards a server and parted my lips slightly, they were there before I could even utter a phrase.\r \r 2. The food. It was good. I had the lentil soup which is vegan and the Pizza (which was not- SHHHH! I SINNNED!) But only b/c it had cheese. The crust is kosh. The lentil soup woulda done me, it was so hearty and full of finely chopped veggies, mushrooms, delightful. The pizza was like, woah, this is GOOD GOOD.\r \r 3. The atmosphere. I felt like I had been transported to a chic european restaurant, the lines are clean, minimal, airy with just the right amount of Rococo accents. It would be an amazing place to have a bridal luncheon or the like.\r \r 4. The price. One would think that there would be a premium on service, sexiness and superior sustenance, but you'd be wrong. The prices were reasonable and then some. This is some place you take your Mom for a lovely lunch. It's that good, bring your Mom here.\r \r Bobby, I'll be back. Pros: fun atmosphere, hot waitstaff, good food Cons: loud, wait can be long more

It's so... pretty. The food is cheap but pedestrian and mediocre.. Much like Joan's on 3rd, BL exists on smoke and mirrors. It's cute and elegant enough to give unsuspecting LAers a 'downtown NY' experience and then bamboozle you into Cheesecake Factory quality food. We ordered a couple dishes to share. Decided to split a pizza into two flavors - Bianco and Clam. Both were really really heavy on garlic. The Bianco was rather 'milky' tasting possibly from the overload of ricotta and mozzarella. The arugula on top was kinda odd and unnecessary. The clam was meh. Kind of chewy. We also got a side of marinated shrimp which was a throwaway order but ironically the best thing we had all night. It was light and refreshing in contrast to all the oily fried food we ordered. Speaking of fried foods, the portobello fries that everyone raves over? Tell me it's interesting after the first two. I dare you. Yea. It's fried mushrooms. Go get that shit and your local hamburger hut. The novelty was there...... for 3 seconds. And the chocolate souffle and calamari we ordered? Not even worth mentioning. In a blind taste test, I wouldn't be able to separate Bottega Louie's food from Olive Garden. If you have a horrible palate but want to ""feel"" like you're in a chic New York hot spot for a night, come to BL. If you ignore the surroundings outside BL, the lack of bustling crowds and energy on the streets, the bums, and the low rent food, it's EXACTLY like NY. ....and I'm really Megan Fox. Pros: It's pretty. Cons: Crowded. Bland. Mediocre. more

This isnt your typical italian restaurant! I came here for dinner on my birthday. My only complaint is that they dont take reservations and we ended up eating in the bar area bc the wait was waaay too long.\r \r The food was good and not overpriced! They also dont have a corking fee so bring a nice bottle and enjoy! You have to try the portabello fries here! Pros: Beautiful Restaurant, good food Cons: No reservations, Noisy, Long Wait more

Ordered from the weekend breakfast menu. A friend ordered the farmers market breakfast - plated beautifully and apparently quite good, but not what you might expect considering the beets and shitake mushrooms. Also ordered the grilled bacon....indeed a very thick cut, a little too fatty for my tastes, actually prefer them thin and crispy. For my meal, I simply ordered a side of Italian sausage and potato pancakes which came with creme fraiche and apple sauce. The sausage was nicely grilled and seasonsed. The potato pancakes came in a pair, were thick and surprisingly not greasy at all! The best however was the freshly prepared apple juice...literally tasted like biting into a juicy apple. Highly recommend it. I'll have to report back on the lunch and dinner menu. Pros: Fresh Apple Juice, Italian Sausage, Potato Pancakes Cons: Parking downtown more

Resplendent in white, this is my favorite all around dwntwn experience. Feels like SoHo in NYC. Insanely high ceilings and everything is awash in white and gold. Entrees are pretty decent but it is the desert that is to die for. Get the peanut butter and chocolate cake. You will swoon. Decent cheese plate as well for only $15. Pros: Amazing space with high ceilings Cons: Lack of free parking more

Heard about this place from everyone at Citysearch the last few months, tried it out tonight before going to see Arias with a Twist at the Red Cat (fantastic, too!). Massive room with high ceilings and all white minimalist decor, rest of seating etc looks like an italian cafe style. Food is yummy... we tried the pizza, the chicken milanese, the arugula salad, the the mussels. Everything was fast and great. We could not get a table in the main room for 20 min which we could not spare, so we ate in the bar area which felt about the same as the other room. The high ceilings and hard surfaces make this place LOUD, but somehow it was tolerable. Since i don't have other favorites near the Disney Music Hall area, this has just become the default pre theatre dinner spot. Pros: Cool open space, yummy food Cons: No reservations, noisy more

Like this place, cool ideas and changes to traditional Italian... Pros: Interesting Take on Italian more

LA's most ridiculous dining experience. Pretending to be New York and looking silly at it! NO BUZZ just NOISE! A beautiful space with great looking food that may as well be catfood because you can't sit and enjoy it unless you are a 20 year old air head! So noisey that you can't hold a conversation, can't hear the waitress and can't hear yourself think let alone put down a plate of food. The help looks like they are in pain overcoming working in the noise. Too bad because the food is beautifully prepared. You also have to FIND help and ASK for service at the takeout counter. Not a great location either unless you like street urchins. IF I never go back I will not be missing a thing- except a head ache and indigestion, wishing I could enjoy their beautiful plate of food. Pros: Great looking food Cons: TOO NOISEY!!! more

I've been for many an evening meal (side note -- you MUST get the Portobello Fries), but never brunch... until last Sunday. It hits the same strides as lunch and dinner -- fantastic menu options, great server-to-patron ratio and excellent service and food. Go for the Farmers Market Breakfast and try a side of the berries with honey yogurt. The fresh juices make a great combo, and the on-the-house bread and jam while you wait is delicious. It's as busy and loud as any other time, but if you're a downtown resident you can't be but happy to see the place flourish. Pros: Farmers Market Breakfast; Honey Yogurt more

I love this place. The pizza is great. The assorted sandwiches at brunch are amazing. The coffee is pretty damned good. The bread is fantastic. And the prices are SO GOOD. Plus, they're incredibly flirty. So you get to feel really attractive. Pros: 10 food for 6 prices Cons: LOUD! I CAN'T HEAR YOU, WHAT DID YOU SAY? I SAID IT'S LOUD! more

Great space - high ceilings - this is how I imagine Prague - I felt like I was in another country - big room, lots of people, open kitchen, bakery off to the side - great for breakfast, lunch or dinner - I bet the people living in the area (or working) come here all the time.. we live in Santa Monica and we have made the drive in a few times ourselves - and that says something when you are willing to drive in to the belly of LA just to grab a bite to eat.... well worth it... Pros: location, interior, food, staff, scene more

..................this is a true dining expierience! everything is so worth it, is not just good food, it is an expierience for the palate....the wait was so worth it...splurge , and order up , portabello fries, great steaks ,desserts,, its ALL so yummy......beautiful people without the ugly hollywood cheese factor .WAY TO GO DOWNTOWN ! and thanks Bottega Louie for a great expierience ! Pros: food Cons: the wait more

This a great place for an afternoon lunch with girlfriends. They have a great selection of gourmet sandwiches. Loved It ! definitely will be going there again. However finding a parking spot on the street was a real problem in downtown. \r \r Overall, I reccomend it for the food and the wine. They also some great stuff for pick up ! Pros: Great quality Cons: parking is a problem more

Very impressive space and yet it's casual. Some very nice decorative flourishes, but best of all is the food. Their pasta is very, very good, and their pizza is the only ""real"" pizza Downtown. Now if they could just deliver... Pros: Best pizza Cons: They don't deliver ;) more

Really enjoyed myself. I am was referred by a client and I am so happy I went. I will be bak many , many times.\r \r Pros: Food & Service Cons: Nothing more

Im surprised there are not more reviews about this downtown jewel. This place is amazing. Its basically one huge, HUGE room. No real interior walls. There is a semi-bakery, small bar area, kitchen area, and pizza oven area - all are exposed so you can see everything. The restaurant is amazingly clean and service is wonderful. I went on a Wednesday night and it was packed but I did not have to wait for a table. Food is great and very reasonably priced. I will definitely go back! Pros: Food, Atmosphere, Service more

This is a great addition to downtown!! The food is delicious and the staff is wonderful! Try the lasagne or the petit sandwiches that surprisingly fill you up. The desserts are to die for as well. Everything is great about this place. Go and enjoy, you will not regret it!! Pros: Food, ambience, staff Cons: None! more

OMG, this place is like walking into heaven. I swear! It is downright beautiful, gorgeous, stunning, palatial, breathtaking, and de-lish! \r \r I love that the pizza oven is the focal point of the restaurant. I love the open concept of the kitchen, I LOVE the staff. I seriously cannot say enough about this place. \r \r You can either have a casual experience where you sit in the market/cafe area or you can wine and dine in the restaurant dinning area for a hot date. Trust me, bring anyone here and they will be wowed. \r \r Last but not least, I just adore the boxes for the baked goods and the gold cups that the cupcakes are in. Seriously, everything is just down to the detail. \r \r Enjoy!!!! Pros: ambience, great food, good prices Cons: No cons more