Cool Hunting

On a recent trip to Los Angeles I had the pleasure of experiencing the palatial restaurant and gourmet market Bottega Louie. I expected the newly opened establishment, located in the downtown business district, to be barely percolating with traffic on the weeknight I visited. Instead, the 185-seat dining hall, which features soaring 20 foot ceilings, banquette-style seating and a view of the grand open kitchen, was abuzz with guests and the din of conversation.

Roughly three years in the making, Bottega Louie is something of a marvel to behold. An enticing view of a custom deli counter and pastry display greets patrons, while off to the left, a wall stacked with bottled spirits beckons toward the restaurant. The entire 10,000 square-foot space, a brilliant white throughout nicely offsets marble tiling, custom brass millwork and dark-hued bistro furniture.

While the broad floor-to-ceiling windows and minimalist color palate make for a an austere backdrop, the attention to detail keeps it compelling. The textures of stone, metal and wood, as well as a few decorative gestures, like the gilt concierge desk, in all, evokes the spirit of the good old days. The pared-down look seems a fitting answer to our recent age of excess.

As for the food, the dinner menu offers a thoughtful (if limited) selection of comforting Italian dishes. A wide array of antipasti support classic salads, pizzas, pastas and entrees. Staples like burrata don't disappoint, while the chocolate soufflé (a 25 minute wait) left me near speechless.

For those who want to take a bit of the Bottega Louie experience to go, head over to the pastry counter for one of the best tasting pistachio eclairs on the West Coast or a pastel box of electric-colored macaroons—tied with a silk ribbon, of course.

More images after the jump.

Bottega Louie
700 South Grand Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90017 map
tel +1 213 802 1470