If you're from the East Coast and miss Dean & Deluca, Bottega Louie certainly offers to fill that void. With Chris Goosen as their Executive Chef and a designed space worthy of accolades from even the most discerning eye, I've been hooked on this spot since I first discovered it.
Coincidentally I've known Chris for many years. He's catered a handful of events for us including our Plush Home opening party in 2003. His dishes are always nothing less than exquisite.
More than three years in the making, Bottega Louie is located in the old Downtown bank district (former Brooks Brothers building). The eatery has 20-foot ceilings, more than 2,000 feet of brass millwork, marble-tiled floors, custom deli cases and tables, and about 200 employees.
From the moment you walk in, you'll feel like you've transported to the East Coast or even Europe. They've done a great job with lifestyle branding this restaurant and the mid-price point makes it accessible for brunch, lunch, or dinner.
The kitchen handles 600 recipes for the Italian menu and the prepared dishes for the market. The bakers turn out 800 pastries a day; stacks of pastel boxes tied with silk ribbon decorate the windows along Grand Avenue.
There's a full bar, a counter devoted to 20 kinds of breads, a brick oven churning out pizzas and a carving station. A bevy of managers stroll the floors; at times it takes three hostesses -- armed with a laminated map of the tables and stationed at a gilt Baroque-style, curve-legged console in the middle of the restaurant -- to greet and seat patrons.
My only warning is that the noise level is loud and there are no reservations....so there's often a wait for a table. But, the complimentary bottled water (flat or sparkling water) is a definite plus.
700 S Grand Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90017
(866) 418-9162
