Wembley wrote a beautiful review of Bottega Louie not too long ago, and despite his wise words I had no interest in trying it for myself. That is until I accompanied him there (for a drink only) and fell in love with the atmosphere. Giant ceilings, white marble, an open kitchen and market give you a sense that you are in a place of value, and I would come to find out that I was. I, very randomly, found myself downtown early one morning with a free hour so I stopped in for breakfast. I ordered the Farmer’s Market breakfast ($11); it seemed just restrained and virtuous enough to kick-start my day at such an ungodly hour. It was indeed, and so much more. Who would have thought that a simple preparation of poached egg, some market vegetables, and a smidgen of shaved parmesan could be so satisfying and, in a word, perfect? I slightly envied other patrons sipping a cappuccino and ripping apart a fluffy pain au chocolat, but it turns out that I’ve craved the Farmer’s Market breakfast every morning hence forth and I felt good all day long. There is more to Bottega than this dish, but I think their saving grace is subtlety. The best Italian food is just a simple preparation of fresh ingredients, hence the Trenne (braised prime rib-eye with Tuscan black kale), Fettuccine Belmondo (house made pasta, cherry tomatoes, garlic, arugula, extra virgin olive oil, and Reggiano parmesan), or the Pizza Bianco (ricotta, mozzarella, granna parmesan, garlic and rocket arugula). Even the complimentary still or sparkling water suggests that the people running the show are purists.
Bottega Louie
700 S Grand Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90017
