Rate-A-Restaurant #206: Bottega Louie

Restaurant: Bottega Louie



Location: 700 S. Grand (Downtown)

Type of restaurant: Italian/Market



We stipulated: It was monthly date night for Maria and I, so once again we wanted to try something new -- and when I put the word out on Facebook for suggestions, Bottega Louie was mentioned. Cool new restaurant downtown? Done.



They stipulated: Bottega Louie is already being called L.A.'s version of Dean & Deluca. Except that D&D doesn't have a bar. The huge Bottega Louie gives you several options: Sit down dinner. Fully stocked bar. Pre-packaged food items. Or a massive case of prepared foods and desserts.




What we ordered: Bianco pizza, $14 (ricotta, mozzarella, granna parmesan, garlic and rocket arugula); portobello fries, $8; caesar salad, $9 (romaine hearts, reggiano parmesan, garlic herbed croutons and caesar dressing); stuffed artichoke, $8.




High point: Those portobello fries are worth the trip right there.



Low point: Pizza was decent, but only so-so when you compare it to the explosion of strong pizzerias in L.A.




Overall impression: At a place like Bottega Louie, you can forgive the pizza for being only so-so. The environment itself is amazing -- high ceilings, stark white walls, a nice airy feel that makes you feel like you're in the middle of a lively, bustling urban center. This place definitely fits the downtown vibe. And the staff is uber-friendly -- almost too much so. The prices are decent too, and run the range. As you can see above, we decided to go economical; there are also pricier $23 fish dishes and $33 steaks... but this fed us just fine.





Chance we'll go back: Absolutely, it was a nice date night location, but looks to also be a great spot to meet up with friends. Plus, I read elsewhere that the breakfast is also worth another trip.

Rate-A-Restaurant #205: Sweets for the Soul

(Flickr pic by Atwater Village Newbie.)

Restaurant: Sweets for the Soul

Location: 3169 Glendale Blvd. (Atwater Village)

Type of restaurant: Dessert

We stipulated: Evan and I were shopping for a Mother's Day present in Atwater Village (support your local businesses, especially in this economy!) on Friday afternoon, when we walked by Sweets for the Soul. The shop, which specializes in brownies, seems to always be closed when we're in the neighborhood. Given that we finally happened to be passing by while the doors were open, we had no choice but to check it out. Evan didn't object.

They stipulated: Cupcakes be damned. Sweets for the Soul is all about the brownies. Sure, they also offer a lemon pudding cake and a flourless pecan cookie. But you came for the brownies.


"Brownie Bliss"

What we ordered: Hot Shot brownie ($3.50): Valrhona Venezuelan dark chocolate base layered with spices such as chili, cardamon, cinnamon, ginger and more. Brownie Bliss ($3): Creamy chocolate square with toasted pecans. Cocoa Bliss ($3.75): More of cake-like texture of cocoa and chocolate chips.


"Hot Shot"

High point: Seeing how I love spice -- and love the combo of dark chocolate and chili pepper -- this was made for me. Rich in every bite.

Low point: But there weren't too many of those bites. And here we get to the real problem of Sweets for the Soul: Their brownies are tiny. Particularly given what you pay for them, the portions are shockingly small.


"Cocoa Bliss"

Overall impression: Love the brownie, hate the price. At least at cupcake stores, for $3.50 you get a humungous treat that can't (or shouldn't, at least) be eaten in one sitting. Here, we plopped down more than $10... for three tiny brownies that fit neatly in a small, small bag.

Chance we'll go back: I gotta say, I loved that Hot Shot brownie -- named because of its small, cylinder appearance. But there's so little value in the brownies, I'm afraid I won't be rushing back. Which is too bad, because it's the kind of store that would make for a great Atwater VIllage stop. But it's just too specialized and pricy for it to be a regular stop.