Fine dining meets gourmet retail at Bottega Louie, a new European-inspired restaurant/bar meets marketplace in downtown Los Angeles.

Across from Pershing Square, the stylish, clean interior is classy but not pretentious, and recalls the relaxed feel of a Parisian cafe with a Dean & Deluca-esque urban aesthetic.

Upon entering the space, head to the bar and order a $6 beer or let the bartender make you a cocktail from the impressive array of liquor on display.  Either is a solid choice. If it's Sunday morning when you stroll in with the hangover blues, go directly to the deli counter and order a $1 cup of coffee (yes, it's really $1). Wash it down with a panini or pastry.

Trying to impress that new guy/gal with your culinary sophistication? You'll find shelves stocked with imported olive oil, chocolates, chutneys, wine and imported cheeses. If you have a soft spot for Paris or a sweet tooth that needs taming, head to the patisserie for a loaf of French bread and an eclair.

Chances are you're not likely to be found at a bar before the sun goes down -- not so at Bottega Louie. The bar acts as a smoothie and juice stop for the breakfast crowd, then a fully stocked beer and cocktail counter in the later hours. There's also a small
Bottega Louie
Cozy seating options (and Wi-Fi) at Bottega Louie
cafe area by the bar stools where you can plug in for some free Wi-Fi, read a book and chow down.

But if you're out with your posse and have some time to kill, the restaurant itself is worth checking out. The lunch/dinner menu is mostly Italian fare and features pizza (made with organic ingredients grown by local farmers), pasta dishes big enough for two, chicken and steak entrees, and a slew of small plates for those of us who want a little bit of everything.

You can watch all of your food being prepared
Bottega Louie
The margherita pizza at Bottega Louie is worth the chewin'.
at two open kitchens -- one in the front by the bar, and the pizza station at the back. We tried the $14 margherita pizza, arguably the restaurant's main specialty, and were pleasantly surprised by the evenly burnt, thin crust and perfect cheese/olive oil ratio.

Bottega Louie is open from 6:30 am - 11 pm (grabbing both early birds and late-nite revelers), and only accepts walk-ins. Come for the food, stay for the experience, and don't leave without ordering a chai latte. You'll thank us later.
Zbutton
Bottega Louie
700 S. Grand Ave.,
Los Angeles, 90017
(866) 418-9162