While driving through downtown Los Angeles on Grand Avenue two weekends ago, someone in the vehicle mentioned a place downtown from where people have been posting images of luscious looking sweet treats on social media. Another said it’s somewhere along Grand Avenue, and it has Louie in its name. What do I know? As if on cue, as we were about to cross 7^th Street, I spotted the place. It’s at the corner of 7^th Street on your left if you’re driving south on Grand. I looped around to Hope Street and paid $4 to park all day at a lot across the Sheraton. It was a Saturday, and I didn’t have difficulty finding a spot. There is also curbside metered parking along Hope Street.

From there it’s just a short walk to Bottega Louie. It’s a restaurant serving Italian cuisine. From the signage, one learns that it has a patisserie and gourmet market as well.

Bottega Louie is located at 700 S Grand, Los Angeles, CA.

We did not have the chance to dine in, but by the looks of it, the restaurant is quite popular. This is actually the smaller of two dining areas. The larger area is towards the back. The Saturday afternoon crowd at the restaurant. This is actually the smaller dining area. The bigger space is towards the back.

The busy restaurant kitchen. The busy restaurant kitchen.

But it was the patisserie that brought us here. As a photographer, I respond readily to visuals, and what a treat I had that afternoon. As soon as I walked through the door, the patisserie captivated me and it was hard to peel myself off its grip. My head was swirling as I took in the sights of the beautiful and photogenic sweet creations. The design and presentation for every piece is enticing and attractive. Short of putting in a photo shoot proposal, I almost could not stop taking pictures.  

This is the patisserie. It is what greets you as you walk in. The patisserie.

Beignets. The term is of french origin. They are cousins of the doughnuts. In fact some parts of the U.S. consider them as doughnuts, and the beignet is Louisiana's state doughnut. Beignets. The term is of French origin. They are practically cousins of doughnuts. In Louisiana, they are considered as doughnuts and have been named as the official doughnut of the state.

Colorful macarons. Colorful macarons.

The staff was very attentive and helpful. I liked it that they put on gloves when gathering and handling your order. The staff are very attentive and helpful. I also like it that they wear gloves when gathering and preparing your order.

Rows of pretty eclairs. Pretty eclairs.

These two have a flamboyant name, La Framboise Buche. La Framboise Buche. This dessert with that fancy name should taste as good as it looks.

The pricing is quite reasonable, $-$$. Pricing is quite reasonable. Range is $-$$.  To view more sweet images, go to my Playtime galleries, and click on Bottega Louie.

All images were shot without flash. Food images were shot mostly through glass of the display case and using the display lighting. Equipment were Canon 28-300mm 3.5-5.6 L IS USM lens mated to Canon 5D Mark II. Range of shutter speeds used: mostly 1/30 to 1/160 sec.. Range of apertures: 3.5-5.6. Range of ISO: 320 - 1250.