Restaurants, Wholesale Importers
$, Family-Friendly Dining, Group Dining, Outdoor Dining
Louise's Trattoria on Montana Avenue has been a staple of the North Santa Monica community for over two decades. Made famous by their amazing focaccia bread and serving LA's favorite California Italian cuisine, Louise's has something for everyone. Louise's on Montana is located on beautiful Montana Avenue, between 10th & 11th Streets in N. Santa Monica. Great for a midday lunch along your shopping trip and extremely popular with locals for a casual, relaxing dinner. Huge Entree Salads, Original Pastas and Authentic Chicken & Seafood Entrees await. Louise's also offer easy take-out and super convenient home or office delivery everyday! Order Online Today!
Tasty but ludicrously greasy
by Anonymous
Overall the food is tasty, but if you order pastas, be prepared to have them thoroughly drenched in oil. If you're really lucky, it will just be a thick coating on everything, but most of the time, you'll have between a quarter and a half cup of the stuff (about 400 calories if you ate it) sloshing around the bottom of your bowl. If you're able to sop up the grease with a paper towel or napkin, the pasta is quite yummy, so for the life of me I can't figure out why they need to dump in all the extra oil.
The problem is worst when you have them deliver, but even in the restaurant, the amount left at the bottom of the bowl is terrifying. To their credit, the bread is tasty (though also very oily), and their salads are very good.
Posted 06/03/08 | Report Abuse
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This is a nice little place to sit and relax and have a nice Italian meal. It is a chain, but it does not feel that way at all. It has a real family restaurant feeling.
Posted 05/17/08 | Report Abuse
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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When I was pregnant with my son, I made my husband take me here at least once a week, if I was lucky twice a week. I couldnt get enough of their cheese ravioli's smoothered in butter and spinach. And I absolutely LOVE the warm bread and the vinegar to dip it in. My husband likes to try chicken marsala wherever he goes and he admits this is one of the best chicken marsalas he has had just about anywhere.
Posted 12/05/04 | Report Abuse
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Quite tasty food here. The portions aren't that great, but good service.
Posted 07/23/04 | Report Abuse
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Ask for Peter
by Rebecr
This Louise's has an amazing waiter by the name of Peter. We come here for the excellent food and atmosphere but the service really makes our dining experience complete. Peter's recommendations are always spot on! He is one of the reasons why we have been such loyal customers throughout the years. I highly recommend Louise's to anyone looking for a good California Italian place in Santa Monica.
Posted 07/13/09
Perfect for Lunch
by NichiB
I eat here about once a week - I work just down the street. The Cobb Salad is perfect for lunch - huge portions and a very reasonable price tag. Of course, the service makes it just that much better.
Posted 07/12/09
Best Bread!
by MaryWho
Very delicious bread! One of the waiters here, Peter, is always extra friendly and on the ball with drink refills. He is very attentive, but not overwhelming as some waiters can be. The pasta dishes here really stand out, the portions are very sizable (enough for leftovers or splitting) and are also very well priced for today's economy.
Posted 07/05/09
excellent service
by parvinl
As usual your restaurant on Montana gives us locals a first rate menu with excellent friendly service from Peter. Keep up the good standards.
Pros: service, food
Posted 06/07/09
neighborhood restaurant
by leedon
if I need a good laugh or want to feel at home I come here to see Peter, the Aussie. Funny, charming but always appropriate - just like our neighborhood restaurant should be.
Pros: Peter
Posted 06/04/09
top notch
by brennabee
The dinner was amazing with top notch service. Very kind and attentive. The food was out of this world!!!
Pros: service
Posted 05/27/09
nice location
by leilanisq
Joey is terrific. I like this location most of all the Louise's. It's nice and quiet. The food is excellent.
Posted 05/19/09
coming for years
by cherylmac
This particular Louise's has been a neighborhood staple for many years for me and its always a pleasure coming back and seeing the familiar faces. The service here is wonderful and the food is consistently good.
Pros: neighborhood restaurant
Cons: none
Posted 05/17/09
regular favorite
by jaynes
My friend introduced me to this restaurant last year and since then, it has become a regular favorite of mine. The food is excellent, but the waitstaff is even better - very attentive. I especially appreciate my regular waiter, Peter.
Pros: PETER
Posted 05/14/09
perfect
by nayda
Our service was excellent and the food was awesome. Other than the fact that we could not finish our meals because we were so full, everything was perfect!
Pros: service, food
Cons: none
Posted 04/29/09
great experience
by reynaldor
What a great experience I had at Louise's. The food was great, the people were nice and the music was hip. I think I'll come back.
Pros: music, service
Posted 04/26/09
always great
by allegrab
Always terrific - great food, great service. This is one of our favorites and we dine here frequently. Thank you!
Pros: service
Posted 04/22/09
great food and service
by mikesod
The service was outstanding. The food was great. The lighting was romantic. The hospitality was spot on. The waiter (Peter) was his usual efficient and pleasant self. We will be back :)
Pros: Peter- our waiter
Posted 04/16/09
Peter!
by louhow
Our waiter, Peter greeted us with a welcoming, friendly smile. He always makes our dining experience a pleasure. Peter is the real reason we continue to come back to Louise's week after week.
Pros: service
Cons: nothing
Posted 04/12/09
Hospitable and Wonderful!
by SarahT
Peter is the most hospitable and accommodating server we have ever had the pleasure of being served by. He always remembers our faces and our favorites and never disappoints - always impressed! He along with management and busboy, not to mention the delicious food, has the Louise's on Montana our favorite spot to dine! It's always a wonderful experience.
Pros: Peter!
Cons: nope
Posted 04/07/09
My experience...
by BDDavis
Overall i thought this place was really pretty decent. i can be a harsh critic but the food was good, the prices reasonable, and the atmosphere was nice. Good job!
Pros: Great Bread
Cons: none
Posted 08/21/08
Decent but not great
by smooph
Decent "Italian" food that you can get just about anywhere. Overpriced but a nice atmosphere, cozy and friendly. The food is good, but it's nothing to rave about. Although, I did love the bread. I think for the money I would prefer to go elsewhere. But... it's better than Olive Garden!
Pros: Friendly staff, bread
Cons: Kind of boring food, not awful but not great
Posted 11/15/06
Bland
by rudette
I'm new to LA and didn't realize this place was a chain. Well, it's the kind of restaurant that gives chains a bad name: bland food and bland setting. I felt gross afterwards. Not sure why this place is so popular.
Posted 11/03/06
Great casual place
by chains007
If you're looking for reasonably priced Italian - then this is the place to go. It's a so-cal chain - but surprisingly good. All the pasta dishes are excellent - and of course the foccacia bread they give you is very tasty. Nice wine list as well.
Posted 03/19/05
Best of show in matching theme w/ Locale
by henry_de_tejas
Regardless, of your locale, if this isn' t your favorite place, you don t eat out enough. As for ordering in, it s hard to imagine a better pizza being made in any city. I also recommend the hand layered, subltey tuscan, and unnaturally light lasagna. And the salads are to die for, not to mention the desserts. Every setting 's a new experience!
Posted 01/20/05
Two Thumbs Way Up!
by erinejo
Perfect cozy date spot that is affordable and an absolutely wonderful dining experience. Food is mouth watering, especially the bread served before the meal. Service was great and the lighting made it a very special night!
Pros: bread, food, lighting
Posted 09/22/04
BE sure to come hungry!
by kmmoss99
The bread they serve at the tables (complimentary) is worth the trip alone! It's good enough to be an appetizer, and the pizza's are DELISH! If you're not a garlic fan, beware of the Ceaser Salad - it is VERY garlicy. LOve this cozy littlel place!
Posted 07/29/02
A Simply Good Experience
by teague777
We randomly chose this restaurant at 8:15 pm on a Saturday night and were pleasantly surprised. The fettucine is excellent, the atmosphere is cozy, quaint, and laid back, and the service is excellent. The cost is inexpensive for the value you receive. Although my boyfriend didn't love the California-style lasagna, this restaurant will remain a favorite!
Pros: great food, cozy atmosphere, kind/attentive staff
Posted 06/08/02
