Louise's Trattoria

I only eat here once and while, but I sincerely enjoy my experience each time I come. I had a 'Sonoma Goat Cheese' salad last time I came and it was really delicious. I split a Pizza with a friend and (as pizza usually is) it was simply divine. The pizza they serve here is light, while still being hearty - a perfect balance. The service is usually great and very friendly.

Posted 07/05/09

The bread is delicious. Our service is always excellent. What more could you want? Although, I did prefer the old mints (white, soft) over the standard ones.

Pros: Bread, Service

Cons: dinner mints

Posted 04/09/09

It was wonderful, as it has been in the past. I chose to have my birthday dinner here because I enjoy the cuisine and ambiance so much

Pros: ambiance

Cons: none

Posted 04/07/09

I've been to Louise's on Ventura in Studio City three times now and every single time they're out of something we've ordered. We're going at 6:00!! It's not like it's the end of the night, or we're ordering the special. No peanuts for a Thai salad? Run to the market on the corner and PICK UP A JAR. How hard is it to stock a professional kitchen properly? Whoever is responsible for ordering food is screwing up big time. Lastnight they were out of whole wheat pasta and beets. Beets were the main ingredient in my hubby's fave appetizer, beets and burrata: Our whole reason for choosing Louise's!

Also, his wide-noodle papparadelle was gummy with two uncooked chunks stuck together that he had to remove to continue eating. This restaurant is so below par, we'll never go back. Stay away! Spend your money on a place that gives a darn about good customer experiences.

Pros: Nice, good waitstaff

Cons: Always running out of food, undercooked gummy pasta stuck together in gobs

Posted 02/08/09

I've been to two locations, dining in Brentwood and taking out in Studio City. Not sure if it's because the food is being eaten right after it's cooked or the ambience or the location, but there is a big difference eating in at the Brentwood location. It tasted a lot better, not to say the other tasted bad but it was mediocre at best. Go to the Brentwood, order anything, and you'll be sure to get fresh ingredients in an amazing meal. The restaurant has a nice homey feeling, is a bit small, but I never have trouble finding parking at night.

Pros: Fresh Ingredients, Quaint Brentwood Location & Parking

Cons: Take Out Tastes Different

Posted 08/27/07

i use to eat here--spaghetti with bolganise--all the time growing up bc i was a picky eater. i haven't been back on my own but then one day at the office, they ordered pizza from here. some of the best pizza ive ever had and ive had Grimaldi's in brooklyn and D'Amore's in westwood. i had the bbq chix and also some plain cheese.

Pros: the pizza!

Posted 07/13/06

I ordered delivery from them around 9pm. I was quoted that it would take 45 minutes to an hour. When the girl was taking my order, she didn't ask for my apartment number so I gave it to her. An hour later, my order hadn't arrived so I called. They told me she hadn't taken down my apartment number and had gotten my phone number wrong so they couldn't call me. Half an hour later, I called again to ask why it was taking so long. They had taken my apartment number down wrong this time. When the food finally arrived, it wasn't good at all. Stouffer's Lasagna is better than theirs. The fruit tart was good, but it seemed like it was a pre frozen thing that they don't make themselves.

Pros: They Deliver!

Cons: Delivery Service BAD

Posted 03/12/06

I write this with tears trickling down my face. In all of my years of existence. Never have I made it to the point where I actually broke down and wept from consuming animal flesh. Many a time I have had a watery eye. But I usually knuckle up and control my emotions. This was not to be when I put the delectable lemon sauteed chicken cadaver to my lips. Oh what a precious a moment. My tongue embraced the bird, like a mother picking up her son from an out of state college. I want to hunt down the culinary czar that made this experience as magical as it has been. I want to shine his shoes in payment for all that he has given me. A taste that will reside on my tongue for eternity through my memories. God bless the chef!!!

Pros: Lemon Chicken

Posted 08/02/05

My fiance and I originally decided to cook a romantic dinner at home for Valentines, but opted for eating out. I remembered seeing Louise's near Father's Office in Santa Monica. I presented the idea and off we went.

Waiting for our table we started to gaze at people's food and were drulling endlessly. Finally getting to the food choices was heaven. Bread came soon after with olive oil and vinegar... yum. Our waitress was cool and on top of things.

Our food choices were Rosemary Chicken and Penne something or another. The chicken melted in my mouth. I have had better Rosemary Chicken, but I ate the whole thing and loved it. My fiance commented that she loved hers enough to try it again.

I like Louise's! Dig it. The ambience and the design were cool without being showy, tacky, boring... etc.

GO!

Posted 02/14/05

service great, appetizers we SO GOOD. The pizza was great but the spagetti and meatballs I had was over cooked (the pasta) the meatballs however was very tasty. I was expecting fresh pasta but it was just boiled, other than that I would definately go again

Pros: great value, romantic, variety

Posted 11/16/04

The thing about Louise's everyone loves so much is that Louise's is Los Angeles! And Los Angeles loves this place. we try three locations in three day and were amazed at the taste in each one. There shrimp/scallop appitizer ROCKS! No one can touch the 14 Vegetable Minestrone soup. Ok that was one meal. The second we had this beautiful Margerita pizza and Caesar Salad, again a big hit. The third was the at the 26th Street location where we got meet Chef Pedro and his Parmesean Crusted Halibut special of the night. Wow! The service is great and the management cares about each dish. Lets not forget Louises Foccacia Bread everybody wants and loves it.

Pros: Great Staff, Everything Fresh, Hand made

Posted 10/13/04

Gawd this is the best! I eat here at least 6 times a month if not more! This is by far the best location I have visited, great patio, great location, cool relaxing and good for people watching. The food is better than Anyone has the right to expect...The only improvemnt would be expanding the patio and getting rid of the Greasy spoon called Johnny Rockets thats next door.

Posted 05/14/03

Louise's Trattoria had the best service (the best Waiter James!!!) ..the food was fantastic and they say 22 of us with a reservation without a wait!!! They handled everything for our little gathering and what a great place on Melrose to be! The atmosphere, employees, management - everyone was fabulous. I rate it a pure 10 and kudos to all!
Very reasonable.

Pros: Service, Helpful and quick, Courteous

Cons: Bathroom (only 1)

Posted 10/05/02

What a great place to hang out and people watch. The food is great and servers are fun. The food has gotten so much better. A good place to take a date. Patio is so nice with all the umbrellas. Thanks Louise.

Posted 08/25/02

My family and I were exhausted, after visiting one of those huge shopping complexes and not finding any food that we wanted, when we drove past the Louise's Trattoria on Melrose. What caught my wife's eye were the stunning umbrellas showcased on the patio. We found parking just a few blocks away and walked to the restaurant. We were pleasantly greeted and waited on to my family's pleasure (which is sometimes difficult with 2 kids under age 5). The wait staff was courteous and delivered our food on time, and it was the perfect meal after a hectic morning. The atmosphere was calming and the meal left us completely satisfied, and didn't cost too much.

Posted 08/12/02

Louise's Trattoria is our favorite place to eat! The pasta dishes are the best in town. We would suggest this restaurant to anyone who loves to eat Italian. Save some room for the Tiramisu!

Pros: p

Posted 08/06/02

Beautiful humungous patio, in a place were space is at a premium. The food is very good and the prices are right. Shopping on Melrose should end here!

Posted 08/05/02