It’s official. Bottega Louie is opening its second location in West Hollywood, and with David Cooley as a partner.
Bottega Louie’s plans to open a restaurant at the space at 8936 Santa Monica Blvd near Robertson that once was to house Cooleys, a “gastro-pub,” were made public earlier this month but not officially confirmed. And at that time the rumor was that David Cooley was selling his lease on the property to Bottega Louie, not that he would be part of the venture.
In a press release today, Cooley, best known for opening The Abbey 25 years ago, said he will be a partner in the WeHo Bottega Louie. “I have been approached many times about partnering on this space but none of them felt right,” he said. “A globally known culinary destination like Bottega Louie is the perfect addition to Santa Monica Boulevard.”
“I have lived in West Hollywood for almost a decade and always wanted a place like Bottega Louie in my neighborhood,” said Kevin McKellar, co-owner of Bottega Louie. “Thanks to David, we can open our second dream location in a thriving restaurant, bar and nightlife district in the heart of West Hollywood.”
The approximately 8,900 square foot space will have an estimated 200 seats and an outdoor patio for dining. The new restaurant will have all the same elements as the original, including a patisserie, market, full bar, kitchen and dining area. The menus at Bottega Louie in West Hollywood will mirror the original downtown locations including breakfast, lunch, dinner and weekend brunch along with beer, wine and cocktails. Bottega Louie is expected to open in West Hollywood sometime in 2017.
Cooley’s multi-year effort to open the space, which once housed Raffi’s Jewelers, Balliamos dance studio and Unicorn Alley, an “adult” store, was a major drama in WeHo’s Boystown gay nightlife district. It involved a dispute between Cooley and Alfredo Diaz, an owner of the nearby Revolver bar, who was forced out by his business partner, Chris Miller, and sued for alleged embezzlement.
In November 2014 Cooley got all the permits he needed from the City of West Hollywood to begin construction. But the space has remained empty, prompting much speculation about what would happen with it. Earlier this year Cooley acquired Here Lounge, adjacent to The Abbey, and work is underway to convert it to “The Chapel,” at part of The Abbey.
News that Bottega Louie was going to occupy the Cooleys space has prompted a debate among those who argument that it’s another step in the collapse of Boystown as a gay destination and others who see it as an important addition to WeHo because of Bottega Louie’s popularity.
COOLEYS..is involved..Finally a good , Quality restaurant on that side of the street that won’t be OVERPRICED, HORRIBLE CHEAP FOOD & Frequented by cheap reality tourists. We need to keep WEHO classy and this new restaurant you know has a seller reputation for food,service,quality and variety. West Hollywood citizens deserve the best for the k8 d of money we spend. Let the tourists go to PUMP..where the “food” is overpriced “tourist trap ingredients”..and cited multiple times for VERMIN. We should be celebrating. .Boys town isn’t dead yet, it’s getting good a “FACE LIFT”… (I’m not affiliated) I know the culinary… Read more »
I’m compelled to agree that “gay guys eat” is not a very thoughtful or profound observation. It may be miles wide but it’s only a fraction-of-an-inch deep & makes a mockery of a discussion that means a lot to a lot of people.
Only simple for the simple minded with simplistic theories. Botegga Louie is sure to be patronized from people far & wide, be loud & noisy, full of running screaming children, walk areas clogged with strollers. straight couple & children’s birthday parties, not to mention the severe addition to the parking problems that already plague that neighborhood. Simplistic frivolous attitudes that declare “gay men eat” are demeaning a movement of equality that was achieved over many, many years & shouldn’t be dismissed so lightly. That is cowardly.& not “easy” for everyone …. see?
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I don’t see how this is destroying boystown. Gay guys eat. Gay guys like nice places. This is a nice place to eat……easy…see?
If it’s beautiful, affordable and the food is good, I’m all for it. Unlike the restaurant next to it on the corner that’s tacky, pricey and not very good.
WE need more parking, where are these patrons supposed to park? yes parking at the Library is all good and well, but not enough spaces. And yes behind Rage is an option too, but on Friday and Sat nights, the place is jumping (which I love), but lets think about MORE PARKING…..its time for construction of Sheriff area and Metro Bus area…..get it done! WELCOME Louie !!!!
If it’s not 100 percent organic, it’s gmo poison that has been banned by 64 countries (or at least labeled). Time for WeHo residents to wake up to this fact. Brazil, Russia recently banned all GMO from USA. China bans USA corn. Wake up WeHo to those still asleep. Food is only worth eating if it’s sourced with free-range, organic, non-gmo ingredients from suppliers that can be trusted. Otherwise it’s caged junk and lipstick on a pig. No thanks. If you want to survive in the conscious community of WeHo which is growing daily, up your game. Make it a… Read more »
Man I missed that place since moving from Downtonw Loft. We all loved hanging there certain times of day. Quite fun. Shouldn’t be a big deal but apparently everything Weho is more dramatic than my Hoa I’m DTLA WEBU and VALVIL. NICE
Okay, I guess I am not the foodie that I once thought I was, but I don’t remember during my recent visit to Paris hearing Bottega Louie’s name mentioned in any of the Pattiseries or cafe’s on the Champs Elysses. World Renowned – this seems a bit of a stretch, but food is food and food is good and good food is the best.
That’s amazing. Bottega is a great beautiful afortable restaurant. That whole area is going to have a massive benefit for all business around there because of BL. Great idea.
Ugh.
As I’ve said before, Boystown, as many of us knew it, died years ago !