Louise's Trattoria Restaurant Review -- Affordable Dinner with Friendly Service

I’ve visited Louise’s in the past.  Enjoyed both the Hollywood and Hancock Park locations.  But this is my first time enjoying the pleasure of their Los Feliz eatery.  Why am I here?

Well, this specific Louise’s Trattoria offers a tremendously convenient feature. “Park and Dine”. You can park at their lot, have a very decent dinner, catch their 5-minute ride up to the Greek Theatre for a concert like I did and return.  All very, very convenient.  Frankly, this idea makes a visit to Louise’s worthwhile all by itself.

Quarter Of…

Dinner was set at 5:30 for an 8pm concert.  With Friday evening traffic we arrived at 5:45,  our tails between our legs.  Somewhere inside my head, I was glad for the late entry.  I wanted to test the restaurant.  After all, anyone can perform well in the given time.  A true test might be to see them perform under pressure.  Reality was, so much cushion is given to the “Park and Dine” that a 15-minute delay doesn’t affect anyone.
Chelsea, our hostess greets us cheerfully.  She’s attractive, fresh and courteous.  Her presence is the first to accept our arrival apologies and let us know that everything will be fine.  She checks the table map and offers us a “great seat.”  Moments later we’re whisked away and set before a window looking out upon Los Feliz Blvd.  

Now this brings us to our first theme of the evening.  I admit, I’m spoiled.  I get to enjoy some of the best and most exclusive restaurants in Los Angeles.  It comes down to ambience, food and service.

Not Too Bad

Louise’s ambience is not spectacular.  The decor is mid-level and the location and views are set more for convenience than mood.  This isn’t bad or poor, it just is what it is. And so my view is of cars speeding by and occasionally waiting at a red light – about twenty yards away.  But I trust Chelsea, we probably have the best seat in the house.

Waitress Senait arrives.  She reviews our menus with us, offers some complimentary bread and dipping oil and vinegar, then promises a quick return.  During her visit, my one and only true contention is encountered.  

3 Course Gourmet

The “Park and Dine” program is a 3-course meal with one complimentary “adult beverage”.  I’m a vodka tonic guy and so my heart was set on one.  Turns out, not gonna happen.  At the bottom of the menu is a list of the adult beverages offered, about a dozen wine and beer choices.  No hard liquor.  Certainly no vodka tonic.    My friend ordered a Chardonnay, I ordered a Merlot.  Fair enough.
About this time, manager Jason Wendt starts doing some rounds.  It’s clear from conversations, that many of the diners are repeat customers.  To me, that’s the biggest compliment a restaurant can get.  And Mr. Wendt had many.  Frankly, Wendt charms them; he’s a friendly, happy guy who genuinely wants to make you happy.

Moments later Senait arrives with our opening “gourmet” salads.  With the choice of a Caesar salad or mixed greens, we both chose the latter.  They arrived simply and easily with no fanfare.  While present, she took our dinner orders.

My lovely friend ordered the Lobster Ravioli and I did what I always do.  I asked her for what she considered was the best dish offered.  She quickly recommended the Prime Rib and I went with it.
There’s nothing better than seeing your date take a bite and smile satisfied. I wish I had had the same reaction.  I bit into a half-warm steak.  It was chewy and stiff.  I happen to be a steak guy.  Read my other work and you’ll see I go gaga over a fine piece of meat.  This was not that.

A Little White…

Now, some would say it’s my own fault.  Both Senait and Jason inquired to the quality of our meals.  I did the same thing that most people do.  I smiled and nodded.  In short, I lied.  Sometimes it’s not easy to speak up, right?
Call me a romantic, but while I chewed and chewed and chewed through my entrée, my lovely date enjoyed hers.  And that’s what mattered most to me.  I even had a bite of her ravioli and I gotta say: that there Lobster Ravioli was de-lish.  Even more than five minutes after its arrival, the temperature was still perfect.  The taste was both sweet and filling.  While I would have never ordered it, I’m glad she did.  And I’m even more glad to have stolen a bite.

By now Senait returned again, cheerful as ever.  Again I politely told her my steak was delicious.  I’m starting to feel bad, but still too shy to complain.  She confirms our Tiramisu dessert.

Homemade?  Really?

Tiramisu is delivered among two refills of wine.  Contradictory to the menu listing, the sweets did not appear to be “homemade”.  They looked perfectly manufactured.  However, they were delicious and guilty pleasure-inducing.
By now the first Greek shuttle arrives and the earliest concert-goers depart.  We’ll make the next one.  Or maybe the one after that.  There are shuttles every ten minutes and we’ve got forty minutes until showtime.  Plenty o’ time.

The Verdict

So… Louise’s Trattoria.  I’d go back again tomorrow.  The atmosphere and service exceed the price tag.  I betcha a normal dinner for two can come in at $30-some and for LA, that’s awfully reasonable.  The staff is friendly and ready to help.  The food.  My guess is more often than not, it’s better than you’d expect.  Don’t walk in presuming Mastro’s or Morton’s.  Go for chicken or pasta and you won’t go wrong.  If you go to the Los Feliz branch, ask for Jason the manager.  He’ll make your night even better.

And truly, I cannot recommend their “Park and Dine” program enough.  It’s a great deal and incredibly convenient.