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(323) 962-6369
724 N Vine St
Los Angeles,
CA
90038
34.0843
-118.3265
Neighborhoods: Hollywood, Central LA
Last updated 10.15.11
Category:
Restaurants, Bars & Pubs, Neighborhood Bars, Bars & Clubs, Wine Bars, Lounges
Payment Methods:
American Express, Visa, MasterCard
Bar & Pub Special Features:
Restaurant Special Features:
Bar & Club Special Features:
Minimum Age:
21
What People Are Saying About Lou's
Featured Review
Contributor
Contributor
In Short – Nestled next to a laundromat in a nondescript strip mall, the unexpected hum of ambient music soothes an eclectic mix of patrons into the few low-back bar chairs and comfortable bench seating. An international wine list offers a two-ounce pours to full bottles, which accompany the mostly small plates-sized portions of pig candy (bacon coated in brown sugar), mushroom truffle crostini and artesian cheeses. Garlic salami and sausages are flown in from Armandino Batali's (Mario's father) Seattle meat factory.
Editor's Tips
- Know Before You Go:
- Reservations aren't accepted, so arrive early on weekend nights or expect a lengthy wait for parties of four or more.
- Parking:
- The rod-iron guarded Vons supermarket will tow cars without hesitation--opt for a meter along Vine after 7pm or along Melrose after 6pm.
- On the Menu:
- Most of the portions are tiny, but if you're hungry for a proper meal, there is usually at least one hearty, entree-sized meat selection, as well as a soup and a salad.
| ambiance | 85.71000099182129% positive |
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|---|---|---|
| dessert | 100.0% positive |
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| drinks | 100.0% positive |
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| food quality | 84.61999893188477% positive |
|
| menu variety | 100.0% positive |
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| overall | 100.0% positive |
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| return potential | 100.0% positive |
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| service | 85.71000099182129% positive |
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| value | 100.0% positive |
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| wait time | 100.0% positive |
|
12/14/08
Dinner diners delighted by Lou
by cliorouge
What a truly lovely time we had at Lou last night. I opted for the charcuterie and cheese plank accompanied by the flight of wines (2 organic and one traditional from Languedoc) and he had the Peking duck with beans and it was smashing. The menu was interesting and varied, the ambience relaxed, the service sublime and the conversation scintillating. And all for $70. We?ll be back.
- Pros: Lovely food and wine, very unhurried
- Cons: Awfully far from our house
11/28/08
Great well hidden spot
by jasoncoberfest
This place is typical LA-- pull into a strip mall parking lot right off Vine and right in between a laundromat and a fried chicken place is this little gem. Walk in the door and it is a totally well decorated and nice scene-- you'll forget your neighborhood immediately. Excellent wines by the glass (my wife loves the small taste glasses) and the food is outstanding. They have a small menu with simple dishes (kind of like Ino or Cafe Gitane in NYC) but all the food is excellent.
- Pros: Wine, food quality
- Cons: Limited menu- not for formal dining
06/15/08
cool place,good food
by rc5247
My husband and I tried Lou last night and really liked it. The portions were very generous, not at all small plates. The halibut and flat iron steak were excellent!! We loved the cheese plate and there is a nice selection of organic wines. The tables are a little close together, but thats the only negative. Service is good and friendly. We will have to go back for dessert we were too full this time. Odd location, but don't let that stop you from trying this unique wine bar.
- Pros: Great food and wine,friendly service
- Cons: table too close together
01/13/08
Excellent food and wine
by ocdiner2008
Loved this restaurant and definitely want to go back. Small portions of food that are very reasonably priced allow you to sample more of it. Had the goat cheese tart, which was the best dish I had. Also tried the trio of salads and the lentil stew. Delicious. The server helped us choose various wines, so we were able to try six different wines in the 2 oz. taster size. I wish we had room to try the cheese plate, but we'll have to go back for that. The atmosphere of the restaurant is chic, even though it's located in a typical strip mall. They do a good job of keeping the exterior from creeping in by having a heavy drapery covering the windows. Be prepared for communal dining and a long wait if you arrive after 6:30 on a weekend because they don't take reservations.
- Pros: Wine list and food
- Cons: Very small dining area
11/25/07
Great Place..unexpected surprise due to location
by haute_latte
LOVE this place. The owner, the bartender girl and other waitress were super nice and cool. We did not need to "consult our banker" or "park the Brinks truck outside" - a fresh, welcoming experience not found on the Westside. This is quality food, no B.S. or counterfeit. Interior reminds me of somewhere cool you'd find in San Fran or NYC. The location is entirely weird (in a has-been small Hollywood strip mall, next to the clinically-well-lit laundromat). A very unromantic curbside appeal - no valet, you park yourself and wonder if LOU is even open for business - a dark curtain hanging inside keeps this gem private and the interior view protected. Once you open the door, you are transported out of LA, and will feel trivial for having ever judged it by the exterior. The place was full house, but the noise level was minimal. We were able to enjoy conversation within the dimly lit room. Tables o.k., a little cramped, could be worse. Bar has limited seating, maybe 4 seats. Small place overall, cool people, great wines, would go back again.
- Pros: Relaxed, Great quality food and wine, unexpected location
- Cons: Looks like it could be scary from the outside
The Details on Lou's
Place Categories:
- excellent food
- excellent wine
- cool new place
- friendly service
- nice server
- cool atmosphere
- cool owner
- favorite restaurant
- quite good wine recommendations
- nice design
- best dish
- cozy space
- big fan
- cool other waitress
- enjoy conversation
- enjoyed blanc
- cool decor
- outstanding excellent wines
- gem fried chicken place
- interesting candied pork
- not fresh welcoming experience
- cold bacon
- loved cheese plate
- really loved pig candy appetizer
- love attention
