Everyone loves Italian food and pizza and Bottega Louie has some tasty dishes that are combined with beautiful décor that you’ll have a hard time believing that you’re in LA. You simply have got to try the Portobello fries that everyone is talking about. And you can’t forget the onion soup either. It’s a perfect side dish for any entrée. As far as main dishes go, you can’t go wrong when you order the pizza. The pizza comes straight out of the oven piping hot and the ooey, gooey cheese is fantastic.

The décor is breath taking. The ceilings are high and elegant and the simplicity of the design adds to the ambience. It mimics Italy with the white marble, glistening bar and white walls. But it’s not one of those little Italian cafes, it’s huge and is loud, so don’t plan on having important conversations. The wait staff is attentive and knowledgeable about the dishes and restaurant.

They’ve got a full bar, so you can get any drink that you want or have a bottle of wine to go with your romantic dinner. You definitely have to try their desserts. The chocolate peanut tart is a perfect blend of chocolate and peanuts. Overall, four stars and a nice place to go to escape LA.

Bottega Louie
www.bottegalouie.com
(866) 418-9162
700 S Grand Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90017
Mon-Sun 6.30am to 11pm

The dog days of summer are upon us and what better way to stay cool that a nice ice cream. Scoops has original and new flavors, such as lychee and green tea. They’ll let you try a couple flavors for free, but don’t get carried away or they’ll hit you with a $1 fee for trying too many. Still, it’s a small price to pay to find the perfect ice cream.

As if that’s not enough, the flavors change just about every day, which is a perfect excuse to go back and try some more. Some tried and true favorites are maple oreo, brown bread (sounds odd, but vanilla ice cream, caramel, and syrup make it a favorite for people of all ages), and pear and plum wine.

As a luxury treat, prices are a bit high than what you’d pay for other ice cream shops, but it’s well worth it. Pick the time of day you go, because when classes are in session, you’ll be struggling to find a parking place. No credit cards are accepted, so remember to bring cash with you. Young and old alike will enjoy this summer treat!

Scoops
(323) 906-2649
712 N Heliotrope Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90029
Mon-Sat 12pm to 10pm
Sun 2-6pm

As part of a chain, you’ll get no surprises when you go to The Melting Pot in Pasadena. Known for its fondue, salads, and desserts, it’s a bit pricey, but often worth it. Unfortunately, this one doesn’t get five stars. The two biggest complaints about this place is the food and service.

Starting with the food, it isn’t the freshest and there’s not enough of it for the price you’re paying. And the service is excruciatingly slow. You’ll have to wait a long time for the server to come to your table and more time to eat what you’ve ordered.

Happy Hour is worth going to as the prices are more reasonable and you’ll get some fondue to go with it. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, try the Flaming Turtle Chocolate Fondue that’s loaded with chocolate, caramel, and nuts. Not enough for you? You’ll be getting marshmallows, fruits, and Rice Krispies. Overall, worth it for Happy Hour and the desserts, but otherwise, full meals here at The Melting Pot in Pasadena simply isn’t worth it.

The Melting Pot
www.meltingpot.com/pasadena
(626) 792-1941
88 W Colorado Blvd, 2nd Fl
Pasadena, CA 91105
Mon-Thu 5pm to 10.30pm
Fri 5pm-11.30pm
Sat 4pm to 11.30pm
Sun 4pm to 10.30pm