This day promised to be a great from the very start. The sky was blue, air breezy crisp, and we had tickets to
God of Carnage, currently being performed at the
Ahmanson by the original Broadway cast.
Of course, a pre-show meal was in order and we decided on
Bottega Louie, a downtown restaurant/bar/deli/patisserie with a
Galeries Lafayette (Paris) feel - an instant favorite! We swung the glass doors open into an airy, light filled space, humming with conviviality. Customers were seated and munched away happily, waited eagerly in line, or browsed the long case of gorgeous edible wares. Employees bustled and swirled around the ebbing and flowing crowd with friendly efficiency. We shared a ready-made sandwich from the deli that they unexpectedly halved and plated for us with a side of Dijon potato salad. Upon snagging a seat in the tightly packed bar dining area, we were offered complimentary flat or sparking water.
The stroll to the theater amongst the tall architecture of downtown was pleasant and, thanks to the sidewalk slant of
Bunker Hill, quite warm. The outdoor plaza at the
Music Center was alive with a festive dance celebration, I think having to do with the Alvin Ailey show that just opened at the Dorothy Chandler. We entered the Ahmanson and settled into our seats for a story we knew nothing about.
image via
Wow! No wonder they extended the run and of course it has won awards. What a fun and unexpected production. Marcia Gay Harden is
brilliant in this (and surprisingly athletic). It is one-act but never tedious. The entire show is basically a single conversation between two, really messed up couples and slyly, with humor and charm, presents a host of social -isims: racism, classism, sexism, alcoholism, homophobism, rude cell phone yakking-ism, etc. for consideration.
If you can, go see it! Here's a
link to a LAT cast interview.
We couldn't resist swinging back into Bottega Louie for treats to take home! Look how lovely...
macaroons in their pretty pink box
macroons on our newly thrifted pyrex plate
raspberry beignet, so not a jelly doughnut people
THANK YOU Richard! Sergio and I had a wonderful day. We owe you a macaroon or two. How about another lunch? Louie's maybe?
