Have I ever mentioned I’m a sucker for Groupon?  Well…I am.  Whether it be deals on a restaurant, tickets to a local play, or laser hair-removal on the cheap, I practically need the daily Groupon everyday.  So last month when the site was offering 50% off an annual membership to the Museum of Contemporary Art in downtown LA, I purchased that Groupon quicker than I could realize I would never actually use it.  Determined to prove myself wrong (about never using it),  Kyle and I decided to head downtown this past Saturday to get our MOCA memberships some usage.

When we got there, we perused around for a hot minute and then realized we needed brunch…and STAT.  Sorry – no photos from MOCA.  Next time, though.  Remember, I have a membership now so I can go back anytime.

As for brunch, we decided upon Bottega Louie, my favorite place in downtown!  I want to live there.  Inside Bottega Louie, I mean.  It’s broken down into 2 parts: the restaurant and the gourmet market.  The restaurant reminds me of New York – loud, industrial, and really classy.  The market is quintessential Paris, full of beautiful tarts and French macarons.  Wandering through Bottega Louie, I felt like I was on vacation!  I was twirling around and snapping photos and giggling aloud!!!  Oh, and the food was exquisite.  So delicious.  Fresh.  Innovative.  Rich in flavor.  Perfectly portioned.  Thanks to Bottega Louie, I have a feeling I’ll be getting lotssss of usage out of my MOCA membership.

{Tea for me, bloody mary for Kyle…typical}

{Farmers Market Breakfast: poached eggs and fresh vegetables}

{Smoked Salmon Benedict}

{Rows of French macarons in the gourmet market}

{Bite-sized fruit tarts}

{Oh, you thought I’d go home without buying treats for myself?}

{Passionfruit, raspberry, chocolate, and pumpkin macaron}

{Whoops…more treats}

{Blueberry, raspberry, and blackberry fruit tarts}