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Fans of Lou, the unassuming wine bar tucked into a strip mall at the corner of Melrose and Vine, got the sad news yesterday via a blog post from owner Lou Amdur that he is closing up sometime in the next few weeks.
Amdur explains that he got the idea to open a restaurant eight years ago; Lou opened two years later:
"I had the idea that I might deepen my relationship with wine by opening a wine bar, and reckoned that falling for wine was sufficient motivation. I am embarrassed to admit that I did not anticipate that it is also delicious to have customers who become regulars and later, friends. I also did not foresee the pleasure of turning someone on to an unexpected wine, and the delight of looking out at the floor on a busy night and witnessing people having a jolly time at my restaurant. I know I will miss my wine bar, but enough with the elegies!"
According to Eater LA, Amdur "has sold the strip mall staple to a one Troy Stevens." No word on what will become of the restaurant.
Lou was lauded by locals, oenophiles, and critics alike; loyal customers delighted in happenings like Monday night suppers, special tastings, and, of course, the delicious food and drink. Besides great hospitality from the staff, including Amdur himself, something Lou was beloved for was an item called Pig Candy.
In 2007, Slashfood rhapsodized that they finally got to try Lou's pig candy, and "friends, it is awesome. Really, it's nothing more than thick-cut bacon that's baked in the oven with brown sugar, but for some reason, popping these gems while sitting in a dark wine bar with a group of friends makes it so absolutely special."
The dish captured the hearts, minds, and palates of local food enthusiasts and bloggers, at perhaps the dawn of the seemingly-ceasless era of bacon love.
L.A. Times critic S. Irene Virbila writes that she's saddened she will "no longer be able to pop in for charcuterie and a glass of Amdur's latest find," when Lou closes.
When Lou closes, however, remains to be seen: "I do not yet know when our last day of business will be: it may be as soon as the end of the month or perhaps a few weeks later than that. I will send another message once I have a firm date, as we will celebrate the end of six years of business with one or more going away bacchanalias," says Amdur.
