LA restaurant known for training star chefs to shutter after nearly 50 years

The great Los Angeles restaurant purge has claimed yet another treasured institution.

Louise’s Trattoria, an Italian restaurant staple beloved by generations of Angelenos, has announced it will close Nov. 25.

Located in upscale Larchmont Village, this was the last remaining location for a once-thriving mini-chain with deep regional roots.

First opened in Santa Monica in 1978, the family-owned business grew to 19 storefronts in Southern California and beyond.

Known for their signature focaccia bread, Louise’s was a training ground for big local food world names like Nicola Mastronardi and Gino Angelini.

And long before he became one of America’s favorite chefs and Food Network stars, Guy Fieri worked as a district manager for the chain before opening his first restaurant in Northern California in the mid-1990s.

Rob Serritella, owner of the last remaining restaurant, announced the closure in a somber social media post this week. Serritella joined the company in 2001 — and later became CEO. He eventually wound up the keeper of the Louise’s flame, taking ownership of the Larchmont location with wife Karen.

“It has been our privilege to serve generations of families, celebrate your special occasions, and be part of this community,” the post read. “To our loyal guests, friends, and neighbors — thank you for support, your friendship, and for making Louise’s a special place.”

Located at at 232 N. Larchmont Blvd., the Larchmont Village location first opened in 1988. The restaurant did not give a reason for the closure, but encouraged patrons to support them in their final weeks.

“Come join us for one last dip of our famous focaccia bread,” the Seritellas urged in an instagram post.

Loyal patrons remembered the restaurant fondly as a frequent spot for special occasions.

“Literally every celebration, we either celebrated there or ordered from there. This place will truly be missed, especially the amazing staff who always made every visit so special!,” one patron wrote on social media.

“Been a regular for over 30 years — none can compare to the delicious focaccia and chicken chop salad!!! Not to mention the exquisite staff in all locations. Frequented all the locations: Los Feliz, Melrose, Pico, Pasadena, Glendale and then Larchmont,” another patron said.

“That lasagna will haunt me when the doors close. I’ve yet to find one as good outside Louise’s Trattoria,” a third said.

Louise’s began to expand outside of California in the mid 1990s, even opening East Coast locations in Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia at one point.

But the risky expansion left the chain in $12 million in unsecured debt, causing them to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 1997. By 2000, just 13 locations remained.

By the mid 2010s, the chain began converting locations into other restaurants. Its Los Feliz location became Messhall Kitchen in 2012, which closed last month, and a Santa Monica location was turned into Holy Cow BBQ, which remains open.

Coming out of the pandemic, revenue for the Larchmont location increased in 2023, according to the owners.

“Business is as good as it ever has been,” Rob Serritella told the LA Times in 2023. “The fact that this brand has survived what it survived is itself extraordinary.”

The same year, the restaurant debuted a new menu with items including cilantro risotto and an Italian-style hamburger.

As the restaurant ceases operations, customers can still pre-order Thanksgiving meals via Louise’s website — available for pickup on Wednesday, November 25, their final day of service.

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