MAC ATTACK
NOTE: An edited version of this post—using asterisks to censor the coarse, insensitive language and homophobic slurs reported by sources close to these incidents at Bottega Louie restaurant and commissary—was initially shared via Instagram on Friday evening, December 7th 2018. Despite the regard, the post was reported and removed on Monday morning, December 10th 2018; citing that FORKD was promoting hate-speech and, therefore, was shadowbanned for more than a month. The following news item appears unedited as it was intended.
Oh, Bottega Louie; it’s the gift that keeps on giving.
With its West Hollywood location currently back in construction and a soft-opening aimed for May 2019; according to numerous sources, the ‘masterminds’ behind the ‘famous Bottega Louie macarons’ are planning on making a special confection exclusively for its WeHo site. What is it, you ask? Unicorn, of course. At least that’s what the Vice President (former ‘Executive Chef’) of the commissary wanted—at the behest of the powers that be, or BHFC (the holding company doing business as Bottega Louie). And why not; West Hollywood is a predominantly gay section of Los Angeles after all. The tone deafness, however, didn’t stop there. The insensitivity apparently progressed rapidly to homophobia. The same sources concede an incident when the chefs asked for thoughts from both the kitchen and commissary on a macaron for its future location, the ideas came…well, less than gay friendly.
Flavor suggestions included:
Cum
Ass
Poppers
Shit
Name suggestions included:
Abomination
God Hates Fags
Dead Queer
According to one source, a cook at the restaurant was ‘jokingly’ referring to the macarons as maricóns (a Spanish word meaning ‘faggots’).
Not exactly the kind of talk you'd expect, considering BHFC has so much riding on this spot. Sales continue to decline at its downtown location and with its inability to compete against the onslaught of newer, younger, hipper establishments seemingly opening up every other day in the area; drawing away influencers and millennials alike to more creative and innovative menus rather than Bottega's 'cut and paste' concept of lifting 'what works' from other restaurants and patisseries—in addition to the rising, exorbitant cost of rent for its Grand Ave corner locale—it’s been rumored for months now that BHFC’s plan ultimately is to shut down Bottega Louie’s DTLA address and call West Hollywood home.
Good luck with that.