“Do the things you do with love, put all your heart and all your energy into it”
Sarah Bessade
Dynamic restaurateurs Sarah Bessade and Antoine Blandin warmly welcome us at Loupiotte, their lovely dine-in restaurant that opened early 2019 and quickly became the talk of the town with their authentic and homemade food. They chose the creative community of Los Feliz, near the Hollywood landmarks, to settle their French style Bistrot. Passion, family and “joie de vivre” are what define this little Parisian jewel located in the heart of Los Feliz Village. Located on the walk-friendly Vermont Avenue, you feel like entering a restaurant in France. A sophisticated combination of Parisian chic and homy feeling hosts you in a super friendly atmosphere, to enjoy delicious dishes made with local fresh produce.
From the prestigious Right-bank of the River Seine to the Hollywood elite hillside neighborhood and multicultural scene
Prior to Loupiotte, Sarah opened up “Gabylou”, her first restaurant in Paris, located in the chic and gorgeous architectural style of the 17eme arrondissement. Gabylou is where Sarah and Antoine first met, and the highly rated eatery was already a preview of their original and loving spirit. With her international vision, Sarah sold her restaurant in Paris to embark on a Los Angeles adventure with Antoine, who then became her business partner. With the funds generated from the sale of Gabylou, Loupiotte was born in Los Feliz, California!
Many residences in the area are Spanish colonial style and were built around the 1920s. The neighborhood has been home to movie stars, musicians and the Hollywood elite, as well as to Le Lycee International de Los Angeles which campus is a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument. The rich colonial style reflects the multiculturalism of the city that boasts some of the best-known residential architecture, including two homes designed by famous architect Frank Lloyd Wright (1867-1959). Did you know, also, that Los Feliz was also the birthplace of Mickey Mouse? In 1923, a young Walt-Disney drew his first image of the most famous mouse in the world, in the garage of his uncle house near Vermont Avenue.
While indulging your culinary tastebuds at Loupiotte, come enjoy some great historical sight-seeing!
Loupiotte: A place to call home
Loupiotte in French means « Petite Lumiere »- little lighting. Always here to welcome you, warm you up with food and heartfelt conversations. “I’m hoping Loupiotte brings a little more light in this world and in people’s life” Sarah shares with us. Loupiotte Kitchen combines French cooking techniques with fresh California produce sourced from the Hollywood and Santa Monica Farmers markets. Sarah and Antoine are well known figures of the local scene with bi-weekly visits to the markets. They develop relationships with the local growers, get to know them on a personal level and visit their farms. “Building relationships with the people we work with are important to us. We all serve the same community and learn from each other”.
A few words from our clients:
“It feels like home”, “Great tasting food, amazing”, “Best addition to the neighborhood (Los Feliz)! Eat here!”
“Super welcoming, amazing French restaurant in L.A., incredible memories”
“Absolutely delicious food!”
One year after Loupiotte opened its doors, the Covid crisis hit and Sarah and Antoine used their creative talents to survive. The restaurant set up a tasty take-out menu and installed a beautiful boutique, offering wine, French Specialties and one-of-a-kind items. “We couldn’t have done it without the amazing help and contribution from our clients and other local businesses. The solidarity among the people living and working here is strong, and we are so grateful.” During the winter holidays, employees and their families were greatly supported by clients purchasing gifts baskets that Sarah and Antoine personally made, which helped all the staff through these difficult times. Join me on a gastronomic Voyage and discover the amazing stories of Sarah and Antoine, driven by passion, talent and the love of creating a place where you feel at home.
Sarah et Antoine: a partnership of talent and passion
Sarah and Antoine culinary roots come from their families’ heritage and were both highly successful before they met. Sarah’s grandparents had their own restaurant in Tunisia. She grew up in Paris, in a home where her mom entertained with visually stunning tables, color coordinated, inviting friends and family to share the pleasures of fine dining and artful conversations.
At school, Sarah was a rebellious child. At five years old, her dream was to open a French restaurant in New York! She was born with a natural flair for design and interior decoration, talent that shows in her restaurants.
Antoine grew up in the region of the “fromage de Selles”, worldly renowned for its goat cheese. His parents owned several restaurants, and Antoine was the only one of the three boys to follow in their footsteps. Becoming a chef was his vocation.
He professionally trained in the best culinary schools in France, traveled to Australia and New Zealand for wine and coffee education, and was working at Le George V (Four Seasons hotel) in Paris. He mastered all areas of the cooking business, from working in the kitchen to being a barista, sommelier and managing the restaurant. He was about to travel overseas to open for the Four Seasons restaurant in Singapore, when he met Sarah.
Sarah’s restaurant had just opened when Antoine noticed Gabylou in his neighborhood. He and Sarah were soon talking and exchanging their visions about the clients’ experience. Their ideas and energy were in sync, and the rest is history. Antoine left his promising corporate career to start the adventure of culinary entrepreneurship with Sarah. They are now working together, creating tasty dishes with a comforting and family friendly atmosphere at Loupiotte.
Sarah, how was your passion for the culinary world born?
“At home, my family cherished welcoming guests and entertaining them.” Sarah inherited that culture of Savoir Vivre, her restaurants reflecting her dynamic and warm personality. Speaking with Sarah, you find yourself engaged in a smart, driven and passionate conversation. This is the reason clients come to Loupiotte! Antoine and Sarah mingle and get to know them, making sure they are having a great time.
“When I was fifteen, I surprised my grandmother and organized her birthday with thirty guests! At seventeen, my father challenged me to choose what I would like to do as profession.” Sarah’s personality was bigger than life, and sitting in school just seemed a little too boring... The bet was taken, and Sarah chose to own a restaurant, as one of her top 3 favorites (come and ask Sarah what the other options were). The love of cooking with passion and entertaining runs in her blood.
Her grandfather owned a couscous restaurant called LouLou, in Tunisia. Her grandmother name was Gabrielle, thus the name “Gabylou”. Honoring her roots, the musical sound Lou is in Gabylou as well as Loupiotte.
Networking, going to meet people that you like and respect and ask them for advice, build a questionnaire, get advice on what worked and what did not work for them.
Before opening her restaurants, Sarah met with the chefs in L.A. she admired the most and brought her questions. “A common theme coming back was: if something does not work, change the way to do it, adapt, be creative.”
Sarah fell in love with the concept of restaurant that would be a place where you could come for a small bite, a drink, a meal, and feel at home. A place where you are welcome any time of the day, enjoying great food and conversations. From there, armed with a “how to”, a driven passion and a vision, her goals were set and nothing could stop her.
What are your secret ingredients to start a restaurant?
My business partner, Antoine, is an exceptional person. Surround yourself with great people, and they will pull you to do your best. Learn about all the different type of work in the restaurant, « Savoir faire tous les métiers ». Know your craft better than anyone.
You also need to be organized and make sure things are done the right way. When we decided to come here, we first looked for the perfect location. It took us about six or seven months of scooting, before we discovered this opportunity. We then had to prepare paperwork and hired an experienced legal team in L.A. to help us with the local procedures.
How did you find success with Loupiotte?
Easy. The golden rule is “Do the things you do with love, put in all your heart and all your energy” and you cannot fail. If something is not working, it is because you need to change one thing or adapt. There is no reason to fail as long as you put all of yourself into it”.
How were the beginnings and how did you adapt?
We originally focused on vegan food, but it did not work at all! We realized that the American public, amateurs of French cuisine, appreciated meat dishes while enjoying wine, especially at dinner time. So we listened to our clients, we adapted and brought changes to the menu, adding more California style items and incorporating succulent meat diners. Clients educate us about what they like.
Quickly and surely, our regulars loved coming back for those French diners and the restaurant resonated as the new successful kid in town. We have some more traditional California style breakfast and lunch style (Avocado Toast, California burritos, burger – voted Best Burger by the LA Times!) all this combined with a French touch.
What differentiates Loupiotte?
We become friends with our clients, we want to be their home away from home. It is also important to know who our fresh produce providers are, and we are excited when going to visit their farms and seeing how they work. We recently spend some time with the Coleman family, showing us their salad fields on their farm in Ojai. Working with love and passion is what defines us, so working with family-owned farming follows our philosophy.
What were the biggest challenges and how did you resolve them?
The Covid crisis of course has been challenging given the current restrictions in place. We turned the business into a take-out eatery style, to survive. We changed the menu and offered dishes that taste good once you arrive home to eat. We have a boutique now, where one can shop for French delicacies and famous wine.
Entrepreneurship involves risks, and the unknown requires adaptation and flexibility. But it can be also rewarding. During these difficult times, the Los Feliz community showed solidarity through businesses helping each other, clients coming in to purchase food, as well as gift baskets, helping to pay for our non-working employees (up to 22), supporting their families at the same time.
With a take-out menu, it is difficult to offer traditional French food. “You need to learn how to adapt”. Who will order onion soup or fries and mussels to go? It needs to be more practical, while keeping great taste and consistency.
You never know what your Star dish on the menu will be! Keep an open mind, be flexible to adapt, and re-invent your culinary creations.
What does the future hold for Loupiotte? A second restaurant?
Maybe another restaurant, focusing on take-away food. Life is busy and people have little time to eat during daytime. A “to go” restaurant fits the L.A. busy lifestyle; with French flavors and fresh local produce!
Sarah et Antoine, thank you so much for this insightful tour into Loupiotte story!. A Bientot at the restaurant!
Recipe for success:
Love it – do it with your heart.
Learn your craft by heart, know everything about it, be the best, from barista to management.
Always reinvent yourself and invest in yourself.
“There is never any good reason that the business does not work. If it doesn’t, it’s because something needs to be done differently”.
You need to find a concept.
You need to battle, to fight, to persevere.
You need to react and adapt.
With determination and drive, you cannot go wrong!!
Article and interview by Isa Simon, Los Angeles.
More about Loupiotte Kitchen:
www.loupiottekitchen.com
Facebook: Loupiottekitchen
Instagram: Loupiotte Kitchen
Tuesday-Sunday 9am-2.30pm & 5.30pm-9.30pm
1726 N Vermont Av. Los Feliz, CA 90027
323-445-2738