208 Rodeo Cafe spills onto cobblestone via at luxurious Two Rodeo complex. A gem. Pan-Asian, French influences. Lunch, dinner daily. (AE, MC, V) 2 Rodeo, 208 N. Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, 310.275.2428 $$ Map J11
Nic’s Sleek restaurant adds 10-degree glass-walled VodBox for vodka and caviar sampling; furs provided. Cool! New Dinner Mon.–Sat. (All major cards) 453 N. Cañon Drive, Beverly Hills, 310.550.5707 $$ Map I11 www.nicsbeverlyhills.com
Off Vine Comfortable bungalow at Sunset and Vine offers fine Cal cuisine in a romantic setting. Lunch weekdays; dinner nightly; brunch Sat.–Sun. (AE, DC, MC, V) 6263 Leland Way, Hollywood, 323.962.1900 $$ Map H14
Tantalum Stylish venue with harbor views offers Pacific Rim–California cuisine (wok-fired chicken wraps; crispy whole Thai snapper; Asian spiced rib-eye). Lunch, dinner daily. (All major cards) 6272 E. Pacific Coast Hwy., Long Beach, 562.431.1414 $$ Map O17 www.tantalumrestaurant.com
More CALIFORNIA CUISINE
Akwa Cal-Asian. Upstairs: Large, secluded, happening patio. Downstairs: laid-back sushi bar. Lunch weekdays; dinner Mon.–Sat. (All major cards) 1413 5th St., Santa Monica, 310.656.9688 $$ Map L8
Blue on Blue Ode to mid-century modernism and modern American cuisine, on poolside Lucite or in pool-view cabanas. Breakfast, lunch weekdays; dinner nightly; brunch weekends. (All major cards) Avalon Hotel, 9400 W. Olympic Blvd., Beverly Hills, 310.277.5221 $$$ Map J11
Breeze Creative “grill cuisine,” plus sushi bar. Fabulous desserts. Distinctive décor. All meals daily. (All major cards) Century Plaza Hotel & Spa, 2025 Ave. of the Stars, Century City, 310.551.3334 $$$ Map J11
Cafe Rodeo Intimate artsy room; distinctive California comfort fare. Bar 360. All meals daily. (All major cards) Luxe Hotel, 360 N. Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, 310.273.0300 $$ Map J11
Chaya Venice Pacific Rim fusion in sleek setting; fine sushi bar. Lunch weekdays; dinner nightly. (AE, DC, MC, V) 110 Navy St., Venice, 310.396.1179 $$ Map M9
Chaya Brasserie Franco-Asian fare and ambience attracts the beautiful people and their agents. Lunch weekdays; dinner nightly. (All major cards) 8741 Alden Drive, West Hollywood, 310.859.8833 $$ Map I11
Checkers Luxurious dining room, creative menu at Hilton Checkers. Lunch weekdays; dinner nightly; brunch weekends. (All major cards) 535 S. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.891.0519 $$ Map H16
Chez Melange Eclectic restaurant at Palos Verdes Inn is a mélange that works. Lunch weekdays; dinner nightly; brunch weekends. (All major cards) 1716 Pacific Coast Hwy., Redondo Beach, 310.540.1222 $$ Map M13
Chinois on Main Arguably Wolfgang Puck’s most innovative. East meets West in (noisy) culinary explosion. Lunch Wed.-Fri.; dinner nightly. (All major cards) 2709 Main St., Santa Monica, 310.392.9025 $$$ Map M8
Doug Arango’s Casual, cozy Palm Desert transplant; Cal fare with Northern Italian accent. Lunch Mon.–Fri.; dinner Mon.–Sat. (All major cards) 8826 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood, 310.278.3684 $$ Map I12
Geoffrey’s Prettiest patio in paradise? 180-degree Pacific views; creative seafood. Lunch Mon.-Sat.; dinner nightly; brunch Sun. (All major cards) 27400 Pacific Coast Hwy., Malibu, 310.457.1519 $$$ Map northwest of K7
Gina Lee’s Bistro Unassuming but daring Cal-Asian eatery is among the South Bay’s finest. Dinner Tues.–Sun. (All major cards) 211 Palos Verdes Blvd., Redondo Beach, 310.375.4462 $$ Map N13
Hal’s Bar & Grill Innovative and terrific. Lunch weekdays; dinner nightly; brunch weekends. (All major cards) 1349 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice, 310.396.3105 $$ Map M9
Inn of the Seventh Ray Gourmet organic cuisine, creekside. Fish, natural meat/poultry, vegan/vegetarian. Lunch Mon.-Sat.; dinner nightly; Sun. brunch. (All major cards) 128 Old Topanga Canyon Road, Topanga, 310.455.1311 $$ Map B1
Jer-ne Culinary new world offers best of fusion cuisine. Desserts earn raves, too. All meals daily. (All major cards) Ritz-Carlton, 4375 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey, 310.823.1700. $$$ Map N9
Mako Lively Cal-Asian plates for sharing: jellyfish-crabmeat salad, crispy oysters with tapenade. Lunch Wed.-Fri.; dinner Mon.-Sat. (All major cards) 225 S. Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills, 310.288.8338 $$$ Map J11
Max Andre Guerrero (Linq) defies easy Cal-Asian
classification at his restaurant over Sepulveda Pass. Lunch Tues.–Fri.; dinner nightly. (All major cards) 13355 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks, 818.784.2915 $$$ Map G10
Napa Valley Grille Chef Anne Conness updates wine country-inspired cuisine. Lunch weekdays; dinner nightly; brunch weekends. (AE, MC, V) 1100 Glendon Ave., Westwood, 310.824.3322 $$ Map J10
Native Foods Vegetarian fare. There’s no poultry or meat in the Save the Chicken salad and Philly peppersteak sandwich. Lunch, dinner daily. (AE, MC, V) 11101/2 Gayley Ave., Westwood, 310.209.1055 $ Map J10
Nine Thirty Seasonal California cuisine amid stunning décor at hip hotel. All meals daily. (All major cards) W Hotel, 930 Hilgard Ave., Westwood, 310.208.8765 $$$ Map N9
Nook Bistro Stylish new venue in strip mall serves eclectic American bistro fare. Lunch weekdays; dinner Mon.–Sat. (All major cards) 11628 Santa Monica Blvd., West L.A., 310.207.5160 $$ Map L9
Oceanfront Casa del Mar’s elegant, cozy dining room offers panoramic Pacific vistas, Cal-American fare. (All major cards) Lunch, dinner daily; Sun. brunch. 1910 Ocean Way, Santa Monica, 310.581.5533 $$$ Map M8
Ocean & Vine Farmers market–inspired cuisine in lovely room with coastal view. All meals daily. (All major cards) Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel, 1700 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica, 310.576.3180. $$$ Map L8
One Pico Great view, exceptional kitchen. Relaxed, romantic, upbeat room with monolithic limestone fireplace. New chef. Lunch Mon.-Sat.; dinner nightly; Sun. brunch. (All major cards) Shutters on the Beach hotel, 1 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica, 310.587.1717 $$$ Map M8
Opus Bar & Grill New chef Jacob Ramos adds crab cake with kumquat gazpacho; chipotle- and Zinfandel-braised short ribs. Stylish digs adjacent to Wiltern Theatre. Dinner Mon.–Sat. (MC, V) 3760 Wilshire Blvd., L.A., 213.738.1600 $$$ Map N16
Parkway Grill Chef David Tarrin updates menu at one of Pasadena’s best restaurants. Handsome dining room. Lunch weekdays; dinner nightly. (AE, MC, V) 510 S. Arroyo Pkwy., Pasadena, 626.795.1001 $$$ Map N16
Polo Lounge Legendary celebrity watering hole. Excellent cuisine; great patio and great people-watching. All meals daily. (All major cards) Beverly Hills Hotel, 9641 Sunset Blvd., Beverly Hills, 310.276.2251 $$$ Map I11
The Restaurant at the Hotel Bel-Air Inventive cuisine in idyllic setting, seemingly a million miles from nearby Sunset Boulevard. The bar, like a library with fireplace, is an L.A. classic. All meals daily. (All major cards) 701 Stone Canyon Road, Bel-Air, 310.472.5234 $$$$ Map I10
Restaurant at the Getty Center Chic glass-walled room with spectacular vantages. Imaginative “progressive California” cuisine. (All major cards) Lunch Tues.-Sat., dinner Fri.-Sat.; Sun. brunch. 1200 Getty Center Drive, L.A., 310.440.6810 $$$ Map H9
Schatzi on Main Restaurant founded by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Maria Shriver serves Arnold’s favorite dishes. Dinner nightly; brunch weekends. (All major cards) 3110 Main St., Santa Monica, 310.399.4800 $$ Map M8
Smeraldi’s Biltmore classics (Caesar salad, crab cakes) plus Peking duck rillettes, veal-and-ricotta meatballs. All meals daily. (All major cards) Millennium Biltmore, 506 S. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.612.1562 $$ Map I16
Spago Beverly Hills There are Spagos from Maui to Vegas, but Wolfgang Puck’s flagship is the most impressive. Chef Lee Hefter and pastry chef Sherry Yard are amazing. Lunch, dinner nightly. (All major cards) 176 N. Cañon Drive, Beverly Hills, 310.385.0880 $$$ Map I11
Table 8 Shimmering environment from chef Govind Armstrong. Off-menu: dry herb- and kosher salt–encrusted, roasted 30-oz. porterhouse for two. Dinner Mon.–Sat. (All major cards) 7661 Melrose Ave., Hollywood, 323.782.8258 $$$ Map I13
Traxx Deco-inspired restaurant offers quiet elegance amid bustle of Union Station. Tuna tartare napoleon; tamarind-glazed escolar. Lunch weekdays; dinner Mon.–Sat. (All major cards) 800 N. Alameda St., downtown, 213.625.1999 $$$ Map H17
Vert Wolfgang Puck’s Cal. brasserie. Lunch, dinner daily. (All major cards) Hollywood & Highland, 6801 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, 323.491.1300 $$$ Map H13
Violet Small-plate restaurant serves seasonal, often organic Cal fare that’s sophisticated, casual, well-priced. Lunch Tues.–Fri.; dinner Tues.–Sun. (All major cards) 3221 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica, 310.453.9113 $$ Map L9
208 Rodeo Cafe spills onto cobblestone via at luxurious Two Rodeo complex. A gem. Pan-Asian, French influences. Lunch, dinner daily. (AE, MC, V) 2 Rodeo, 208 N. Rodeo Drive, Beverly Hills, 310.275.2428 $$ Map J11
Nic’s Sleek restaurant adds 10-degree glass-walled VodBox for vodka and caviar sampling; furs provided. Cool! New Dinner Mon.–Sat. (All major cards) 453 N. Cañon Drive, Beverly Hills, 310.550.5707 $$ Map I11
Off Vine Comfortable bungalow at Sunset and Vine offers fine Cal cuisine in a romantic setting. Lunch weekdays; dinner nightly; brunch Sat.–Sun. (AE, DC, MC, V) 6263 Leland Way, Hollywood, 323.962.1900 $$ Map H14
Tantalum Stylish venue with harbor views offers Pacific Rim–California cuisine (wok-fired chicken wraps; crispy whole Thai snapper; Asian spiced rib-eye). Lunch, dinner daily. (All major cards) 6272 E. Pacific Coast Hwy., Long Beach, 562.431.1414 $$ Map O17