Bombay Palace

8690 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90211 310-659-9944

Description: BEVERLY HILLS. This pleasant, open room, filled with tables, gets crowded during lunch and dinner rushes, when hungry diners line up for a phenomenal midday buffet and order well-crafted traditional Indian dishes in the evening. Begin your meal with a helping of clay oven-baked naan or alu paratha, Indian breads that are delicious on their own and are also perfect for disposing of extra sauce. Main dishes like lamb nilgiri (a mint-seasoned meat and vegetable stew), saag paneer, and seafood vindaloo satisfy regulars and first-timers alike.
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Chakra Cuisine

151 S Doheny Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90211 310-246-3999

Description: BEVERLY HILLS. This colorful, seductive space provides a warm, inviting setting for sampling Chakra's own brand of unique Indian cuisine. Effortlessly melding new flavors with traditional spices and recipes, the restaurant prides itself on dishes possessing universal appeal. Tandoor-grilled tofu tikka is an unexpected, healthy entree; tandoori chicken and seekh kebab "gilafi" (lamb mince with herbs and spices) are classic but no less appealing choices. A hip bar and lounge offer places to mix and mingle after dinner.
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Clementine

1751 Ensley Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90024 310-552-1080

Description: BEVERLY HILLS. If you find yourself in this part of the city in the a.m., Clementine is the place to go. On-the-clock regulars love breakfast pastries and the Clementine breakfast sandwich ­ poached egg, shaved ham, and cheese on a biscuit. If you're in the mood for a more leisurely meal, then homemade granola, eggs Benedict, or a bagel with cream cheese and house-cured gravlax suit quite well. A variety of freshly baked cookies, scones, and muffins are available for take-out, as are a range of dinner entrees to heat up at home. Afternoon tea is $18.95 per person.
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Crustacean

9646 Little Santa Monica Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90210 310-205-8990

Description: BEVERLY HILLS. Bon Appetit meets Town & Country at this trendy Euro-Asian seafood restaurant and bar. A two-level re-enactment of a Vietnamese dinner club, it's where beautiful people meet beautiful food. Dungeness crab with An's secret garlic sauce or sake-simmered crab will make you salivate on the spot. Garlic noodles are justifiably famous, and every Asian tapas is carefully prepared and presented. For dessert, try the Music Box or the special trio of sorbets ­ they're a perfect ending to a memorable meal. The trendier you look, the better your table.
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Il Buco

107 N Robertson Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90211 310-657-1345

Description: BEVERLY HILLS. Another Drago establishment, Il Buco impresses diners with its rustic Italian authenticity ­ from the black and white pictures of the "homeland" adorning the walls to the various Italian tenors playing on the sound system. The menu is as authentic, with sweet, pumpkin-filled ravioli, thin-crusted Neapolitan pizzas, and osso buco complemented by an exalted wine list.
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Il Pastaio

400 N Cañon Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210 310-205-5444

Description: BEVERLY HILLS. At Il Pastaio, brothers Celestino and Giacomino Drago spin the sort of culinary magic that's made their whole family famous in Southern California. Working with the freshest pastas and produce, the chefs prepare antipasti, duck ragout, and penne with swordfish to please even the most discerning palates. Risottos are abundant and always unique, and truffle-cheese fondue is an excellent choice for polishing off the evening.
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JAAN

9291 Burton Way, Raffles L'Ermitage Hotel, Beverly Hills, CA 90210 310-278-3344

Description: BEVERLY HILLS. This beautifully designed restaurant offers excellent service and a delightful Continental menu. Starters include heirloom tomato carpaccio, a flight of caviar, and the 45 Dollar Salad, which comes with lobster, caviar, foie gras, black truffles, white asparagus, and a host of other top-shelf ingredients. Entrees include seared veal with fava beans and morels, and seared turbot with artichokes and capers. Wine pairings are suggested on the menu as well. A luxurious afternoon tea is served Thursday through Sunday.
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John O'Groats

10516 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064 310-204-0692

Description: BEVERLY HILLS. This cottage-style eatery in Rancho Park offers an array of breakfast treats, from traditional to downright unique. Delicious options include oatmeal, pancakes, and biscuits, plus some unusual, delicious egg-and-potato dishes. Breakfast specialties include huevos O'Groats, cilantro potato pancakes and eggs, and eggs benedict with crab cakes. Lunch is also a terrific prospect. Don't let the wait deter you from coming, and if you're alone, claim a seat at the counter. Near Rancho Park Golf Course.
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La Cachette

10506 Santa Monica Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025 310-470-4992

Description: BEVERLY HILLS. Chef-owner Jean François Meteigner's delightful, award-winning hideaway is quite a find, especially for those who enjoy fine dining but not the associated calories. Light French cuisine ­ made with considerably less butter, cream, and oil ­ is nonetheless exceptionally flavorful. To start, try foie gras prepared two ways, or sample seared fresh sardines with sour cream and caviar. Entrees include sautéed sweetbreads with lemon glaze and seared venison chop in blueberry sauce. Desserts make use of seasonal fruits and also include decidedly decadent chocolate creations. Excellent wine list.
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Le Pain Quotidien

9630 Little Santa Monica Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90210 310-859-1100

Description: BEVERLY HILLS. French for "Daily Bread," this café and bakery features warm, inviting European ambience and is a favorite haunt of models and celebrities. Even so, the establishment is not out to set trends or attract a fashionable crowd; rather, its main goal is to provide scrumptious, open-face sandwiches fashioned of items like smoked salmon, duck pâté, and fresh breads. After you've indulged in them, give yourself over to the cafe's delicious cakes, pastries, and baked goods too. A communal table is available, as are individual perches.
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Madeo

8897 Beverly Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90048 310-859-0242

Description: WEST HOLLYWOOD. Being situated below street level gives this upscale, old-fashioned Northern Italian restaurant a special ambience that attracts both stars and star-gazers. Famous for its veal and carpaccio dishes, the establishment also serves first-rate Tuscan soup, eggplant parmigiana, and ravioli stuffed with Italian sea bass. A favorite for power lunches and special dinners, the restaurant is often quite packed, so expect a bit of a wait.
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Mako

225 S Beverly Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90212 310-288-8338

Description: BEVERLY HILLS. The "small plate" concept is quite popular here. You could call it Japanese tapas (tapa-nese?), but the restaurant calls it ippin-ryouri. However you label it, it's a fun way to sample different items, especially with a group. The menu, while largely Japanese, ventures into other territory as well, and the final results are almost always successful. An Italian-influenced tomato and tofu salad is seasoned with shiso leaf-plum vinaigrette ­ a sort of Japanese salad caprese. Asian-style seafood risotto is a favorite, as is foie gras, artfully paired with lychee fruit.
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Melrose Bar & Grill

8826 Melrose Ave, West Hollywood, CA 90069 310-278-3684

Description: WEST HOLLYWOOD. Owned by the same folks who brought Doug Arango's to LA, Melrose Bar & Grill is a more casual, more accessible restaurant. The spacious place features framed mirrors, chalkboards, and a fireplace, along with a terrific, and affordable, wine list and menu. Among the classy offerings are a duck burger with dried cherry ketchup, a pub steak with sauteed mushrooms, and a Berkshire pork chop with house-cured sauerkraut. Delicious thin-crust pizzas and a good assortment of snacks and starters also distinguish the menu. Plus, a broad array of globe-sweeping wines is perfect for sipping with friends or colleagues.
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Michel Richard

310 S Robertson Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90048 310-275-5707

Description: BEVERLY HILLS. In need of a pick-me-up? This patisserie features a glass case of delectable treats ­ from coffee custard eclairs to apricot tarts. Michel Richard creates extremely high-quality pastries and desserts using fresh, natural ingredients, including some organic ones. Dark chocolate truffles with Grand Marnier have a loyal following, as do sugar cookies, almond twists, and light-as-air palmiers. Sidewalk tables mean you don't have to travel far before you can dig in.
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Mr. Chow

344 N Camden Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210 310-278-9911

Description: BEVERLY HILLS. This popular Chinese eatery is a celebrity hot spot, thanks in no small part to the delicious menu. Peking duck is legendary, as is the owner, Michael Chow. Traditional ambience and great dining options prevail.
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Spago Beverly Hills

176 N Cañon Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210 310-385-0880

Description: BEVERLY HILLS. As the home of the "gourmet pizza," Spago has a certain reputation to live up to. If you're lucky enough to snag dinner reservations, Wolfgang Puck's hot spot of California-French cuisine will fulfill. While pizza is still on the menu, you may want to be a little more adventurous ­ try the caramelized veal chop or Cantonese duck with blood oranges. Alternatively, opt for something from "Wolfgang's Childhood Favorites," such as beef goulash or Wiener schnitzel. Desserts are worth the calories, too.
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The Belvedere

9882 Little Santa Monica Blvd, The Peninsula Beverly Hills Hotel, Los Angeles, CA 90212 310-788-2306

Description: BEVERLY HILLS. This hotel restaurant is a choice dining option for superstars and power agents. A great New American menu features temptations like milk-fed poussin with English peas and truffled potato puree, butter-poached Maine lobster, and a roasted veal chop with morels and glazed sunchokes. The place is also a favorite for lunch or Sunday brunch, and service is outstanding. Reservations strongly recommended. Business dressy attire.
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The Grill on the Alley

9560 Dayton Way, Beverly Hills, CA 90210 310-276-0615

Description: BEVERLY HILLS. This LA lunch favorite offers excellent service and attractive wood-and-leather decor. A good choice for a power lunch, The Grill is especially popular with folks in the entertainment industry. The menu features a wide selection of steaks, pork chops, seafood, and pastas, as well as salads and American classics like chicken pot pie and meatloaf. Named "Best Power Lunch" by LA Magazine.
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The Ivy Restaurant

113 N Robertson Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048 310-274-8303

Description: BEVERLY HILLS. The Ivy is just right if you're looking for cozy, stylish atmosphere and classic dishes. The country cottage setting is almost as enchanting as the chicken tandoori, crab cakes, homemade meatloaf, and tarte tatin. The menu is not the only star-studded attraction, however ­ The Ivy is a favorite destination for actors, models, and local sports figures. Although famous folks may get the majority of the focus, you can still dine like a celebrity.
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Urasawa

218 N Rodeo Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210 310-247-8939

Description: BEVERLY HILLS. True connoisseurs of sushi gladly fork over $250 for much sought-after omakase-style meals from renowned sushi chef Hiroyuki Urasawa. Only a reservation grants entrance to this intimate, zen-like space, where you'll experience course after course of the freshest, most painstakingly prepared fish. While the menu changes often, past dishes have included seared toro (a prime, fatty cut of tuna) served on a hot stone, tataki-style Kobe beef with wasabi and sea salt, and a perfectly-textured slice of tofu topped with caviar and gold flakes. A decent sake selection is on-hand to accompany blissful culinary journeys, but take note ­ alcohol is not included in the price of dinner. Also, diners can choose the number of courses they would like ­ typically, it's 25 to 30.
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