Beverly Hills

Barney Greengrass

Perched atop the trendy Barney's New York, this isn't the average deli; here, the brisket sandwiches and bagels are served while surrounded by Hollywood agents and the well-heeled crowd who like to be seen as much as they like to eat tasty, deli-inspired food. Great view from the patio perfect spot for a Sunday brunch and the prices are relatively fair considering everything else at Barney's is very expensive.

Situated on the bustling Beverly Dr., this cozy eatery has had a loyal clientele since its '97 debut and routinely packs in new converts for its American-style comfort food. Uncomplicated, but no less innovative and tasty salads, fish, meats, sandwiches and assorted entrees form an inviting menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Ahi Three Ways Seared Ahi with Pepper Corn, Crepe Wrapped Ahi, Ahi Tartar, Mixed Greens and a Warm Ponzu Sauce, Black & White Salmon, Breakfast Quesadilla, Applewood Smoked Bacon Sandwich and Three Cheese Ravioli are menu standouts. Prepare for an excellent bread assortment. The room is bright, airy and warm, presenting a taste of Americana with old farm utensils and folk art hanging on the muted-colored walls. Location equals waiting list for Saturday-Sunday brunch. But it's worth the wait. Most weeknights a reservation can be avoided. But this is Beverly Hills, so... Amazing brownies.

Romantic, alfresco hideaway in Beverly Hills combines dreamy ambiance and fine, Italian cuisine. A steady favorite for those 'special occasions', the upscale restaurant features a fountain garden, with retractable glass roof, and fireplace for dining under the stars. Many come for the setting, but the Northern Italian menu features a variety of equally heartwarming main dishes and desserts.

Kate Mantilini

More than just the backdrop for the classic scene in the film "Heat" that featured Al Pacino and Robert DeNiro going mano e mano, Kate Mantilini is a Beverly Hills classic, serving up a monster menu of comfort food morning, noon and night since the '80s. The daily specials never disappoint and the menu is dotted with one great dish after another.

Enoteca Drago

Already lauded for his popular Italian restaurants Drago, Il Pastaio and Drago Centro, Celestino Drago's Enoteca Drago, serves up delicious pizzas, small plates and other authentic Italian dishes in a spacious, urbane atmosphere complete with an impressive wine bar.

Delicious and creative, the Asian-eclectic menu is served small plates style in a snug, minimalist dining room that is never without bustle. Chef Mako whips up truly scrumptious cuisine.

Part of the '80s culinary renaissance that hit Los Angeles, Maple Drive remains a fine destination for inventive and quite appetizing cuisine that is best described as California-eclectic. There's a very lively bar scene with a jazz trio adding the perfect soundtrack. Try the famous 'kick-ass chili.'

Eating establishment inside the achingly trendy Avalon Hotel. The stylish indoor-outdoor tables share space with the hotel's pool, lively bar and its constant wave of partygoers and socialites. Lunch begets a more casual mood, whereas nighttime is primarily the right time as the hotel bar/pool/restaurant kicks into high gear. Food-wise, it's modern American cuisine galore and reaches a level of top-tier flavor one might not expect going in. Cool music, lounge-style vibe and good food makes for an enjoyable experience. The scallop and celery root risotto is a menu highlight.

Porta Via

Neighborhood bistro is a charming locale for breakfast, lunch and dinner; very cozy exterior/interior sets the stage for idyllic consumption of fresh salads, tasty sandwiches and other goodies. Not too pricey, which is nice.

A classy restaurant with a menu focused on garlic. Make sure to order the Bagna Calda as an appetizer. Also features vegetarian meals and meals without garlic. The more adventurous can try the garlic ice cream.

La Scala

Original La Scala dominated the culinary scene specifically Italian food in Los Angeles of the '50s and '60s, yet the more recent embodiment of the eatery remains a hotbed for excellent Italian cuisine. The cozy environs, replete with red, vinyl booths, add to the pleasant experience. The venerable chopped salad remains a must-have.

Cafe Rodeo

Located inside the Luxe Hotel. It has outdoor dining that affords great people watching.

Cut

Ubiquitous Mr. Wolfgang Puck returns, this time to the Regent Beverly Wilshire in Beverly Hills, with a steakhouse that has the town abuzz. Urbane service and top-shelf cuisine set the stage for a delicious, though pricey dining experience.

Prominent, old school inspired steakhouse known for the Hollywood powerbrokers who power lunch in The Grill's sleek, leather banquettes, expense account credit card in hand. With a bar perfectly situated upon entering, there is a nice emphasis on cocktail culture to go along with the juicy steaks, fish and seafood and other classic dishes. The décor is decidedly masculine, with an east coast think Manhattan tenor permeating the usually noisy room. A phenomenal menu top to bottom.

French-Asian cooking. Lavish surroundings. Both points come together is an inspired hotel dining experience inside the Raffles L'Ermitage. Guests can feast or relax on the patio around the fireplace or next to a lighted waterfall. Jaan the word is Cambodian for dish or bowl menu changes monthly, alternating between diverse flavors and cuisine styles.

This celebrated Italian eatery in Beverly Hills dates back almost 50 years and is a throwback to the good, old days in Los Angeles when folks actually dressed up for a night on the town. The place was a hotbed for the who's who. The décor remains dark and sophisticated, highlighted by the classic brick walls, adorned with glossies of Hollywood legends. Step inside and one might close their eyes and feel the presence of Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin holding court in one of the plush booths. And apparently, as research points out, every president since Kennedy has enjoyed a fine meal at La Dolce Vita. Nostalgia and presidential history aside, the food remains delightful; lasagna, veal, steak, capellini, risotto, linguini and so on – it's all here and it's quite superb.

Crustacean

From the moment the An family opened the doors to their posh, multi-level eatery in 1997, the Asian and Vietnamese-inspired menu has wowed food lovers – not too mention the interior design of the restaurant/bar, which blends an evocative Asian aesthetic with Hollywood style. The glamorous vibe and hot bar scene aside, it's the food that is the main draw, which features Dungeness crab, gigantic grilled tiger prawns, Sea Bass and the famous garlic noodles.

Better known for his Nobu restaurants, this is the original restaurant of Nobu Matsuhisa, one of the most influential sushi chefs in the world. Truly fantastic.

Famed, ultra-chic Chinese eatery built upon the egos and expense accounts of celebrities, wanna-be celebrities, Hollywood busybodies and the in-crowd. Since opening in 1974, Mr. Chow has remained a culinary heavyweight in the pantheon of Los Angeles dining, not too mention the enduring allure it has for the A-list. Austere in design, with trademark black and white checkerboard floor and tiny tables bunched close together, the dining room is always bustling, still channeling the 'café society' vibe restaurant founder Michael Chow instilled in the place from when it opened. There are now Mr. Chow restaurants in London, New York, and coming soon, Las Vegas. Do try the Drunken Fish.

Wolfgangs Puck's flagship is worth a splurge, and you can say you ate at the real deal. The food is excellent, the decor designed by his wife is terrific, and Wolfgang himself often stops by if he's in town.

Always busy, it seems, at this steakhouse chain, which sits comfortably on the lively Beverly Dr. The sizzling filet mignon, rib eye, New York strip, T-bone and porterhouse stand center stage on the menu, which features all sorts of delicious side dishes. The place is dark and busy and the noted cocktails fight for space on most tables. It's a chain, sure, but remains a consistent winner for great food and atmosphere.

Urasawa

When Masa Takayama relocated to New York, his assistant, Hiro Urasawa took over the space. The space still has the most expensive restaurant in California, but it's well worth it for sushi fanatics.

Featured on television shows like Good Morning America and the Oprah Winfrey Show, Sprinkles is the place in Los Angeles to get gourmet cupcakes. This increasingly popular dessert takes one of America's favorite baked desserts to a whole new level, offering 10 varieties a day, 5 of which are always available and the remaining 5 of which varies from day to day. Flavors range from the basic milk chocolate or red velvet to the exotic ginger lemon or chai latte. The shop is hugely popular, but also a bit pricey at $3.50 a pop, so if indulgent desserts are your thing, be sure to make a quick stop here.

Tasty and fairly cheap Japanese food, better known for its udon and soba dishes. It's in a strip mall across from the Beverly Center.