VENICE. There aren't a lot of frills at this pizza place, which locals declare serves up some of the best pizza they've ever eaten. Enjoy oven-fresh pies topped with classic toppings or more interesting pizzas with pesto sauce and an assortment of mushrooms or tequila-marinated chicken. Although toppings get their due, the bagel-like crust is what really puts these pizzas over the edge on the tastiness scale. Casual dress and friendly atmosphere.

MALIBU. A classic eatery overlooking the majestic Malibu shoreline, Allegria makes patrons feel immediately at ease thanks to superb service and cozy, Mediterranean allure. While pasta dishes like homemade lobster tortelloni and risotto with calamari, mussels, and shrimp are tantalizing in their own right, savvy diners also know to opt for osso buco alla Milanese (a 16-ounce veal shank with fresh vegetables) and herb-roasted chicken. Zesty, hand-tossed pizzas are other treasures to be discovered.

MELROSE. The family-friendly Angeli Caffe has been a Hollywood mainstay for years, and it's no secret why. The menu consists of traditional Italian dishes such as penne all'Arrabiata (with spicy chiles and garlic), spinach and cheese ravioli, Tuscan bread salad with fresh tomatoes and balsamic vinegar, linguine alle Vongole (with clams and garlic in white wine sauce), and Pollo Arrosto (roasted garlic chicken). In addition, there are several calzones and Panini options, plus thin-crust pizzas that are simply delicious. Kids even get to roll out their own pizza dough!

WEST HOLLYWOOD. Chef Gino Angelini heads this <i>osteria</i> (in Italy, a simple, country restaurant where wine and food are the main attractions), and Angelenos couldn't be happier. The space is tiny and crowded, but regulars know that a bit of a wait and no elbow room are small prices to pay for Italian food this luscious. Pumpkin tortelli with butter, sage, and asparagus is a mouthwatering first plate, while dishes like Romagna-style Dover sole, encrusted with garlic and parsley, and a breaded veal chop alla Milanese are excellent <i>secondi</i>.

MALIBU. Few restaurants along the PCH enjoy views of the ocean more sweeping than does this Northern Malibu gem. The restaurant itself appears like a postcard from the Riveria: exterior walls covered by flowers and dense greenery, a cozy copper fireplace, beamed ceilings, and a magical garden hidden in the back. The fare ­ influenced by the cuisines of Morocco, Spain, Italy, and Greece ­ features myriad options, from gazpacho and osso buco to fresh clams and mussels marinières. The extensive wine list perfectly suits the menu, and the catacomb-like wine cellar is open for tours. Reservations are a must.