Hidden away in one of the many mini malls of Beverly Hills, this tiny restauarant serves absolutely scrumptious food. The chilled tomato yogurt soup and crispy soft #13;#10;shell crab with risotto and lobster make you wish you could take the chef home. The al dente pasta is perfectly cooked and, with sautéed shrimp and asparagus, this too makes a memorable meal. The wine list is extensive though not expensive. For a place that not everyone knows about, try 2117.

WEST HOLLYWOOD. Featuring a clean, spare aesthetic that still manages to be cozy and inviting, this wine bar and bistro is rapidly gaining popularity for its succulent small plates and its superior selection of wines offered by the flight, bottle, and glass. Choose from over 15 cheeses as an appetizer of sorts before sampling and sharing tastes of smoked trout in beet vinaigrette, pan-fried chicken with parmesan pudding, and brioche with prosciutto, gruyère, and egg. Try a pumpkin parfait with sassafras mousse and gingersnaps for a rich after-dinner treat.

NORTH HOLLYWOOD. This spot is a favorite with power-lunchers and foodies looking for fresh tastes in hip but not too trendy surroundings. Start the evening in the bar with a "birdbath martini" and Barsac's homemade potato chips. When it's time for dinner, opt for a quiet corner table or sit right at the "counter" that abuts the open kitchen. The seasonal menu always features fresh, grilled fish as well as inventive pasta dishes. Most pastas and salads are also available in appetizer portions, perfect for light eaters and early bird suppers. Start with pâté and a baguette, or a steamed artichoke. Move on to London broil, a steamed vegetable platter, or Louisiana prawns and scallops. For dessert, sample the divine Key lime tart. Smart-casual to trendy attire. Reservations suggested.

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 marini��res. The extensive wine list perfectly suits the menu, and the catacomb-like wine cellar is open for tours. Reservations are a must.

PASADENA. Boasting a Californian menu with French touches, this Art Deco-style eatery is a favorite with Pasadena's movers and shakers. Entrees may include grilled Aussie rack of lamb with potato and gruyere flan, sautéed John Dory with heirloom tomatoes and soufflé potatoes, and roasted duck with Thai green curry. Desserts are worth every calorie ­ try chocolate praline gateau or a beautiful sour cream lime tart. Excellent service is a plus, as is a distinctive wine list that features vintages from Napa, Sonoma, Oregon, Burgundy, and the Rhône Valley.