Bel-Air Restaurant:  Okay, we may sound prejudice here but we are really proud of our little outdoor paradise which our regulars rate as the top al fresco-dining venue in the city. More than just a pretty place to brunch, lunch, or dine, The Terrace and The Restaurant showcase the creative cuisine of our Executive Chef Douglas Dodd and Chef de Cuisine Bruno Lopez. From light fare like the Spa Cobb Salad or poached salmon to richer offerings such as seared filet of beef with Stilton Bordelaise, grilled rack of Colorado Lamb, or a divine herb and pollen-crusted veal chop, there is something to delight every palate.

Mr. Chow:  What can we say about this wildly popular Hollywood hangout that hasn’t been said in the last 30 years? In case you haven’t heard, it’s simply one of the best Chinese restaurants in the country where classic dishes are served in a clubby, lively setting by an impossibly efficient wait staff. A favorite haunt of Tinseltown’s old timers and young up-and-comers, Mr. Chow’s panache is equally divided between the superb food and the working the room's clientele. Sometimes there’s so much table-hopping going on you wonder when these people eat. From wonton soup to noodles, fried rice and Peking duck, everything’s delicious here, so go with a large group and order lots of dishes. 344 N. Camden Drive, Beverly Hills, 310-278-9911. www.mrchow.com/beverlyhills

Spago:  Celebrity überchef Wolfgang Puck’s penultimate power spot caters to a coterie of regulars straight from the pages of Hollywood’s elite A-list who go as much to enjoy the fantastic food as to be seen and “work the room”.  Be sure to order Puck’s famous designer pizza starters. And then prepare to feast on some of the finest crafted California cuisine in the state.  Celebs get first dibs on the primo patio seating and 8 o’clock reservations.  Every morsel of Spago’s ever-changing menu is a culinary delight. 176 N. Canon Drive, Beverly Hills, 310-385-0880. www.Wolfgangpuck.com 

Mastro’s:  Steaks prepared to perfection take top billing at this chic restaurant many of the famous people who frequent it. Stained glass, rich woods, and deep colors provide a provocative atmosphere where carnivores can enjoy 40-ounce porterhouse, 18-ounce Kansas City strips, veal porterhouse, or other cuts of tender beef. Side dishes are equally yummy, especially the Gorgonzola macaroni, sautéed mushrooms, or French fries. There’s a relaxing upstairs bar/lounge to enjoy generous sized drinks before or after dinner. 246 N Canon Drive, Beverly Hills, 310-888-8782, www.mastrossteakhouse.com

Matsuhisa:  Sushi gone wild should be Chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s motto with the dozens of delicious offerings on his vast menu. Not only will this prove the best Japanese food you’ve ever eaten (this side of Asia anyway), it most likely will prove the most expensive.  It’s not easy getting a reservation at this tiny spot; so do check with our concierges. 129 N. La Cienega Blvd., 310-659-9639, www.nobumatsuhisa.com

Koi:  Asian fusion gone exotically, exceptionally wild could be the theme of this outstanding, hip, and happening, celebrity-packed dining emporium. The feng shui-styled dining area adorned with Buddhas, bamboo, and Zen-like ornaments provides the perfect showcase for each glorious dish. The crispy salmon salad or tangy tuna tartare are the star starters, while the Kobe filet mignon or Toban Yaki black cod shines among entrees. 730 N. La Cienega Blvd., 310-659-9449.

Wilshire Restaurant:  An over-the-top interior designed by Thomas Schoos combined with young eye candy and brat-pack celebrities makes this a great place to see and be seen. And the food’s pretty good, too. The décor creates a seductive tableau defined by dark woods balanced by a canvas-covered ceilings, exaggerated images reflected in antique mirrors and sheer curtains billowing in the breeze of the open-air patio. Recessed nooks and crannies provide intimate seating for romantic occasions enhanced by torch-lit flower boxes, blazing candles perched on walls, sideboards and tables, and intricate latticework. There’s even a posh cigar lounge to enjoy an after-dinner smoke or cognac. The ever-changing farm fresh cuisine is consistently good with choices from veal short ribs to black bass and Maine lobster. 2454 Wilshire Blvd., 310-586-1707, www.wilshirerestaurant.com.

Crustacean:  Shellfish lovers will literally eat this place up. As the name implies, crustaceans are the name of the game here, served in an aquarium-like atmosphere—the fish tank is actually built into the floor and functions as a walkway from the entrance of the room to the tables. Bring a crowd so you can sample everything on the menu. It’s all good. 9646 Santa Monica Blvd. South, Beverly Hills, 310-205 8990,  www.anfamily.com.

Vincente Now that’s Italian!:  Authentic old country cooking with a California flair is served at this charming, outrageously popular Brentwood restaurant. It’s the food that contents, from pizzas and pastas to artfully prepared vegetables, and the service that satisfies. 11930 San Vicente Blvd., 310-207-0127, www.vincentiristorante.com.

DiVino:  Tall, handsome, and forthcoming, co-owner/maitre d' Goran Milic personally greets guests as they arrive at the door of his ultra-urban Italian eatery. A paradigm of a neighborhood eatery, and a favorite of local Carlos Lopes, Managing Director of Hotel-Bel-Air, who according to Goran, “always takes the same corner table,” DiVino is simply divine. Its urban-style décor is accentuated by a high ceiling, green apple-colored walls covered with photos of customers' classic cars and Goran as a child, Venetian plaster, and Tuscan tiled floors. But the cuisine definitely takes center stage, especially the freshly made pasta dishes and perfectly prepared fish.  There’s indoor/outdoor and upstairs seating. The mood here is lively, buzzing, and welcoming. 11714 Barrington Court, Brentwood, 310-472-0886.

Grill on the Alley:  Yes, it’s actually located in an alley, albeit a “high rent” Beverly Hills-style passageway. And while it may not be on the tip of everyone’s tongue like Spago or Patina, this popular Hollywood mogul meeting spot, has quietly flourished since 1984. The coterie of regulars gives it the feel of a private club where scripts are read, contracts signed, and business taken care of in between sips of designer Martinis. The menu is extensive and the food is exceptional with choices like Chilean sea bass, prime steaks, fresh seafood, veal chops, chicken potpie, meatloaf, and assorted sides and potatoes. 9650 Dayton Way, Beverly Hills, 310-276-0615, www.thegrill.com.

Michael's:  Avant-garde restaurateur Michael McCarty’s hosts the quintessential fine dining experience at this comfortably chic establishment. The service is always top and the food outstanding, prepared by hand-picked chefs who McCarty imports regularly from around the globe. Plan to spend a few hours to savor each course deliberately. While the menu changes regularly, you can always bet on great fish, creative recipes, and sinful desserts. Request seating on the flower-filled patio, where works of David Hockney adorn the walls. 1147 Third Street, Santa Monica, 310-451-0843, www.michaelssantamonica.com.

Saddle Peak Lodge:  If you enjoy game and appreciate history, you’ll love this faux hunting lodge nestled with its kitschy decor of mounted moose, stags heads, and antelopes hanging on the walls of the high ceiling room. The century-old building was once a funky stopover for cowboys, hunters, and fishermen. Now spread out among three stories, it offers indoor/outdoor dining, and a menu rich in buffalo, elk, venison, partridge, rabbit, and other wild fare. Choices are available for less adventurous appetites, along with a great wine list to wash it all down. 419 Cold Canyon Road, Calabasas, 818-222-3888; 310-456-7325, www.saddlepeaklodge.com.

Patina at the Walt Disney Concert Hall: Celebrity chef Joachim Splichal, one of the top toques in town, brought much needed fine cuisine to the theater crowd when he relocated his original restaurant to the concert hall a few years ago. The lively, spacious room is the perfect showcase for Splichal’s creative cuisine that begins with a “symphony of caviar,” and moves along to delicacies such as hamachi sashimi, Hudson Valley foie gras, Loup de Mer, Peking duck, and other worldly taste sensations. If you’re going to the theater, allow ample time for a leisurely meal.  To really sample Splichal’s talents, try one of his six-course tasting menus. 213-972-3331, www.patinagroup.com.

The Lobster:  The perfect spot for a breath of fresh sea air smack on the boardwalk at Santa Monica Pier, just steps from the merry-go-round and penny arcade. The casual chic room provides a fun atmosphere along with a 180-degree view of the Pacific Ocean and Pacific Palisades from floor-to-ceiling windows. The obvious specialty, along with other fresh seafood, is the main draw. 1602 Ocean Avenue, Santa Monica, 310-458-9294, www.thelobster.com.

Capo and Brass Cap:  You just can’t try one without the other of these exceptional Bruce Marder celebrity haunts:
Capo, the more intimate of the two, sits right on the beach at Santa Monica, and offers a short, but sweet menu (filet mignon, lamb, fish). Food and service are tops, and so is the view. 1810 Ocean Blvd., Santa Monica, 310-394-5550.
Brass Cap showcases Marder’s fine brasserie-style French food in a lovingly restored Beach House that oozes with warmth, ambience, locals, and A-list celebrities. From garlic-laced escargot to a New York steak that melts in your mouth, it doesn’t get much better than this. Ask about the secret white truffles that chef likes to sprinkle on his dynamite beef carpaccio. The interior is divided into two sections: a moody front room and a back area with a lengthy bar, flat-screen TVs, and outside patio. 100 W Channel Rd. between Channel and Entrada, Santa Monica, 310-454-4544.

The Ivy & L.A. Desserts: It’s simply the de rigueur place to "do lunch" for Hollywood agents, actors, directors, and out-of-towners who are lucky enough to get a table (or are staying at Hotel Bel-Air where our trusty concierge Charles Fitzer, or one of his staff can get you in if you are a hotel guest). The breezy outdoor patio is the place to see and be seen during the day or for late afternoon cocktails. The scene overpowers the food, which is good if you stick with simple dishes such as corn chowder, mesquite grilled shrimp, and salads. However desserts are another story—exceptionally delicious. 113 N. Robertson Blvd., 310-274-8303. There’s also an Ivy at the Shore in Santa Monica that draws denizens from Malibu and Pacific Palisades. Best bets here are the stone crabs (when in season), grilled fish, and healthful salads. 1535 Ocean Avenue, 310-393-3113.