LITTLE TOKYO. Located in the New Otani Hotel & Garden, this elegant Japanese restaurant looks, feels, and tastes authentic. Overlooking the third floor Japanese Garden, there are sushi and tempura bars and private tatami rooms. The extensive menu and the delightful service will make even novices to Japanese cuisine comfortable. The Sunday brunch is the only meal you will need all day, and the quality matches the quantity.

WEST LOS ANGELES. Anyone who claims that ramen noodles are affordable but not sophisticated must be eating them out of a box and not at Asahi Ramen. The various treatments the noodles get here include the Shio Ramen draped in hard-boiled eggs or with spicy pork bits and the Tanmen Miso laden with vegetables and chicken. The budget-minded will definitely appreciate the prices.

WEST LOS ANGELES. This is where you take your sushi and run - it is take-out only (its sister restaurant on Wilshire is sit-down). The wide array of sushi choices is a draw for the local office workers at lunch who relish good food and a good bargain. Check out the specials of the day - always wise bets.

STUDIO CITY. This appealing eatery is a regular and constant choice for folks looking for the best sushi around. A great menu offers both cooked and raw items, and excellent service makes the experience that much better. Sashimi is a specialty, but you'll find everything from salmon skin rolls and eel tempura to abalone and sea urchin.

CENTURY CITY. Since opening, Breeze has earned high marks for its Californian cuisine and ambience, as well as its accessible wine list. The innovative menu centers on fresh seafood and organic produce, and includes herbs grown in the restaurant's own onsite garden. Favorite entrees include crispy whitefish with tomato-Pernod coulis, porcini crusted sea bass with garlic risotto, and rack of lamb with a wild mushroom-leek tart. In addition, Breeze features a sushi bar, which is a popular destination in itself. Should you go the sushi route, there are a number of sakes from which to choose. The wine list includes some very affordable bottles, and many selections are available by the glass.