TORRANCE. Aioli is a perfect place for a business lunch or dinner, offering ample menu choices in the friendly environs of Old Town Torrance. The location is ideal, the décor is upscale, and the staff is very accommodating. Top all of this off with an addictive crispy duck appetizer, a variety of tapas, and a private wine cellar, and you have plenty of reason to visit more than once.

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.

PASADENA. Forget the name - this isn't your father's burger joint! The forte here is fine, deliciously flavored Mediterranean cuisine - gyros, kebabs, dolmades, falafel salad, chicken shwarma, and baba ghanoush. Those not into Med dishes will want to check out the menu's alternatives, which include everything from steak burritos to fish-and-chips to chopped sirloin steaks, plus burgers and sandwiches. While the fanciful main dining room is usually full of happy patrons caught up in the Mediterranean spirit, the garden patio offers a respite, although it, too, can get busy on weekends. Lunch crowds are treated to a tempting buffet during the workweek. Belly dancing and live music are featured most nights.

Pasadena has few places where paella, curries, lamb with couscous, pizza, and calzones share space on the same menu, but Cafe Santorini promises them all. Italian, Greek, Spanish, or Moroccan ­ everything is a success. A word to the wise, though: Try to score a table on the outside terrace or balcony. It absolutely bests the modest decor inside. Plus, the ambience is much more befitting of Mediterranean dishes. Expect large crowds, especially at lunch and on weekends.

SANTA MONICA. Cozy and simple, this Mediterranean-Italian restaurant knows how to take care of patrons. Its care is evident in tasty dishes and expert service. Start with an appetizer sampler that features prosciutto, arugula, melon, tomato, and mozzarella. Then, head on to a pasta or seafood creation (gnocchi comes highly recommended). End with a serving of tiramisu, and you'll be 100% satisfied! There's a large and varied wine list. Smart casual dress. Reservations recommended.