EAST HOLLYWOOD. This cozy corner hangout features extensive outdoor seating, shaded by umbrellas, as well as a pleasant, if cramped, indoor space. While the cafe serves three meals a day, there's always a rush on desserts and pastries, thanks to creations like brown butter berry tarts and praline fudge bars with homemade vanilla caramel. Alcove's take on the moon pie is an extravagant one ­ two chocolate chip cookies encase made-from-scratch marshmallow, and the whole is dipped in chocolate and hand-decorated. Layer cakes, bundt cakes, pies, and loaves of bread are also available. N.B. Alcove begins serving food an hour after opening times.

OAK PARK. Wooden tables and chairs line Leila's long, casual dining room, and several seats are available at the wine bar in this Oak Park gem. While the relaxed decor might not compare with some of LA's best restaurants, the food certainly does. A fresh, seasonal menu changes with what's available; consequently, diners enjoy meals that incorporate local ingredients at the peak of flavor. Start with the "soup of the moment" before relishing pan-roasted halibut with garlic mashers or sake-grilled salmon. A duo of sorbets ­ blood orange and passion fruit ­ is a cool and exotic end to your meal.

BEVERLY HILLS. Matsuhisa is first-born sibling to the internationally trendy Nobu restaurants and is the chef-owner's original endeavor. It's not so given to fanfare as the others, and the relative quiet of the place is incredibly appealing to folks who prefer that the focus be on the cuisine. And what sublime food it is, thanks to an excellent sashimi salad, delectable tempura, and "new style" sashimi that gets a kick from Latin American flavors. Cooked items are also terrific, as is the omakase menu. And yes, it's a great spot for stargazing ­ no, not the celestial kind.

SANTA MONICA. Traditional French decor and high-end tableware complement the cuisine at Mélisse and foster elegant, memorable dining. The menu changes frequently to take advantage of seasonal produce, and entrées may include dry-aged cote de boeuf roti for two with potato-leek torte or roasted squab with seared foie gras and citrus jus. For dessert, try a chocolate soufflé or crème brulee. The wine list is exceptional, and several selections are available by the glass. Dinner tasting menu $95 with no wine pairings; carte blanche menu $145 without wine pairings.

MALIBU. A favorite with Malibu's young and trendy crowd, this member of the famous chain impresses with a sleek decor punctuated with rich wood accents and jet-black chairs. The clientele is even more hip than the interior, and you'll often find a veritable "who's who" of famous locals in attendance. House specialties range from fresh-from-the-sea octopus to popular items like delicate oysters, exquisite sushi, and mouthwatering squid pasta.