LA Restaurants

This place serves excellent Japanese food. Oh, you want details? Let's talk about Kippan's ocean-fresh baby calamari, sautéed with Japanese chile and a dash of brandy ($5.80). Or, how about the super-tasty, soft-shell crab, fried crispy and garnished with pistachio slices and creamy pepper sauce ($6.80)? And if your stomach isn't growling yet, consider the scintillating sushi bar, with a great selection of yellowtail, tuna, toro, marinated albacore and more ($3.90-$5). Lunch Mon-Fri, dinner seven nights. Beer and wine; takeout; reservations accepted. AE, CB, DC, MC, V.

The Curry House serves an intriguing mix of Japanese, Indian and Italian cuisines. Its curry is made from over 30 spices (pepper, cloves, ginger and more) to season beef ($6.45), chicken ($6.25) and vegetables (potatoes, corn, carrots, shimeji mushrooms--$5.95). Savory spaghettis ($6.15-$6.75 lunch; $7.75-$8.50 dinner), Japanese entrées ($10.25-$13.95) and gourmet hamburgers ($10.75) round out the menu to suit every taste. Lunch and dinner seven days. Beer and wine; takeout; valet parking; reservations accepted. AE, MC,V.

This brand-new, luxurious restaurant serves up a wide range of Mediterranean cuisine--from Southern France, Spain, Italy and all the way to the Middle East--to the tune of live, international music. Each night a different country is represented through the traditional music of that region. Your Mediterranean meal might consist of homemade hummus, a variety of fantastic Italian pasta dishes, or the juicy filet mignon or chicken kabob ($12.95). Lunch and dinner Sat.-Thurs. Full bar; takeout; delivery; catering; parking; reservations accepted. AE, MC, V.

Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water, here comes DIVE!, the Steven Spielberg-owned restaurant serving sublime food that goes leagues beyond any other theme restaurant. The subaquatic decor, complete with portholes and torpedo barstools, gives way to superb food. Don't miss the DIVE! fries, with your choice of dipping sauces ($3.50), or one of 10 submarine sandwiches ($6.95-$10.95). Go lighter with a fabulous Chinese chicken salad ($8.95), and you'll have a good excuse to submerge into a Lemon Bar Explosion dessert ($4.95). Lunch and dinner seven days. Full bar; takeout; delivery; catering; parking. AE, DC, DIS, MC, V.

Amid the hustle and bustle of the Sunset Strip lies a restaurant that will take you south of the border. Just how far South you might ask--well, how does Argentina sound? The flavorful gusto of traditional Argentine steak dishes (prices vary) and European classics like Dijon chicken ($8.95)--as well as inventive vegetable dishes and salads--please palates of all persuasions. All generously portioned dishes come with freshly prepared sides like fluffy mashed potatoes or fresh, seasoned zucchini. Lunch and dinner seven days. Beer and wine; takeout; delivery; catering; valet parking. AE, CB, DC, MC, V.