LA Restaurants

Anarkali has been a mainstay on Melrose for Indian-food lovers since 1983. It's a great place for a date--quiet and far removed from the neon of its neighbors. Specialties include chicken tandoori marinated in yogurt ($6.95-$9.95) and lamb bhuna, cooked with ground spices, tomato, bell pepper, and a thick curry sauce ($8.95). During the week, the executive lunch for two ($14.95) includes soup or salad, chicken tandoori, a choice of meat and veggie curry, rice and naan. Lunch Mon.-Sat., dinner seven nights. Beer and wine; takeout; delivery; catering; banquet facilities; valet parking; reservations suggested. AE, MC, V.

Built in the early 1900's, Arbuckle's, once the home of Fatty Arbuckle, is the last original row house on La Cienega. Although Fatty doesn't live here anymore, there are still plenty of reminders of days gone by in photos of silent film stars. Relax on a patio covered in geraniums, ivy and fresh jasmine and enjoy delish morsels like a martini of chilled shrimp ($7.95), luscious crab cakes ($15.50) or tender lamb chops ($18.95). Dinner seven nights. Full bar; takeout; catering; valet parking; AE, MC, V.

"Rainbow Room goes Hollywood" said one critic of the Atlas Bar & Grill, located in the beautifully restored Art Deco Wiltern building. Atlas revives the glamour of old Hollywood and the mystique of modern-age supper clubs like Ciro's and the Trocadero with an eclectic blend of a dramatic yet intimate setting, live entertainment--from the sublime to the outrageous--and elegant dining on "global cuisine" with a Latin flair. Delectable menu favorites include goat-cheese-and-guava quesadilla and black-pepper shrimp. Lunch Mon.-Fri., dinner Mon.- Sat. Full bar; takeout; catering; parking. AE, DC, MC, V.

You don't need a plane ticket to dive into the flavors of the Caribbean. In an island home setting, adorned with palms, candlelit tables and colorful decor, Bamboo serves an array of appetizing dishes. Try a zesty Yucatan chicken with Indian black-pepper sauce ($8.75 lunch, $10.75 dinner) or paella with king crab legs, swordfish, clams, mussels, chicken and shrimp ($12.75 lunch, $14.75 dinner). Don't miss Bamboo's refreshing frappés, a blend of tropical fruits and orange juice ($2.75). Lunch and dinner seven days. Beer and wine; takeout; catering; valet parking; reservations accepted. AE, DC, DIS, MC, V.

For an assortment of grilled meats swimming in garlic, with heaps of rice, beans and a couple of fried plantains on the side, visit the restaurant, market and slice of Brazilian life known as Cafe Brasil. The house is famous for its tropical breakfast dish of eggs, pao de queijo (cheese bread) and fresh-squeezed passion-fruit juice ($6.95). The Brazilian specialty feijoada, an appetizing concoction of meat stewed overnight in black beans, must be experienced to be believed ($12.95). Lunch and dinner seven days. No alcohol; takeout; catering; valet parking. AE, CB, DC, DIS, MC, V. ATM cards accepted.

The offshoots of Joachim Splichal's acclaimed Patina Restaurant on Melrose Avenue, Pinot restaurants truly impart the air of la belle France, delivering a signature twist on classic French bistro fare. Situated all over L.A., these premier restaurants provide memorable meals in hip, sophisticated settings, as well as special events including cigar and martini nights, and wine-tasting dinners. Check individual locations for days and hours. Full bar; beer and wine (Patinette); takeout; delivery (Patinette); catering. AE (Patina), DC, DIS, MC, V.

The offshoots of Joachim Splichal's acclaimed Patina Restaurant on Melrose Avenue, Pinot restaurants truly impart the air of la belle France, delivering a signature twist on classic French bistro fare. Situated all over L.A., these premier restaurants provide memorable meals in hip, sophisticated settings, as well as special events including cigar and martini nights, and wine-tasting dinners. Check individual locations for days and hours. Full bar; beer and wine (Patinette); takeout; delivery (Patinette); catering. AE (Patina), DC, DIS, MC, V.

The offshoots of Joachim Splichal's acclaimed Patina Restaurant on Melrose Avenue, Pinot restaurants truly impart the air of la belle France, delivering a signature twist on classic French bistro fare. Situated all over L.A., these premier restaurants provide memorable meals in hip, sophisticated settings, as well as special events including cigar and martini nights, and wine-tasting dinners. Check individual locations for days and hours. Full bar; beer and wine (Patinette); takeout; delivery (Patinette); catering. AE (Patina), DC, DIS, MC, V.

This modest little Japanese bistro prides itself on having the best modern and traditional dishes around town, as well as the largest selection of daily specials on the planet. Exotic specialties include tofu steak in a mixed mushroom sauce ($6.50), crispy sautéed seabass ($9.50), as well as flaky, steamed rock cod with Chinese sauce ($8.50). Complete the experience with green-tea or red-bean ice cream. Lunch Mon.-Fri., dinner Mon.-Sat. Beer and wine; takeout; catering; parking; reservations accepted. AE, DC, DIS, MC, V.

Named after the original Hollywood Canteen founded by Bette Davis, this incarnation continues the tradition with its '40s-style decor and by being one of the top star-gazing restaurants in Los Angeles. Have lunch surrounded by studio execs or enjoy dinner and a cigar out on the patio. A brand-new sushi bar joins the regular menu of American and Italian favorites, including zesty spinach ravioli with tomatoes and basil ($11) and brawny half-pound burgers ($7). Lunch Mon.-Fri., dinner Mon.-Sat. Beer and wine; takeout; catering; parking; valet parking (lunch only); lunch reservations essential, dinner reservations suggested. AE, DC, MC, V.

From the hilly regions of south-central China to Los Angeles comes the Hunan Taste family restaurant. For lunch, select from 27 very reasonable combinations, including kung pao chicken ($4.95) and shrimp with broccoli ($5.95), or sample house specialities like lamb with string beans ($9.95). The delicately battered slippery shrimp in a tangy sweet-and-sour sauce ($10.95) is a highly recommended dish. Top vegetarian choices include eggplant in a zesty garlic sauce ($7.25) and tofu smothered in black mushroons ($5.95). Lunch Mon.-Fri., dinner seven nights. Full bar; takeout; catering; parking. AE, MC,V.

Eating in is sounding tastier than ever these days as Southern California's first-ever 1-800 delivery foodline brings new meaning to the term "fast food." By simply pressing the right buttons from your home or office, you can choose from a database of over 300 restaurants that deliver, including Italian, Asian, American/Californian, Mexican, Indian and more. This free service will also fax menus, give descriptions of each selection and connect you directly to the restaurant of your choice. So if you have an appetite for convenience, call when your stomach growls. Open 24 hours.

Enjoy a romantic liaison or a friendly dining experience at this warm and intimate French bistro-style eatery. The food is mainly Gallic-Californian, with a wide range of dishes and prices. You and your companion can bond over the Cote D'agneau (rack of lamb with the fragrant flavor of thyme, $16.95), or the tasty steak tartare ($13.75). For more casual affairs, La Madrague offers original pizzas and pastas from $6.50 and up. Live music on Thursday and Friday nights. Dinner seven nights. Full bar; takeout; catering; valet parking; reservations suggested. AE, CB, DC, DIS, MC, V.

After several years on the road, the Cadillac is garaged once again where, between times, Russell Jackson's Russell's reigned, only now it's wearing a green and white and salmon and black Lincoln Log façade. This goofy, low-sticker-price neighborhood restaurant (as if it were in anyone's neighborhood--it is on La Cienega, after all) dishes up some good grub, but with an awfully sweet tooth. The pink rémoulade decorating the Cajun popcorn (shrimp, salmon and ahi) tastes like creamed cherry Crayola, and I wouldn't allow honey-raspberry aioli anywhere near my table. Go for the deviled eggs (as '50s as the ceiling's peachy triangular plastic light baffles and recessed lights the color of glittery green Jell-O), for the salad Niçoise, the roasted chicken or turkey chili. And the Cadillac won't take you for a ride; generous salads $6.95 to $9.95, over-the-top entrées ("turkey sundae" is not a dessert) under $10 at lunch, $12 at dinner.

Whether you begin with naked shrimp ($8.50) or top it off with creamy banana darae ($2.50), a meal at Chan Dara has something for all tastes. Traditionalists can stick to house favorite pad Thai ($6.95), while adventurous eaters go for rock-and-roll clams seasoned with chile sauce ($8.25) or deep-fried catfish in special Thai sauce ($15.95). Four locations add to the variety. In Hollywood, Chan Darae is intimate and cozy; in Marina del Rey, Chan Darette offers a snappy noodle bar and a menu of Thai greatest hits; in Larchmont, it has a warm, friendly, family feel; and in West L.A., it's exotic with a touch of high-tech. Lunch Mon.-Fri., dinner seven nights. Full bar (W.L.A. and Marina del Rey); beer and wine (Hollywood and Larchmont); takeout; delivery; catering. AE, MC, V.

Bamboo walls surround those who visit Chi Dynasty, where during the summer months about 100 dishes of fresh chicken salad made with crispy rice noodles are served daily. If the salad seems too tame, then this Szechuan and Mandarin restaurant offers heartier appetites dishes like dancing prawns in spicy garlic sauce ($12.75). Also recommended is the orange-flavored beef, tender meat cooked in a spicy tangerine sauce ($11.75). Lunch and dinner seven days. Full bar; takeout; catering; valet parking; reservations suggested. AE, DC, MC, V.

"Eat, drink, play" is the motto at the Cobalt Cantina, with its eclectic Cal-Mex cuisine. The Cobalt's tapas menu allows the light snacker to sample a variety of items such as calamari-jalapeño pepper pops, fresh sweet-potato corn tamales and Brie-papaya quesadillas. The popular Bluebar in West Hollywood and the Martini Lounge in Silver Lake offer daily happy hours from 12 to 7 p.m, and a new location will be opening in the Glendale Galleria in April. Lunch Mon.-Fri., dinner seven nights, brunch Sun. Full bar; takeout; catering; valet parking; reservations for parties of eight or more. AE, 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.

Hearty portions and excellent service give the Daily Grill ä an ever-increasing following of lovers of freshly made American favorites. Blue Plate specials change daily ($10.95-$16.95). A popular Blue Plate, the wholesome meat loaf is topped with homemade gravy and comes with mashed potatoes and Daily's trademark steamed broccoli ($10.95). A selection of done-just-right steaks ($13.95-$17.95) will satisfy the discerning carnivore, while the broiled half chicken with garlic ($9.95), with shoestring potatoes and broccoli, satiates lighter appetites. Lunch and dinner seven days. Full bar; takeout; delivery; catering, parking; reservations suggested. AE, DC, MC, V.

Hearty portions and excellent service give the Daily Grill ä an ever-increasing following of lovers of freshly made American favorites. Blue Plate specials change daily ($10.95-$16.95). A popular Blue Plate, the wholesome meat loaf is topped with homemade gravy and comes with mashed potatoes and Daily's trademark steamed broccoli ($10.95). A selection of done-just-right steaks ($13.95-$17.95) will satisfy the discerning carnivore, while the broiled half chicken with garlic ($9.95), with shoestring potatoes and broccoli, satiates lighter appetites. Lunch and dinner seven days. Full bar; takeout; delivery; catering, parking; reservations suggested. AE, DC, MC, V.

The Dresden Room is reigning royalty, smack in the middle of Los Feliz bohemia, holding court in the same location since 1940. Slip into the seashell white-and-pink dining room and sink your teeth into a variety of American, Italian and Continental dishes. Order prime rib ($15.95) with salad, baked potato and garlic bread, or a lighter dish of angel-hair pasta with bay shrimp and broccoli ($13.95). After dinner, saunter into the lounge, where the famous Marty and Elaine belt out your favorites. Lunch Mon.-Fri., dinner seven nights. Full bar; valet parking; reservations accepted. AE, MC, V.

Named after Hemingway's favorite hangout in Havana, El Floridita offers food, fun and festivities. Try the yellow-rice paella complete with lobster, mussels and shrimp ($19.50) or the tender roasted pork marinated in a savory lemon garlic sauce ($10.95). Wash it all down with a Mojito, the popular Cuban drink made from mint leaves, lime juice and sugar. Live bands, including salsa, entertain Thursday through Saturday, and Monday nights. Prices vary on weekends. Lunch and dinner seven days. Full bar; takeout; delivery; valet parking; weekend reservations suggested. AE, CB, DC, DIS, MC, V.

Serving up a new mix of eclectic Italian food, Fix has been tempting tastebuds since its opening last fall. Come in and enjoy owner Fabio Conti's cozy cuisine and revel in entrées like the mouth-watering shrimp bruschetta--grilled black-olive bread topped with marinated rock shrimps, tomatoes, cucumbers and a spread of goat cheese ($10). Tasty turkey loins are sautéed with shiitake mushrooms, roasted pinenuts, white wine and soy sauce, and served with mashed potatoes ($12). Mostly everything can be ordered in half or full portions. Lunch and dinner Mon.-Sat. Full Bar; takeout; delivery; catering. AE, CB, DC, 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.