LITTLE TOKYO. You'll often see folks sketching at this industrial-looking restaurant, popular with an artsy downtown crowd. The food is nothing particularly fancy, but it's fresh and well prepared. Steaks and salads are especially popular, although the daily specials are usually winners as well.

WEST HOLLYWOOD. Featuring a clean, spare aesthetic that still manages to be cozy and inviting, this wine bar and bistro is rapidly gaining popularity for its succulent small plates and its superior selection of wines offered by the flight, bottle, and glass. Choose from over 15 cheeses as an appetizer of sorts before sampling and sharing tastes of smoked trout in beet vinaigrette, pan-fried chicken with parmesan pudding, and brioche with prosciutto, gruyère, and egg. Try a pumpkin parfait with sassafras mousse and gingersnaps for a rich after-dinner treat.

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.

HOLLYWOOD ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT. Comfort food meets health food at this cozy restaurant. You'll find, for example, turkey meatloaf topped with homemade tomato sauce with horseradish mashed potatoes, or spaghetti adorned with Japanese eggplant, fresh mozzarella, and roasted tomato sauce. Ammo is a good choice post-theater, as well - dessert favorites include peach crumble and chocolate fondant cake. Ammo might be most famous for its popular brunch beverage, a juice comprised of tart green apples, lemons, and ginger.

LONG BEACH. Baja Fresh Mexican Grill serves up your standard variety of Mexican dishes with one unique quality-it's healthier than most. Baja owners proudly proclaim, "No Microwaves, No Can Openers, No Lard, No Freezers, and No M.S.G," ensuring a high-quality Mexican meal with only the freshest ingredients. Translation: don't feel guilty about ordering a couple of extra burritos or splurging for a second vegetarian quesadilla.