ART'S DELI A Valley favorite, particularly popular among transplanted New Yorkers and the local entertainment industry crowd. All the traditional deli favorites are top-drawer here. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. All major cards. $$
Location(s) Studio City (818/762-1221)

AUNT KIZZY'S BACK PORCH This is one of L.A.’s most cherished bastions of good old-fashioned Southern cooking, a homey place to find tasty barbecued ribs, crispy fried chicken, catfish, jambalaya and sides like collard greens, black-eyed peas and candied yams. Lunch and dinner daily. AE $
Location(s) Villa Marina Marketplace, 4325 Glencoe Ave., Marina del Rey (310/578-1005)

CANTER'S Perhaps L.A.’s most famous deli, serving solid matzo ball soup, overstuffed sandwiches, chopped liver and smoked fish to a diverse clientele 24 hours a day. The crusty service and reliable deli favorites are a true taste of New York. Breakfast, lunch and dinner daily. D, MC, V $$
Location(s) 419 N. Fairfax Ave., L.A. (323/651-2030)

BUFFALO CLUB rench-trained chef Patrick Healy goes American. Comfort foods and contemporary fare in an elegant, clubby setting. Lunch Mon.-Fri.; dinner Mon.-Sat. AE, MC, V. $$$
Location(s) 520 Olympic Blvd., Santa Monica (310/450-8600)

CHEESECAKE FACTORY As much a part of the Southern California scene as surfboards and movie studios, eatery offfers traditional and contemporary specialties in huge portions, and, of course, cheesecakes. Lunch and dinner daily, Sun. brunch. All major cards. $$
Location(s) 2 W. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena (626/584-6000).
364 N. Beverly Dr., Beverly Hills (310/278-7270)
1167377 San Vicente Blvd., Brentwood (310/826-7111)
4142 Via Marina, Marina del Rey (310/306-3344)
605 N. Harbor Dr., Redondo Beach (310/376-0466)
Trillium Ctr., 6324 Canoga Ave., Woodland Hills (818/883-9900).

EDIE'S DINER Waterfront 1950s-style diner serves up juke box tunes, soda fountain favorites and home-style cooking. Patio seating available. All meals daily. AE, V, MC, DC, DS. $$
Location(s) 4211 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey (310/577-4558)

ENGINE CO. NO. 28 Restored 1912 fire station, complete with brick floor, tin stamped ceiling, brass fire pole. Politicos and workers devour steaks with jalapeno jelly, chops, meatloaf, pot pies and recipes from firefighters from across the nation. Breakfast, lunch Mon.-Fri.; dinner nightly. All major cards.
Location(s) 644 S. Figueroa St., downtown (213) 624-6996
THE FARM Farm-themed favorite for breakfast (brioche French toast with warm berry compote) and lunch (baked apple and brie sandwich and lobster club) also serves dinner—and what may be the city’s best brownies. All meals Mon.–Fri.; brunch, dinner Sat.–Sun. All major cards. $$
Location(s) 439 N. Beverly Drive., Beverly Hills (310/273-5578)

FELT L.A. cozy meets New York chic meets world cuisine meets alternative lifestyles. Groovy shades of felt upholstery includes wall sconces, lampshades and swank bar stools. Dinner nightly. All major cards. $$
Location(s) 8279 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood (323/822-3888)

THE GALLEY Venerable nautical-themed establishment. Candelit tables or cigar-friendly patio. Mouth-watering steaks, seafood, pastas. Dinner nightly. All major cards. $$
Location(s) 2442 Main St., Santa Monica (310/452-1934)

GRANITA Wolfgang Puck's Cal-Med (nicknamed "Spago by the Sea") offers inventive renditions of seafood as well as Chinese-style duck and honey-glazed lamb amid colorful decor. Dinner nightly, brunch Sat.-Sun. All major cards. $$$
Location(s) 23725 W. Malibu Rd., Malibu (310/456-0488)

HARD ROCK CAFE Burgers, "pig sandwich" and barbecue ribs amid rock memorabilia. Lunch and dinner daily. All major cards. $
Location(s) Beverly Center, 8600 Beverly Blvd., West Hollywood (310/276-7605)
Universal CityWalk, 1000 Universal Center Dr., Universal City (818/622-7625)

THE HOUSE Chef Scooter Kanfer offers timeless favorites with whimsical twists in charming old bungalow. Macaroni & cheese, pot pie, cookies with milk. Lunch Tue.-Fri.; dinner Tue.-Sun. All major cards.
Location(s) 5750 Melrose Ave., Hollywood (323) 462-4687

THE IVY Entertainment-industry hangouts boast fantastic Caesar salads, unrivaled crab cakes, luscious desserts. Reservations essential. Lunch and dinner daily; Sun. brunch. All major cards. $$$
Location(s) 113 N. Robertson Blvd., L.A. (310/274-8303)
Ivy at the Shore, 1541 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica (310/393-3113)

MAPLE DRIVE Multi-level eatery attracts celebrities and foodies; new American cuisine from meatloaf to foie gras. Great jazz, too. Lunch Mon.-Fri.; dinner Mon.-Sat. All major cards. $$$
Location(s) N. Maple Dr., Beverly Hills (310/274-9800)

MOOMBA Contemporary American cuisine inspired by California produce and Pacific fish with French finesse and a Manhattan back beat served at hot restaurant/lounge/club. Virtually no wasted gestures when it comes to stellar starters and crudos. Foie gras-roasted Amish chicken is “as good as chicken gets in a restaurant,” crowed the L.A. Times. Hip decor. Outdoor dining on patio. Lunch Mon.-Fri.; brunch Sat.-Sun; dinner nightly. All major cards. $$$
Location(s) 665 N. Robertson Blvd., West Hollywood (310/652-636737)

MORTON'S Eat healthy, close that big Hollywood deal! Lunch Mon.-Fri.; dinner Mon.-Sat. All major cards. $$$
Location(s) 8764 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood (310/276-5205)

MUSSO & FRANK GRILL This is Hollywood’s oldest restaurant (ca. 1919) and some of the waiters have virtually seen it all. Flannel cakes, crab Louie, braised short ribs, lobster thermidor, liver & onions. Martini’s a must. All meals Tue.-Sat. All major cards.
Location(s) 6667 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood (323) 467-7788