PRICE:
Frommer's Exceptional

Built as Charlie Chaplin's private offices in 1928, this Tuscan-style building has a multilevel layout with flower-bedecked interior balconies, a bubbling fountain, and a skylight through which diners can see the campanile (bell tower). Consistently ranked as one of L.A.'s finest restaurants, a meal here might begin with fried zucchini flowers drizzled with melted mozzarella or lamb carpaccio surrounded by artichoke leaves -- a dish that arrives looking like one of van Gogh's sunflowers. Spago alumnus chef/owner Mark Peel heads up the kitchen and is particularly known for his grills and roasts. Try the wood-grilled prime rib smeared with black-olive tapenade; pappardelle with braised rabbit, roasted tomato, and collard greens; or the rosemary-charred lamb with artichokes and fava beans. The weekend brunch is a surprising crowd-pleaser and a terrific way to appreciate this beautiful space on a budget. One of the most popular nights is still Grilled Cheese night on Thursdays, when the bar fills up with regular fans of haute versions of the childhood treat. Tip: On Monday nights chef Peel offers a $40 three-course family-style themed menu that's been voted Best Monday Night Dinner by Los Angeles Magazine. Grilled Cheese Night -- Every Thursday evening Campanile hosts a hugely popular Grilled Cheese Night. The menu offers 12 different gourmet sandwiches along with appetizers.

Copyright: Excerpted from Frommer's Los Angeles 2009, (c) 2008, Wiley Publishing, Inc.

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