PRICE:
Frommer's Very Highly Recommended

Open for more than 2 decades, Chaya has a strong reputation as one of Los Angeles's most reliable restaurants. This Continental bistro with Asian overtones is popular with film agents during lunch and a particularly beautiful assembly of stars at night (George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, the Baldwin brothers). The place is loved for its exceptionally good East/West dishes, unpretentious atmosphere, and flawless martinis -- try their award-winning Pineapple Infusion. Despite a high noise level, the stage-lit dining room feels sensuous and swoony. On warm afternoons and evenings, the best tables are on the outside terrace, overlooking the busy street. Chaya is best known for superb grilled fish and meats, such as miso-marinated white sea bass with wasabi tamari beurre blanc. Chef Shigefumi Tachibe's lobster ravioli with basil pesto cream sauce is both stylish and superb, as is tangy wood-grilled chicken Dijon, a house specialty. Excellent sushi is available as well. Chaya is also a hot late-night rendezvous with a short but choice late-dinner menu served Tuesday through Saturday. Note: There's also a Chaya near the beach: Chaya Venice, located at 110 Navy St. (at Main St.) in Venice (tel. 310/396-1179).

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

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