Just east of downtown LA in the neighborhood of Monterey Park, Elite Restaurant has the recipe for success when it comes to authentic Cantonese and dim sum dishes. Ordering is simple - just check off anything desired on the menu, then wait as the swift service brings out your flavor-packed dishes one after another. The secret is out about this place, so the dining room is always packed.

Although the Polynesian decor may seem a bit alarming, don't worry, as Damon's takes their steaks seriously. For over 70 years they have been preparing great steaks and serving their signature, potent Mai Tais. Have anything from a delicious filet mignon to a juicy burger cooked just how you like it. If meat isn't your interest, seafood dishes are available as well.

Located in the wilds of Malibu, award-winning Saddle Peak Lodge has been a favorite for years. The rustic, hunt club-like interior features exposed logs, stonework, animal trophies, and fishing gear, along with white linens and elegant table settings that perfectly accentuate the cuisine. The menu centers on fish and game but also includes steak, lamb, and pork. Sunday brunch is a good alternative if you can't make it for dinner. Weather permitting, dine on the patio – views are spectacular. Tasting menu $70, with wine pairings $90.

Chef-owner Joe Miller's restaurant consistently tops the lists of LA hot spots thanks to a modern, sleek dining room, a patio for al fresco dining, and a separate bar for pre- or post-dinner drinks. Inventive Californian cuisine features fresh seasonal produce prepared with skill and creativity. Highlights include soft shell crab with morels and corn, porcini mushroom ravioli, roasted salmon with yellow squash risotto, roast beef with crispy artichokes, and crepenette of pork.

This hotel restaurant is a choice dining option for superstars and power agents. A great New American menu features temptations like milk-fed poussin with English peas and truffled potato puree, butter-poached Maine lobster, and a roasted veal chop with morels and glazed sunchokes. The place is also a favorite for lunch or Sunday brunch, and service is outstanding. Reservations strongly recommended. Business dressy attire.

Ocean Star offers dim-sum at its finest, with a myriad of menu options whizzing by in the traditional cart stye offering. Enjoy the gigantic floor plan, making it perfect for group dining. Although somewhat chaotic, the friendly atmosphere combined with a diverse seafood offering ranging from shrimp, lobster, and crab to scallops make this a popular destination for any dim-sum lover.

Excellent French cuisine and reasonable prices are standard at this casual cafe, where high ceilings, exposed brick walls, and fresh-cut flowers add a touch of romance. Featured dishes include California-inspired seafood and pasta entrees, including ahi tuna and braised short ribs. A $2 corkage fee and a "bring your own wine" policy allow you to have a marvelous French dinner for fewer francs than you might anticipate. Expect a crowd, especially on weekends.

If you're out and about in Redondo Beach, Chez Melange is definitely worth a stop. An eclectic menu features everything from sushi and Southern fried chicken salad to spicy Cajun meatloaf and Moroccan chicken, all prepared with an expert hand. Despite the diverse inspirations, every dish displays the chef's creativity and skill. Add to that an excellent wine list, stylish decor, and warm, professional service, and you have a "can't miss" dining experience.

Blessed with a wonderful patio and food described by expatriate regulars as "the best we've had in the states," Radhika's is one of the best places in Pasadena to enjoy lush, fragrant Indian cuisine. The sounds of a trickling fountain provide a soothing backdrop as you enjoy chicken tikka masala, lamb dhansak, or chicken dopiaza with its thick, spicy tomato-and-onion sauce. The lunch buffet is a great deal, so be prepared to encounter a fairly large crowd. On weekend nights, belly dancers and traditional Indian folk music add even more flavor to the experience.

In the caretaker's cottage on the grounds of the old Raymond Hotel is a hidden treasure: a jewel of a restaurant simply named The Raymond. Start your experience with a fig appetizer whose main ingredients were fresh-picked from The Raymond's own trees. Brunch and lunch are elaborate affairs, and the well-heeled clientele opt for French toast with sliced bananas or maybe fresh fruit or sliced avocado on a bed of mixed greens. Desserts include a delightful crème brulée and an old-fashioned chocolate cake, both of which are, thankfully, offered at every meal.