Amaranta Cocina Mexicana
600 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Ste. 1029, Canoga Park, Calif. (818) 610-3599. www.amarantarestaurant.com .Seats: 175.Cuisine: modern Mexican.Specialties: chicken wrapped in corn tortillas and topped with a mole-poblano sauce; filet mignon medallions with bacon, house-made tomatillo-and-chipotle sauce and manchego cheese; churros filled with Bavarian cream and served with vanilla bean ice cream.Main courses: $11-$18.Chef: Sarah Rocío Gomez.Owners: Eduardo and Sylvia Rallo.
Food Court LA
8334 W. 3rd St. (323) 782-9689. www.foodcourtla.com .Seats: 42.Cuisine: “pan-ethnic.”Specialties: fried-chicken Cobb salad; wasabi-rubbed grilled salmon sandwich; macaroni and cheese; seasonal berry salmon salad with blueberry balsamic vinaigrette; chocolate-caramel banana bread pudding.Main courses: $9.95-$15.95.Chef: Thomas Bille.Owner: Christine Han and Richard Jhin.
Fraîche
9411 Culver Blvd., Culver City, Calif. (310) 839-6800. www.fraicherestaurantla.com .Seats: 125 including bar.Cuisine: rustic French and Italian.Specialties: fruits de mer seafood platter; boudin noir with beluga lentils and wilted mustard greens; passatelli dumplings in brodo with chicken and chanterelles.Main courses: $22-$26.Executive chef/co-owner: Jason Travi.Partners: Keith Fox, Amir Ohebsion, Thierry Perez and Miho Travi.
Lift
6533 Hollywood Blvd. (323) 469-1848.Seats: 65.Cuisine: modern bistro.Specialties: spicy tuna tartare in crispy cones; braised short ribs in red wine with baby beets; stir-fried vegetables on braised rainbow char with tofu noodles and Chinese long beans.Main courses: $12-$20.Chef: Keith Silverton.Owner: Steven Adelman.
Robata Bar
1401 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica, Calif. (310) 458-4771. www.robatabar.com .Cuisine: Japanese pub-style robatayaki and raw bar.Seats: 50.Specialties: skewered and grilled shiitake mushrooms stuffed with minced chicken; grilled foie gras with filet mignon and asparagus; popcorn shrimp ceviche; oyster with quail egg and uni shooter; sashimi platter.Main courses: $2.50-$18.Chef: Takuma Fumoto.Owner: Innovative Dining Group.
