This place has been around for more than 45 years. They drive an Italian menu right down the middle of the road, with a décor to match, including red-checked tablecloths and chianti bottles hanging from the ceiling. But it all works. Chances are it will be super-crowded and you’ll have to wait. Chill at the bar with a generous cocktail...

SoCal is the land of the grill and Katana is the place to go when you want to get your grill on Japanese-style. Robata-yaki cuisine serves skewered delicacies prepared on a Bincho charcoal grill – chicken tenders with wasabi, lobster with tarragon miso, seared beef on crispy rice cakes. Lots of sushi and sashimi, too. Back in the day, Brad Pitt...