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Literati II (off Map; 310-479-3400; 12081 Wilshire Blvd; mains lunch $12-19, dinner $14-36; 11:30am-2:30pm & 5:30-11pm) Chris Kidder, formerly of Campanile, is a stickler for fresh, organic, sustainable provisions and has built relationships with local farmers to ensure that only the best and freshest ingredients land on your plate. And trust us, you’ll taste it: dishes are as sophisticated as a Joyce novel, as sensuous as a sonnet, as exciting as a spy thriller and as playful as a limerick.

TOP END

Hotel Bel-Air Restaurant (Map; 310-472-5234; 701 N Stone Canyon Rd, Bel Air; breakfast $25, mains lunch $18-28, dinner $26-48; 11-12:30am Sun-Thu, 11-1:30am Fri & Sat; ) This classy hideaway scores a perfect 10 on the romance meter. Even getting there has that fairy-tale feel as you sashay along flowery paths, past preening swans and a crackling fireplace. Impeccable service, a superb farm-fresh Cal-French menu and a fanatical dedication to quality ensure that you’ll remember your meal long after paying the – significant – bill.

Culver City

BUDGET

Tacomiendo (Map; 310-915-0426; 4502 Inglewood Blvd; dishes $2-8; 9:30am-10pm; ) Cops, construction workers and clued-in hipsters flock to this unassuming Mexican pit stop to fortify themselves on ginormous tortas, tacos, burritos and other staples. Everything’s freshly prepared in the smokey open kitchen, so it’s not exactly fast food. While you wait, sip a refreshing melon agua (fresh fruit drink) and help yourself to three salsas, pinto beans and crunchy radishes from the excellent condiment counter.

Leaf Cuisine (Map; 310-390-6005; 11938 W Washington Blvd; mains $6.50-11; 8am-9pm Mon-Sat, 10am-9pm Sun; ) OK, the idea of veggie-seed croquettes, kale salad or kelp-noodle pad thai may not get you salivating, but trust us, the folks at Leaf are geniuses when it comes to coaxing flavor out of the vegetable kingdom. Everything’s organic, raw, vegan and healthy, just like the yoga mammas, Sony grips and health nuts like it.

Tender Greens (Map; 310-842-8300; www.tendergreensfood.com; 9523 Culver Blvd; dishes $10; 11:30am-9pm Sun-Thu, 11:30am-10pm Fri & Sat; ) Herbivore or meathead, no matter your persuasion, your tastebuds will be doing sommersaults when treated to this eatery’s carefully composed salads, tossed up as you move down the (usually considerable) line. The ahi-tuna nicoise and grilled flatiron steak are fabulous, and the chicken soup soul-restoring.

MIDRANGE

Beacon (Map; 310-838-7500; 3280 Helms Ave; mains lunch $9-18, dinner $10-20; 11:30am-2pm Mon-Sat, 5:30-10pm Tue-Sun) When Kazuto Matsusaka opened Beacon in 2004, it became the guiding light in Culver City’s culinary renaissance. Fusion is what he does best, turning carefully edited ingredients into adventurous small and big plates that can easily hold their own against the new competition. Try the miso-braised short ribs or crispy ahi-tuna pizza and leave room for the green-tea cheesecake.

Ford’s Filling Station (Map; 310-202-1470; www.fordsfillingstation.com; 9531 Culver Blvd; mains lunch $14-17, dinner $14-32; lunch & dinner) The ‘Ford’ in question is Ben Ford (yup, son of Harrison) and he’ll fill you up in his lively gastropub favored by a chatty, boozy crowd. Flatbreads are toasted to perfection, the fish and chips have the lightness of tempura and the vegetarian polenta cake is a symphony of textures and flavors. Only the noise level needs some fine-tuning.

Reliable stand-bys:

Natalee Thai Cuisine (Map; 310-202-7003; 10101 Venice Blvd; mains $6-10; ) Stylish top Thai parlor with healthily prepared pad thai, curries and other staples, all wittily introduced on the long menu.

Versailles (Map; 310-558-3168; 10319 Venice Blvd; mains $6-11; ) We’ll always have a soft spot for the Cuban-style roast lemon chicken and succulent roast pork doled out to everyone from college kids to grizzled grips.

Malibu

BUDGET

Lily’s Café & Pastries (Map; 310-457-3745; 29211 Heathercliff Rd, Point Dume Plaza; dishes $2-6.50; 7am-6pm Mon-Fri, 7am-5pm Sat, 8am-4pm