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Christine (Map; 310-373-1952; Hillside Village, 24530 Hawthorne Blvd, Torrance; mains lunch $10-17, dinner $16-26; 11:30am-2pm Mon-Fri, 5-10pm daily; ) This top pick in the South Bay is more about substance on the plate than chichi decor and clientele. Chef Christine finds inspiration in the feisty flavors of Provence, Tuscany and the Pacific Rim, all expertly woven together in such dishes as warm mushroom salad with gorgonzola or char sui glazed filet mignon.

Zazou (Map; 310-540-4884; 1810 S Catalina Ave, Redondo Beach; mains lunch $12-20, dinner $16-31; 11:30am-2:30pm Tue-Fri, 11:30am-3pm & 5:30-10pm Sat & Sun; ) Zazou is French for hip, but this South Bay foodie favorite in Riviera Village is all about substance, not smoke and mirrors. Dip into a pool of pleasurable dishes inspired by sunny climes of Italy and France. The rock-shrimp pasta and osso-buco lamb are both stand-outs.

Petros (Map; 310-545-4100; 451 Manhattan Beach Blvd, Manhattan Beach; mains lunch $12-16, dinner $20-36; 11am-midnight Sun-Thu, 11am-1am Fri & Sat; ) Finally, a Greek restaurant for the 21st century, without the sirtaki and plate-smashing. Petros is all about class and substance as evidenced in such dishes as feta-encrusted rack of lamb or the smokey eggplant and walnut dip. Grab a seat on the people-watching patio or lose your baseball cap for a dress-code-worthy experience indoors.

San Pedro & Long Beach

BUDGET

Omelette Inn (Map; 562-437-5625; 108 W 3rd St, Long Beach; mains $4-8; 7am-2:30pm; ) From clerks to cops to city-council members, everybody’s got a soft spot for this unassuming joint where breakfasts and sandwiches are served in belt-loosening portions. Build up your own omelette from more than 40 ingredients or pick from tried-and-true menu favorites such as The Sicilian or Grecian Formula.

Zephyr (Map; 562-435-7113; 340 E 4th St, Long Beach; dishes $5-8; 11am-8pm Tue-Sat, 11am-4pm Sun; ) All vegan, with several raw options, and mostly organic, relative newcomer Zephyr has become ground zero for Long Beach’s health-conscious hipsters.

For tasty Mexi snacks, head to Taco Surf (Map; 562-434-8646; 5316 E 2nd St, Long Beach; dishes $5-12, happy hour 2-5pm Mon-Fri), a Baja-style cantina with $1 tacos and beers during happy hour.

MIDRANGE

Papadakis Taverna (Map; 310-548-1186; 301 W 6th St, San Pedro; mains $10-45; 5:30-10pm; ) The gods have been smiling upon this award-winning Greek restaurant for decades, possibly because Tom and John are usually around to welcome old hands and newcomers with Hellenic charm. Or possibly because the food’s just that good. Crisp salads, succulent lamb and creative pastas (try pasta Vassiliko with Greek sausage) all fill the tummy nicely. Opa!

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TOP FIVE ROMANTIC SPOTS

Ca’ del Sole (San Fernando Valley, Click here)

Firefly (Studio City, Click here)

Il Cielo (Beverly Hills, Click here)

Inn of the Seventh Ray (Malibu, Click here)

L’Opera (Long Beach, right)

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Bono’s (Map; 562-434-9501; 4901 E 2nd St, Long Beach; mains $12-30; 11:30am-9pm Sun-Thu, 11:30am-10:30pm Fri & Sat; ) Sonny Bono’s daughter Christy presides over this upbeat, beachy lair right on Belmont Shore’s buzzy 2nd St. The menu is strongest on light yet flavor-packed salads and sandwiches – the Lobster, Avocado & Papaya salad is a stand-out. Dinner mains like sesame-crusted ahi and honey-glazed salmon are well executed but lack imagination.

Alegria (Map; 562-436-3388; 115 Pine Ave, Long Beach; tapas $7-11, mains $15-20; 11:30am-11pm; ) The trippy, Technicolor mosaic floor, an eccentric art nouveau bar and trompe l’oeil murals form an appropriately spirited backdrop to Alegria’s fresh and vivid Latino cuisine. The tapas menu is great for grazers and the paella a feast for both eyes and stomach. There’s even live flamenco on some nights.

San Pedro Fish Market & Restaurant (Map; 310-832-4251; 1190 Nagoya Way, San Pedro; meals $20-40; 9am-8pm; ) Seafood feasts don’t get any more decadent than at this family-run harbor-view institution. Pick from the day’s catch, have it cooked to order, lug your tray to