Modern American

Josie

Josie Le Balch’s lovely little eponymous restaurant, features a semi-open kitchen, a pretty dining room done up in soothing muted tones and an immensely appealing menu with dishes such as campfire trout and lacquered maple leaf duck. All meals begin with a wedge of delicious mushroom quiche.

* Trout, $21; duck, $31; 2424 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica; (310) 581-9888.

Bistango

This striking space features changing displays of art, all of which is for sale, and an atrium with soaring ceilings and a canopy of red-and-black umbrellas. There’s live music every night.To eat: Try the crab and lobster cake or their contemporary take on stroganoff made with pork tenderloin.

* Crab and lobster cake, $13.75; stroganoff, $25.75; 19100 Von Karman Ave., Irvine; (949) 752-5222.

Grace

One of Los Angeles’ best-looking restaurants, Grace is both sexy and sophisticated. Chef-owner Neal Fraser serves up risotto accented with pumpkin, sweet shrimp and sea urchin, a terrific dish as we transition into fall. Sunday evenings, there are terrific Kobe beef burgers on house-made sesame buns. Don’t forget to save room for dessert. The doughnuts are heavenly.

* Risotto, $17; burger, $16. 7360 Beverly Blvd., L.A.; (323) 934-4400.

Avenue

South Bay residents flocked to Christian Shaffer’s modern American bistro from the start, and for good reason: finally a place with serious food served in a stylish but comfortable setting. The menu features lots of interesting choices, including local rock cod with Romano beans and couscous, or, for the meat-eater, braised short ribs with white-bean puree and charred tomatoes.

* Cod, $26; short ribs, $24. 1141 Manhattan Ave., Manhattan Beach, (310) 802-1973.

Beechwood

The bar is the main draw at this chic spot at the intersection of Washington and Abbot Kinney boulevards. Menu highlights include a pressed pulled-pork sandwich, a twist on the classic Cuban, and delicious grilled lamb meatballs, perfect for sharing.

* Pulled pork sandwich, $11; meatballs, $8; 822 W. Washington Blvd., Venice; (310) 448-8884.

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-- Leslee Komaiko