38 North La Cienega Blvd (map)
Beverly Hills, CA 90211
(310) 659-1511

www.benihana.com

Santa Monica (310) 260-1423
Encino (818) 788-7121
Torrance (310) 316-7777
City of Industry (626) 912-8784
Anaheim (714) 774-4940

On most nights at Benihana, a birthday song erupts every 15 minutes or so. That is because Benihana is a place people tend to go for birthdays — as well as anniversaries, parent visits, going away parties, moving in parties, and every other kind of party. Besides offering a flavorful selection of Japanese-style steaks, chicken and seafood, as well as sushi, fried rice, vegetables and other delectables, everything (except the sushi, obviously) is prepared teppanyaki-style, fried on a huge iron griddle right at your table. Entertainment is provided too, as chefs whip out an array of well-practiced food tricks. Shrimps fly up in the air and land in pockets, onions rings are stacked to create steaming volcanoes, things are chopped at extraordinary rates, and sometimes, if you’re lucky, things are even balanced on other things. As a disclaimer, you will not be happy if you’re on a diet, or if you dislike smelling of food upon leaving a restaurant. But in every other circumstance, you’ll probably be ecstatic.

The haiku version:

Fear not, fun-at-heart
Little kids have Chuck E. Cheese
But we have this place

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7181 W Sunset Blvd (map)
Los Angeles, CA 90046
(323) 436-7999

www.bossanovafood.com

Bossa Nova, which is the Portuguese phrase for “new trend” (and also the surfer expression for “awesome”) is a small Brazilian place just west of Sunset and La Brea. Their menu is an odd mix of South American and Italian dishes, sometimes combined on the same plate. This results in tasty, unusual dishes like the Chicken Brochette, which featured deep-fried, bacon-wrapped chicken (or shrimp) in a gorgonzola cheese sauce, with a side of Italian bread. Whatever they’re doing, it’s popular, because you can usually expect a 15-20 minute wait for a table during the dinner rush. But it’s worth it for the gnocchi, and what is definitely one of the best Caesar salads in Hollywood.

The haiku version:

Brazilian spicy
Meets Italian savory
In L.A. crazy

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205 Broadway (map)
Santa Monica, CA 90401
(310) 458-2500

www.bbfood.com

Buddha’s belly makes exquisite eastern cuisine accessible to the working crowd, providing unique, carefully planned dishes without charging you into a second mortgage. The clean, modern and slightly upscale atmosphere hints at exorbitant prices, which thankfully don’t make an appearance on the menu. Exotic entrees include oriental-themed steaks, seafood and salads, as well as creative appetizers and affordable drinks. That, combined with the genuine, friendly service, creates a singular dining experience you can’t find much of in LA. Go with the ahi tuna burger (with sweet potato fries) and have a lychee martini while you’re waiting.

The haiku version:

Fine eastern cuisine
But still south of your budget
Asian with a ‘tude

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