WHY A prime location on Ocean near the hotels, serving a market-based menu of sophisticated Cal-French bistro dishes and stylish mixologist-designed cocktails.

WHAT Accomplished French chef Jean François Meteigner left his posh Century City dining room for this more informal beach-adjacent spot with a large patio, comfortable bar and handsome bistro décor. His cooking is also a little more informal (and affordable) than at the old place, with an extensive roster of French tapas (house-smoked trout, homemade pâté, foie gras with polenta brûlée), nightly classic bistro specials, and excellent happy-hour cocktails for $8.;

WHO A grown-up crowd, doing business at lunch and relaxing at dinnertime.