WHY Food that’s much, much better than it has to be, given that it’s a tribute to Chicago’s Rush Street, a strip known for its bar scene, not fine dining. Order the truffle asiago fries while you peruse the menu. Good happy hour, too.

WHAT In an enormous, barn-like room in the heart of Culver City, Rush Street serves snazzy cocktails and an eclectic array of dishes, from terrific sandwiches and salads at lunch to an even more varied assortment at dinner: lobster and shrimp egg rolls, falafel sliders, a spinach, shiitake and gorgonzola pizza. At a recent lunch we had the best tortilla soup we’ve ever eaten, followed by a tangy Asian shrimp salad topped with a half-dozen enormous, impeccably fresh shrimp impaled on lemongrass skewers. There’s some real talent in Rush Street’s kitchen, but the word is out—the crowds can be considerable.

WHO Sony Studios foodies and lots of young, sideburned guys in ironic hats.