Cream of the crop: Top rated restaurants

DEEP SELECTION: B&B Ristorante’s extravagantly large list of Italian wines makes for a wonderful dilemma. And the place has soul.  (Isaac Brekken/for the Times, Los Angeles Times)

A wine-tasting group in the wine shop of Palate Food + Wine in Glendale, a restaurant, wine bar and wine shop.  (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

CO-OWNERS: Maureen Vincenti and chef Nicola Mastronardi honor the Old World but spin it forward with creative flair.  (Robert Lachman / Los Angeles Times)

The Wilshire patio, a glamorous two-tiered space by Thomas Schoos complete with its own bar ablaze with candles, is as inviting as ever, but the scene has quieted down considerably, especially on weeknights. Of restaurants in the L.A. area, only Michael’s in Santa Monica and Les Deux in Hollywood can boast such a magical outdoor space.  (Richard Hartog / Los Angeles Times)

ELEGANCE: A walled patio adds to the ambience of Lucques, a former carriage house redesigned by Barbara Barry.  (Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times)

Art objects hang from tree trunks in one of the petite dining rooms of Bastide restaurant, which is open for dinner in West Hollywood. Bastide, known for its elegant food and wine, recently hired a new chef and now offers an a la carte menu in addition to its chef’s tasting menu.  (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

A pour of Prosecco for diners at Osteria Mozza’s first-come, first-served “mozzarella bar.”  (Ringo H.W. Chiu / For The Times)

Craft sits near CAA’s glossy new headquarters.  (Stephen Osman / Los Angeles Times)

review28  (Jamie Rector / For the Times)

APPETIZING: Cavatelli with lamb, ragout and fresh mint captivates Vahan Garboushian, right, at La Terza. An alluring menu, democratic wine list and California dessert sensibility can mean only one thing: You’ll be back.  (Stefano Paltera/For The Times, xx)

THE LUCKY SPOT: Providence takes up Patina’s original locale on Melrose Avenue with exciting seafood dishes and an inventive tasting menu that mirror chef Michael Cimarusti’s creative zeal.  (Connie Aramaki/For the Times, xx)