The following are summaries of recent Times...

The following are summaries of recent Times restaurant reviews.

A La Carte Bistro, 16847 Algonquin Road (Huntington Harbour Mall), Huntington Beach. (714) 840-8152. Open Mondays through Thursdays 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Fridays to 10 p.m., Saturdays 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.

The A La Carte Bistro has a giant menu for such a tiny space, and the portions are giant to match. Chef Friedrich Rechberger has a dedication that borders on fanaticism, and a deft hand behind the range. You have got to see the house salad to believe it, a huge, European-style platter of mixed salads that comes with dinner. Such game dishes as rabbit, venison, and quail abound. A must here is one of the chef’s special desserts, such as Kaiserschmarn , a chopped-up, butter-fried pancake served with powdered sugar and pureed apricot. Guaranteed to keep the wolf from the door for days.

Royal Khyber, 1000 N. Bristol St., Newport Beach. (714) 752-5200. Open Sundays through Fridays 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and daily 5:30 p.m. to 10:30.

The cuisine at Royal Khyber is the rich Mughlai type from north India, and the restaurant has a richness to match; it resembles a maharaja’s palace. The best time to visit is for Sunday brunch, when a tempting array of more than 20 dishes is spread out before you. Meats cooked in the 800-degree tandoor are tender and crumbly with exotic spices. Biryani , a simple basmati rice dish with peas and fried onions is soft and fragrant. Among the many other dishes, chicken curry, channa masala (stewed garbanzo beans) and the dessert, a carrot-almond pudding, are most memorable.

Tootsie’s Sidewalk Cafe, Fashion Island, 327 Newport Center Dr i ve, Newport Beach. (714) 759-9000. Open Mondays through Saturdays 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sundays 10 a.m. to 6 p.m..

Tootsie’s is a bit overdone for a sidewalk cafe and the prices are rather steep. Nonetheless, the place is fun. It’s an exaggerated-looking pink room that dares you to like it, complete with poster art, columns and gaudy mirrored tables. Food is average but desserts, made by Tootsie herself, are outstanding. Flaky apple dumplings are served warm with vanilla ice cream and a perfect caramel sauce. A wonderful chocolate pecan pie has a dense chocolate mixture folded in. Cheesecake is topped with an outrageously rich turtle topping. Come to think of it, the whole place is a bit outrageous.