Catering to Dieters

You don’t have to stay home if you’re on a diet. A lot of restaurants have light meals on their menus. Astroburger, 5601 Melrose Ave., Los Angeles. (213) 469-1924. Style: Fast food for faddists. Setting: Benign. Recommended dishes: Mother nature sandwich; vegetable tostada; tofu hot dog; charbroiled chicken. Cost per person: $4-$7. Champagne, 10506 Little Santa Monica Blvd., Century City. (213) 470-844666. Style: A grown-up restaurant with state-of-the-art California/French/Spa cuisines. Setting: Back door entrance to cozy elegance. Recommended dishes: Eggplant soup; spa fish of the day (might include grilled ahi tuna); cold whole lobster and asparagus salad; pink grapefruit mousse with fresh plum sauce. Cost per person, food only: $20-$45. Chang’s, 11726 San Vicente Blvd., Brentwood. (213) 207-2295. Style: MSG-free Chinese multimenu fare. Ask to see the 10-dish Special Wholesome Menu or the Chinese Health and Fitness Fare menu. Setting: Enclosed patio looking on to San Vicente Boulevard. Recommended dishes: Sichuan rainbow chicken; chilled eggplant; minced chicken with peas, carrots and pine nuts. Cost per person: $15-$30. Indigo, 8222 1/2 W. Third St., Los Angeles. (213) 653-0140. Style: Serving upscale Mediterranean light, this little neighborhood restaurant has become an overnight hit. Setting: Easy-going chic. Recommended dishes: Chicken chili; Indigo antipasto; seafood pizza. Cost per person, food only: $15-$25. Kafe Kafka, 6069 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood. (213) 464-3938. Style: Hokey Hollywood cafe for indulgent dieters. Setting: Zebra-striped cushions, cement floors, ramshackle patio. Recommended dishes: Smoked salmon on zwieback ; swordfish corn chowder; wheat and country chicken salad. Cost per person, food only: $10-$15.