On the Patio : <i> This is a lovely time of year for dining outdoors.</i>

Chaya Diner, 8800 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. (213) 657-2083. Style: Where the hip pinch pennies on California-Asian cuisine. Setting: Open and noisy--ask to sit on the patio, it’s much quieter and relaxing. Recommended: Menu changes every three weeks but might include seared fresh tuna with avocado and sesame dressing; watercress salad with sesame dressing; spaghetti with seaweed and daikon sprouts. Cost per person: $15-$30

Knoll’s Black Forest Inn, 2454 Wilshire Blvd., Santa Monica. (213) 395-2212. Style: Standard German with a twist, the wine list is a happy surprise. Setting: Tacky Teutonic--deer heads, beer steins, cuckoo clocks. There’s also an attractive patio. Recommended: Smoked salmon soup; cold fried herring with marinated raw onions and cucumber pickles; sauteed calf’s liver with fried onions and apple rings. Cost per person: $20-$30.

Michael’s, 1147 3rd St., Santa Monica. (213) 451-0843. Style: One of the pioneers of California French cuisine, with the most beautiful garden in town. Setting: Good service, good art. Recommended: Menu changes but might include California omelet (on weekend brunch menu; fish pate ; chicken and goat cheese with roasted peppers. Cost per person: $50-$85.

Orso, 8706 West 3rd St., Los Angeles. (213) 274-7144. Style: The patio on this trattoria is one of the most pleasant places to be on a summer evening. Setting: Cosmopolitan. Recommended: Martini; grilled trout with black olive butter, yellow peppers and capers; pasta with arugula. Cost per person: $20-$40.

The Palm Court, 11111 Santa Monica Blvd., West Los Angeles. (213) 479-1400. Style: Eclectic wacko California for office workers. Setting: Office building--with lovely patio surrounded by palm trees. Recommended: Lamb sandwich; chive ravioli stuffed with goat cheese; angel-hair pasta with shrimp and sun-dried tomatoes. Cost per person: $6-$15.