Shopping

Shopping requires fortitude--and therefore, nourishment: Here are a few choice restaurants to enjoy while whittling down your gift lists.

* Beverly Hills: At some of the best stores, you don’t even have to leave the premises to fuel up. Inside Emporio Armani, there’s the Armani Cafe, with pastas, salads and desserts, 9533 Brighton Way, (310) 271-9940. And if you’re feeling droopy at Barneys New York, the smoked sturgeon or whitefish at Barney Greengrass will probably give you just the protein boost to buy that Jil Sander suit, 9570 Wilshire Blvd., (310) 777-5877. And bear in mind that at Neiman Marcus’ in-house restaurant, Mariposa, the desserts are seriously good, 9700 Wilshire Blvd., (310) 550-5900, Ext. 2369. Otherwise, try a tuna sandwich or chicken soup at the Brighton Coffee Shop, 9600 Brighton Way, (310) 276-7732; a scone at Porta Via, 424 Can~on Drive, (310) 274-6534; or a wood-fired pizza at Prego, 362 N. Camden Drive, (310) 277-7346.

* Westside Pavilion: This mall has a variety of eating establishments, including the convenient, if predictable Sisley Italian Kitchen, 10800 Pico Blvd., (310) 446-3030. But a short walk in any direction will clear the head and yield interesting possibilities, such as good hot pretzels and low-fat alternatives at Jack Sprat’s Grille, 10668 W. Pico Blvd., (310) 837-6662; great burgers at the Apple Pan, 10801 W. Pico Blvd., (310) 475-3585; top-notch barbecue plus Cajun/Creole food at Royce’s Cafe Orleans, 10916 W. Pico Blvd., (310) 441-7427; and memorable fish tacos at La Serenata Gourmet, 10924 W. Pico Blvd., (310) 441-9667.

* Beverly Center: Mall-adjacent restaurants include the all-you-can-eat seafood and sushi restaurant Todai, 8612 Beverly Blvd., (310) 659-1375; California Pizza Kitchen, 121 N. La Cienega Blvd., (310) 854-6555; and the ever-boisterous Hard Rock Cafe, 8600 Beverly Blvd., (310) 276-7605. Again, within easy walking distance, you can have sushi at the beautiful new Sushi Roku, 8445 W. 3rd St., (213) 655-6767; satisfying Japanese noodles at Mishima, 8474 W. 3rd St., (213) 782-0181; and a reliable burger and Caesar salad at the Daily Grill, 100 N. La Cienega Blvd., (310) 659-3100. For that necessary, cheering cup of tea, there’s Chado Tea Room, 8422 1/2 W. 3rd St., (213) 655-2056.

* Pasadena: In Old Pasadena, shoppers might indulge in pasta at Sorriso, 46 E. Colorado Blvd., (626) 793-2233; fried chicken at the Eight Thirty Cafe, 36 E. Holly St., (626) 405-9492; or terrific lunch specials at Yujean Kang’s, 67 N. Raymond Ave., (626) 585-0855. South Lake shoppers should consider the pasta and risotto at Celestino, 141 S. Lake Ave., (626) 795-4006; the bistro fare at Pinot at the Chronicle, 897 Granite Drive, (626) 792-1179; and the burgers ‘n’ pies at Pie ‘N’ Burger, 913 E. California Blvd., (626) 795-1123.

* Santa Monica Place and the Third Street Promenade: Anchoring the southern end of the Promenade is the Broadway Deli with its updated deli fare, 1457 Third Street Promenade, (310) 451-0616; and the Broadway Bar and Grill with a classic grill menu, 1460 Third Street Promenade, (310) 393-4211. Heading north, there’s the elegant Remi serving Venetian-inflected Italian food, 1451 Third Street Promenade, (310) 393-6545; and Locanda del Lago, whose specialties come from northern Italy around Lake Como, 231 Arizona Ave., (310) 451-3525. The best Third Street offering, however, is still French fries at Benita’s Frites, 1433 Third Street Promenade, (310) 458-2889.

* Glendale Galleria: There’s a food court inside this mall, and some popular chain restaurants next door (The Olive Garden, Islands), but Brand Boulevard also has some of the best restaurants in Glendale, including two Northern Italians; Far Niente (204 1/2 N. Brand Blvd., (818) 242-3835, and Fresco Ristorante (514 S. Brand Blvd., (818) 247-5541; the eclectic Cal/Asian Cinnabar (933 S. Brand Blvd., (818) 551-1155 and the good Peruvian, Mamita (714 S. Brand Blvd., (818) 243-5121).