Beet Salads

All of a sudden, beets are popular. Red, yellow, orange and striped, baby or bulbous, the sweet and earthy tubers are appearing on salad plates all over town.

* 2424 Pico: You can taste a Moroccan/Tunisian influence in Chef David Wolfe’s vibrant golden beet salad with Fuji apples, roasted peppers, mint and Gorgonzola. (Beet salad, $10.) 2424 Pico, 2424 W. Pico Blvd., Santa Monica, (310) 581-1124.

* Polo Lounge and Beverly Hills Hotel Coffeeshop: Named for a longtime customer of the Polo Lounge, the McCarthy salad boasts Bibb lettuce, chopped eggs, cheddar, tomatoes, bacon, chicken--and plentiful beets. It’s on the menu in the Polo Lounge and also available, on request, in the hotel’s coffee shop. (McCarthy salad, $16.) Beverly Hills Hotel, 9641 Sunset Blvd., Beverly Hills, (310) 276-2251.

* Bistro K: The best-selling salad at the new Bistro K is composed of arugula, roasted beets, grilled portabello mushrooms and goat cheese. Have it as an entree salad at lunch or an appetizer at dinner. (Beet salad: entree, $10.75; appetizer, $6.95.) Bistro K, 267 S. Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills, (310) 276-1558.

* Cinnabar: Chef Damon Bruner prepares a clever and glamorous terrine of roasted golden beets that’s served in slices on arugula with fried capers and hot chile oil. Also watch the specials menu for a roasted and marinated beet salad. (Beet terrine, $8; beet salad, $7.) Cinnabar, 933 S. Brand Blvd., Glendale, (818) 551-1155.

* Traxx: This small, pretty restaurant in Union Station downtown serves a salad of roasted baby beets, arugula and goat cheese with warm polenta croutons and a walnut vinaigrette. (Beet salad, $7.) Traxx Restaurant at Union Station, 800 N. Alameda St., Los Angeles, (213) 625-1999.

* Troquet: Try the “tartar” of pickled red beets with Humboldt Fog goat cheese, baby spinach and watercress, dressed with buttermilk vinaigrette. (Beet salad, $8.50.) Troquet, South Coast Plaza, 3333 Bristol St., Costa Mesa, (714) 708-6865.

* Spago Beverly Hills: Lee Hefter’s salad of roasted beets layered with goat cheese, sprinkled with hazelnuts and dressed with a scallop citrus vinaigrette is truly a gift to the world. Also look for his Chino beet and crawfish salad. (Beet salads, $10.50.) Spago Beverly Hills, 176 N. Canon Drive, Beverly Hills, (310) 385-0880.