Shop Till You Drop In for a Bite

The only way to brave the crowded malls and boutique-littered boulevards is to reward yourself with a delicious meal. Here are some shopping-adjacent restaurants in Los Angeles and Orange counties.

* Beverly Hills

If you’re strolling down Beverly Drive, stop by Il Fornaio and try the antipasto della casa ($8.95), a sampling of Italian cheeses, stuffed eggplant, a grilled artichoke and more. For a main course, have the ravioli di verdura ($13.50), stuffed with Swiss chard, basil and peanuts in an artichoke and fava bean sauce. For dessert, the zabaglione alla gritti ($5.95) is delicious. Il Fornaio, 301 N. Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills, (310) 550-8330.

While you’re at Neiman Marcus, try Mariposa for an elegant lunch, such as the Chilean sea bass rolled in sesame seeds with Champagne sauce and horseradish mashed potatoes ($18) or the lavender-crusted breast of chicken with garlic mashed potatoes and roasted asparagus ($17). Finish off your meal with gianduja ($6.50), a milk chocolate mousse with caramelized hazelnuts, vanilla and caramel sauces. Mariposa, Neiman Marcus, 5700 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, (310) 550-5900.

If you want a real New York bagel with an assortment of East Coast smoked fish, go to Barney’s and head upstairs to Barney Greengrass for the smoked fish appetizer ($12-$15). Barney Greengrass, Barney’s New York, 9570 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, (310) 777-5877.

* Beverly Center

On the ground floor you’ll find Ubon, serving innovative Japanese dishes. Start with the oyster phyllo ($4), a lightly fried oyster wrapped in a lettuce leaf with a sweet and spicy sauce, or the soba noodle salad ($7.50) dressed with ginger, garlic and yuzu citrus dressing. The delicate Chilean sea bass with sweet miso ($18) is light yet filling. Ubon, Beverly Center, 8530 Beverly Blvd., Beverly Hills, (310) 854-1115.

Across the street at the Beverly Connection is the Daily Grill, where you can have a chicken pot pie ($10.95) or an enormous Cobb salad ($9.50), then top it off with a hot cobbler ($5.50) with vanilla ice cream. Daily Grill, Beverly Connection, 100 N. La Cienega Blvd., Beverly Hills, (310) 659-3100.

* Westside Pavilion

Right across the street is the beloved Apple Pan, where you can get simple, straightforward diner food at its best. Order up a hickory burger ($4.75) or a steak burger ($4.75) with a side of fries ($1.75). If you’re not in the mood for meat, try the egg salad sandwich ($3.75). Save room for the famous apple pie with apple sauce ($3). Apple Pan, 10801 W. Pico Blvd., West L.A., (310) 473-8990.

Just down the block from the mall, La Serenata Gourmet serves delicious Mexican food. The fish quesadilla ($7.95) and shrimp gordita ($3.95) are fresh and tasty. If you’re really hungry, go for scallops ranchero ($11.95) with rice and beans. For dessert, there’s an assortment of flans ($4.25), including coconut, mocha and cajeta. La Serenata Gourmet, 10924 W. Pico Blvd., West L.A., (310) 441-9667.

* La Brea Avenue

As you’re wandering in and out of the shops and boutiques on La Brea, stop by La Brea Bakery for a sandwich ($6.50), say, goat cheese and roasted red pepper on walnut bread or ham and Gruyere on a rye roll with onion marmalade and arugula. Then have the perfect cup of coffee ($1.50) and a homemade chocolate chip and walnut cookie ($1). La Brea Bakery, 624 S. La Brea Ave., L.A., (323) 938-1447.

Just up the block, hit Flora Kitchen for a bowl of lentil and vegetable soup ($3.95) or an ahi Nicoise salad ($9.95). Before you head out again, indulge in frutti di bosco ($5.25), a Milanese pastry filled with fresh berries and cream. Flora Kitchen, 460 S. La Brea Ave., L.A., (323) 931-9900.

You’ll find Cafe Midi in the back of La Maison, a charming kitchen shop attached to American Rag. Sit on the pillowy banquet and order a bowl of ginger chicken soup with glass noodles and black mushrooms ($4.50), then have a baked herbed crusted chevre salad with mixed greens and arugula ($7) or a ground sirloin and Gruyere sandwich on onion bread with French fries ($7.95). Cafe Midi, 148 S. La Brea Ave. L.A., (323) 939-9860.

* Montana Avenue

Slip into Cafe Montana for a warm plate of lemon linguine with blackened shrimp, artichokes and both sun-dried and fresh plum tomatoes ($11.95). Or, if you’re in the mood for salad, have the grilled vegetable salad served with warm feta ($8.95). If you have a yen for something sweet, the mixed berry crumble pie served with fresh whipped cream ($6) is the answer. Cafe Montana, 1534 Montana Ave., Santa Monica, (310) 829-3990.

At Le Marmiton, you can have a classic French feast beginning with a charcuterie plate ($10.75), then moving onto a boeuf bourguignon ($13.75) or a steaming bowl of mussels served in cream ($13.75). Le Marmiton, 1327 Montana Ave., Santa Monica, (310) 393-7716.

* Fashion Square

For a quick bite between shops, try the Fashion Square Deli. Order a Reuben sandwich with French fries ($9.85) or a pastrami with potato salad or cole slaw ($8.75). If you prefer a salad, try the popular Chinese chicken salad ($7.65). Fashion Square, 14006 Riverside Drive, Sherman Oaks, (818) 986-3770.

Just a five-minute drive from the mall is the Middle Eastern restaurant Carnival, where you can sample a barbecued lamb or chicken plate ($9.95) or the “Big Plate” ($8.95), an appetizer big enough to share: tabbouleh, hummus, baba ghannouj and falafel. Carnival, 4356 Woodman Ave., Sherman Oaks, (818) 784-3469.

* Newport Fashion Island

Find refuge from all the frantic shoppers at Roy’s. Enjoy the Cal-Asian cuisine, beginning with Cantonese style BBQ baby pork ribs ($8.95) or pan-fried lobster pot stickers ($9.95), followed by the tiger shrimp and peppered pancetta pizza ($8.50) or the hibachi tari-grilled salmon ($21.95). Roy’s, Newport Fashion Island, 453 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, (949) 640-7697.

In the mood for Southwestern? Head for Chimayo Grill. Its medium-spicy rare ahi steak ($15.75), which comes with a corn risotto cake, or the Chilean sea bass on mashed potatoes with whole-grain chipotle mustard sauce will satisfy any hunger pang. Chimayo Grill, Newport Fashion Island, 327 Newport Center Drive, Newport Beach, (949) 640-2700.

* South Coast Plaza

Minutes away from the stores you can rest your feet and indulge in Indian food at Royal Khyber. Bite into the basil-coconut curried chicken served with basmati pilaf and tandoori naan ($14.95). Or try “Khyber’s nectar” ($15.95), a lamb shank that has been cooked for more than 14 hours until it’s extra-soft and flavorful. Royal Khyber, South Coast Plaza Village, 1621 W. Sunflower Ave., Santa Ana, (714) 436-1010.

Pinot Provence offers a classic French lunch special for $19.99. Or if you want to order off the regular menu, the fresh seared day boat scallops with potato gnocchi ($14.50) are wonderful. Dinner won’t feel complete without the seasonal Bosc pear tart with caramelized cream and pear Williams sabayon ($6.75). Pinot Provence, Westin South Coast Plaza, 686 Anton Blvd., Costa Mesa, (714) 444-5900.