New Menu by Bistro K’s (Relatively) New Chef

Girl Power: Bistro K, that restaurant in a Beverly Hills cottage (yes, there are cottages in Beverly Hills) over on Beverly Drive, has another new chef. Ann Marie Delorie, who had been Lionel Deniaud’s sous chef, was promoted to executive chef back in August when Deniaud left. Deniaud spent about six months at the restaurant.

Delorie’s background includes working with Fred Eric at Fred 62 and at the Beverly Hills Hotel before that. By now she’s almost completely reworked the lunch and dinner menus at Bistro K. The food is still hearty country French cuisine, and some of the most popular items from the old menu are still featured, but now you’ll find some Cal-French dishes with Asian touches as well.

You can sample Delorie’s handiwork on Valentine’s Day at brunch (three-course menu, $24.95) and dinner (four courses, $55). Says Delorie of her (relatively) new post, “I’ve put a lot of energy into this place and it suits me. I enjoy it.”

* Bistro K, 267 S. Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills; (310) 276-1558.

Chimayo Hits the Sand: From the people who brought you Savannah Chop House in Laguna Niguel, French 75 in Laguna Beach and Chimayo Grill at Newport Beach’s Fashion Island comes Chimayo at the Beach. As its Pacific Coast Highway address hints, this restaurant sits right down on the sand, next to the Huntington Beach Pier. The owners hope to give diners the feel of a seaside Mexican resort--there are Mexican tiles on the floor, rough-hewn beams in the ceiling and bright fabrics and wrought-iron accents everywhere. On the menu, you’ll find mesquite-grilled and oven-baked fish, fresh ceviches, chilled seafood, pizzas from a wood-burning oven, tacos and ribs and chicken cooked barbacoa style over an open flame. The sound system features Latin jazz, salsa and Brazilian music. Sit inside or on the patio with a fire pit.

* Chimayo at the Beach, 315 Pacific Coast Highway, Huntington Beach; (714) 374-7273.

Deep Dish, Big Mug--an Empire Expands: BJ’s Pizza, Grill & Brewery has just opened another restaurant, this one in Arcadia. This isn’t just a pizza-brewery--it serves Chicago-style pizza, the deep-dish kind (don’t try rolling one up, you New Yorkers). If you don’t like pizza, don’t worry. You can also get ribs, steaks, burgers, sandwiches, salads and pastas. Of course you can wash it all down with BJ’s own line of lagers and ales, brought in fresh from the brewery in Brea.

* BJ’s Pizza, Grill & Brewery, 400 E. Huntington Drive, Arcadia; (626) 462-1494.

Last-Minute Lovers: For all you last-minute planners, Morton’s, usually closed on Sundays, will be open on Valentine’s Day with its regular menu.

Newcomers: Bouchon, the new Lyonnaise bistro on Melrose Avenue, has a reasonably priced four-course meal centered around beef tournedos with truffle sauce. The dinner begins with a Kir Royale; the price is $30 per person plus tax and tip.

* Bouchon, 7661 Melrose Ave., L.A.; (323) 852-9400.

Sweet Deal: The newly opened Canal Club in Venice has lots of a la carte menu specials for you and your sweetie, including a Valentine’s upside-down red tomato tart with basil and a heart-shaped chocolate mousse cake with raspberry sauce. By the way, Canal Club recently started serving dinners on Sunday.

* Canal Club, 2025 Pacific Ave., Venice; (310) 823-3878.

Crabfest: Gladstone’s, the Malibu landmark, has three dinners involving (surprise) seafood such as lobster and Alaskan king crab legs, along with sirloin steak, chicken and ribs. Prices range from $21.95 to $29.95 per person. February is also Crabfest month.

* Gladstones 4 Fish, 17300 Pacific Coast Highway, Pacific Palisades; (310) 573-0212.

Good-for-You Eats: Real Food Daily, both the La Cienega Boulevard location and the one in Santa Monica, specializes in low-fat, dairy-free, organic vegetarian specials such as seitan (sometimes called “wheat meat”) shaped like a heart and served in a bourguignon-style stew. No reservations taken at the Santa Monica location.

* Real Food Daily: 414 N. La Cienega Blvd., L.A., (310) 289-9910; 514 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica, (310) 451-7544.

Downtown Valentine’s: Traxx in Union Station has a four-course meal for $45 per person that features your choice of grilled salmon, pan-roasted beef tenderloin or penne with fire-roasted tomatoes.

* Traxx, 800 N. Alameda St., L.A.; (213) 625-1999.

And the Rest: Il Grano has a four-course menu including a salad; a pasta dish; entrees like Chilean sea bass, stuffed boneless quail, and filet mignon; and a sweet dessert. The cost is $99 per couple. Live entertainment on guitars and mandolin by Beau Jango.

* Il Grano, 11359 Santa Monica Blvd., West L.A.; (310) 477-7886.

Served With Love: Tony DiLembo is serving what he calls a “Love Menu for Two” for dinner at Tahiti on Third Street. The tab is $85 per couple, plus tax and tip.

* Tahiti, 7910 W. 3rd St., L.A.; (323) 651-1213.

First Impressions has the week off.