Quiche

Despite its reputation as a ladies-only luncheon food, quiche is really quite delicious and versatile. Here are a few places to find those creamy, savory egg tarts.

* Clafoutis: A sidewalk bakery-cafe on the Sunset Strip, Clafoutis offers a choice of two quiches daily that are served with a green salad and bread: the classic spinach and mushroom; and a ham and bacon quiche with cheese. (Quiche with salad, $8.50.) Clafoutis, 8630 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood, (310) 659-5233.

* Cafe Los Feliz: This tiny, friendly bakery-cafe was recently bought by a woman named Ala who had worked there for 13 years. Look for the quiche of the day, served with salad and bread. Flavors include fresh tomato and basil, ham and cheese, spinach and cheese, lox and cream cheese, mushroom and cheese. (Quiche with salad, $5.25.) She also makes miniature quiches (perfect for parties at $1 each), individual-sized quiches to-go ($3.25 each) or a whole quiche that serves eight generously ($17). Cafe Los Feliz, 2118 N. Hillhurst Ave., Los Angeles, (323) 664-7111.

* Mustard Seed Cafe: This other popular Hillhurst lunch spot serves two quiches for lunch--a ham and cheese, and spinach and mushroom. Both come with a tossed green salad. (Quiche and salad, $5.75.) A whole quiche to-go requires 24-hour notice ($26.50). Mustard Seed Cafe, 1948 Hillhurst Ave., Los Angeles, (323) 660-0670.

* La Brea Bakery: A quiche by any other name is a country feta pie: These individual pies are filled with eggs, cream, feta cheese, sauteed onions, red peppers and/or mushrooms. A crustless version of quiche is the farmhouse pie: eggs with ricotta, reggianito grana and Gruyere cheese. (Feta pie, $2.25; farmhouse pie, $2.75.) La Brea Bakery, 624 S. La Brea Ave., Los Angeles, (323) 939-6813.

* Le Marmiton: In the cafe, you can have quiche with a green salad--either the Lorraine (ham and cheese) or the Florentine (spinach and mushrooms). You can also get those at the to-go counter, plus salmon quiches, asparagus quiches and Printaniere (tomato, artichoke and black olives) quiches in five sizes, ranging from the individual serving to the “half-sheet” size that serves 14. (Quiche: $8.95 with salad; quiches to-go, $3.75 to $43.) Le Marmiton, 1327 Montana Ave., Santa Monica, (310) 393-7716.

* A la Tarte: Quiches (Lorraine; spinach and mushroom; broccoli and cheese; tomato and herb; zucchini and sun-dried tomato) are served by the slice with a green salad and bread at this charming French cafe and bakery. (Quiche and salad, $7.25; slice to-go, $4.75; whole quiche that serves six, $22.) A la Tarte, 1037 Swarthmore Ave., Pacific Palisades, (310) 459-6635.