Tiramisu

Need a “pick-me-up” (tira-mi-su)? This simple Italian dessert of espresso-soaked lady fingers, mascarpone cheese and cocoa or shaved chocolate has been a menu mainstay for a decade.

* Al Gelato: Besides gelato, you can get traditional, brandy-spiked tiramisu here, either by the slice or pan. (Tiramisu, slice, $5.50; regular pan, serving 25, $75; large pan, serving 30, $90.) Al Gelato, 806 S. Robertson Blvd., Los Angeles, (310) 659-8069.

* Pasadena Baking Co.: This bakery supplies tiramisu constructed to look like cake to the Mi Piace restaurants, but you can also order an individual serving. (Tiramisu, slice, $4.25; cakes from $27.95, serving eight to 10, to $165, serving 100 to 110.) Pasadena Baking Co., 29 E. Colorado Blvd., (626) 796-9966.

* Cheesecake Factory: Naturally, the Factories make a tiramisu cheesecake as well as a traditional tiramisu. The cheesecake can be sent by FedEx anywhere in the country for an extra fee. (Tiramisu, slice, $5.95; tray serving 12 to 15, $44.95; tiramisu cheesecake, slice, $5.95; 10-inch cake serving 12 to 15, $37.95.) Cheesecake Factory, 2 W. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, (626) 584-6000; 4142 Via Marina, Marina del Rey, (310) 306-3344; 6324 Canoga Ave., Woodland Hills, (818) 883-9900; and several other locations.

* Matsuhisa: Pastry chef Thierry Dauberceis has taken tiramisu to a new level. His tiramisu of Provence is spongecake soaked in espresso and anise liqueur topped with mascarpone--and blueberry sauce. (Tiramisu of Provence, $8.) Matsuhisa, 129 N. La Cienega Blvd., Beverly Hills, (310) 659-9639.

* Il Tiramisu: The new owners of Tiramisu the restaurant have remodeled both its interior and its tiramisu, now served in a tulip-shaped cup of white and dark chocolate and topped with fresh strawberries. (Tiramisu, $6.50; tiramisu liqueur, $6.) Il Tiramisu, 13705 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks, (818) 986-2640.

* Rosti: Tiramisu topped with shaved chocolate is served in huge, fluffy squares, and you can also get a whole pan to go. (Tiramisu, slice, $4.50; pan serving 12 to 15, $37.90.) Rosti, 908 S. Barrington Ave., Brentwood, (310) 447-8695; Encino Marketplace, 16403 Ventura Blvd., (818) 995-7179); 931 Montana Ave., (310) 393-3236; and other locations.

* Broadway Deli: You can order generous individual servings of fluffy cocoa-dusted tiramisu in the restaurant or to take out from the bakery case. There’s also a 6-inch pan, and larger pans are available with advance notice. (Tiramisu, individual, $4.25; 6-inch pan serving three to five, $12.75.) Broadway Deli, 1457 Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica, (310) 451-0616.