Strawberries

We know it’s spring when the juicy red berries flood the market. Here are just a few of their uses.

* La Conversation: Drop into this lovely Parisian cafe for the strawberry mousse cake--sponge cake topped with vanilla mousse, strawberries and a rich butter cream frosting. (Strawberry mousse cake, $18; slice, $2.75.) La Conversation, 638 N. Doheny Drive, West Hollywood, (310) 858-0950.

* Old Town Bakery: The strawberry cheesecake here has a graham cracker crust, a dense cream cheese filling and a topping of strawberries and fresh whipped cream. (Strawberry shortcake, $35; slice, $5.45.) Old Town Bakery, 166 W. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, (626) 793-2993.

* Joe’s: Finish your meal off with an icy, slushy strawberry granita “martini” (it also includes orange, lime and lemon juices, and red wine), served in a pretty martini glass with a touch of lime sauce. (Strawberry granita martini with citrus fruits, $5.) Joe’s, 1023 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice, (310) 399-5811.

* Zov’s Bistro & Bakery Cafe: Zov Karamardian’s delicate strawberry tart is a buttery crust filled with pastry cream, almonds and strawberries, glazed with currant jelly and garnished with almonds. Her chocolate strawberry mousse tart, on the same crust, is filled with chocolate mousse, enormous strawberries and chocolate ganache. Both are big enough to split. (Strawberry tart, $5.95; chocolate strawberry mousse tart, $5.50.) Zov’s Bistro and Bakery Cafe, 17440 E. 17th St., Tustin, (714) 838-8855.

* One Pico: What a treat: strawberry shortcake with a sea view. This elegant place serves a classic shortcake biscuit topped with organic strawberries, strawberry puree flavored with star anise and a rich strawberry ice cream. (Strawberry shortcake with star anise sauce and strawberry ice cream, $7.25.) One Pico, Shutters on the Beach Hotel, 1 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica, (310) 587-1717.

* Basix: On Mondays, this charming corner cafe offers a strawberry muffin with a crunchy sugar topping. And any night of the week you can order a strawberry shortcake for dessert; it’s made with homemade cream biscuits, strawberries, strawberry puree and fresh whipped cream. (Strawberry muffin, $1; strawberry shortcake, $3.95.) Basix, 8333 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, (323) 848-2460.