Apples

Especially at this time of year, apples need no introduction.

* Axe: Here’s a salad of textures: Granny Smith apples, potato chunks, chopped celery, capers, Gorgonzola and walnuts, all in anchovy-rice vinegar dressing. By mid-October, other dishes with apples will be added to the menu, including a traditional apple galette with caramel sauce and vanilla bean ice cream. (Apple potato chopped salad, $10; apple galette, $6.) Axe, 1009 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice. (310) 664-9787.

* Sweet Lady Jane: The tarte tatin, made every weekend (order three days ahead if you want a whole one), is Red Delicious apples cooked in butter and sugar, covered with puff pastry, baked, flipped over and served apple side up. This place also makes individual brandied tarts with Granny Smith apples. (Tarte tatin, whole tart $50, slice $5.50; brandied apple tart, $6.) Sweet Lady Jane, 8360 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood. (323) 653-7145.

* Sage: Here you’ll find a crisp salad of thin-sliced Granny Smith apples, crumbled Gorgonzola, dried cranberries, baby greens and lightly candied pecans tossed in an aromatic raspberry vinaigrette. (Gorgonzola salad, appetizer size $6.50, large $9.50.) Sage, Eastbluff Center, 2531 Eastbluff Drive, Newport Beach. (949) 718-9650.

* Figaro: The apple croissant is flaky buttery dough filled with sauteed Golden Delicious apples. It’s not too sweet, and just perfect with a cup of strong coffee. (Fresh apple croissant, $2.50.) Figaro, 1802 N. Vermont Ave., Los Feliz. (323) 662-2874.

* Water Grill: On one side of your plate is duck confit with caramelized green apples and honey; on the other there’s sauteed Muscovy duck breast with spiced apples. The fragrant apples are flavored with cinnamon, clove, allspice, star anise and rosemary. (Duck confit with caramelized apples, $26.) Water Grill, 544 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. (213) 891-0900.

* Rockenwagner: This homey dish is sauteed pork medallions crusted in black pepper and covered with little slices of goat cheese, set on small spoonfuls of homemade applesauce. The dish is finished off with an applejack-whiskey sauce. Accompanying the pork is fresh spaetzle encased in sheets of Granny Smith apple. (Medallions of pork tenderloin, $22.50.) Rockenwagner, 2435 Main St., Santa Monica. (310) 399-6504.