The Scene

White Lotus in Hollywood has more Buddhas per square foot than anywhere else in the city, along with a sushi bar and a menu of Euro-Asian dishes. A youthful crowd comes in, but the surprise is how seriously the kitchen works.

The best scene after all these years is still The Ivy. It must be those adorable chintz cushions and the white picket fence--and, of course, the chance for random star sightings. It certainly can’t be the food or the service.

If you hanker to see how business is done in Hollywood, head to The Grill on the Alley for a power lunch, but be sure to have a reservation. The service is crisp, the food classic and well-prepared. The Grill makes the best Caesar and Cobb salads around.--S. Irene Virbila

The Grill on the Alley, 9560 Dayton Way, Beverly Hills; (310) 276-0615. The Ivy, 113 N. Robertson Blvd., Los Angeles; (310) 274-8303. White Lotus, 1743 N. Cahuenga Blvd., Hollywood; (323) 463-0060.