Music on the menu

DJs in restaurants might be in vogue. But we like our music live.

The Crepevine

At this bistro hidden in an alley, while you tuck into a stroganoff buckwheat crepe lavished in a sherry mushroom cream sauce or perhaps “la mer” filled with bay scallops and shrimp, you can also savor the sounds of Ochion Jewell on tenor sax and Brandon Bernstein on guitar from 7:30 to 10 Thursday nights.

* Stroganoff crepe, $12. 36 W. Colorado Blvd., Suite 1, Pasadena, (626) 796-7250.

Lares

This handsome, bi-level Mexican restaurant may not have the high profile of Border Grill or La Serenata. But it has legions of fans who swear by the margaritas, carnitas and chicken mole. Lighting in the evening is dim, making it suitable for dates. Strolling guitarists who perform nightly add to the atmosphere.

* Carnitas, $12.25. 2909 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica, (310) 829-4559.

Opah

Seafood, specifically Hawaiian opah, a.k.a. moonfish, is the specialty at this lively 2-year-old dining room. Grilled opah comes topped with a lemon beurre blanc and a pineapple salsa. If you’re looking for a quiet evening with your significant other, skip Wednesday through Friday nights. That’s when one of several bands turns up the volume with music such as Latin and R&B.;

* Opah, $26. 13122 Jamboree Road, Irvine, (714) 508-8055.

The Dining Room at the Ritz Carlton Pasadena

Chef Craig Strong’s fare, such as spicy coconut milk and lemon grass-scented Dungeness crab soup or smoked whole roasted poussin chicken with corn torta and asparagus, doesn’t need help. But Richard Hastings’ Spanish guitar music, heard in this most civilized of dining rooms Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings, is fine accompaniment.

* Poussin, $36. 1401 S. Oak Knoll Ave., Pasadena, (626) 568-3900.

French 75

At this, the newest among the quintet of French 75 restaurants, there’s live music 6:30 to 10 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays. Expect jazz and American standards. To eat: classic French bistro fare such as moules frites. The kitchen also turns out a burger on a grilled brioche bun, with a mountain of skinny fries. It’s national burger month; why not honor the occasion?

* Burger, $13.95. 10250 Santa Monica Blvd., Century City, (310) 788-0700.