Dining details: XIV restaurant in West Hollywood

XIV ** LOCATION 8117 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood; (323) 656-1414; www.sbe.com.AMBIENCE Playful “chateau” restaurant from San Francisco’s Michael Mina and designed by Philippe Starck. The concept is “social dining,” all small plates, everyone at the table must have the same dishes.SERVICE Overstaffed and pampering, very nice, actually.PRICE Most dishes $8 each; chef selections: eight-course “light meal,” $55; 11-course “something more,” $75; 14-course “fourteen from XIV,” $95; 35-course “the gamut,” $250 per person.BEST DISHES Nantucket bay scallops tempura, ice cold shellfish, heirloom beets, porcini risotto, caviar parfait, black cod, crispy pork belly, Angus beef rib cap.DETAILS Open from 6 to 11 p.m. Sunday to Wednesday and 6 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Thursday to Saturday. Full bar. Valet parking, $11.Rating is based on food, service and ambience, with price taken into account in relation to quality. ****: Outstanding on every level. ***: Excellent. **: Very good. *: Good. No star: Poor to satisfactory.