A LA CARTE : FUN AND DIFFERENT.

Byline: Larry Lipson

One of the most interesting new categories in the restaurant industry is that known as ``eatertainment.''

Such places used to fall into that grouping known merely as theme restaurants. And you're probably familiar with the big chains such as Planet Hollywood and Hard Rock Cafe.

There are others, including the submarine-themed Dive and the country music-inspired Country Star. And they are popular because they are as much attractions as they are restaurants.

But there are other less-imposing eating places around town that are either different or fun, or both. And though they may or may not fall into the ``eatertainment'' category, they certainly have one or more features that make them intriguing. Here they are:

Amazon Bar & Grill

Address: 14649 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks.

Phone: [phone].

Cuisine: Carib-Latino.

Outstanding feature(s): The jungle/rain-forest theme gives it an unusual look. Its art-eco policy has it donating a percentage of its profits to rain-forest charities. And there's live entertainment Friday and Saturday nights after 10 p.m.

Food/price information: Entrees run from $10 to $15 and consist of such exotica as chicken tropical ($11.95) with orange, lime papaya and a julienne of grilled tropical vegetables.

Bobby McGee's

Address: 107 First St., Burbank.

Phone: [phone].

Cuisine: American.

Outstanding feature(s): Staff members are appropriately attired storybook characters such as Little Bo Peep, Cinderella and Little Red Riding Hood, and they act out their roles accordingly. Also, the salad bar is in a bathtub.

Food/price information: The emphasis is on prime rib, pasta and seafood. Entrees run from $8 to $23.

Cafe Bellissimo

Address: 22458 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills.

Phone: [phone].

Cuisine: Italian.

Outstanding feature(s): Staffers and owners entertain. It's a partylike atmosphere. They even hold an annual grape stomp here.

Food/price information: Sicilian and Southern Italian dishes. Entrees run from $8 to $15.

Cha Cha Cha Encino

Address: 17499 Ventura Blvd., Encino.

Phone: [phone].

Cuisine: Carib-Latino.

Outstanding feature(s): Map of the Caribbean is duplicated on the floor. Colorful decor. Live entertainment on Friday and Saturday nights at 9 p.m.

Food/price information: Look for dishes such as Carib jerk chicken marinated in Jamaican-style jerk spices and grilled ($12). It comes with a watercress salad and sweet potatoes in a potato basket. Entrees range from $9 to $16.

Ed Debevic's

Address: 134 N. La Cienega Blvd., Beverly Hills.

Phone: [phone].

Cuisine: American.

Outstanding feature(s): Waitresses and waiters are actors-singers who will jump on the table and do a tap dance or do a comedy routine at the drop of a fork.

Food/price information: It's a '50s diner (menu and decor) with all the old-fashioned drinks from the bar (including ``Old Fashioneds''), burgers, malts and a well-regarded banana cream pie. Entrees range from $3 to $8.

Miceli's

Address: 3655 Cahuenga Blvd. W., Universal City.

Phone: [phone].

Cuisine: Italian.

Outstanding feature(s): Staffers (and occasionally patrons) sing light opera and heavy opera, some Broadway and pop stuff, too.

Food/price information: Regular old-style Italian pizzeria fare. Entrees range between $8.50 and $14.40.

Moonlight

Address: 13730 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks.

Phone: [phone].

Cuisine: International.

Outstanding feature(s): Throwback to grand supper-club days with '50s Las Vegas lounge decor, dance floor and musical shows of varied styles or house band and songstress.

Food/price information: Great dishes of the past such as lobster and chicken paella, filet choron, oak-planked salmon and crepes Suzette. Entrees run from $11 to $17.