DINING DEALS : DOUBLE-TAKE FARE.

Byline: Larry Lipson

Out Take Cafe, 12159 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, [phone]. The skillful chefs fashion oversize plates and bowls, hearty soups ($4.95), intriguing warm salad and midsize dishes ($6 to $9.50), delectable pastas ($7 to $11.50) and substantial entrees (from $9.50 to $14 except a steak, $16.50). And with entree orders there's a salad-for-a-buck option. You can't dine much better at these prices, anywhere.

Pasta for less

El Obelisco, 22140 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills, [phone]. Superb freshly produced pastas range from $3.49 to $5, and other Italian-Argentine accented dishes rarely exceed $7. If you eat here often enough, you'll save the airfare to Buenos Aires.

A little more, senor

Poquito Mas, 3701 Cahuenga Blvd. W., Universal City, [phone]. (Also in North Hollywood, Burbank and West Hollywood.) Best tortilla soup in town and great shrimp and ahi tuna tacos, carne asada, carnitas, machaca and moist grilled chicken with fresh salsas. Almost everything under $5.

Pasadena hangout

Mi Piace, 25 Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, [phone]. (Also in Burbank. Soon in Calabasas.) Constantly packed, this inexpensive Italian, trattoria-style eatery - lots of offerings under $10 - perpetuates its pasta power over parsimonious Pasadenans and budget-minded Burbankers.

Old faithful

Taix, 1911 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, [phone]. In its 70s and not ready for retirement, here's a down-to-earth country French foodspot famed for its savory, inexpensive roast chicken, duck a l'orange, roast pork and other hearties - many under $10 - plus a bountiful wine cellar full of low-cost surprises.