HOT SPOTS : ALIVE AT 45.

Byline: Larry Lipson

Bistro 45, 45 S. Mentor Ave., Pasadena, [phone]. Imaginative fare such as sesame crusted ahi tuna on an eggplant and onion pancake and a conscientious wine list add up to a continuously interesting dining experience.

Nifty throwback 

Moonlight, 13730 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks. [phone]. Dance to the pop hits of the '40s, '50s and '60s in this recently renovated, classy supper club-dinery as performed by serving staffers and a house trio. Nibble on tapas and dine on dishes made famous at celebrated dining venues of yesteryear. Big bands and/or musical acts on Sundays and most weeknights. Admission charges vary.

Chain champ

Daily Grill, 16101 Ventura Blvd., Encino, [phone]. (Also in Studio City, Brentwood, Newport Beach and across from the Beverly Center.) Retro grill-sans frill fare that's simple, good, moderately priced and a smash hit with all ages.

Seafood spectacular

Water Grill, 544 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles, [phone]. The definitive ocean fare destination when downtown, this clubby rendezvous often is picked as the No. 1 for fish in L.A.

Chicken souperlatives

Jerry's Famous Deli, 12655 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, [phone]. (Also in Woodland Hills, Encino, Los Angeles, Marina del Rey and elsewhere.) It's a 'round the clock movietown rendezvous jammed with munchers and gazers of all ages checking each other out while slurping one of the town's best matzo ball chicken soups.

Artistic license

Cafe La Boheme, 8400 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, [phone]. Look up, look down, look around. It's so artsy - curtains, pond, tapestries, sculptures - you almost miss the fact that the food is superior and not too expensive.