HOT SPOTS : ARTISTIC LICENSE.

Byline: Larry Lipson

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.

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.

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.

Impact Chinese

Yujean Kang's, 67 N. Raymond Ave., Pasadena, [phone]. (Now open in West Hollywood at 8826 Melrose Ave., 310-288-0806.) When a Chinese chef uses truffles and prosciutto, you know his food is different. In fact, it's usually magnificent here - and, to boot, it's designed to always complement fine wine. Not for chop suey types.

Seafood spectacular

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

Pizzas by design

California Pizza Kitchen, 16101 Ventura Blvd., Encino, [phone]. (Also in Woodland Hills, Studio City, Tarzana and elsewhere.) Designer pizzas were invented in California, and here they are in all their glory. These with pastas and more in a bright, cheery atmosphere.