HOT SPOTS : NO MYTH-TAKE.

Byline: Larry Lipson

Il Mito, 11801 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, [phone]. Its name means ``the myth,'' and it's a crammed, noisy bar and cafe in an art-deco building serving excellent cucina rustica via a view kitchen to an adoring crowd nightly.

Java jubilation

Sudi Mampir, 12728 Sherman Way, North Hollywood, [phone]. Delicious Indonesian food in a no-frills setting at ridiculously low prices. We're talking serious Western Javanese fare here. And a host who will eagerly fill you in on the whys and wherefores of the foods and mores of everything east and west of Bali.

Ribbing the world

Lawry's the Prime Rib, 100 N. La Cienega Blvd., Beverly Hills, [phone]. Chomping the ultimate slab of juicy beef in this nearly always crowded, palatial, warm setting, is an L.A. tradition. And now there is a fish option and - sacre bleu - even an occasional lobster.

?AUnder priced, over par

Tavern on the Green, 10400 Glenoaks Blvd., Sun Valley, [phone]. You eat comfortably in a country-club setting, and you eat well here for amazingly low prices. Would you believe an all-you-can-eat Friday night fish fry for $6.95?

Irish pub

Timmy Nolan's, 10111 Riverside Drive, Toluca Lake, [phone]. It's a cutesy, narrow, two-story bar with darn good pub-style fare. And its tiny kitchen dishes up a ``foine'' Irish stew, a hearty corned beef and cabbage plate plus well-turned pastas and steaks. You'll love it.

Jaws in tortilla

Sharky's, 13238 Burbank Blvd., Sherman Oaks, [phone]. (Also in Northridge and Tarzana.) Fresh and fast, here's tasty shark, mahi mahi, shrimp. chicken and steak stuffed in burritos, tacos, tostadas and quesadillas. Ole. Ole.

Boffo Italian

Ca'Brea, 346 S. La Brea Ave., Los Angeles, [phone]. Chef Antonio Tommasi reigns here with moderately priced cucina rustica that'll knock your socks off. The packed dining room proves it nightly.