HOT SPOTS : SELVAGGIO IN VALLEY.

Byline: Larry Lipson

Posto, 14928 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks, [phone]. Piero Selvaggio, nationally recognized padrone of Valentino in Santa Monica and Primi in West L.A., has brought extra touches of class here to vault into the primo position of major league Valley Italians.

Stove superstar

Patina, 5955 Melrose Ave., Hollywood, [phone]. Chef-owner Joachim Splichal may be small in stature, but he's riding tall in L.A.'s - and some say the nation's - culinary saddle right now. Meanwhile, with Pinot Bistro and Cafe Pinot in the fold and Patina remaining at the top of his stable, it looks like he's scored additional hits with his new Pinot Hollywood and even newer Pinot Blanc in Napa. And if that's not enough, he recently opened Pinot at the Chronicle in Pasadena.

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.

No myth-take

Il Mito, 11801 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, [phone]. (Also in Beverly Hills called The Myth by Il Mito.) It's 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. And it recently opened a bakery, sandwich and salad annex across the street called Il Mito South.

Piano bar 

Tam O'Shanter, 2980 Los Feliz Blvd., Los Angeles, [phone]. As many as five different piano bar entertainers perform here per week during the cocktail and dinner hours. Piano bar addicts love this 74-year-old restaurant.

Place in the sun

Ca' del Sole, 4100 Cahuenga Blvd., North Hollywood, [phone]. The Tomassi-De Mori Venetian cucina rustica magic of Ca'Brea, Locanda Veneta, Allegria and Il Moro continues.