HOT SPOTS : STUDIO ANNEX.

Byline: Larry Lipson

Barsac Brasserie, 4212 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood, [phone]. Noisily crammed at lunch with the studio crowd, this pleasing, bistro-ish rendezvous provides welcome respite for serious food-seeking localites at dinner.

It's a jungle in there

Amazon Bar & Grill, 14649 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks, [phone]. Tropical fare in the style of Cha Cha Cha is moderately priced in this smash hit, art-eco, rain-forest-themed cafe and bar where charity begins with regular donations from profits.

Bistro charmer 

California Canteen, 3311 Cahuenga Blvd. W., near Universal City, [phone]. Located west of Barham and east of Lankershim, and looking like it was plucked out of an old European city, it's considered a Valley spot by East Valleyites, though technically in Hollywood. And it's a grazer's paradise with its array of relatively inexpensive pastas and snack dishes. Plenty of garlic used here.

Hong Kong Puck

Chinois on Main, 2709 Main St., Santa Monica, [phone]. The ultimate L.A. restaurant is a talented, Austrian-born, French-trained chef's idea of Chinese food with a California accent. Savor the fare and the decor, they both offer superb sizzle.

Joachim supreme

Pinot Bistro, 12969 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, [phone]. Octavio Becerra's and Joachim Splichal's culinary magic brings the ultimate in bistro fare to the unrecognizable former La Serre site, the forerunner of Cafe Pinot downtown and Splichal's newest siblings, Pinot Hollywood, Pinot Blanc (Napa Valley) and Pinot at the Chronicle in Pasadena.

Arnie's place

Schatzi on Main, 3110 Main St., Santa Monica, [phone]. Chez Schwarzenegger doesn't deserve the bashing it's received. It's a bright, cheerful, unpretentious cafe that has deservedly become a local hangout. And yeah, Arnie and Maria occasionally pop in.