NOT YOUR MOTHER'S MALL FOOD FLATWARE, PRICEY BURGERS SIGNIFY SOPHISTICATED FARE.

Byline: JULIA M. SCOTT Staff Writer

Say goodbye to wobbly plastic forks and dull knives at the Westfield Topanga mall.

When the new wing opens Oct.6 after a $500million face lift, the mall will have upscale dining options to match the high-end retailers, full-service concierge and acres of covered parking.

``We needed to take the typical food-court experience and enhance it to match the sophisticated level of shopping,'' Westfield spokeswoman Brandi Friel said.

Flatware and china will transform the food court into a ``dining terrace'' with views of a 300-foot-long glass arched ceiling, ``the Canyon.''

Two sit-down restaurants, an expanded bistro in the new Nordstrom and a made-to-order cafe will also make their home in the Canoga Park shopping-plex.

The Farm of Beverly Hills, renowned for its fudgey brownies and homemade ingredients, will open its first San Fernando Valley venue. The Farm's homey setting belies its sophisticated fare -- and pricey menu.

``We're not cheap,'' conceded Fran Berger, who owns the chain with her husband, Howard. ``We think we give incredible values for what you pay, but not everybody is willing to go over $14 for a hamburger.''

The half-pound hamburger -- beef, turkey or veggie -- comes with oven-roasted tomatoes and caramelized onions and costs $14.75. Other menu fare includes crispy-duck lettuce wraps for $11.25 and a Nicoise salad with seared ahi for $16.75.

Amaranta Cocina Mexicana, which is slated to open in January, aims to bring a fully authentic experience in Mexican dining, said Eduardo Rallo, who owns the eatery with his wife, Sylvia. ``A lot of what has existed in the past is a very mom-and-pop style of taqueria,'' Rallo said. ``Or you have the Tex-Mex chainy style.''

The menu for Amaranta is still under wraps, but it will be similar to one of the Rallos' restaurants in San Francisco.

There, handmade tortillas topped with stewed chicken, avocado and sour cream are $7. Pozole verde, chicken and hominy soup with jalapenos and tomatillos, is $9. Marinated chunks of pork are paired with mild guajillo chilies and arbol chilies salsa and go for $11.

In the food court, Coral Tree Cafe will have an express station offering its restaurant menu, sans the nightly special. Wine and beer also will be available for purchase.

Kalamata olive bread with eggs in the middle is $9.25. Baked macaroni with sharp cheddar, Parmesan and bleu cheeses is $9.95. Organic mixed greens with carrots, balsamic vinaigrette and grilled skirt steak is $13.95.

``Our food is not typical mall food,'' said Kevin Khalili, one of three owners.

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(1 -- 2 -- color) The Farm of Beverly Hills, renowned for its fudgey brownies and homemade ingredients such as those in its chicken sandwich, top, will open its first San Fernando Valley venue at the renovated Westfield Topanga mall.

(3 -- color) The Farm of Beverly Hills is coming to the Valley as one of a handful of upscale eateries going into the renovated Westfield Topanga mall. This is the restaurant's interior.

(4 -- color) The Farm has a homey setting that belies its sophisticated fare -- and pricey menu.

David Sprague/Staff Photographer

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