SMALL BITES BRENT'S LOOKING FOR NEW LOCATION.

Byline: - Larry Lipson

One of the city's most successful deli-restaurants, Brent's in Northridge, is seriously eyeing the Westlake Village/Thousand Oaks area for a second location.

Brent's, 19565 Parthenia St., has been consistently named the top deli in L.A. by the Zagat Survey, which, in its 2005 booklet-guide, awarded Brent's with a 26-point rating out of a possible 30 points.

This placed Brent's alongside such elite eating places as Bastide, Campanile, Lucques, Sona and L'Orangerie, also giving it two points more than the second-place deli, Langer's.

Brent's No. 1 site choice at present appears to be that of the recently closed Paul's, formerly Red's, at 2799 Townsgate Road, Westlake Village, a huge, sprawling facility adjacent to the Hyatt Westlake Hotel.

Brent Peskin of Brent's describes the possible leasing discussions as ``heavy negotiations,'' saying that they have met with the landlord ``more than several times.''

As far as the business potential for Brent's in this geographical area, ``many of our deliveries go out there now,'' he says.

Information: [phone].

BEER IN BURBANK: Ready for an after-work diversion?

An autumn beer tasting on Sept. 15 at Arnie Morton's, 3400 W. Olive Ave., Burbank, will feature four Samuel Adams brews, the Octoberfest paired with petite lamb chops, Creme Stout with mini prime sirloin burgers, Boston Lager with chicken goujonettes and Cherry Wheat with an assortment of cheeses and fruits.

The passed appetizers and beer event will take place in the restaurant's boardroom from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Cost is $25 per person.

Information and reservations: [phone].

THE WHOLE ENCHILADA: They say they're combining the art of cooking with the art of design.

The El Torito chain and artist David Early have joined forces to produce five new paintings for its menus.

Titled ``Bailar,'' ``Toro Toro,'' ``Serenata,'' ``Agave'' and ``Fiesta,'' they are influenced by renowned Mexican artists Diego Rivera, Jesus Helhuera and Rufino Tamayo.

In addition to Early's art being utilized in El Torito restaurants, there's a new prototype for the chain that features pumpkin, squash, avocado and terra cotta tones on its walls and incorporates Mexican modernist-style geometric shapes.

There are El Toritos in Burbank, Long Beach, Northridge, Pasadena, Tarzana, Thousand Oaks, Woodland Hills and elsewhere.

Information: www.eltorito.com.

NIBBLES & SIPS: Celebrating the current wine harvest, Wine Bistro, 11915 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, will have Berty Siegel, who owned Berty's in Brentwood for several years, as guest chef on Sept. 22. Information and reservations: [phone]. ... Le Petit Jacques, 13456 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks, presents a four-course Bordeaux wine dinner ($75) Thursday at 7 p.m. Information and reservations: [phone]. ... The onetime breakfast and sandwich spot Porta Via, 424 N. Canon Drive, Beverly Hills, which has expanded into a full dinner service bistro and bar, continues its breakfast and lunch service. Information: [phone]. ... Hotel Bel-Air has introduced its Wine Terrace, designed for small wine tastings for up to 25 people. Information: [phone]. ... Alejandro ``Nano'' Crespo is the new executive chef at Amalfi Ristorante, 143 N. La Brea Ave., owned by radio/TV personality Adam Carolla and M.D. Sweeney. Chef Crespo has already changed about half the menu. Information and reservations: [phone]. ... New chef de cuisine Joshua Gil and new pastry chef Jason Wasiak are contributing to the seven-course ($68) tasting menu at Joe's, 1023 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice, with, of course, chef-owner Joe Miller in charge. Information and reservations: [phone]. ... Chef-owner Sal Marino of Il Grano, 11359 Santa Monica Blvd., West Los Angeles, is currently using 34 different fresh tomato varieties for items on his restaurant's current bill of fare, mostly those that he grows himself. Information and reservations: [phone].