SPAGO, CHASEN'S OPENING IN BISTRO SPOTS.

Byline: Larry Lipson Daily News Restaurant Critic

Upscale dining in Los Angeles receives a solid boost as an elegant new Spago makes its public debut Monday and a reborn Chasen's targets its official opening for April 18.

Both are on former Bistro restaurant sites on North Canon Drive in Beverly Hills, Spago at 176, where the Bistro Garden previously stood, and Chasen's up the street at 246, the former home of the Bistro.

Ironically, the originals of both restaurants will continue operating in West Hollywood at their first locations, Spago overlooking Sunset Boulevard at 1114 Horn Ave., after a two-week closure for cosmetic changes, and Chasen's for private banquets only under the name Chasen's Events at 9039 Beverly Blvd.

The new Spago, introduced last weekend to special invitees, reveals a mixture of bold and restrained design by co-owner Barbara Lazaroff, a blending of woods, carpet, tiles, marble, fabric, glass etching, archways, breathtaking artwork, sliding windows, backlit panels and custom furnishings, much of it utilizing Lazaroff's thematic flame of life.

Celebrity chef and co-owner Wolfgang Puck, Lazaroff's husband, said prices will not be raised for the new Spago menu, though he felt that his new million-dollar kitchen will be able to produce better, more consistent dishes along with some worthwhile new creations compared to the original Spago.

``There will be less pizza,'' he said.

Puck said he was well aware of people from all over the world being surprised at the casual cafe look of the Sunset Spago. The new Spago, as a globally famous dining emporium, he explained proudly, will live up to everybody's expectations.

Meanwhile, the reborn Chasen's, with Albert Charbonneau from L'Orangerie in charge as president and on-premise general manager for chairman Grady Sanders and executive vice president Scott McKay, Maude Chasen's grandson, will have Patina alumnus Michael Otsuka as chef for both the downstairs dining rooms and the upstairs private Jockey Club.

Otsuka's menu will have such signature items as Chasen's hobo steak, chili, sole Hitchcock and banana shortcake along with more contemporary fare and some traditional dishes.

Spago's menu under the direction of chef Lee Hefter also will present some recognizable Spago favorites such as the smoked salmon pizza.

For information, call the new Chasen's at [phone], the new Spago at [phone].

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2 Photos

Photo: (1) The new Spago in Beverly Hills boasts a million-dollar kitchen that will produce better, more consistent fare, says co-owner Wolfgang Puck.

Evan Yee/Daily News

(2) An artist's rendering of the new Chasen's on North Canon Drive, which features downstairs dining rooms and an upstairs private club.