A welcome addition to the designer-oriented Beverly/La Brea shopping district, Susina brings a European flavor to a block dominated by evil chains.

This charming patisserie, originally founded by former Spago pastry chef Anna Delorefice, creates everything on premises: Breakfast pastries are the specialty. We love the traditional croissants and cinnamon twists, and the more outlandish sour cherry Belgium chocolate scones. (Our four-legged friends are mad for the all-natural doggie pastries as well.) A simple lunch menu includes soups, large salads, and paninis with a choice of just-baked white or whole-wheat focaccia. Tarts, specialty cakes and boxes of Italian mini-cookies can be scooped up for consumption another day—or later in the afternoon. —Lesley Balla