Fun, funky and happening, this poolside bastion of California comfort foods is in with the in-crowd.

Like the Avalon Hotel that houses it, this style-savvy restaurant is a hidden oasis of cool. The tables all overlook a vintage freeform pool, even those set inside striking mustard-yellow private cabanas. By day, diners tend to extend their lunch hours in favor of more fresh air; by night, the blue pool lights up fashionable loungers who linger over cocktails and modern American cuisine. The kitchen has a rare level of talent for a hotel scene such as this, sending out very tasty seasonal fare like red and gold beet salad with Harley Farms goat cheese and baby frisee, or diver scallop risotto. A standout is the prime NY strip, with thick-cut truffle frites (they're more like potato wedges, but we won't quibble) and a breaded and fried blue cheese "crouton"—a golden egg of oozy goodness. Martinis both traditional and colorful slake the power-cocktail crowd. —Lesley Balla