One of the most long-lasting caf?s on caf?-filled Ventura Boulevard, Rive Gauche is consistently popular as a casually comfortable meeting place for lunch or dinner. The food is simple caf?-French: quiches and cr?pes, appetizers such as an artichoke in a saucy vinaigrette, brunch items including the salmon-and-spinach tart and a variety of salads. At dinner the cooking is more upscale: roast duck ? l'orange or the wonderfully garlicky scampi. --Gayot.com