A standout Cal-Asian menu and understated grace made this an instant hit on the busy Ventura Boulevard strip.

The soothing restaurant is decked out in understated earthy hues, with backlit mirrors, flickering candlelight and crisp linen-clad tables—some of which are tucked into an intimate dining alcove, and others spill out onto the sidewalk. A well-trained staff takes care of the loyal crowd with aplomb. Chef and owner Andre Guerrero's menu is small and focused, utilizing the season's best ingredients enhanced with Asian influences. Some popular dishes include Thai lemongrass-coconut soup, pan-roasted butterfish with sticky rice and green beans, and stir-fried "velvet" shrimp with noodles. —Lesley Balla