The supremely pleasant atmosphere and fresh, cheap Asian cuisine provide a casual alternative to the chi-chi Beverly Boulevard restaurant scene.

The Thai dishes at Buddha's Belly—pad thai, curried chicken, noodle bowls or a Thai beef salad—are mostly under 10 bucks and taste genuine and fresh. (It's a great guilt-free takeout spot.) Couples and chattering small groups gather in the simple but chic dining room, and singles slip in for a quality dinner and some sake at the bar. The small bamboo-enclosed patio out front is a modest, humming discovery. Try the specialty drink, the gingerita (a not-too-sweet margarita spiked with ginger that balances with the food splendidly), and save room for the coconut sorbet.