Leaning toward Italian? Market City Caffe, 33 S. Fair Oaks, Pasadena. (818) 568-0203. Style: Storefront look, ample antipasto bar. Setting: Bricks and beams. Recommended: Pizza portofino ; grilled veal chop; tirami su. Cost per person: $10-$25.
Osteria Nonni, 3219 Glendale Blvd., Atwater. (213) 666-7133. Style: Trendy Angeli clone. Setting: Pseudo-industrial. Recommended: Pizza ai quattro stagioni ; croquettes di patate; spaghetti puttanesca. Cost: $10-$20.
Pazzia, 755 N. La Cienega, Los Angeles. (213) 657-9271. \o7 Style:\f7 A fine madness by the man who opened Rex. \o7 Setting: \f7 Designer-gorgeous: Ricci silverware, Aldo Rossi chairs. \o7 Recommended: Pappa al pomodoro; \f7 yellow pepper soup; ravioli with lentils and pine nuts. \o7 Cost per person: \f7 $25-$40.
Trovare, 21618 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills. (818) 340-4451. \o7 Style: \f7 Where the West Valley chic eat Italian. \o7 Setting: \f7 Mirrors, furs, acrylic nails. \o7 Recommended: Calamari fritti\f7 ; Scottish salmon; Trovare scampi. \o7 Cost per person: \f7 $12-$30.
Zio and Company, 5242 Van Nuys Blvd., Sherman Oaks. (818) 784-8051. \o7 Style:\f7 Part imported food market, part neighborhood restaurant--all home-style cooking. \o7 Setting:\f7 Larger-than-life papier-mache figurative sculptures. \o7 Recommended: \f7 Lasagne; linguine with black mussels; lemon roasted chicken. \o7 Cost per person: \f7 $15-25.
