THE LIST: DINING

Cichetti at All' Angelo Stefano Ongaro at All' Angelo is a native of Venice and nudges his 2-year-old Italian restaurant in the direction of small plates with a new cichetti menu served in addition to the regular menu. Cichetti, for the uninitiated, are little bites of seafood, cheese or whatever, served in wine bars in Venice. The cichetti menu from chef and partner Mirko Paderno will change weekly, but here's some examples from his first offering: fritto misto, octopus salad with celery and bottarga, Venetian-style shrimp in paprika sauce, sausage and peppers with black cabbage. Cichetti served Mon.-Fri. (in addition to regular menu); $9 to $12 each. 7166 Melrose Ave., L.A.; (323) 933-9540; www.allangelo.com

Barrel Malibu This "bar and playground for adult wine lovers" is now hosting karaoke every Wednesday night starting at 9:30. With 100 wines by the glass, plus cheeses and charcuterie from the Cheese Store of Beverly Hills, the newish Malibu wine bar is ready for some action. And with a "self service adult wine arcade" of wines dispensed by the ounce, nobody need feel shy. If you don't want to sing, make merry by tasting your way through boutique wines from all over the world. The latest releases from Screaming Eagle, Harlan, Kistler or Sine Qua Non are offered in a rotated lineup. In addition to the self-service enomatic wine storage system, Barrel Malibu has a back bar that pours by the glass the traditional way. The blackboard lists the daily specials. From $1 to $120 for 1-ounce tastes. Open daily from 3 p.m. to late. 23715 Malibu Road, (310) 456-8777; www.barrelmalibu.com

Din Tai Fung Dumpling House Commune with the plants at the 127-acre Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanical Garden in Arcadia and then repair to Din Tai Fung down the street for luscious steamed dumplings served from bamboo steamers. There's inevitably a wait, but much less of one now that there is a second location around the corner. Try the steamed vegetable and pork dumplings, the classic siu mai and the wonderful soup dumplings. 1108 S. Baldwin Ave. and 1088 S. Baldwin Ave., (626) 574-7068 and (626) 446-8588; www.dintaifungusa.com

HOT DISH: THIS WEEK