Open for 2 decades, Chaya has become ensconced as one of Los Angeles's finest restaurants. This Continental bistro with Asian overtones is popular with film agents during lunch and a particularly beautiful assembly of stars at night (spotted: George Clooney, Mark Wahlberg, the Baldwin brothers). The place is loved for its exceptionally good East/West dishes and unpretentious atmosphere. Despite a high noise level, the stage-lit dining room feels sensuous and swoony. On warm afternoons and evenings, the best tables are on the outside terrace, overlooking the busy street. Chaya is best known for superb grilled fish and meats, like seared soy-marinated Hawaiian tuna and roasted venison with black peppercorn sauce. Chef Shigefumi Tachibe's lobster enchilada with cilantro cream sauce is both stylish and superb, as is tangy grilled chicken Dijon, a house specialty. Chaya is also a hot late-night rendezvous with a short but choice late-dinner menu served from Tuesday through Saturday. Note: There's also a Chaya near the beach: Chaya Venice, located at 110 Navy St. (at Main St.) in Venice (tel. 310/369-1170).