One of Michael Chow’s six famed Mr. Chow locations, this 35-year-old Beverly Hills stalwart is kitted out in a stark black-and-white color scheme, complete with checkered floor and soaring vaulted ceilings, and remains one of the most striking (if not vaguely ’80s) dining rooms in town. What’s more, Mr. Chow is still one of Los Angeles’ most notable see-and-be-seen restaurants for high-powered Hollywood types (hence the throngs of paparazzi outside), which means that often it’s more about the people-watching than the food. But if you drop in on an off night—as we did recently, when the only celeb we spotted was Z-lister Kato Kaelin—shift your focus to solid signature dishes such as the green prawns sautéed with peppers and cashews, and lobster served fresh from a live tank.

Mr. Chow Information:

• Chinese menu. Lunch, dinner. Bar. Reservations recommended.