Chop Shops

Pork, lamb or veal? When only a chop will do.

Brentwood Bar & Grill, 11647 San Vicente Blvd., Brentwood. (213) 820-2121. Style: Bar and grill goes big business. Setting: Dark with low black banquettes, widely spaced tables, discreet murmurs. Recommended dishes: Oak-grilled lamb chops; Muscovy duck breast steak; angel food sandwich. Cost per person: $25-$45.

Delacey’s Club 41, 41 Delacey St., Pasadena. (818) 795-4141. Style: A cross between The Grill and Musso & Frank. Setting: A new old kind of place with huge bar and lots of wood and Corinthian columns. Recommended dishes: Boston clam chowder; Caesar salad; veal chop. Cost per person: $10-$30.

La Loggia, 11814 Ventura Blvd., Studio City. (818) 985-9222. Style: Hip and hectic hangout for film folk. Setting: Dim-lit sardine can. Recommended dishes: Grilled veal chop with garlic and herbs; spinach fettuccine with zucchini flowers; roast rabbit. Cost per person: $15-$30.

Mistral, 13422 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks. (818) 981-6650. Style: A Piaf and Pernod kind of place. Setting: Deco mirrors, sconces and mellow wood. Recommended dishes: Onion soup au gratin; lamb chops; steak frites. Cost per person: $12-$25.

Stratton’s, 16925 Ventura Blvd., Encino. (818) 986-2400. Style: He-man steak and chop house with Italian overtones. Setting: Marble-topped bar, lurid boxing mural. Recommended dishes: Veal chop with garlic and rosemary; fries; tarte tatin. Cost per person: $13-$40.