How Do You Say That? : <i> Some of the most mispronounced restaurants in Los Angeles. </i>

Bice (BEE-chay), 301 N. Canon, Beverly Hills. (213) 272-2423. Style: Busy Italian with high prices and snooty waiters. Setting: Large, loud and lavish. Recommended: Risotto with spinach and mascarpone; Robespierre, thin steak slices topped with arugula. Cost per person: $25-$45.

Caioti, (Coyote, like the animal) 2100 Laurel Canyon Blvd., Los Angeles. (213) 650-2988. Style: This Spago clone is now serving breakfast pizzas. Setting: ‘60s backwoods bar. Recommended: Barbecued chicken pizza; vegetarian pizza; mixed-leaf salad in Caesar dressing. Cost per person: $10-$15.

Campanile (kam-pah-NEE-lay), 624 S. La Brea Ave., Los Angeles. (213) 938-1447. Style: Rustic Italian for the thirtysomething crowd. Setting: Romantically hip, with Moorish arches and charming balconies. Recommended: Poached mozzarella with pesto and tomatoes; charred baby lamb with rosemary, rice flan. Cost per person: $20-$40.

I. Cugini (EE COO GEE NEE), 1501 Ocean Ave., Santa Monica. (213) 451-4595. Style: California/Italian beach restaurant with serious intentions. Setting: Casual--denim meets little black dress. Recommended: Spit-roasted chicken; pizza; veal chop. Cost per person: $10-$18.

Mexica (meh-SHEE-ka), 7313 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles. (213) 933-7385. Style: Authentic Mexican with Aztec aspirations. Setting: Pleasant and airy with high ceilings and Postmodern Mexican murals. Recommended: Quesadilla; red snapper Veracruz-style; Yucatan-style pork pibil. Cost per person: $10-$15.

Pazzia (pah-TZEE-ah), 755 N. La Cienega, Los Angeles. (213) 657-9271. Style: Spare and elegant Italian. Setting: The silverware is Ricci; the chairs are Aldo Rossi. Recommended: Yellow pepper soup; ravioli with lentils and pine nuts; gelati. Cost per person: $25-$50.

Tulipe (Too-LEAP), 8360 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood. (213) 655-7400. Style: Proof that good French food need not cost a fortune. Setting: Stark with large open kitchen. Recommended: Blue cheese and pear Pithiviers; ravioli of duck and snails in parsley coulis; braised veal shank. Cost per person: $20-$35.