Fancy Grilled Cheese

Here are a few twists on the beloved grilled cheese sandwich.

* Say Cheese: The California melt is made with rosemary bread filled with thinly sliced red onions, smoked turkey, Monterey Jack and a touch of Dijon. There’s a long list of side dishes to choose from: celery root salad, coleslaw, potato salad, pasta salad and hearts of palm salad. (California melt, $7.) Say Cheese, 2800 Hyperion Ave., Silver Lake, (323) 665-0545.

* Barney Greengrass: This comforting sandwich is mild white Cheddar between thick grilled slices of Basque bread. It comes with grainy mustard and your choice of frizzled onions, classic coleslaw, potato salad or an assortment of fresh cookies. (Grilled cheese, $7.25.) Barney Greengrass, Barney’s New York, 9570 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, (310) 777-5877.

* Ammo: Tomatoes and thinly sliced roasted potatoes join Gruyere between two slices of sourdough. On the side come field greens in balsamic vinaigrette. (Grilled cheese with French Gruyere, roasted potatoes and tomatoes, $8.) Ammo, 1155 N. Highland Ave., Los Angeles, (323) 871-2666.

* Bossa Nova: Here’s a sandwich made with mozzarella, Gouda and Gorgonzola plus tomatoes and scrambled eggs on Italian bread. You have a choice of French fries, white rice, plantains or a small salad. (Tres Queijos “three cheeses,” lunch $5.95, dinner $6.95.) Bossa Nova, 7181 Sunset Blvd., Los Angeles, (323) 436-7999, 685 N. Robertson Blvd., (310) 657-5070.

* Kate Mantilini: This is a grilled cheese with a bite. Along with Sonoma Jack and Muenster come roasted poblano peppers and a homemade chipotle mayonnaise. The big, gooey sandwich arrives in the middle of the plate with shavings of cool carrot decorating the perimeter. (Poblano sandwich, $12.) Kate Mantilini, 9101 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, (310) 278-3699.

* Campanile: Every Thursday is Grilled Cheese Night here. Among the changing selection you might find a croque-madame made with fresh country bread, Gruyere and thinly sliced ham served with a fried egg on top, or a “classic” grilled cheese with Gruyere on country white, with marinated onions and whole-grain mustard. Sandwiches come with skinny French fries and a mass of arugula salad. (Sandwiches, $12 to $15.) Campanile, 624 S. La Brea Ave., Los Angeles, (323) 938-1447.