I’ll eat at the bar

Central

Highlights of the bar menu at this great-looking Sunset Strip newbie include a trio of mini kobe beef burgers and cracker-crust pizzas. And bar diners won’t miss out on the knockout city views or the procession of hipsters coming through the door.

* Bar menu items $10 to $24; 8590 Sunset Blvd.; West Hollywood; (310) 659-0092.

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Gardens on Glendon

It can be tricky finding something satisfying between lunch and dinner. Starting at 3 every afternoon, the barroom menu at this handsome Westwood Village bistro comes to the rescue with California classics like chunky guacamole prepared tableside, tuna tartare and a fine BLT made with peppered bacon on toasted brioche.

* Barroom menu, $3.95 to $18; 1139 Glendon Ave., Westwood; (310) 824-1818.

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Windows Lounge

Along with celebrity spotting -- we’ve seen L.L. Cool J and Helena Bonham Carter (not together) -- this swanky, grown-up hot spot offers an appealing menu that covers the haute (osetra caviar with buckwheat blini and sour cream) and the not so haute (Guinness beer-battered fish and chips). Live music Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.

* Dishes for one, $14 to $19; dishes to share, $16 to $115;

300 S. Doheny Drive, Beverly Hills; (310) 273-2222.

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Mixville Bar at Edendale Grill

Skip the chicken skewers and crab cakes. The onion rings, fat golden beauties served with spunky jalapeno ketchup, are worth the indulgence. But the main draw is the beautiful historic setting: a former firehouse outfitted with a dark wood bar that goes on and on. In the early evening, some items are offered for an affordable $5.

* Bar menu items, $5 to $22;

2838 Rowena Ave., Silver Lake; (323) 666-2000.

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Table 8

Even when you can’t score a table at this sexy, foodie destination, there’s usually a spot in the lounge in the rear or at one of the high communal tables. The menu is compact but interesting: broiled salmon, for instance, with roasted onion polenta. But the hands-down favorite is the decadent truffled Gruyere fondue.

* Lounge menu, $5 to $7;

7661 Melrose Ave., L.A.;

(323) 782-8258.

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Leslee Komaiko