A good meal, quality time with his family and his Hindu faith

AS a boy growing up in Texas, Isaiah Washington had a passion for model planes, even dreaming of a career as a pilot. These days, he’s flying high as Dr. Preston Burke in “Grey’s Anatomy,” the back end of ABC’s formidable one-two ratings punch on Sundays with “Desperate Housewives.”

The 42-year-old L.A. resident, married (to Jenisa) with three children, brought a solid resume to “Anatomy,” including roles in four Spike Lee films. But for now, a weekend off might be just what the doctor ordered.

A good smoke

On Friday night, we might head over with family and friends to the Grove to catch an early movie. The kids love it there, strolling around and watching the interesting live performances in the open area and checking out the Apple computer store and the latest and greatest new Macs. Then we’d go to dinner at AOC on 3rd Street, where I like the filet of trout with lemon pepper and the wonderful eggplant, cabbage and grilled Brussels sprouts.

Later, if the ladies allow it, I’ll go to one of my favorite cigar places, V-Cut Smoke Shop on Melrose. It’s a hole in the wall, and I like it that way. I always end up getting in interesting conversations with guys from all over the world who I ordinarily might not get a chance to meet.

Wild blue yonder

The kids are usually the first ones up on Saturday, and they love to jump in bed and smack Daddy awake. We throw together some granola or oatmeal for breakfast and go jump in the pool for a while.

If it’s not too windy, we’ll go over to a park in Encino and fly our remote-control airplane. It’s great; it gets up to a nice speed, but nothing like the planes of the guys across the way, who fly planes that can cost $70,000 or more. So we’ll watch them for a while, get envious and then come back to our little park and practice some more.

My love for model planes is what led to me joining the Air Force. It’s still a passion, but before the kids get burned out, I’ll throw them in the car and head up the coast. They usually fall asleep in two seconds and by the time they wake up, we’re at the Reel Inn on PCH, where the Cajun ahi tuna is just amazing.

At home later, we’ll do crafts or play with Legos, which is a great way to allow their creativity to come out. Afterward, my wife and I might go out to dinner at Louise’s Trattoria on Larchmont, where we like the minestrone soup and the salmon with lobster bisque sauce. Another great place is Houston’s in Santa Monica. My wife and I get steak or fish dinners, and the kids get hamburgers.

Spiritual side

On Sunday we’ll relax around the house before we leave for services at a Hindu temple in Agoura Hills, where we’ll sing Sanskrit hymns called bhajans. I’ve found it to be very humbling and gratifying, and it helps me as an artist and as a human being in this society.

After the three-hour services, we’ll have dinner at my in-laws’ house nearby and let the family members all catch up with everyone. Then I’m recharged and ready for the week.

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-- Mark Sachs