Flying in and out of LAX on business can be fun if you know there's great food within 20 minutes -- and you don't have to cope with freeways. LA is full of confident small restaurants but you have to know how to find them. (Stay tuned for much more on LA restos.)
Here's a guide to special finds in the beach communities of 
Playa del Rey, Marina del Rey, and Venice just north of the airport that I put together while living in the area and flying consultants in for meetings. Enjoy innovative cuisine with top-flight cooking, attentive service, unhurried style -- and often a beach stroll or cool shopping district nearby for break from the workday. Reservations always recommended, many are closed Mondays, and some serve dinner only, so check first.
Italy's Little Kitchen: Generous portions and the sense that Mama must surely be in the kitchen. This family business with its warm hospitality and other locations in the South Bay has been in southern California for more than 50 years. Near LAX at Lincoln and Manchester boulevards. 310.645.1220.
Chloe: Charming and very popular neighborhood 38-seater with a tiny bar and new menus monthly -- innovative selections of fish, poultry, game, and meat, over-the-top desserts, and an intelligent wine list. Best for after the business is done, not a working dinner. 333 Culver Blvd, Playa del Rey. 310.305.4505 (dinner only).
Caffe Pinguini: Really Italian, with thick accents, a small but diversified menu, and wonderful pastas and fish fresh daily. Cozy inside during cooler times and a sunny al fresco patio, the caffe is near the beach and can accommodate 8-10 people groups. 6935 Pacific Ave., Playa del Rey. 310.306.0117.
Cafe del Rey: Asian-inspired California cuisine in an upscale contemporary setting overlooking a yacht haven. The ingredients may seem to reach a bit but trust the outcome. There's also a private dining room on the marina for large business dinners. 445 Admiralty Way, Marina del Rey. 310.823.6395.
Siamese Garden: Situated along one of the Venice canals, this Thai restaurant has an extensive menu that goes way beyond the typical Thai eatery. It's family run and you can sit out on the patio or inside the bungalow for a charming experience. 301 Washington Blvd., Marina del Rey. 310.821.0098.
Mercedes Cuban Grille: One of the few really decent restaurants near the Venice Pier, this casual restaurant has an open-air Florida Keys feel indoors and sidewalk tables ideal for watching the eclectic street scene. Cuisine is South American, Cuban, and Caribbean-style. 14 Washington Blvd., Marina del Rey. 310.827.6209.
Capri: Minimalist decor, friendly white-table cloth restaurant popular with Venice artists. Simple but serious California-Italian-Mediterranean choices, interesting wine list and a flexible chef to suit individual dietary needs. 1616 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice. 310.392.8777.
Lilly's: Quintessential French bistro, where it's not uncommon to see a film star at the bar, on the covered patio, or in the outdoor garden. And the good news is -- no one is paying attention. Popular with the French community here, Lilly's seems like Paris -- but without today's "euro" prices. 1031 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice. 310.314.0004.
Joe's: Owner-chef Joe Miller keeps his regulars coming with sophisticated cooking and wonderful experimentation. A seasonal full-course vegetarian menu is usually available -- imagine, several courses of asparagus or beets! Another good spot for actually doing business; though small, there is room for larger tables. 1023 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice. 310.399.5811.
