Good Morning, L.A.

Good Morning, L.A.

In L.A., many a big-screen megahit has been conceived over a breakfast of yogurt and granola or huevos rancheros. At Hugo's (8401 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, 90069. 323/654-3993. www.hugosrestaurant.com), one of the city's top morning destinations, breakfast specialties include pumpkin pancakes and "Pasta Mama" (pasta scrambled with eggs, garlic, and Parmesan cheese). A favorite of Hollywood heavy-hitters is Gardens (Four Seasons Hotel, 300 S. Doheny Dr., Beverly Hills, 90048. 310/273-2222. www.fourseasons.com), where an occasional dollop of caviar turns up on the breakfast menu. Meanwhile, those still waiting for their big breaks might be found at the Griddle Café (7916 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, 90046. 323/874-0377. www.thegriddlecafe.com) tucking into "Black Magic" flapjacks (filled with Oreo crumbs). But for a thoroughly unpretentious L.A. AM experience, head over to the Westside's John O'Groats (10516 W. Pico Blvd., West L.A, 90064. 310/204-0692. www.ogroatsrestaurant.com), where the good old-fashioned American breakfasts are accompanied by signature homemade biscuits.

In Pasadena, folks line up outside Marston's (151 E. Walnut St., 91103. 626/796-2459. www.marstonsrestaurant.com), a cozy bungalow. Over in Century City a modest café called Clementine (1751 Ensley Ave., 90024. 310/552-1080. www.clementineonline.com) reels in fans with fresh scones and buttermilk-biscuit egg-and-ham sandwiches. In Beverly Hills, New York expats huddle at Nate 'n Al (414 N. Beverly Dr., 90210. 310/274-0101) over matzo brei or corned beef hash , while French expats and Francophiles gather at Anisette Brasserie (225 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica, 90401. 310/395-3200. www.anisettebrasserie.com) for omelets and viennoiserie in Santa Monica. And for an authentic Japanese breakfast, head to Azalea Restaurant & Bar (120 S. Los Angles St., 90012. 213/253-9235) at Little Tokyo's Kyoto Grand Hotel and Gardens.