Yorba Linda

Best Artichokes The Wild Artichoke. As the name suggests, chef-owner James D'Aquila dishes up numerous variations on the old thistle, from the Artichoke Napoleon, plump puff pastries full of sautéed artichokes, to the Wildest Primavera, garden vegetables served with pesto in a white wine sauce. Start with an order of the crispy crab cakes followed by a 10-ounce rosemary-encrusted New York steak smothered in gorgonzola. End your night with the crème brulee—but ask about the flavor, as it changes daily. 4973 Yorba Ranch Rd., # A, Yorba Linda, (714) 777-9646.

Best Martinis Fitness Pizza and Grill. Here since 1989, this place offers more than 100 menu items for the carb conscious. It's all delicious—Fitness Pizzas, Power Lunches, Dance Pastas—but the pizzas are the main attraction here: try the Triathlete (shrimp, feta, spinach, pine nuts, pesto, mushrooms). And by all means wash it down with one of their sake martinis. Sake! Not gin! Wait, where's the gin? 18246 Imperial Hwy., Yorba Linda, (714) 993-5421.