WEST LOS ANGELES. Thai cuisine meets Californian atmosphere at Chan Dara, and it's a well-suited match. Thanks to casual, cool attitude and great, spicy Thai dishes, the place is constantly hopping. Trendy crowds are kept happy by clay pot shrimp and scallops, seared onaga with lemon grass-ginger cream sauce, Thai barbecued pork, roasted duck, and catfish cha cha, which gets a kick from red curry cream sauce. Plenty of noodle, rice, and stir-fry dishes can also be had. In fact, unique, inexpensive dishes come flying out of the kitchen at a fast pace, and there's enough variety to satisfy everyone.

EAST HOLLYWOOD. You wouldn't think so many hot dishes could come out of such a small space, but they do - some claim that even the water has a kick. If you crave spicy foods, you'll be delighted by such dishes as beef tamarind and fried catfish with green curry. It's well worth burning lips to sample the curry prawns. That's not to say, however, that milder palates will suffer. There's something available for all tastes at this pleasant, well-attended establishment.

SANTA MONICA. Spacious and exotically decorated, bustling Monsoon brings together dining and dancing while live acts fill the two-story room with sound and rhythm. The decor is dark and elegant, and the menu centers around Asian specialties. Try tom yon koon soup or fresh, flavorful Vietnamese spring rolls, and enjoy a cocktail or two with friends or while you mingle. Other dinner possibilities include satays, lotus root and udon noodle salad, Korean fire pork, and Mongolian lamb with pan-fried noodles.

Located in the heart of "Thai Town" amongst a number of other Thai restaurants and groceries, the major draw here is the live entertainment. On weekends, the Thai Elvis impersonator takes the stage and, strange as it might seem, he is quite good. During the week, there are other talented singers who, while maybe not as fun as Elvis, are certainly entertaining. For dinner, stick with something off the "Wild Things" menu, perhaps frog legs with green peppercorns, shrimp with garlic and pepper, spicy Thai sausage, or barbecued pork. Fried rice, and the various noodle and curry dishes are good choices as well. But be forewarned - at Palms Thai, "mild" actually means "still pretty spicy!"

STUDIO CITY. Convenient to the Roxy and Whiskey, this upscale Thai restaurant attracts club performers and attendees who take their cue from the all white dining room and behave accordingly. Barbecued chicken soaked in coconut milk and spiced with ginger is a local favorite, while shrimp curry and pad Thai noodles tossed with shellfish in peanut sauce are also desirable. It's hard not to relax in this serene, elegant environment that's one of L.A.'s most popular Thai restaurants.