El Compadre Restaurant   

It's all in the name at El Compadre, an old-school Mexican restaurant cum Hollywood hangout that's as dependable as an old friend. Not surprisingly, the bar is the first thing one encounters when entering from the street. It's a shadowy, L-shaped bar, tucked away behind the music stage, suitable for an intimate rendezvous or a flaming margarita -- yes, they light them up -- with a group of friends. The crowd is a colorful collection of nascent rock stars and wannabe actors gobbling on passable south-of-the-border fare, while putting away a parade of the killer flaming margaritas -- the restaurant's real claim to fame. Late-nighters love the hours, which extend well into the witching hour every night of the week. For those dining, the dimly lit dining room is a fusion of red Naugahyde and natural wood, with black velvet Mexican folk art and strings of multi-colored lights lining the walls. Live music keeps the fiesta alive every night until last call sends the party packing.