Where to Eat Now includes a wide variety of establishments in the vibrant communities of western Los Angeles, Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties.

The guide is organized in the following categories:

Fine Dining: These restaurants have a skilled kitchen team, a lovely dining room, and great service. Some of the spots require elegant attire, but most allow for all styles of dress, from fancy to casual.

Foodie: The Foodie designation represent the ultimate foodie destinations in our guide — those restaurants whose cuisine shines regardless of decor, service, ambience or even views to make food lovers swoon time and time again.

Good Eats: Not too fancy, not too expensive, and a good experience all around — these are the qualities you'll find at the restaurants in this section.

The Chain Gang: Chain restaurants run the gamut from casual to very elegant, but the main component of any chain is consistency. You know what you're getting when you walk into a chain. There are no star chefs, but if you find the listing here, you will get good food, good service, and clean environs. We've left out those places with interminable waits and mediocre fare.

Fun, Fun, Fun: Whether they have crazy food, a festive atmosphere, or high-energy servers, these are the places to go if you're looking for a good time.

Lunch Bunch: Perfect for a midday meal, these listings are casual spots and fabulous cafés (which might not be open for dinner) that are ideal for meet-ups.

This list is by no means exhaustive and we welcome suggestions from our readers. If you would like to suggest your favorite restaurant, please submit your recommendation to edit@805living.com.