Downtown Dining

Can’t think of where to eat when you’re downtown?

The Original Pantry Bake & Sandwich Shoppe, 875 S. Figueroa St., (213) 627-6879. Style : Offspring of the Original Pantry has diners with neckties sitting next to hard hats. Setting : Industrial. Old photos, celebrity glossies on the walls. Recommended : Turkey sandwich; Pantry coleslaw; chocolate cake. Cost : $4-$10 per person.

Mandarin Cove, 404 S. Figueroa, 6th Floor (Bonaventure Hotel), (213) 488-1111. Style : Large Cantonese-style restaurant where you won’t have to ask for a fork. Setting : Cool Moderne. Recommended : Jellyfish, sea cucumber, sweet-and-sour pork. Cost : $5-$12 per person.

Pacific Dining Car, 1310 W. 6th St., (213) 483-6000. Style : Old politico steak and handshake hangout; open 24 hours. Setting : Dark and clubby. Recommended : Steak, rack of lamb. Cost : $20-$40 per person.

The Sonora Cafe, 445 S. Figueroa St. (in the Union Bank Building), (213) 624-1800. Style: Yuppieville downtown--upscale enchiladas in a trendy setting. Setting : Desert shades of pink and blue with earthy fabrics; woven wall murals. Recommended : Crab and wild mushroom enchiladas; blue corn-bread madeleines; tequila-marinated salmon. Cost : $15-$35.

Stepps, 330 S. Hope St. (in the Wells Fargo Plaza), (213) 626-0900. Style : Upscale eclectic dining within a stone’s throw of the Music Center. Setting : Hustle and bustle benign. Recommended : Cajun meatloaf, sesame chicken salad. Cost: $5-$15.