In addition to Spago, there are a number of famous restaurants that call the Sunset Strip home. The most notable of these is Le Dome, which could boast Elton John as one of its founders back in 1977.

This chic French restaurant has a huge celebrity following, and at the noon hour, Le Dome is always packed full with Hollywood agents, producers, music-industry names (like David Geffin, Danny Elfman and Berry Gordy) and other players who enjoy the "power lunch" scene, with a long line of Rolls-Royces out front.

These Tinseltown power brokers prefer the inside tables to the right of the bar, but the movie stars (such as Sly Stallone, Don Johnson and Richard Gere, even Ronald Reagan in his time) prefer sitting on the patio to the left of the bar. Suffice it to say, this is a great spot for stargazing. The restaurant also offers a nice view of the city, and yes, there is a dome - above the bar.

Elizabeth Taylor  was recently spotted there with Jeff Goldblum. So was Roger Moore. Ricky Martin  was seen there as well. According to Time, regulars have included Stallone & Gere, Liza Minnelli, Gregory Peck, Sting, Diana Ross and Julio Iglesias. Others who Bobby-the-waiter remembers serving include Natalie Cole, Joan Rivers, Ann-Margret, Jackie Collins, Zsa Zsa Gabor and Don Rickles. So was the late Walter Matthau.

Johnny Carson showed up at Le Dome for a party hosted by producer George Schlatter. Johnny told Army Archerd it was the first time he had worn a tie since he left "The Tonight Show." Also at Le Dome that night: Billy Wilder, Kirk Douglas and (the late) Jack Lemmon. Magic Johnson was spotted taking a meeting with Michael Ovitz. Winona & Naomi Judd were spotted there, readying for their concert at the Pond. Robin Givens went on her first date with Mike Tyson at Le Dome.

When Suzanne Pleshette’s husband passed away in 2000, she threw a going-away party/wake at Le Dome, which was attended by, among others, the Sinatras, Kirk Douglas, Bob Newhart, Peter Falk, Dick Van Dyke, Elliott Gould and Stefanie Powers.

In 2003, the restaurant interior underwent a complete makeover, creating a much more glamorous and comfortable space.

The front desk is friendlier than most (to non-celebrities as well as to stars), and service is attentive. The old-fashioned, mostly-French menu includes coq au vin, fish soup with rouille & garlic croutons, soft-shell crabs, fabulous osso bucco with fettucine, braised oxtail with mashed potatoes, and even steamed pig knuckles with sauerkraut.

Le Dome is rather pricey; expect to pay just under $100 for dinner for two, and jackets are required. Lunch is served Monday through Friday, from 12 noon. Dinner is served from 6 PM until midnight Monday through Thursday, and until 1 AM on Fridays and Saturdays.

Getting there: From Hollywood & Vine, take Vine Street two blocks south to Sunset Boulevard, and turn right (west). Follow Sunset Boulevard west (about three miles), to about two blocks past La Cienega Boulevard. Le Dome will be on your left (south) side.

[For more information on this subject, you can access a Le Dome menu online at:
http://www.kerrymenu.com/Le-Dome.htm.]