Sometimes it seems like there are only two kinds of celebrity restaurants: expensive palaces and dependable dives. Think Spago and Pink's.

But surprisingly, there are a lot of good working-class spots in L.A. that have a celebrity following: Dalt's in Burbank. Hamburger Hamlet on Sunset. Canter's Deli on Fairfax. Nate & Al's in Beverly Hills.

Silver Spoon fits into that category, it's a standard old-fashioned diner /coffee shop (circa 1970), complete with a counter (with stools), formica tables, comfortable brown booths, wood paneling on the walls (with movie posters on display), plus a bar with a jukebox and a big screen TV. It's nice, but it's not the sort of place you'd expect to encounter anyone famous.

But let your eye wander to the walls, and you might notice that some of those posters are of movies starring the restaurant's regular customers.

Silver Spoon has a history. Back in the '70s it was known as "Theodore's cafe", and after Schwab's Drug Store closed (and A&M Records was nearby), Theodore's became a stomping ground for some of the local celebs. People remember seeing John Lennon drop by, as well as Robert De Niro. Later in the 70's, a young Robin Williams and John Ritter used to stop by following their morning comedy classes.

The name changed to "Silver Spoon" back in 1987, and the restaurant (tucked away off Santa Monica Blvd) has become something of a club for a handful of celebrity regulars.

On one day, director Quentin Tarantino ("Pulp Fiction") came to Silver Spoon looking for actor Robert Forster (a 20-year regular here), whom he wanted to cast in his movie "Jackie Brown". Quentin bumped into actress Sally Kirkland (a regular for 25+ years), who gave the director some tips on acting.

The legendary Shelley Winters ("A Patch of Blue", "The Poseidon Adventure") was yet another regular at Silver Spoon. So is veteran actor Martin Landau ("The X-Files", "Ed Wood", "Mission Impossible").

Other stars spotted here in recent years include Roseanne, Thora Birch ("American Beauty"), Rachel Weisz ("Constantine"), Benico del Toro ("The Usual Suspects"), Stella Stevens ("The Ballad of Cable Hogue"), Faye Dunaway ("Bonnie & Clyde", "Network"), Leslie Ann Warren ("Victor/Victoria"), Farrah Fawcett ("Charlie's Angels") Florence Henderson ("The Brady Bunch" mom), David Hyde Pierce ('Niles' on "Fraiser"), Carol Kane ("Taxi"), confetti-throwing comic Rip Taylor, Limp Bizkit's Fred Durst, director Mark Rydell ("On Golden Pond"), singer/songwriter Paul Williams, Sybil Danning ("Warrior Queen"), Dolph Lundgren ("Rocky IV"), Tina Louise ('Ginger' on "Gilligan's Island"), David Proval ('Richie' on "The Sopranos"), and veteran character actor Dick Miller.

It's become sort of a laid-back power lunch spot. The menu is standard coffee-shop eclectic: burgers, sandwiches, Mexican food, soup, grilled pork chops, chicken-fried steak...

There's a casual glassed-in patio on the west side with a view of Santa Monica Blvd, in addition to the indoor room with the booths.

Prices are quite reasonable. They're open seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. (until 2 a.m. on weekends.) Service is quick and friendly.

Getting there: The Silver Spoon is located on the north side of Santa Monica Blvd., in West Hollywood, just four blocks west of La Cienega. From Hollywood & Highland, go south on Highland to Santa Monica Blvd and turn right (west), then go about a mile and a half to the corner of Havenhurst Drive & Santa Monica Blvd. It will be on your right (north) side, tucked away behind a small parking lot. Look for the large square sign out by the street.

[For more info, go to their official website at: http://www.silverspoonrestaurant.net.]

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