Fred's 62   

The Jetsons would probably feel right at home inside this Los Feliz diner. With a glowing blue neon sign and an exterior that's the same color as the "little green men" of American alien mythos, it seems to have dropped in from a cartoon galaxy. Inside, the decor is a little more mellow -- but still, the metallic green booths and chrome tabletop toasters remind you that this is no ordinary greasy spoon. It's the 24-hour hangout of hungry hepcats -- a place where you can enjoy veggie vermicelli at midnight or a PB & J sandwich with a pint of Boddington's at noon. Truthfully, most of the menu options aren't quite as wacky, though the names might lead you to believe otherwise. The Dime Bag proves to be a classic eggs-bacon-toast-and-hashbrowns breakfast combo with a pancake on the side. Bearded Mr. Frenchy is cornflake-coated French toast; Granola a la Fredula is simply a homemade version of the quintessential hippie breakfast staple. "Towers" is a code name for club sandwiches, while the eyebrow-raising Bang Bang turns out to be a vegetarian noodle dish. Breakfast and brunch is where the restaurant truly shines; the various flavored pancakes and inventive tofu scrambles are stellar at any time of day or night. -- Lena Katz