Last night at Eva, chef-owner Mark Gold was in fine form, greeting guests and chatting table-side on the third night since his new Beverly Boulevard restaurant opened. “You know, I wouldn't have ordered that,” he said, considering the plates of foie gras with summer melon and maple, and Hokkaido scallops with chorizo and orange at our table. “Next time you're here we'll just go across the street.” What? Turns out Gold probably eats more meals at Buddha's Belly, which is just on the other side of Beverly, than he does at his own restaurant. Wonder if Neal Fraser, whose restaurants BLD and Grace are a few doors east of Eva, hangs out there too.

Buddha's Belly: 7475 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles; (323)931-8588.

Eva: 7458 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles; (323) 634-0700.

Advertising disclosure: We may receive compensation for some of the links in our stories. Thank you for supporting LA Weekly and our advertisers.