• Manhattan Beach offers an extensive choice of upscale restaurants.manhattan reflection image by Nwrainman from Fotolia.com
  
  Looking for an upscale restaurant in Manhattan Beach, Calif., isn't too hard, but finding the right upscale restaurant with a long list of wine and champagne, nice glassware, courteous waitstaff and great food, all in an elegant environment, may be a bit more challenging. Three local restaurants offer all of the above.
  
  

Darren's

• Right in the heart of Manhattan Beach is Darren's, which is open for dinner every night. The entrees cover everything from pasta and salmon dishes to duck and rib-eye dishes, and are broken down into three categories: little flour, a little egg; from the ocean; and from the farm. The restaurant has a wide variety of cheese selections, from France, Italy, Spain, New York and California. Darren's has a full bar, including an extensive wine list and seasonal specialty cocktails. Dine in or dine outdoors on the heated patio. Happy hour is offered throughout the week, but on Sunday and Monday it lasts all night.
  
  Darren's Restaurant
  1141 Manhattan Ave.
  Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
  310-802-1973
  darrensrestaurant.com
  
  

Houston's

• Houston's works with local growers and purveyors to ensure the highest quality of meat, fish and chicken on its diverse American classics menu. With cherrywood tables, dim lighting and artwork, Houston's satisfies the eyes as well as the stomach. It serves not only fine-dining entrees, like the Hawaiian rib-eye and sushi, but also burgers that are house-ground daily and tossed out if not used that day. The restaurant has a large wine and champagne list, available by the glass or bottle. Houston's is part of the Hillstone Restaurant Group, with restaurant locations throughout major cities in the U.S.
  
  Houston's
  1550 Rosecrans Ave.
  Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
  310-643-7211
  houstons.com
  
  

Petros Greek Cuisine and Lounge

• Petros Greek Cuisine and Lounge has prominent arches, white walls and neutral table coverings. Guests are not allowed to dine in the restaurant after 5 p.m. if the dress code is not followed. So, no shorts, sandals, baseball caps or sun visors. Petros' menu consists of Greek cuisine with Mediterranean ingredients. Sea bass, lamb, shrimp, octopus, swordfish, meatballs, ribs, veal and chicken dishes are offered as appetizers and entrees. Red and white wine, as well as margaritas, is available. A happy hour menu offers a $7 glass of wine from the wine of the week and $9 margaritas.
  
  Petros Greek Cuisine and Lounge
  451 Manhattan Beach Blvd.
  Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
  310-545-4100
  petrosrestaurant.com