Waffles

Waffles are so delicious, so pleasingly mathematical in form, their grid of squares such an ideal surface for butter and maple syrup or fresh berries and cream. Here are a few good ones:

* Fred 62: This is a perfect waffle: crunchy, as light as air, with a large deep grid designed expressly for warm real maple syrup and whipped butter. (Waffle, $3.62.) Fred 62, 1850 N. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, (213) 667-0062.

* Schatzi: At brunch on Saturday and Sunday, light, thick--and extremely popular--waffles are served with powdered sugar, mixed berries (strawberries, raspberries and boysenberries), butter, maple syrup and a glass of wine. (Waffle and wine, $6.) Schatzi on Main, 3110 Main St., Santa Monica, (310) 399-4800.

* Bel-Air Hotel: One version of heaven is sitting out on the Bel-Air’s lovely patio, listening to the birds sing, and eating a hot waffle with fresh strawberries and raspberries, butter and maple or raspberry syrup. (Waffle, $12.) Bel-Air Hotel, 701 Stone Canyon Road, Bel-Air, (310) 472-1211.

* Blueberry: This new little countrified cafe in downtown Santa Monica serves a made-to-order “malted” waffle (malt powder adds sweetness and flavor) with warm syrup and eye-opening rum butter. (Waffle, $4.50.) Blueberry, 510 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica, (310) 394-7766.

* Roscoe’s Chicken & Waffles: Roscoe’s pretty golden made-to-order waffles can be ordered alone, with eggs or, of course, with Roscoe’s redoubtable fried chicken. Comes with butter and syrup. Try the buckwheat waffles too. (Waffles, $2.50 to $4.50.) Roscoe’s Chicken & Waffles, 1514 N. Gower St., Los Angeles, (213) 466-7453; 106 W. Manchester Ave., Los Angeles (213) 752-6211; 5006 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles, (213) 934-4405; 830 N. Lake Ave., Pasadena, (626) 791-4890.

* Beverly Hills Breakfast Club: Here you can order an estimable plain waffle, a waffle topped with fresh fruit (blueberries, bananas, strawberries and cream) or a waffle with pecans, bacon and/or chocolate chips right in the batter. (Waffles, $3.95 to $5.45.) Beverly Hills Breakfast Club, 9671 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, (310) 271-8903.

* Brent’s Deli: All day, every day, you can eat made-to-order waffles here: plain waffles with butter and syrup, waffles topped with strawberries and cream or waffles served with two eggs and bacon or sausage. (Waffles, $3.45 to $5.95.) Brent’s Deli, 19565 Parthenia Ave., Northridge, (818) 886-5679.