Mashing Pumpkins

17200 Ventura Blvd, Encino , CA 91316 (map)

When breakfast includes pumpkin-spice waffles and pancakes at this down-home Encino diner, even triple-digit heat waves can?t stop the season from changing.

9635 S Santa Monica Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90291 (map)

Lightly-spiced pumpkin cupcakes slathered with a generous heap of cheesecake frosting make an appearance in the Sprinkles display case every Wednesday and Friday.

3626 W Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90026 (map)

Pumpkin ravioli is a year-round favorite at this ever-popular Eastside staple. The succulent squash is tucked into sweet, brown-buttered ravioli and served over sauteed Swiss chard.

1800 S Hoover St, Los Angeles, CA 90006 (map)

For authentic Yucatan flavor, head downtown for Mayan-style enchiladas stuffed with hard-boiled eggs and then baked in epazote and pumpkin seed sauce.

12217 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025 (map)

Zu-style kabocha (Japanese pumpkin) infused with miso, honey and lemon, sizzles to perfection at this Japanese-style tapas restaurant.

6627 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90028 (map)

Mouthwatering enchildas de pipian, made with chicken or tender shredded beef, come drenched in a special housemade, red pumpkin seed and peanut sauce.

176 N Canon Dr, Beverly Hills, CA 90210 (map)

Hamachi and tuna sashimi in a soy-yuzu, wasabi and pumpkin oil marinade make this delectable dish a healthy reprieve during the holiday gorge-fest.

10740 Wilshire Blvd, Westwood, CA 90024 (map)

This eco-conscious Westwood newbie is home to "The Great Pumpkin"--a magical potion of Captain Morgan's, Frangelico, Licor 43, and Canton Ginger Liquor served in a martini glass with a graham cracker-crusted rim.

8833 W Sunset Blvd, West Hollywood, CA 90069 (map)

Pumpkin-spiced lattes crop up in the espresso menus of most coffeehouses this time of year, and they?re at Peet?s too. But with the unseasonably warm weather in L.A., ice cold pumpkin freddos are a refreshing alternative.

945 N Fairfax Ave, West Hollywood, CA 90046 (map)

Pumpkin-infused vodka helps spice up a seasonal favorite at this infamous West-Hollywood martini haven whose claim to fame is the apple martini. Speaking of apples, the caramel apple martini makes a fabulous autumn aperitif.

300 S Doheny Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90048 (map)

For a more indulgent pumpkin-plumpin' facial, book the hour-long fruit and pumpkin enzyme peel. Fresh extracts slough off dead skin and kick collagen production back into gear.

7700 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood, CA 90046 (map)

Fans of this red-hot WeHo spa will love the three fall specials all using pumpkin masks or scrubs: "Russian Autumn Breeze," "Fall in St. Petersburg" and a "Walk Through Red Square." Dah.