If you look at a family tree of the Los Angeles dining scene, Campanile rests comfortably near the top.

In 1989 chefs Mark Peel and Nancy Silverton introduced stripped-down, Mediterranean dishes in a castle-like building that once belonged to Charlie Chaplin. The restaurant is still considered a local vanguard for today's market-friendly trends, and surprisingly, it can be one of the best deals in town.

Through the years, Campanile has eschewed architectural and deconstructed food for simple and straightforward dishes like the flawless grilled rib-eye with black olive tapenade and stewed flageolet beans ($38), an '89 original. And thick, juicy, flavorful Kurobuta pork chops with long-cooked greens ($32) or sautéed trenne pasta with rich beef Bolognese ($15) leave nothing to hide.

While "grilled cheese nights" are still popular on Thursdays, the three-course, $45 menus on Mondays are the way to go. Peel changes it up weekly, but recent offerings have included grilled romaine with fava purée, a hearty North African-inspired lamb stew and buttery semolina cake with poached peaches and crème fraîche.

For Campanile's 20th anniversary celebration this week, look for specials like family-style fried chicken (tonight) and wine deals on Thursday. And because every celebration should have something on a spit, festivities conclude with a Saturday-afternoon pig roast.

Campanile, 624 S. La Brea Ave., Miracle Mile; 323-938-1447 or campanilerestaurant.com