She’s no stranger to the limelight, and Lauren Conrad has learned how to move past all the pomp and circumstance of celebrity life and focus on herself and her career.

The “Hills” beauty was spotted last night leaving Japanese Hibachi restaurant Benihana in Beverly Hills California with a boy toy in tow.

And the fact that she may be dating again lends credence to remarks she made recently in Canadian entertainment blog Dramarama.

Reacting to the New York Times report that she needs to grow up and get over her past relationships, LC stated, "I don't depend on men. I have my own career."

And regarding the Times critic’s assertion that she shouldn’t let her heartbreak from Brody Jenner affect her, she retorted, "You show me the girl that is not affected when a guy that she likes, likes another girl. I don't think it makes me any less of a feminist because my emotions are affected. I think that I'm very independent and I don't let guys effect my life. I think in the past I have, and I've learned from it."

Gossip Girls

Enjoy the pictures of LC out at Benihana last night (March 31), and promoting "The Hills" this past weekend.

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