Free from the shackles of his job, it’s time to enjoy a little freedom.

PSST, spread the word -- Amaury Nolasco has busted out of Joliet. The 35-year-old actor is finally back in his West Hollywood home after months at the notorious facility outside Chicago filming Fox’s “Prison Break,� which returns from a winter-long hiatus Monday night.

Nolasco, whose credits include the baseball flick “Mr. 3000,� plays hardball again in “The Benchwarmers� with Rob Schneider and David Spade, in theaters in April. But for now, he can forget about running around the bases and focus on running around L.A.

Heavenly meal

One place I love for dinner is La Boheme in West Hollywood, which looks like it used to be a church a long time ago because it has that vibe, with these beautiful vaulted ceilings and fireplaces. But it’s not just the architecture -- the food is phenomenal. They do a great grilled pork chop with applesauce that’s to die for, with asparagus or steamed carrots on the side. Delicious.

After dinner, I might go to the House of Blues, especially if there’s some ‘80s band. I’m an ‘80s freak. I don’t even know who is hot these days, but if Journey or Night Ranger is playing, I’m there.

Go Yankees

On Saturday morning I’ll go to Quality with my girlfriend and get the egg whites with spinach and sliced tomatoes and a side of golden pancakes. Then, ideally, I’d go out to Anaheim to watch my favorite baseball team, the Yankees, play the Angels in an afternoon game. I’ve loved the Yankees since I was a kid, but I also just love baseball. If the Yankees weren’t in town, I’d go out and see the Dodgers play whoever, just to spend a day at the ballpark.

I’d then go shopping at Trader Joe’s so I could make my girl a special dinner that night. I love to cook; my mother back in Puerto Rico taught me when I was very young. And my girlfriend went to culinary school, so when she gets her healthy, Northern California thing going in the kitchen, and me with my Latin cooking, it’s a beautiful clash of cultures. But if I was making dinner it would be pollo guisado, a chicken stew, with rice and plantains.

Sand, but no water

On Sunday morning, I used to always fantasize about having friends over to my big house and pool, and now thanks to the series, that might happen. But for now, I’d spend the day in Manhattan Beach. It’s too cold to surf here. I’m used to the water in Puerto Rico, so anything below 70 degrees is too cold. It’s still beautiful, and you can sit out and relax.

When we get back, we might catch a movie at the Grove or ArcLight. I love movies, and hey, it’s my business.

That night, I’d go to my favorite restaurant, El Cochinito, really just a hole-in-the-wall place in Silver Lake. It means “little pig,� and I really make a pig of myself there.

I get the breaded steak with rice and beans and plantains on the side, and malta, a Latin malt beverage. It’s a Cuban place, but it reminds me of being in Puerto Rico. All my family is still back there, and when I eat at El Cochinito, it’s like a touch of home.

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-- Mark Sachs