06/20/07

Bowl Game
Luxe Picnic Baskets for Your Outdoor Concert

Picnic baskets for you are sort of like biker shorts forcyclists: You don't love them, but to give your best performance, you need them. As the Hollywood Bowl kicks off its summer concert series this weekend, you'd be wise to leave the basket preparation to aprofessional. Here, the best boxed feasts money can buy.

La Cachette

Whether you and your companion prefer slow-roasted chicken breast and chocolate cake, or ahi tuna tartar and lobster salad, this French classic has five basket options and will deliver for an extra $15.

411:: 411: 10506 S. Santa Monica Blvd (at Thayer), Century City, 310-470-4992, lacachetterestaurant.com, $28-$48, 24-hour advance order required

Cube

Cube's baskets can be filled with an array of paninis, dried fruits, artisanal cheeses and charcuterie, and they'll offer pairing suggestions from nearby wine shops.

411:: 411: 615 N. La Brea Ave (S. of Melrose), Park La Brea, 323-939-1148, divinepasta.com, approximately $20 per person, one week advance order recommended

Joan's On Third

With a bit of planning, baskets can be filled with chicken Milanese, oven-roasted beef tenderloin and a bottle of wine. Last minute? Just show up, ask for a box ($5) and load it with whatever looks good.

411:: 411: 8350 W. 3rd St (between Kings and Flores), West Hollywood, 323-655-2285, joansonthird.com, $17 and up per person, 24-hour advance order for prepared baskets

Doughboys Hollywood

Bowl-wise, this new outpost is more convenient than the original on Third Street. And their no-frills baskets (sandwiches, fruit, salads and desserts the size of your head) are ready within three hours of your call.

411:: 411: 1160 N. Highland Ave (at Lexington), Hollywood, 323-467-9117, doughboys.net, $45 and up

Petrossian

For the truly show-stopping meal, Petrossian will ship you caviar, duck foie gras and smoked cod with crème fraiche in an isothermic tote. You can order online or by phone, but if you show up in person you can also buy wine.

411:: 411: 321 N. Robertson Blvd (N. of Beverly), West Hollywood, 800-828-9241, petrossian.com, up to $300 and beyond, 24-48 hour advance notice for shipped orders

Clementine

This hidden Westside café will assemble a basket—and deliver it to you curbside—that's guaranteed to charm your date with three-course meals, cheese plates and a chocolate sampler. They'll even fill your thermos with their homemade marshmallow-topped hot chocolate.

411:: 411: 1751 Ensley Ave (at Santa Monica Blvd), Century City, 310-552-1080, clementineonline.com, $12-38, 24-hour notice recommended

At the Hollywood Bowl

OK, so you blew the ordering-ahead thing. Not to worry: The legendary Patina Group offers respectable to-go meals at Staccato or food and wine at Marketplace and Marketplace West.