A Hollywood bowl of fun.

It looks as if our town's newest status symbol has arrived on the scene, one that the local cognoscenti may elevate to must-have cult status fight up there alongside such objects of desire as the iPod, Gucci s small studded flap bag, the Sony Ericsson K700i, and the Prius hybrid. The Peninsula Beverly Hills and its restaurant The Belvedere, under inventive Executive Chef Scan Hardy, has just launched its own Hollywood Bowl takeaway menu. Says Hardy, "We want to bring The Peninsula experience to the Hollywood Bowl with a style of food which blends perfectly with the atmosphere of that wonderful setting." As it turns out, The Peninsula's new venture turns out to be every bit as luxe as one would expect from a hotel that features a restaurant that could turn virtually anyone into an addict for its fantastic macaroni-and-cheese with Taleggio and shaved truffles.

With Hollywood Bowl season upon us, I thought I'd give The Peninsula's "To Go to The Bowl" menu a test run, so I simply phoned the hotel, customized the food and drink selections from a lively range of starters and desserts, dropped off my car (yes, a Prius) with the valet, picked up my picnic-in-a-box from the dashing concierge and, in less than ten minutes, tops, we were scooting our way to the Bowl. Of course, any observant Bowl-goer knows it as a venue where picnic baskets attain the level of intense personal statement, what with concertgoers schlepping their food and libations in everything from homey brown paper bags from Trader Joe's and Ralph's to elegant antique wicker baskets covered in Madeira lace. But as I carried along that white cardboard box adorned with discreet black letters reading simply "The Peninsula Beverly Hills" and "The Belvedere," heads turned, all the way from the parking lot to our box seats.

The good stuff was only just beginning, though. Once we settled into our seats and prepared to enjoy an evening that included stirring performances by bolero legends Los Panchos and by singer-composer Jose Feliciano, we found that our Peninsula offerings were as attractive to the palate as to the eye. Even our very friendly neighbors in the boxes to the left and right good-naturedly oooh'd and ahhh'd as we unpacked several courses of meal. Things got off to a successful start with The Baby Arugula Salad, with a pleasing blend of baby arugula, tomatoes, and red onion julienne, all given a nice Greek twist courtesy of Kalamata olive slivers and crumbled feta, topped by a red wine vinaigrette. I also enjoyed the Shrimp Cocktail, with perfectly poached shrimp accompanied by a mixed greens garnish, lemon wedges and cocktail sauce.

Popping open our bottle of superb Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley's estimable Beaulieu Vineyard Rutherford, as well as two bottles of chilled Evian Water, we proceeded happily and directly to the Main Selections. These included a Chilled Shrimp Salad that couldn't possibly disappoint; what with its five generously proportioned grilled shrimp on a bed of mache lettuce, shaved fennel, baby carrots, julienne red onions and a tangy lemon preserve dressing. I never would get enough of the delicious and savory Cold Roasted Chicken and Root Vegetable Salad--the chicken was seared to perfection--but the entree was satisfyingly finished by the mixed greens and champagne vinaigrette. Meanwhile, my companions (recovering ex-New Yorkers) were bullish on the Chilled New York Steak with Truffle Potato Salad, accompanied by fresh tomato salsa and greens.

With the concert reaching a romantic boil, the weather balmy, and our party feeling fine and mellow, we ventured into dessert territory. The fresh fruit tart, topped by plump raspberries, strawberries, and blueberries, was a crowning success, offering a light, flaky crust and delicious vanilla sauce on the side. Our neighbors were feeling envious. We were feeling utterly pampered and satisfied by a night of great dining and entertainment. What can The Peninsula and Belvedere s food wizards possibly do for an encore? On our very next visit to the Bowl, I think we'll order some of the vegetarian and other selections and find out.