PICNIC PIZAZZ.

Byline: Natalie Haughton Food Editor

There's nothing quite like alfresco dining at a picnic in the park, at the beach, in the garden or poolside in the great outdoors.

While picnic fare can range from easy to elaborate, it's best to keep it simple, advises Sara Deseran, author of the recently released ``Picnics: Delicious Recipes for Outdoor Entertaining'' (Chronicle Books; $14.95) with 45 contemporary recipes for salads, sandwiches, main dishes, desserts and drinks.

``There's something about abandoning the formalities of the dining room and taking it outdoors that just makes food taste better,'' she says, adding that ``one of the joys of picnicking is that there are no hard rules.''

Rely on takeout establishments or supermarket delis for sandwiches, salads or deli meats, cheeses, breads and the like that travel well and are attractive as well as easy to pack, serve and eat.

For something different for Memorial Day and beyond, opt for an ethnic menu. Stop by a Middle Eastern market or takeout restaurant (Zankou Chicken, Tarzana Armenian Grocery & Deli and Carnival are good bets) for assorted mezze (appetizers) like baba ganoush, stuffed grape leaves, hummus, falafel, etc.; assorted sandwich rolls (in pita bread) or whole or half chickens or shawarma; and assorted salads like tabbouleh.

Or how about trying a Mexican fiesta-style picnic with all the trimmings? Simply pick up everything at Vallarta Supermarkets and head to the park or beach with a small barbecue grill for cooking the ranchera steak and fresh corn-on-the cob. Serve with warm tortillas (heat in foil on the grill), guacamole, refried beans and plenty of salsa. Don't forget watermelon and fresh strawberries for dessert and, of course, frosty-cold Mexican beer and soft drinks as desired.

For more sophisticated fare, pick up prepared picnic baskets from a restaurant like BG To Go Cafe in Studio City. Six menu options are available (featuring chicken, filet mignon, etc.), ranging in price from $19.95 to $33.50 per person. Everything you'll need is included, excluding wine and other drinks, plastic wine and drink glasses, blankets, tablecloths, etc.

The most popular basket, according to Carolyn Pappas, owner of the cafe and Bistro Garden restaurant next door, is the cold poached salmon selection. Tote a citronella candle to keep bugs away, along with a plastic tray to act as a mini-table. Don't forget a corkscrew (or a Swiss army knife that has one) if you plan to serve wine. Be sure to take plenty of bottled water, too, and clean-up items like garbage bags, moist towelettes, paper towels and food storage bags.

If you want to whip up some of the picnic dishes yourself, there are plenty of ways to raise the bar and create memorable picnics, says Deseran. Liven things up and have more fun by thinking beyond the usual hot dogs, hamburgers, chips, sodas or sandwiches. Opt for fresh mozzarella, tomato and basil on focaccia or roasted pork loin with sliced fennel, sliced apples and grainy mustard, she advises. A homemade sweet roasted pepper relish can turn grilled sausages into something special.

Think beyond potato salad and coleslaw, too. A chopped spring salad with asparagus pieces, fresh peas, cucumber and avocado is one of Deseran's favorite offerings, as is a green bean salad with an almond butter-ginger dressing. For desserts, she suggests an English berry pudding, a lemon and creme fraiche loaf cake or nectarine tarts, all easily transported. In the drink department, offer honey-ginger lemonade or watermelon-lime agua fresca.

Pack according to the site. For beach or lawn picnics you'll need large straw mats, a tarp or large piece of plastic (to prevent moisture from seeping through) or plastic-lined blankets, towels, folding chairs and such.

Jazz up the festivities with colorful and sturdy acrylic and plastic plates and utensils from places like Target, Wal-Mart stores, grocery and drugstores.

Just before leaving home, pack the food in the order it will be eaten to keep it cool until needed, advises Deseran. Use a cooler (some of the newest ones have wheels), basket or insulted bag with ice or frozen gel packs.

Pack hot and cold foods separately - and don't leave food out more than two hours.

When it comes to picnic wines, Deseran notes that easy-drinking choices like sauvignon blanc, pinot blanc, drier rieslings, pinot grigio and quality roses tend to be more food- and hot-weather friendly than other wines.

Natalie Haughton, [phone]

natalie.haughton(at)dailynews.com

PICNIC WITH PANACHE

(About $47 for two without wine)

Caesar salad

Cold Poached Salmon with Sauce Verte

Cucumber Dill Salad

Bread slices and butter

Bread Pudding with Rum Raisin Sauce

Dry white wine of choice

(Purchase ready-made at BG To Go, Studio City)

MIDDLE EASTERN FEAST

(About $35 for three or four without beverages)

Babaganoush

Chunky eggplant salad

Stuffed grape leaves

Tabouli

Pita Bread

Large turkey pita sandwich

Large vegi delight sandwich

Baklava

White wine of choice and/or assorted soft drinks

(Pick up ready-made items at Tarzana Armenian Grocery & Deli or other Middle Eastern take-out establishments or markets)

MEXICAN BBQ 

(About $30 for four without drinks)

Salsa

Guacamole

Refried beans

Ranchera steak

Grilled fresh white corn

Corn tortillas

Seedless watermelon slices

Fresh strawberries

Beer and/or soft drinks

(Purchase items at Vallarta Supermarkets, various locations throughout the Valley. Steak and corn need to be grilled before eating)

Where to find picnic fare

A wide array of picnic fare options is possible. Mix and match menu items from various markets, specialty stores and takeout establishments - or order a picnic box or basket (prices and menus vary) at a restaurant (some markets also offer them) and pick it up on the way to alfresco dining this weekend or throughout the year. (This list does not include establishments that only offer picnic selections during the Hollywood Bowl season.)

Don't forget napkins, utensils, cups or glasses, a corkscrew, a bottle of wine and assorted drinks. Also be sure to pack a trash bag for easy cleanup.

A-1 Produce and Veggie Lovers Deli, 9043 Reseda Blvd., Northridge, [phone].

Abe's, 19626 Nordhoff St., Northridge, [phone].

Art's, 12224 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, [phone].

BG To Go, 12950 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, [phone].

Brent's, 19565 Parthenia St., Northridge, [phone].

California Chicken Cafe, 15601 Ventura Blvd., Encino, [phone]; 18445 Nordhoff St., Northridge, [phone]. Also locations in Los Angeles, West Los Angeles and Santa Monica.

Carillo's Mexican Deli, 19744 Sherman Way, Canoga Park, [phone].

Carnival Restaurant, 4356 Woodman Ave., Sherman Oaks, [phone].

Cavaretta's Italian Groceries and Deli, 22045 Sherman Way, Canoga Park, [phone].

Cha Cha Cha Encino, 17499 Ventura Blvd., Encino, [phone].

Cheesecake Factory, 6324 Canoga Ave., Woodland Hills, [phone]; 15301 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks, [phone]. Also other locations throughout the Los Angeles area.

Coco's Bakery Restaurant, 21844 Victory Blvd., Woodland Hills, [phone]. Also other locations throughout the Valley and Los Angeles area.

Corner Bakery, 4776 Commons Way, Calabasas, [phone]; 6100 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Woodland Hills, [phone].

Daily Grill, 12050 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, [phone]; 2500 Hollywood Way, Burbank, [phone].

Dan's Super Subs, 22446 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills, [phone].

Domingo's Italian Grocery and Deli, 17548 Ventura Blvd., Encino, [phone].

Pastries by Edie, 21608 Sherman Way, Canoga Park, [phone].

Fratelli's Pizza, 20929 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills, [phone].

Fromin's, 17615 Ventura Blvd., Encino, [phone].

German Cold Cuts International, 6019 Topanga Canyon Blvd., Woodland Hills, [phone].

Jerry's Famous Deli, 16650 Ventura Blvd., Encino, [phone]; 12655 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, [phone]; 21857 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills, [phone]. Also locations throughout the Los Angeles area.

Koo Koo Roo - locations throughout the Valley and Los Angeles area.

La Cachette, 10506 Santa Monica Blvd., West Los Angeles, [phone].

Mandarin Deli Restaurant, 9305 Reseda Blvd., Northridge, [phone].

Monte Carlo Delicatessen and Restaurant, 3103 W. Magnolia Blvd., Burbank, [phone].

Mort's, 18452 Clark St., Tarzana, [phone].

Poquito Mas, 3701 Cahuenga Blvd. W., Studio City, [phone]; 21049 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills, [phone]; 24405 Town Center Drive, Valencia, [phone]; 10651 Magnolia Blvd., North Hollywood, [phone]; 2635 W. Olive Blvd., Burbank, [phone].

Supermarkets: Takeout counters at Gelson's Markets, Albertsons, Ralphs, Vons, Pavilions, Bristol Farms, etc. - locations throughout the Valley and Los Angeles area.

Tarzana Armenian Grocery & Deli, 18598 Ventura Blvd., Tarzana, [phone]; 11288 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, [phone].

Trader Joe's - locations throughout the Valley and Los Angeles area.

Vallarta Supermarkets, 21208 Sherman Way, Canoga Park, [phone]; 10859 Oxnard St., North Hollywood [phone]; also other locations in the Valley and Los Angeles area.

Wood Ranch BBQ & Grill, 5050 Cornell Road, Agoura Hills, [phone]; 540 New Los Angeles Ave., Moorpark, [phone]; 25580 The Old Road, Valencia, [phone]; 9301 Tampa Ave., Northridge, [phone]. Also other locations in Los Angeles area.

Zankou Chicken, 5658 Sepulveda Blvd., Van Nuys, [phone]; 1415 E. Colorado Blvd., Glendale, [phone]; 5065 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood, [phone]. Also in Pasadena and Anaheim.

- Daily News

CAPTION(S):

3 photos, box

Photo:

(1 -- cover -- color) PICNIC WITH PANACHE

(2 -- color) MIDDLE EASTERN FEAST

(3 -- color) MEXICAN BBQ

Box:

Where to find picnic fare (see text)