Picnics That Leave You Time to Enjoy Them

If your idea of a relaxing summer meal or picnic does not include time in the kitchen, there are a number of deli counters in the area ready to take up the slack. Here is a sampling of the culinary offerings, from gourmet to traditional fare:

Major Market

1855 Centre City Parkway, Escondido. 741-8115. 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily Those who have not yet perused the service deli area of the Major Market in Escondido are in for a happy gastronomic experience.

Finding freshly-made escargot (snails in garlic butter, six for $3.99), focaccia fresh from the oven, plump muffuletta sandwiches (stuffed, mini-loaves $2.99 each) in the style of Nice, and freshly-assembled shrimp pesto pizza to go (2 for $9.99) may come as a surprise to many North County residents.

Richard London, president of the locally based Major chain, explains the philosophy behind his store’s out-of-the ordinary offerings: “People are looking for a refreshing change,” says the executive, “and we want to have a point of difference.” Indeed, filling a picnic basket here may prove a quandary, so extensive is the selection.

One of the people responsible for this cornucopia is food service director Andre Ginekis, a chef who bails from Nice and is a member of the prestigious Maitres Cuisiners de France , the French Master Chef culinary association.

Ginekis came to the United States 15 years ago at the behest of superstar pastry chef Gaston Lenotre, to open the critically acclaimed restaurant La Cote Basque in New York. His travels eventually brought him to North County, where he opened Major Market’s deli over a year and a half ago. “I want to offer the French gourmet touch no one else has, like the fresh-baked French baguettes just like we have in France,” says Ginekis pointing happily to a shopper with four fresh baguettes in her cart.

The deli section offers fresh salsas, freshly made pasta and accompanying sauces, and more than 30 salads, among them tomato and mozzarella with fresh basil ($4.99 a pound) and garlic herb pasta salad ($3.49 a pound), all presented in platters adorned with delicate “flowers” made of carved vegetables.

To help him put on such a display, Andre Ginekis relies on a staff of 30, which includes a battery of Chinese chefs, a Japanese sushi chef, and a chef of Portuguese descent. The pastry counter, a wide and gleaming affair, features authentic French pastries created by pastry chef Fancois Mallet, who is originally from Lyons, France’s gastronomic capital.

Ginekis requires 24 hours notice to assemble a picnic basket to customer specification. Also available on a daily basis are a variety of box lunches and gourmet cold salad plates.

Daniel’s Market

1555 Camino del Mar Del Mar Plaza. 481-8191. 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Daniel’s Market in the Del Mar Plaza offers more than 900 items in its service deli--one of the most extensive selections in San Diego, according to catering and deli supervisor Dan Napier.

Imported and domestic cheeses, organic burritos and Rastaburgers of tofu and curry are among Daniel’s more esoteric offerings.

“We pride ourselves on using no MSG, or preservatives, in our salads, pies, or cakes,” says Napier. Customers on-the-go have 35 salads to choose from at the salad bar, or--with four hours notice--can order instead a basket filled with fruit, wine, and cheeses. The baskets start at $20.

A heartier picnic might include Daniel’s freshly made coleslaw ($3.75 a pound), their best-selling salad of sugar-snap peas ($6.99 a pound) or the curry, tarragon and Southwestern chicken salad ($7.99 a pound). Box lunches start at $5.99 per person, and include a sandwich, a choice of salad and piece of fruit, as well as a beverage and condiments.

Ralph’s

7140 Avenida Encinas, Carlsbad. 431-1060 or 431-1191 Open 24 hours a day.

Mathew Maghroory, manager of the Chef Express deli at Ralph’s in Carlsbad, proudly expounds on the healthful aspect of the prepared meats and salads available in his deli.

“There are no additives, preservatives, or MSG in any of our deli items,” he said. The deli carries preservative-free meats and pates , as well as low-calorie cheeses. More than two dozen platters are mounded with sodium-free salads ready for take-out.

“We’re trying to teach customers not to eat greasy foods or red meats, and to concentrate on more healthful salads,” says Maghroory, a former restaurant owner. Everything except the macaroni and potato salads is made on the premises by a trained chef; most dressings are made with olive oil.

Particularly on weekends, Maghroory recommends ordering at least two hours ahead of time.

A sampling of the salads available include three bean salad ($2.69 a pound), a Greek vegetable salad chock-full of fresh vegetables and Feta cheese ($5.99 a pound), and a best-selling Italian pasta salad ($4.99 a pound).

Whole baked chickens, or a bucket of chicken (12 pieces for $7.49), and plump, hand-made tamales ($2.99 each), are also on the menu. Freshly-made sushi and California rolls ($3.75 a piece) are located in the fresh fish case.

Vons

940 S. Santa Fe Vista. 758-0620. Daily 6 a.m. to midnight. The deli corner seems to be one of the busiest in the Von’s supermarket on the corner of Santa Fe and Escondido avenues in Vista.

On a recent visit, the menu leaned toward freshly prepared Mexican fare. The offerings ranged from chicken empanadas ($1.39 each) to a chili relleno casserole several inches thick ($4.79 a pound) a salad of Verduras Mexicanas ($3.99 a pound) as well as Baja chicken roasted on a spit behind the counter ($1.99 for one-half chicken.)

An attractive alternative to a sandwich is the Von’s “Party Ring” of freshly-baked bread, stuffed like a sandwich and curled around choice of salads ($24.95, serves 10 to 15). Another original presentation is the chili bowl, made from a sheepherder’s loaf filled with beef chili ($15.95 each).

Calorie counters will appreciate the seafood salad, one of the deli’s top-sellers ($4.99 a pound), as well as the slaw sweetened with apple juice ($1.99 a pound.

The deli requires 24 hours’ notice to assemble party trays or picnic baskets, including one that contains everything from a whole chicken to plastic implements ($39.95, serves four to six people.)