City’s Best Brownies

What’s the best, easiest picnic dessert? We vote for the brownie, the fudgier and/or chewier the better. Here are some that will make any chocolate-lover blissful. Stock up for all your picnics this summer: Brownies freeze well.

* Jeffrey’s Pa^tisserie: Pastry genius Jeffrey Johnson makes brownies to order only. His is a dense, intense brownie from an old family recipe, made with excellent chocolate and extra-dark French cocoa powder and dusted with vanilla-scented powdered sugar. Order by phone or e-mail only. (Brownies, $3.20 each; minimum order one dozen.) Jeffrey’s Pa^tisserie, (626) 462-0762; e-mail: Pastry Jeff@aol.com.

* King’s Road Cafe: At this popular corner coffee house, pastry chef Theresa O’Donoghue makes a gratifyingly outsize espresso brownie with chocolate chips and a chocolate butter cream frosting. Call ahead for larger orders. (Brownies, $3.25 each.) King’s Road Cafe, 8361 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, (310) 655-9044.

* Border Grill: Step inside the Border Grill and buy a couple of its awesome fudgy brownies right off the dessert counter. They’re so hefty you’ll be tempted to split them, but you’ll really want one all for yourself. For larger orders, order by telephone at least 24 hours in advance. (Brownies, $3.25 each.) Border Grill, 1445 4th St., Santa Monica, (310) 451-1655.

* Sweet Lady Jane: Often cited as the best brownies in the city, Jane Lockhart’s espresso brownies are studded with walnuts and have a compelling hint of almond. They are 2 inches square and fudgy, rather than cakey. For more than one dozen, telephone 24 hours in advance. (Brownies, $1.50 each.) Sweet Lady Jane, 8360 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood, (323) 653-7145.

* Netty’s: This well-kept Silver Lake secret sells its own rich and moist espresso brownies with walnuts. For larger orders (a dozen or more), they would like 24 hours’ notice. (Brownies, $1.75 each.) Netty’s, 1700 Silver Lake Blvd., Los Angeles, (323) 662-8655.

* Julienne: At the take-out counter associated with this San Marino cafe, you can choose a chocolate truffle brownie with walnuts and a dusting of powdered sugar or a mint brownie, which is frosted with a layer of mint and a layer of chocolate. Sometimes there’s a cappuccino brownie too. For larger orders (a dozen or more), place the order 24 hours in advance. (Brownies, $1.50.) Julienne, 2649 Mission St., San Marino, (626) 441-2299.