Picnic potential

Headed to the Hollywood Bowl or just have a hankering for a sandwich and salad? These casual spots will hook you up.

Artisan Cheese Gallery

In addition to picnic-ready cheese platters, this 2-year-old gourmet deli and marketplace makes sandwiches on Breadbar bread. Honors for most popular go to the roasted turkey with sliced green apple, pickled red onion and brie. Those with a sweet tooth shouldn’t leave without truffles from local Robert Spano, whose chocolates are available here exclusively.

* Turkey sandwich, $9.50. 12023 Ventura Blvd., Studio City, (818) 505-0207.

Bay Cities

At lunchtime, this Italian deli can feel like the most popular spot in town. The lure? The sub sandwiches, such as the Godmother with salami, mortadella, capocollo, ham, prosciutto and provolone. Served on crusty bread and finished with Italian dressing and hot pepper giardiniera, these hearty creations do tend to be messy. * Large Godmother with the works, $8. 1517 Lincoln Blvd., Santa Monica, (310) 395-8279.

Heirloom Bakery & Cafe

Big, colorful Cobb salads and omelets are best eaten in at this sunny 2-year-old cafe, where you order at the counter. But prepared salads such as lentils with walnuts and soba noodles are perfect picnic fare. Don’t forget to add a few of the sweets, such as the haute Hostess-style cupcakes with a marshmallow center.

* Cupcakes, $3.50 each. 807 Meridian Ave., Suite C, South Pasadena, (626) 441-0042.

Stroh’s Gourmet

Among the pressed sandwiches at this small but well-stocked spot (conveniently en route to the beach) is one that combines fried chicken, Black Forest ham, Swiss cheese and Dijon mustard. To drink, choose from dozens of specialty sodas, including a super spicy ginger ale from North Carolina.

* Sandwiches, $7.75. 1239 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice, (310) 450-5119.

Clementine

The curbside pickup option here is appealing, especially given the sometimes impossible parking. It’s available whether you order the official picnic offerings such as poached wild king salmon with shallot creme fraiche or just a few sandwiches. But if you don’t go in, you also don’t get to ogle the display of baked goods.

* Wild salmon picnic, $22 per person. 1751 Ensley Ave., L.A., (310) 552-1080.