Wanted: Ideas for a picnic dinner at the Hollywood Bowl

[saigon sista]

A group of us are heading to the Hollywood Bowl for a summer time concert. I was planning to bring the basics like wine, cheese and fruit. Does anyone have creative ideas, recommendations or suggestions on what to bring for a hungry crowd?

[pamm5959]

I was just at the bowl on Sunday and we stopped at Trader Joes on the way there and stocked up on veggies, hummus, cheese, fruits, sandwiches, sliced meats and wine. They pretty much have everything in their fresh case.

[greengelato]

the best bowl food i've ever had was sushi and spring rolls (to go from a vietnamese restaurant).

[saigon sista]

Thanks everyone for all your wonderful suggestions. I sent out an email tonight with all of your wonderful recommendations to the hungry crowd of concert goers. Potluck style seemed like the best fit for our group. You are an amazing web community. We will have a terrific time thanks to you all.

[ns1]

When are you going to the bowl anyway?

I'm thinkin of going this Friday for John Williams. Cheap seats, loads of food + booze + debauchery, = fun.

[eberhard49]

Zankou is always good and easy...make sure you bring plenty of booze; you dont want to have to pay Bowl prices for it

[OCAnn]

15 years ago, I took in a couple Pizza Hut pizzas & beer. Boy, they were good!

[MeAndroo]

What I've done in the past at the Hollywood Bowl as well as places like Cinespia is not only bring a variety, but also look to trade with neighbors. We typically bring a couple of kinds of crackers, maybe 3 cheeses, sliced meats (often deli, but sometimes something like a polish sausage can be fun), tortilla chips, a couple of salsas (spicy and mild, sometimes an alternative kind like mango or corn), beer, wine, water and something chocolate but simple, like pocky (fun to eat and not messy). When we're feeling healthy, we grab one of those pre-packaged veggie platters with ranch in the middle.

Depending on the crowd, it can be really easy to share with neighbors if you feel so inclined. We'll trade a beer for some cookies or some meat for cheese, or whatever. I find this a whole lot more enjoyable because it adds a potluck slant to the whole experience and helps you connect with people who enjoy similar music even more.

[eberhard49]

I went to the Baliwood show at the bowl last year and sat next to a very friendly Indian family who was more than happy to share their wonderful homemade food with me

[Diana]

You could get a big prepared sushi tray from Farm Boy in Sherman Oaks. A huge tray for around $30-$40

A big box of Leda's mini cupcakes would probably go over very well as dessert.

[Oh Robin]

If you're anywhere near Katella Deli in Los Alamitos that's a great place for take-out and bakery yumminess.

[LisaStitch]

Maybe incorporate some Greek - pick up some hummus, tzatziki, pita bread, stuffed grape leaves, spanakopita, etc. from a grocery store or even better, Papa Cristo's.

Or if you are coming from Santa Monica - get a bunch of Godmother subs from Bay Cities and cut each into 3rds or 4ths to share.

Bringing some dessert might be nice too, but I'm not a big dessert person so can't really recommend where might be good to get like a takeout cheesecake or pie from...

[Diana]

I second either getting a bowl box or picking your own nibbbles of cheese, wine, and deli Items at Gelson's.

Artisan Cheese gallery in Studio City has gread sandwiches and cheeses and chocolates. Good bread and crackers, too. Also Charcuterie plates.

[Emme]

Don't know where you're coming from...
For your cheese, stop at the Beverly Hills cheese store
Unique might be a bento box from Mako (these are reliably very yummy)
Maison Akira also does bentos
Gelson's (one of my fave picnic baskets)
Little Next Door
Vert (also nice and close to the Bowl itself)
The Spot on Lincoln
Julienne To Go
Clementine
I also like Joan's on Third and Doughboys

[Julefish]

if you're looking to save - try trader joes - they carry some of the same cheeses that bristol does - and for a lot less. Cube is also reasonable and has great cheese. Make sure to bring quince paste and almonds to round it out. .

[ChefJune]

The one time I went to the Hollywood Bowl, we stopped at Trader Joe's and got wine, pate, cheese, bread, olives and all sorts of goodies. Yum! lots of fun.