Picnics on the Go By Alexa Beattie washingtonpost.com Staff Writer Monday, March 10, 2003

A small group gathers for a picnic. (AP Photo/Bloomsburg Press Enterprise, Bill Hughes)

To speed your passage to barefoot, we've given thought to some local sandwiches we know and love -- and other snacky things that work well eaten, without utensils, sitting on a blanket.

Breadline's falafel is one excellent reason to skip out of work during a sunny lunch hour. More of a big, floppy wrap than a sandwich, it holds within its folds hot, deep-fried chickpeas, fresh bright greens and a tahini dressing. Get some of those fries, too, in a big white paper cone; sprinkle them with chili flakes. Make a note of the fact that Breadline is not open on weekends.

Chipotle is handy for picnics. Wrapped tightly in foil, the burritos can be managed with a pair of very large hands. We like the Niman Ranch pork shoulder best. And the guacamole is first class.

Firehook Bakery does an excellent sandwich and the choices vary depending on the day. On Saturday, pick from tuna salad on Tuscan grain, egg salad on levain, roast turkey BLT, roast beef on green olive, portobello on Cubano, veggie on spelt. Sunday's bill builds on Saturday's list by adding a tomato mozzarella ciabatta and a Firehook hero. The breads change daily.

The Lebanese Taverna's Market (or, indeed, either of the restaurants) has a treat in store for those with a taste for the Middle East. The chicken shwarma has the best combination of garlic and spices this side of Beirut. Wrapped in pita with lettuce, tomato and garlic sauce, this variation on the sandwich is hard to top.

Marvelous Market does a sandwich called the Farmers Lunch. Roast beef, white cheddar and horseradish come together on the market's own white sandwich bread. Otherwise, we keep it simple with the jambon brie Parisien baguette.

Another good roast beef and horseradish sandwich comes from Cosi. Sweet caramelized onions are a delicious addition to this traditional pairing. If you go at the right time, your flatbread might even be hot.

The sandwich of portobello mushrooms, goat cheese, roasted red peppers and pecans at Teaism is a must-have. Or what about one of the handy, take-out bento boxes? Either way, be certain to add a salty oat cookie. It's the best cookie in town.

Sutton Place Gourmet will pack a ready-to-go bag lunch -- complete with condiments and utensils -- for $11.99. The bag contains a sandwich, a deli salad, a fresh fruit salad, cookie and chips.

Picnic Plots:

Preparing your picnic is only half the fun of lunching outdoors. Once your bag is packed and you've given your boss a good excuse for taking a long lunch, it's time to find the cushiest, most comfy patch of grass in all of D.C. The most obvious spot -- and probably the most crowded -- is the National Mall. From the Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial, there is enough open land to accommodate many a picnic. With a little bit of shade, the Ellipse and the benches around the Reflecting Pool offer some choice spots on a warm and lazy afternoon.

Not straying too far from the Mall, the Tidal Basin by the Jefferson Memorial makes for an ideal lunchtime getaway. Surrounded by cherry blossoms (if you're lucky) and hidden from the noise and pollution of the downtown scene, the memorial grounds offer breathtaking views. If you finish lunch early and can't bear the thought of going back indoors, indulge your springtime fantasies with a paddleboat rental.

If the Mall and major monuments do not provide enough of an escape, fling your lunch bag over your shoulder and head across the Virginia state line to Roosevelt Island. Accessible only on foot, by bike or in boat, this nicely wooded island is bigger than it appears. Combine your picnic with a short hike and consider lunchtime a mini vacation.

With multiple access points around the city, Rock Creek Park is a convenient picnic destination. If a basket of sandwiches doesn't excite your taste buds, there are designated grill areas for springtime BBQ chefs.

For those of us who have few precious moments to steal a quick bite in the fresh air, there are smaller parks sprinkled throughout Washington. Dupont Circle (19th and Connecticut NW) is always a top choice for people watching and sunbathing. Classical Meridian Hill Park usually has a soccer game afoot and its southern edge offers a spectacular view of the city.

In Virginia and Maryland, check out Mount Vernon, Great Falls Park or the Marine Corps Memorial for prime picnic positioning.