I have spent the past few weeks eyeing locations for a romantic picnic for two. Not only do I want the location, I want the prepared picnic - the borrowed basket, the beverage, the food, and the convenience.

The result is three very different concepts in picnicking that will please any romantic twosome this summer.

Mike Sader, executive chef at Nazareth Hall in Grand Rapids, knew exactly what I was talking about when I asked about picnicking at the 37-acre former Catholic boys' school turned catering facility.

As a chef at Catahoula Restaurant in Calistoga, Calif., in the northern end of the Napa Valley between 1994 and 1997, he started making picnic baskets for travelers who wanted to enjoy the beauty of wine country.

“In Napa, people are looking for a getaway,” he said. “Four blocks behind the restaurant were vineyards surrounded by mountains and underground mineral spas.”

He used handmade baskets, linens, and local cheeses and wines with homemade breads, fruit, and gourmet sandwiches. The baskets started at $30 per person and went upward depending on the wine and other ingredients. When done, picnickers simply returned the basket, blanket, linens, and stemware.

From Napa, Mr. Sader went to downtown Seattle's Sazerac restaurant. “The requests there started for a boxed lunch ... Seattle has more hills than San Francisco and it's on Puget Sound. So we expanded to picnics for out-of-town guests and came up with the `grab picnic' that people ate in the internal park system in downtown.”

Items included local cheeses and Northwest produce. He put oysters in thermal coolers designed for caviar, which will stay cold for a couple of hours. “I gave the picnickers a lesson in how to shuck an oyster and sent them on their way,” he said.

“In Seattle, picnics were used to observe people and style. You could hear the whistles from the boats and watch the ferries across the Sound. There's a sizeable population on the islands, so there's lots to watch.”

Now Mr. Sader is turning these experiences into four picnic possibilities at Nazareth Hall, which some liken to the architecture and setting of Greystone, the home of the Culinary Institute of America in Napa. “We offer a little of both expe

riences,” said the chef. “It's a place for respite and relaxation. It's pretty and scenic with the rolling hills of Northwest Ohio.”

Granted, there are no vineyards in Grand Rapids, but there's plenty to enjoy on the grounds. “Let the scenery enchant you,” says the chef. “Possibly watch an outdoor wedding in the Grotto or stroll down to the river, or even lay back on a grassy slope overlooking a wooded creek.” Bring a book or a camera.

All you need to do is pre-pay, set the time, and show up to pick up your basket.

The Ladyglen picnic menu includes a bottle of Fog Mountain Chardonnay, use of two crystal wine glasses, two bottles of Pellegrino water, cheese and fresh fruit such as Maytag blue and grapes with a chunk of St. Andre and raspberries, or a little Black Diamond extra sharp white cheddar, and crackers for $25 per person.

The Gabriel at $30 per person includes a wheel of Pierre Robert cheese; a loaf of fresh sourdough bread; a choice of gourmet sandwiches placed on wooden boards such as balsamic grilled chicken with roasted garlic aioli, arugula, fresh mozzarella, and heirloom tomato on housemade focaccia, and housemade chocolate truffles.

The Riverview, at $40 per person, features terrines and pates, a chunk of Spanish Manchego cheese and assorted olives, gingered figs, and fresh-baked breads with perfect strawberries for dessert, Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, and a vial of 50-year aged balsamic vinegar.

The Cadet is a reminder of Seattle, with a quarter-ounce Osetra Caviar, flakes of house-smoked salmon, rustic foie gras, and heart-shaped truffle pate. Fresh-baked breads, a couple of lemons, an oyster knife, and two dozen oysters flown in from the West Coast just for the romantic picnic, plus a personalized oyster lesson, add up to $65 per person.

Picnics are possible each Thursday evening at the Toledo Botanical Garden, when the Toledo Jazz Society presents Jazz in the Garden concerts through Aug. 23. Admission is $6 per person.

Many guests bring their own picnic and lawn chairs or blankets. But if you're coming straight from work, a picnic for two is available at the Garden Cafe by Pumpernickels Deli & Cafe.

“The style of picnic baskets varies,” said owner Dennis Lange, who offers two croissant sandwiches (chicken salad, turkey, ham, tuna salad, egg salad) with two salads such as redskin potato salad and pasta salad, a plate of fresh fruit and cheese, and desserts such as chocolate cake and mini cream puffs.

Since the Garden Cafe cannot sell alcohol, wine, or beer, he includes a bottle of sparkling grape juice and two bottles of water, and the use of two wine glasses and a tablecloth/blanket, all priced at $24.95 for two. Picnickers can find their spot, listen to the music, and at the close of the program return the basket, the blanket/tablecloth, and stemware to the cafe.

A cash bar operated by Gladieux is available for additional beverages. This is the only time picnics are permitted at TBG.

Life along the river or Lake Erie is not complete without picnics, whether you own a boat or not. Instead of packing your own basket, order a boxed lunch from Cousino's Navy Bistro at $11.95 per person, which includes pasta and fruit salad, assorted lunch-meat croissant sandwiches, and beverage.

If you are interested in renting a boat, you can plan a dessert cruise, appetizer cruise, or other catered options courtesy of the restaurants at the Docks. Portia Garza is the party planner.

The rental fee for the boat is separate from the picnic. Prices range with the size of the boat, from the Victory for larger groups to the River Taxi and smaller boats. “I have a 25th anniversary planned for six people for dessert on the River Taxi,” said Mrs. Garza.

The dessert menu can include an array of desserts, from magnificent seven-layer cake or chocolate strudel from Hoster's, tiramisu or bread pudding from Zia's, tuxedo-decorated shortbread or apple flautas from Navy Bistro, and creme brulee and key lime pie from Real Seafood.

Call it upscale picnicking or gourmet-to-go, these catering options add taste to Toledo. Whether it's Jazz in the Garden, the rolling hills surrounding Nazareth Hall, or the waterways, romantic picnics are as close as your phone.

For more information: Dall Chef Mike Sader at Nazareth Hall at 21211 West River Rd. in Grand Rapids, 832-2900. Picnics require 48-hour notice. Credit cards accepted. $50 deposit required on basket, stemware, wooden boards, blanket.

Call Dennis Lange at the Garden Cafe/Pumpernickels Deli for Jazz in the Garden picnics on Thursday evenings, 244-2255. Order by Tuesday of the same week. Deposit with credit card required for basket, stemware, picnic cloth, and blanket.

Call Portia Garza of Navy Bistro for information on boat rental and Dessert Cruises or other picnic options catered by restaurants at The Docks, 697-6289. Catering menus are individually priced: dessert menu is $9.50 - $12.50 per person; hors d'oeuvre party is $10.95 per person, and boat lunch is $11.95 per person. 24-hour notice required for catering.

First Published July 22, 2001, 1:54 p.m.