Salad scenes

Cuvee

Not up for that other Robertson Boulevard restaurant nearby? You know, the one with the picket fence and the packed patio? Check out this charming wine and gourmet shop, which, incidentally, also has patio seating. Nearly a dozen prepared salads are offered every day, including a spunky Asian-style cole slaw. For dessert, don’t miss the banana bar: banana pound cake slathered with a rich sour cream frosting.

* Three salad combo, $8.50. 145 S. Robertson Blvd., L.A., (310) 271-4333.

Zinc Cafe & Market

The first in a trio of popular cafes-cum-markets -- the others are in Corona del Mar and Solana Beach -- Zinc offers about a dozen fresh, colorful salads every day. On school days, high school students queue up at lunchtime for the pesto pasta. Balsamic roasted winter vegetables are also popular.

* Salads, $9.75 a pound. 350 Ocean Ave., Laguna Beach, (949) 494-2791.

Clementine

It can be tricky to find a parking spot. And there’s usually a line to order. But the chicken salad made with tender white meat, crisp diced apple and juicy grapes makes it all worthwhile. And who knew roasted broccoli and cauliflower could be this good? Add a deviled egg, a chewy, fresh-baked coconut-raisin cookie, and you’ve got a satisfying meal. * Three salad combo, $10.95. 1751 Ensley Ave., Century City, (310) 552-1080.

Nicole’s Gourmet Foods

This gem in South Pas serves up a handful of salads each day. The colorful Greek salad is a fixture, as is the lusty celery root remoulade. French lentils come dressed in a hazelnut vinaigrette. For dessert, it’s a tossup between the flourless chocolate cake and the classic tarte tatin.

* Greek salad, $8.95 a pound. 921 Meridian Ave., Unit B, South Pasadena, (626) 403-5751.

Lemon Moon

Salad offerings span the globe at this cheery spot from Josiah Citrin and Raphael Lunetta (the chefs behind Melisse and JiRaffe, respectively). There’s spicy Korean noodles with shiitake mushrooms, for instance, and Israeli salad with cucumber, tomato and feta.

* Three salad combo, $9.95. 12200 W. Olympic Blvd., West L.A., (310) 442-9191.

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-- Leslee Komaiko