NYC's Gourmet Picnic Baskets

The dog days of summer are upon us, so we might as well take full advantage of them.  While everyone else is picnicking in the Central Park, why not throw a picnic on the High Line or even Lincoln Center?  Several of the city’s best restaurants and chefs have packed a basket full of homemade treats for you, some of which even include Frisbees or corkscrews to guarantee a fun afternoon outdoors.

RG writer – Sam Dangremond

Blue Ribbon Bakery Market
Address: 14 Bedford Street, nr. Downing Street
Phone: 212-647-0408
This Greenwich Village shop has packed up picnic feasts, designed to feed four. There are two feasts to choose from, including the Westsider ($175,) filled with an assortment of country pate, pork rillette, aged manchego, a choice of house-smoked red trout or smoked salmon, honey banana bread, maple-flavored sheep’s milk yogurt and four drinks.  If you’re really hungry, there’s a Fried Chicken Feast ($200,) which includes Cajun-spiced fried chicken, aged manchego, house-smoked red trout or smoked salmon, fennel slaw, egg shooters, hummus, a couscous salad and four drinks.  Each basket come with plates, utensils, napkins, plastic cups, a Blue Ribbon corkscrew and a picnic knife in a canvas bag. Orders should be placed 24 hours in advance.

Bouchon Bakery
Address: Time Warner Center, 10 Columbus Circle, 3rd Floor
Phone: 212-823-9366
Known for The French Laundry in wine country, Thomas Keller is well-versed in the art of the picnic.   Lucky for us, advance notice is not required for any of the offerings at Bouchon Bakery in the Time Warner Center.  He’s created two, French-inspired picnic totes.  There’s a Breakfast Tote for Two ($30) that comes with two slices of the bakery’s housemade Quiche du Jour and an assortment of pastries, as well as a Lunch Tote for Two ($30) which includes two sandwiches, macarons, and two Gus’ sodas.

Arpeggio
Address: Lincoln Center Plaza, Columbus Avenue at
64th Street
Phone: 212-874-7000
Lincoln Center might not be the first place
you’d think to picnic, but Arpeggio is offering some imaginative
“picnics to-go.”  Our favorites are the charcuterie and the artisanal
cheeses paired with a petite baguette, quince paste, grapes, and
maple-spiced pecans.  Then again, there are several delectable
sandwiches including ham & fontina on ciabbata or a mezze salad.
All picnic boxes ($19) are available for immediate pickup and come with
an heirloom tomato salad, Chocolate Toffee Crisp and San Pellegrino
Water. And if you happen to be there on a Friday afternoon between noon
and 2 p.m., don’t miss the free coffee from Illy Cafe .  For a cup, just
ask him a question about coffee.  The Tisch Illumination Lawn is a
great spot to savor your food and free coffee.

Telepan
Address: 72 W. 69th Street, nr. Columbus Avenue
Phone: 212-580-4300
If you’re looking for a locavore option,  chef Bill Telepan is passionate about creating market fresh baskets for your summer outings.  Telepan’s build-your-own baskets ($21) allow customers to choose a main, including fried chicken, mushroom-fontina foccacia or a Cuban sandwich as well as a dessert, the likes of a blueberry pie crescent, a red velvet cupcake, or fresh-baked cookies.)  All baskets include salt & vinegar cottage fries and your choice of a wax bean salad, spicy coleslaw, farro tabouleh or summer vegetables.  Just remember, orders must be placed by 5 p.m. the day before.

Landmarc
Address: Time Warner Center, 10 Columbus Circle, 3rd Floor
Phone: 212-823-6123
Landmarc is well-known for its affordable wine list and the picnic baskets follow suit.  There are plenty of creative options for eaters of all ages, including soups, salads, mini-deli sandwiches, and even child-friendly boxes that come with a sandwich, carrot sticks, a cookie and a Frisbee. Orders can be placed online at landmarc-restaurant.com and are ready for pickup within 30 minutes.