How to picnic like a pro

plus the scary thing about banning food dyes, fried chicken manis, and why everyone is handing out free coffee

Apr 25, 2025

Took a break this week to meet with farmers, brands, and investors about soil health — will be sharing more next week! Also coming up: salt, weddings, and gross marketing partnerships.

It is finally Spring: the tulips are blooming, pale thighs are on every street corner, and I’ve received four texts to “just drop by our spot in the park.”

Park hangs have gotten out of hand. If you rented chairs and tablecloths, it is not a picnic. If you hang a chandelier from a tree, it is not a picnic. Henceforth, I will use the following as a definition for picnic: a casual afternoon spent leisurely lounging and snacking with two or more friends in a park on the ground.

This picnic season, I turned to an expert, whom I shall refer to as my Anonymous Picnic Friend, to help put together a guide to keep your picnics chic, low stress, and sunburn-free (not like this).

The Rules

There is no firm start or end time: drop-ins are encouraged.
Tables and chairs are not allowed (see above definition). You may use a permanent bench, or one of those nerdy trail chairs if your PT says so.
Every attendee (or pair) must bring an offering: a shared snack, bottle, or an often-overlooked necessity (e.g., trash bag, cooler, bottle opener).
Be among, but not one with, your surroundings:
1. Dog (or toddler) on a leash.
2. Music at a volume your mother would approve of.
Be well-behaved, for the most part: no one should be completely buttoned up (literally and figuratively) at a picnic.

The Numbers

You do the math.

The Spot

The host is responsible for the most critical decision: where to lay down the first blanket for the Blanket Colony. Anonymous Picnic Friend would not reveal her perfect spot, lest it be overrun by the readers of this newsletter, but instead offered a few criteria:

<15 min from amenities: you might be tempted to escape the hum of the city and venture further in, but remember that every minute into the park is another minute between you and the bathroom and/or subway.
Near a tree: dappled sunlight looks lovely on sliced cheese, and you’ll be grateful for the shade after 45 minutes.
Atop a knoll: to better observe fellow revelers and flag down your companions (even though they are inevitably staring at your location on Find My).

The Menu

For many of you, picnicking may be your only exposure to the elements all year. While you won’t have to catch your own fish in Central Park (don’t), consider how your food will do after an hour in the sun or if a gust of wind blows through. The spread should be indulgent — you are day drinking, after all — but refreshing, and not require multiple utensils.

The ideal spread:

Cheese board: one soft (but not stinky) double crème brie, one medium-hard Comte, one crystalline-aged Gouda, and a fresh baguette.
Fruit course: cubed watermelon, a bag of grapes, and a quart of strawberries.
Cut vegetables: cucumber salad, baby carrots.
Sweets: shortbread cookies, more berries.
Beverages:
- Smooth, inoffensive, basically flavorless beer: Modelo, Peroni
- Light, crisp, mineral white wine: Chablis, Sancerre
  - or a bottle of homemade Vin d’Orange
- Water: more than you think you need
- Level-up: pre-batched Pimm’s Cup or a Vesper
The Best Park Takeout (NYC): (there are many other parks, but these are the main ones I frequent)
- Central Park:
  - West: get your carbs at Orwasher’s and swing by Zabar’s for cheese and potato chips. If you’re there on a Sunday, stop by the farmer’s market on 79th for pesto, chèvre, and berries.
  - East: grit your teeth as you buy overpriced but convenient cheese and sweets at Butterfield Market or go the farmer’s market on 82nd for bread and fruit.
- Prospect Park: Stock up on fruit and cheese at Union Market or R&D for sandwiches. Grab pastries and wine from Un Posto Italiano and any last-minute bites from Winner in the park.
- Williamsburg (Domino or McCarren):
  - Domino: Don’t even think about Roberta’s — too slammed. Build your cheese board at Eastern District and grab a bottle at Bedford Bottle Shop.
  - McCarren: Opt for baked goods from Bakeri or Nick & Sons. Try to convince the server at Teddy’s to let you take a margarita to-go or grab a 6-pack from Talea.

The Accessories

Essentials (do not leave home without them)

Allergy medication: taken 1 hour before departure
Sun protection: sunscreen, hat (or visor to extend time between highlights)
Blanket
Water bottle
Trash bag
Bottle opener

Joy-bringers (level up your picnic game)

Keep your wine cool in an insulated two-bottle tote bag, or, if you’re only bringing one bottle on a Citibike, bring The Pill Wine Cooler.
Keep your butt dry with a plastic-bottomed blanket (in a classic plaid or bold color).
Look out for Mother Earth with reusable plastic wine glasses, your own silverware, and a wooden serving tray.