The restaurant industry has been hit hard by the novel coronavirus pandemic and the suspension of dine-in services in favor of takeout and pick-up orders. But here’s the thing: People still want to eat somewhere besides their home or apartment, and that’s what has given rise to the picnic.
On a blanket outside, picnics are a safe, socially distanced way for customers to enjoy their favorite restaurants’ food. And while the weather is still warm and pleasant, restaurants should take advantage of the increased demand for picnic-ready meals.
Some NYC restaurants have introduced meal kits made specifically for picnics, while others simply offer their food as is—naturally conducive to eating outdoors among friends and family.
The restaurant industry inspires and brings NYC together. And during these last few months of uncertainty, it’s been a breath of fresh air for anyone looking for a delicious distraction. Let’s take a look at some of the best places in NYC for a picnic, a few of our favorite restaurants to source picnic provisions, and supplies restaurants can utilize to encourage customers to enjoy the city’s outdoor spaces.
Best NYC Parks for a Picnic
From the island of Manhattan through the other surrounding boroughs, New York City is lush with expansive parks and outdoor spaces that are picture-perfect for a picnic. And while picnics in parks have always been a major part of life in the city, the summer of 2020 has renewed the urgency for socially distanced, outdoor dining.
Central Park
It’s impossible to talk about parks and picnics in NYC without mentioning the world-famous Central Park. The most visited park in the country, Central Park is a sprawling urban wonderland that’s been the green centerpiece of the city for almost 200 years. The best spots for a picnic here include the 55-acre Great Lawn and 15-acre Sheep Meadow, a designated “quiet zone” between West 66th and West 69th streets.
Astoria Park
Panoramic views of the city await outdoor diners at this 60-acre park in Queens. Gracing the edge of the East River between the Hell Gate and Robert F. Kennedy (Triborough) bridges, Astoria Park boasts shoreline sights and sounds that perfectly complement a meal enjoyed on a blanket or on the many benches lining the park’s perimeter.
Madison Square Park
Some might say this park isn’t particularly scenic, but what it lacks in vistas it more than makes up for in pure convenience. Situated in the Flatiron District, it’s the perfect spot for an afternoon break from the office (or the home office), offering an escape for lunches on the lawn near art displays or under a shady tree for those seeking refuge from the heat. There’s also free Wi-Fi so you can scroll as you eat.
Prospect Park
The shaded knolls of this Brooklyn park are some of the finest spots for a picnic anywhere in the city. And the Long Meadow is particularly serene, with a finely manicured landscape and a tree-encircled perimeter. Prospect Park is also where you’ll find the famous Smorgasburg, a head-spinning gathering of some of the city’s most exhilarating cuisine.
Fort Tryon Park
With dramatic views of the Hudson River and Palisades, Fort Tryon sits at the top of Manhattan with gardens and pathways. Boasting 67 acres of lush greenery, there are plenty of spots to unfurl a blanket and enjoy a meal. Think about Fort Tryon as Central Park’s calmer and somehow even prettier younger sibling. And since it’s more than 100 blocks north of Midtown, it’s almost never beset upon by tourists.
Sam Tell’s Favorite Park Fare
Photo Credit: The Infatuation
On Manhattan’s Upper West Side, a few blocks away from the far north end of Central Park, sits Marlow Bistro. It’s the perfect pre-park stop for some of the city’s best pizza—and let’s be honest, pizza is the ideal picnic food, what with a handy box that doubles as a serving tray.
On West 110th Street and Amsterdam Avenue, Marlow fires pies such as the classic Margherita, the Diavola with spicy hot salami, the Summer pizza with zucchini flower, and much more. Marlow also serves homemade pasta dishes, entrées like roasted chicken, and appetizers like mussels and clams.
Whatever you choose, you can order ahead through the restaurant’s website and pick it up anytime after 3 p.m. before taking the short walk to Central Park for a late afternoon or early evening outdoor meal.
Picnic Meal Kits
Some NYC restaurants and eateries are adhering to outdoor dining efforts, but in more ways than merely setting up tables outside. Customers in NYC want to dine out. They want to take a break from cooking in their own kitchens, while simultaneously supporting the local restaurant scene. But contending with regulated outdoor dining can be difficult—as restaurants only have so much room to offer.
To help their customers escape the crowds, while also enjoying time away from their cramped apartments, many enterprising restaurants have spent the summer offering outdoor picnic kits, which include all the necessary supplies.
One restaurant in particular is Aquavit, a two Michelin-starred restaurant at 65 E. 55th St., between Madison and Park avenues, near Central Park. The Nordic restaurant has taken to the grab-and-go, outdoor dining concept, serving luxe wicker picnic baskets that serve two. The baskets include upscale fare like duck pastrami, chicken liver pate with lingonberries, and more. To keep the orders from becoming too overwhelming, the restaurant smartly instituted a 24-hour in advance ordering procedure.
Equip Your Restaurant With Picnic Supplies
As we’ve learned from the humble pizza box, restaurants don’t need to provide customers with high-end wicker baskets in order to throw a picnic in the park. Simple additions to your supply orders can transform takeout orders into picnic-ready feasts for customers.
Here are some must-have supplies for restaurants looking to help customers truly dine out during these takeout times:
Cutlery Kits
A pre-wrapped package including a fork, knife, spoon, napkin and even salt and pepper. This keeps customers from having to find plastic utensils somewhere at the bottom of the takeout bag, while also helping restaurants stay organized and keep cutlery in one sanitary packet.
Clamshell or Hinged Containers
Since picnics are held outdoors, they are subject to the whims of nature—including wind. Typical to-go containers with separate lids are not ideal for picnics, as the plastic lids are easily blown away. This trash-making nuance is solved with clamshell or hinged containers, which keep the top and bottom connected. What’s more, customers can use the open lid as a place for cutlery, dips, and sides.
Paper Bags
Paper or plastic? Always paper. Aside from being so much better for the environment, paper bags keep containers upright during transit, preventing spillage. Your crew can neatly stack containers into the square bottom of these bags, keeping the food unharmed until your customers can reach their dining destination.
Contact Your Sam Tell representative today to learn more about how you can serve your customers during this rise of the picnic.
