Picnic Inspiration in Lincoln Square

Summer is beginning to wind down and Labor Day is around the corner. It’s time to enjoy the final countdown of picnic season and take advantage of the last hot days outdoors. Put together a delicious picnic spread for an afternoon outside with food from Lincoln Square.

Bread’s Bakery (1890 Broadway) has created customizable picnic boxes for pickup or delivery, complete with napkins and silverware. You can add cheese, crudités, fruit and cookies, plus freshly baked Jerusalem baguettes and bread. All you need is a nice place to sit, which could even be right outside in Breads Bakery’s outdoor seating area on Broadway.

The Smith (1900 Broadway) is now offering two picnic to go options for pickup and delivery. The Smith Picnic includes humus, sandwiches, salad, chips, and cookies. The Lobster Roll Picnic is slightly more expensive and includes a bottle of rosé, lobster rolls, shrimp cocktail, humus, chips, and cookies. Either choice makes for a delicious afternoon.

You can also order some café favorites on a nice afternoon from Épicerie Boulud, now offering takeout and delivery, and from Le Pain Quotidien. Pick up some smoked salmon sandwiches and croissants or tartes from Épicerie Boulud at 1900 Broadway. Le Pain Quotidien at 60 West 65^th Street also offers delicious sandwiches and baked goods, like breads and sweets, which you can order to go and create an easy lunchtime picnic.

If you’d rather come up with your own picnic menu, head to Gourmet Garage (155 West 66^th Street) and create a delicious cheese spread from their specialty section and add some fruits, beverages, and other great prepared items and gourmet choices. Whole Foods Market (10 Columbus Circle) likewise offers a selection of meats and cheeses with prepared foods and desserts too. Click here for a great picnic guide from Whole Foods Market. At either store, you’ll find everything you need to enjoy a picture-perfect outdoor meal.

Also, our neighbor just to the south along Broadway, Nordstrom, is offering grab and go food from three of its in-store restaurants. Order yourself some food from Bistro Verde, Wolf, or Jeannie’s and take a walk to the park. You can also take a seat at the tables and chairs Nordstrom has set up outside along the sidewalk, too.

Take advantage of summer’s final weeks and plan an afternoon picnic with some great food. You can enjoy some time at Dante Park or Richard Tucker Park in the neighborhood at our tables and chairs or head over a few blocks to Central Park. It’s also a nice way to celebrate Labor Day while staying safe in NYC.

Photo credit: Whole Foods Market