A Summer of Picnics — eva halkenhauser

Quarantine starts to slowly loosen up and I am left with a million things I want to do (as we all are), however limitations on what you can and can’t do are still alive and well. You can’t gather in large groups, go see a movie, take a city trip or even go to the gym (some more regulated than others)... so what can you do?

In comes the picnic; classic, and the perfect mix of social distancing and good food.

My girlfriends and I vowed to make this summer the best it could be while taking necessary precautions. And let me tell you… it’s been the best one yet.

Our weekly (almost weekly) ritual almost always is accompanied by a bottle of wine or two and a mountain of food.

We had to start out strong of course. The first date began with italian subs from Sergios, fruit, cheese, cookies, cannolis, a few mixed drinks and a bottle of rose. All layered on top of a blanket, sitting next to the lake. Less than an hour in, and we all were slightly buzzed with major food comas.

Each one after was better than the next. A million rolls of sushi but just 3 girls. Then a pile of shawarma and shakshuka from Mish Mish (Montclair) staring at the NYC skyline. What more could you ask for?

From my so far perfect experiences, I’ve found a few necessary details to recreate ‘the ideal picnic’.

1. Friends:

Picnics are acceptable alone, but it’s really the company that keeps everything alive.

2. Music:

I suggest a speaker of some sort. Trust me, the background music really makes a difference.

3. Food:

Duh. The most important part. A picnic would simply not be a picnic without this. Try something different, take out, homemade, snacks, a whole turkey perhaps?

4. Blanket:

Also a major necessity. Definitely need a little something in order to really feel comfortable.

5. A View:

Maybe not a necessity for everyone, but definitely one on my list. The ambiance is just not the same without a grand view, no matter how pretentious that sounds.

Until I secure my dream location of picnicking on a vineyard in the south of France, I’m content being on the side of my local lake, or down by the Hudson river. (Still counting down the days till I can return to Primrose hill.)

Until next summer, cheers to the most amazing picnics yet.