Sydney Eat Street: Enjoy the spring weather with a picnic
It’s been a long winter so head outside and embrace the warm weather with a classic and creative picnic. From tasty food hampers to mystery picnics offering “adventure” as well as great food, we have the options for you to choose from around Sydney.
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AMAZING CO
A leisurely lunch may suit some but for those that see life and one grand adventure, Amazing Co has you sorted with their Mystery Picnics, a sort of culinary scavenger hunt tailored to couples, friends or families.
“Picnics, in general, are a great way to catch up and connect with the people important to us,” says co-founder Nick Brozovic, adding that in this case, that happens to be “over great food” with an added “element of adventure and discovery”.
Your picnic begins with a hamper and a clue that will lead to the first destination.
“During our experiences, we not only guide people to a new part of their city to discover boutique local producers and stores, but we also guide our participants through conversation starters in a way that gets people connecting,” Nick says.
“It’s the perfect way to reconnect with friends and family in a safe small group environment.”
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And that can be in your own town or one of their other destinations including the Southern Highlands, Central Coast as well as other major cities in both Australia and the US.
He makes a point of saying that Mystery Picnics don’t have a cookie-cutter approach, each one is developed with a targeted audience in mind, such as with the family-centric experience.
“It’s really important you get the food right for the kids too. As such, we have designed the experience to be tailored specific to who you will be enjoying it with,” he says.
Couples have long loved this experience but it’s also an excellent way for friends and extended families to get together again after some time apart.
Mystery Picnics isn’t all fun and games, as Amazing Co also sees this as a way of promoting artisan producers and in light of current events, Nick notes: “We’re proud to be offering this experience at a time when small businesses are needing all the help they can get.”
THE SYDNEY PICNIC CO
Forget reheated meat pies and suss sandwiches, that workday lunch in the park or afternoon outing in the hills needn’t rely on the slim pickings of a pop-up parking-lot kiosk, particularly when a selection of gourmet delights can be had instead.
“A picnic is one of life’s simple pleasures,” says Natalie Thomas, co-owner of The Sydney Picnic Co.
“You can pick your spot, throw down a blanket and while away the day in your own time.”
Using only the best seasonal produce, chef Simon Thomas curates a variety of picnic menus suited to every budget, palette and dietary preference.
Presented in either a wicker basket or canvas bag along with biodegradable cutlery, plates, cups, packages, each one serves two people and range from $145 for the vegetarian option, Wind in the Willows, up through $225 for The Great Gatsby, a decadent selection that includes such items as Burrata with Jamon Serrano, preserve lemon a radicchio, apple and hazelnut salad, peeled Australian king prawns, chargrilled beef fillet and rose-marinated berries with cream.
A cheese course can be had for $40 and for groups up to nine people, extra serves can be ordered for an additional cost based on the respective menu.
Deliveries can be made to private residences, offices or picnic locations within the Sydney metro-area or picked-up at their Surry Hills location where you can also hire a blanket for $8.
The baskets need to be returned within a week, but the canvas bag is yours to keep. It’s a win-win adventure.
PRETTY AS A PICNIC
No need to slip the maître’s some cash or book weeks in advance, with Pretty As a Picnic, you’ll always get the best seat in the house.
“Everyone loves a bit of alfresco dining,” says founder Lauren Beard, be it at a nice quiet spot on the beach or adjacent to a park where the kids can play.
She knows that a stunning setting is imperative but that the food and drinks need to be equally impressive.
“We work closely with our clients to ensure all their guests will be happy with the menu,” she says.
Pretty As a Picnic’s specialty is grazing platters which Lauren explains is more in line with the true definition of a picnic.
“The word comes from the French ‘pique-nique’ which means ‘each pick a bit’, so food-wise, a picnic should contain a little bit of everything shared among friends or family.”
And judging by the wooden boards and plates overflowing with meat, cheese, fruit, bread and all sort of sweets, there certainly is an abundance of treats to pick from which means the only thing left to do is set back and enjoy.
THE PICNIC BURWOOD
As if there was any doubt about the menu, everything you need to know is right there in the name.
Adjacent to Burwood Park, this bright and cheery restaurant is exactly what a picnic is all about.
The lively chatter and laughter coming from the table and staff carry out to the grassy area, where people are lounging on blankets enjoy but to each while soaking up the sun.
While you can opt for the full menu at an indoor table, go with the flow and grab one of their takeaway boxes which for lunch includes a sandwich, fruit, crackers, a small cake and juice.
The brekkie box though is a real winner with eggs cooked your way, fresh bread, house-made hash browns and Middle Eastern dips and pickles.
All the more reasons to enjoy the warmer weather and sunnier days.
– Corner of Burwood Rd & Park Ave, Burwood; thepicnicburwood.com.au
OUTFIELD
Looking out the window, it seems the universe has aligned and just throwing out hints to have a picnic.
“We are so lucky to have the best front yard in the inner west. Our barista has a view of a lush green, grassy park complete with a cricket pitch and framed by huge, old climbing trees,” says Caleb Maynard, Outfield Cafe’s owner who explains that not only does his love the view, he’s incorporated it into the whole concept of the cafe.
“We’re trying to reinvent the picnic and the nostalgia that comes with that.”
Except with Outfield in the area, rather than packing a Thermos of instant coffee there’s specialty Java to be had.
“We’ve been open for just over a year and have really enjoyed seeing the park come to life with local families and groups of friends coming together for a picnic,” Caleb says.
“Our menu is designed to be enjoyed in the park, and parents, in particular, are enjoying the space for kids to run around while they enjoy a quality coffee and stress-free brunch.”
With more people cherishing their outdoor space and time with friend and neighbour Caleb has revamped the menu accordingly.
“A focus on one-handed, cutlery free options such as rolls and bowls. We still have gluten-free options and vegan options, including the falafel bowl, mushroom roll and the avo-smash open,” he says.
“Our eggplant-Parmi toastie has also proven extremely popular. With gourmet food in one hand, the other hand is left free to throw a frisbee or field in a friendly cricket match.”
Outfield has also recently launched a service where customers can hop online and purchase picnic boxes which range from gourmet sandwiches to sweet treats and fruit.
– Outfield of Yeo Park, 230 Victoria St, Ashfield; outfield.com.au
PIER ONE
Disguised as a humble picnic box, these hampers curated by Thomas Gorringe, hatted-chef of Pier One’s award-winning restaurant, The Gantry, are an excellent example of what can be created with the use of premium products.
A champion of local and artisan producers Gorringe, along with executive chef Milan Kukreti have put together a range of hampers to suit the occasion and the exquisite Walsh Bay location under the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
There are a cheese and charcuterie box featuring products from a network of suppliers affected by last summer’s bushfires. Serving two, it also comes with “two cocktails in a jar”.
There are also Mediterranean, and breakfast hampers available as well as the After Dark Hamper, which includes some sweet treats like Thomas’ famous chocolate dessert.
For the ultimate in decadence and a true taste of The Gantry’s fare, there is the Seafood Hamper. Enjoy Balmain bugs, cooked prawns, salmon rillettes, fresh Australian rock oysters, artisan bread, and accompaniments.
EURO CONCEPTS
While takeaway meals and delivery services were the go-to throughout the winter months, people are slowly emerging from hibernation and with that a better sense of who and what they’ve missed.
And though those travel plans are still on hold, Robert Dessanti of Euro Concepts can help get you there in spirit.
Be it premium products or quick sandwiches, he says: “Hampers have really hit a peak in Sydney but what makes us different is that anything the customer wants we hand-pick and source it from anywhere around the world. So, it’s a true bespoke service.”
Robert is quite used to customers dishing out some really tough tasks.
“Often they want to surprise someone with a bottle of wine or spirits from a region in Italy they visited or where their family is from.”
While the origin of their wine and spirits, particularly Grappa, spans the globe, the rest is all local.
“We source locally produced wine and food products, even locally grown fruit, which keeps Sydney businesses like fruit vendors, wine producers, small-batch food products, cheesemakers, fishmongers, and even butchers in not just surviving but also thriving.”
(Deliveries within Sydney-metro area are a flat rate of $20 and require 24-hours’ notice).
CORNERSMITH
The tranquil little park across street from this bright and cheery cafe just begs diners to come outside, and the folks at Cornersmith are more than happy to oblige.
Pretty much from day one, they’ve been making picnic boxes featuring products from their own picklery as well as other items such as cheese, butter, jams, fruit and bread from local suppliers.
Making it even easier to enjoy the outdoors, you can also borrow a picnic mat and set up camp under the shade of the grand old trees.
— 88 View St, Annandale; cornersmith.com.au
HANDPICKED WINES
Whether it’s a catch-up with friends, a romantic date, or just kicking back at an open-air concert, nothing says leisure like a lovely picnic of wine and cheese.
Rather than a quick stop at the bottle shop and a dash through the dairy isle, Handpicked Wines has hampers and gift packs that allow you to choose from a range of international wines, carefully curated to represent the regions from around the world as well as ones from Handpicked’s own vineyards, along with variety of premium charcuterie and cheese boxes.
If you’re within 25km of the CBD, they offer same-day delivery to your home or office for a nominal fee otherwise you’re more than welcome to collect your gourmet indulgence at their cellar door in Chippendale. Easy as a walk in the park.
— 50 Kensington St, Chippendale; handpickedwines.com.au
Originally published as Sydney Eat Street: Enjoy the spring weather with a picnic
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