It’s finally warm enough to picnic and those of us without backyards are descending on Prospect and Central parks en masse with tote bags full of finger food that may or may not constitute a cohesive meal. Though I can’t see myself waking up early enough to snag one of those grills (the internet tells me people get there at 4:45 a.m.), I’m always down for eating at the park, whether it be tortilla chips or the full-blown three course dinner.
If you lack the foresight to plan recipes that won’t start to decompose after twenty minutes festering in the sun, fear not: as is common in New York, it can be way easier and just as cheap to buy a picnic on your way to the park than to pack one in advance. Vin Sur Vingt, the French wine bar at the Plaza Food Hall (less than a block from the southeastern Central Park entrance) just launched a special picnic program. For $30 you can nab half a bottle of Côte de Provence Rosé 2014 and a cheese plate, a charcuterie selection or a sandwich.
Keep in mind that drinking alcohol is technically illegal in public parks and they’re only offering the picnic on weekends (no Mad Men-style boozy work lunches here) and they request that you order several days in advance. To reserve your picnic call 646.559.9429
