Picnic Basket recs. near Central Park?

[e2nyc]

Hello all,

I would like to celebrate the fact that I'm taking off of work this Friday by going on a picnic to central park with the dog.

I am hoping someone could recommend a great, local place that makes picnic baskets. I live in the E. 80's and would prefer restaurants/places to be on that side of the park (not necessarily near the 80's), but if all else fails, I am willing to travel for good food.

Anything other than Dean & Deluca would be appreciated. Also, does anyone have any experience with Landmarc's boxes?

Thanks in advance!

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Landmarc
179 West Broadway, New York, NY 10013

[e2nyc]

In the continuing search for a great picnic basket, I've come across this recent recommendation from NYmag:

http://newyork.grubstreet.com/2011/06/dial-a-picnic.html

Link to the place itself:
http://www.perfectpicnicnyc.com/index...

For the time being, they are only delivering to Battery Park, but hope to deliver to Central Park and Prospect Park in the near future.

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Perfect Picnic
9 Clinton St, New York, NY 10002

[peter j]

Try Yura on Madison for picnic items such as salads, sandwiches, and cookies.

http://www.yuraonmadison.com/uploads/...

I believe that you can get Four and Twenty Blackbirds pies and Stumptown coffee to go at Untitled, the new restaurant at the Whitney Museum.

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Yura on Madison
1292 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10128

Untitled
945 Madison Ave, New York, NY 10021

[e2nyc]

Thank you all for the suggestions!

Good call on Agatha & Valentina, hadn't crossed my mind.
Peter I had thought of Untitled but wasn't sure if they allowed "take out;" i will definitely make a stop, if not for takeout, at least to try the salted caramel apple pie!

[peter j]

The last time I was Untitled, I'm pretty sure I saw a limited take-out menu which included the salted caramel apple pie. But if you call ahead of time they might be able to assemble a picnic basket to go from the regular menu.

[ngershman]

I'm planning my Dad's 90th birthday in Central Park. Did you locate any great picnic boxes in the end, and picnic tables in the park? The better the access for my dad the better. Thanks, e2nyc. Nancy

[peter j]

Try Telepan, which is now accepting orders for picnic baskets:
http://ny.eater.com/archives/2011/06/...

"Starting tonight, Telepan restaurant is accepting orders for summer picnic baskets filled with three dishes for $21 per basket. Select one main (Cuban sandwich, mushroom-fontina sandwich, fried chicken, tuna chickpea salad), one side salad (farro tabbouleh, spicy cole slaw, tomato & wax bean, summer vegetable) and a dessert (red velvet cupcake, blueberry pie crescent, assorted Telepan cookies) for a meal to tote to nearby Lincoln Center or Central Park."

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Telepan
72 W. 69th Street, New York, NY 10023

[ngershman]

Peter - thanks for the Telepan rec. What about locations within the Park with actual picnic tables? Anything come to mind?

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Telepan
72 W. 69th Street, New York, NY 10023

[peter j]

I beleive there are picnic tables near the Le Pain Quotidien outlet in the northern end of Sheep's Meadow.

You could also type "picnic tables" in the search box in the upper right corner of the Central Park website for other possible locations:

http://www.centralparknyc.org/visit/t...

[coasts]

there's also the four trucks at Tavern on the Green...as of today, they include:

Rickshaw Dumplings, Pera Turkish Tacos, Ladle of Love soups and an ice cream truck.

[ngershman]

I'm here in Chicago -- so does that space outside Tavern on the Green contain a public seating area?

[coasts]

Yes, there are tables and restrooms. It's also right off Central Park West, making it easily accessible from the street.

[ngershman]

Dynamite. Will stake out the Tavern's public area via Google. N

[Porthos]

I always liked Agatha and Valentina in general for groceries. Not sure if they do picnic baskets but they have prepared food from what I remember. Should be really close to you depending on how east you are.

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Agata & Valentina
1505 1st Ave, New York, NY 10021

[rose water]

this is a nice central park picnic thread, but unfortunately, most of the recommendations are for the west side: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/785104