June was a complete washout, so now it’s time to fully embrace the picnic — and the good news is that The Brooklyn Paper is here to help with our first annual park-by-park guide to the perfect picnic.
One word of caution that our lawyers made us put in: Despite our recommendation to purchase various forms of alcohol to enjoy wantonly on your picnic, it is absolutely illegal to drink booze in public parks. That doesn’t mean we don’t do it, of course, but as far as our lawyers are concerned, we really actually don’t do it. Still, you should feel emboldened to browse the stores in our field guide below and take your chances.
Bottom’s up!
Fort Greene Park
Bordered by DeKalb Avenue, Myrtle Avenue, Washington Park and Cumberland Street
This 1897 Olmsted and Vaux classic is the perfect place for a picnic, yet there aren’t many picnic outfitters within walking distance. That’s why we suggest heading straight for Amy Bennett and Jason Richelson’s Greene Grape Provisions [753 Fulton St. at Carlton Avenue, (718) 233-2700], where you’ll enjoy a vast selection of meats, cheeses, breads, and fruits. A manager told us that there’s no better way to enjoy a proper dejeuner sur l’herbe than by getting some Fleur Vert ($19 per pound), a French chevre, which is a fancy way of saying goat’s milk cheese. Greene Grape Provisions is an offshoot of Bennett’s wine store nearby, but you can also head for Thirst Wine Merchants [187 DeKalb Ave. between Cumberland Street and Carlton Avenue, (718) 596-7643] to pick up a bottle, no make that a box, of vino. To remain inconspicuous, a manager recommended Yellow and Blue, an Argentinean white ($12), which is not only discreet, but it’s also made with organic grapes.
Empire-Fulton Ferry State Park
Bounded by Main Street, Water Street, New Dock Street and the East River
This grassy spot looks out on the East River and the Lower Manhattan skyline, and sits close enough to the Brooklyn Bridge to enjoy a feast for the eyes (but far enough to not be burdened by the traffic rumble). You’ll only need to make two stops to gather your goods, and both are within blocks of the park. Start at Foragers [56 Front St. at Adams Street, (718) 801-8400] to do the bulk of your shopping. This DUMBO store has become a staple of the neighborhood’s gourmet food scene. While not inexpensive by any stretch, the market offers everything a picnicker needs from a bottle of San Pellegrino ($2.95) to sopressata salami ($19.99 per pound) to a surprisingly vast selection of cheeses, fruit, fresh breads and other essentials. For dessert, grab a chocolate chip cookie from the Willy Wonka of Water Street, Jacques Torres [66 Water St. between Main and Dock streets, (718) 875-9772].
Prospect Park
Bounded by Flatbush Avenue, Prospect Park West, Parkside Avenue, Prospect Park Southwest and Grand Army Plaza
The grandest park in Brooklyn has many excellent spots for picnickers, though Seventh Avenue is the main picnic-shopping drag. Park Slopers should start at Blue Apron Foods [814 Union St. between Seventh and Eighth avenues, (718) 230-3180], which offers a wide range of meats and cheeses and has quickly become a neighborhood favorite since its opening in 2002. The cow’s milk Tomme Crayeuse from France ($18.25 per pound) is a great choice. Head down Seventh Avenue to Shawn Wines and Spirits [141 Seventh Ave. between Garfield Place and Carroll Street, (718) 622-7947], which has been in business for 27 years. A wise manager pointed us towards a Broadbent Vinho Verde white ($9.99), which went down easy (though not — we repeat, not — in the park!). Windsor Terrace residents should head straight for Grab [438 Seventh Ave. between 14th and 15th Streets, (718) 369-7595)]. Much like Blue Apron, Grab — which opened in 2007 — offers outstanding meats and cheeses, the foremost of which being the prosciutto cotto with herbs ($14.95 per pound). Also nearby is Big Nose Full Body [382 Seventh Ave. between 11th and 12th Streets, (718) 369-4030], where another wise manager suggested a Chilean Sauvignon Blanc ($9).
East River State Park
Bounded by Kent Avenue, N. Eighth Street, N. Ninth Street and the East River
East River State Park’s seven acres sit on the waterfront in Williamsburg, giving park-goers a spectacular view of the Manhattan skyline. The best way to approach the park while hitting the best stores is to start at the Marcy Avenue subway stop. From there, head to Marlow & Daughters [95 Broadway at Berry Street, (718) 388-5700]. This Williamsburg butcher and fine foods store was opened in 2008 as a companion to Marlow & Sons café one block away. With house-cured meats, cheeses, great bread and other gourmet foods, the shop is perfect for picnickers, even though it’s a fair distance from the park. The homemade country pâté ($10 per pound) makes for an outstanding picnic favor. Next, walk north on Bedford Avenue to the Bedford Cheese Shop [299 Bedford Ave. at N. Fourth Street, (718) 599-7588], which has been at this location since 2006. The cheeses are excellent, but the prices can be lofty. A manager suggested the Pleasant Ridge cow’s milk cheese from Wisconsin ($25 per pound) for picnickers. Finally, for the wine, walk two blocks further down Bedford to Uva Wines and Spirits [199 Bedford Ave. at N. Sixth Street, (718) 963-3939]. The selection is enormous, including a perfect Delhommeau Muscadet white from France ($12).
Owls Head Park
Bounded by Shore and Colonial roads, 68th Street and Wakeman Place
This seaside beauty boasts a few locations where any seasoned picnic lover would be proud to plant his checkered sheet. Prime picnic spots lie all along the “Dead Man’s Hill,” half of which has ample shade. If you enter the park on 68th Street and Shore Road, you will find a grassy knoll dubbed “The Overlook,” which offers a beautiful view of the Narrows with a little less shade. Either way, there’s no shortage of eats worthy of your picnic basket in Bay Ridge.
You haven’t experienced the neighborhood’s finest until you head over to Sally and George’s [7809 Third Ave. between 78th and 79th streets, (718)-680-4615], which serves up fresh tabouleh, grape leaves, Lebanese potato salad, kibbee balls, and meat pies. The Family Store [6905 Third Ave. between 69th street and Ovington Avenue, (718) 748-0207] also offers prepared Mediterranean foods with a menu that changes frequently, but includes lemon chicken, apricot- and mustard-glazed barbecued chicken, sausage and broccoli rabe, and avocado salad. Cangiano’s [6931 Third Ave. at Ovington Avenue, (718) 836-5521] makes its own fresh mozzarella, which is nice on a hero sandwich. Petzinger’s Wine and Liquors [123 Bay Ridge Ave. at Colonial Road, (718) 836-0044] is conveniently located one block away from the park’s 68th Street entrance and offers a wide selection.
Sunset Park
Bounded by Fifth and Seventh avenues, and 41th and 44th streets.
One of the highest points in Brooklyn, Sunset Park has perhaps the most beautiful view of any landlocked public park. And with the bustling Third, Fourth, and Fifth avenues a few steps away, there’s no shortage of food and drinks to keep the picnic going till, well, sunset.
For some of the best Hispanic food, grab a taco from Xochimilico Restaurant [4501 Fifth Ave. at 45th Street, (718) 435-7600]. A classic Sunset Park joint, it’s small, but packs a full menu that includes enchiladas and burritos. If you want a more traditional sandwich, head to Sunset Bagels [4903 Fifth Ave. at 49th Street, (718) 437-0905]. The store offer full platters of everything from fresh cut vegetables, cheese, bagels, eggs, and wraps as well as heroes, quesadillas, and more than 15 types of grilled paninis. With all this food, you’ll need some drinks. And by drinks we mean beer. And there’s only place for that: Sunset Beer Distributors [969 Third Ave. between 37th and 38th streets, (718) 788-8000], where manager Alex Rodriguez (no relation to the frequently choking, former steroid using Yankee) recommends buying some Corona and some ice (this warehouse-style store doesn’t have a refrigerator).
