Picnic, Please!

A blanket, a patch of grass, some simple food, and a warm summer evening add up to a very romantic date idea: a picnic.

By Khalil Hymore

Food and romance go hand in hand. From marriage proposals in fancy restaurants to smashing wedding cake into your new spouse's face at your reception, chances are you shared your last romantic moment with a meal (or at least it started with a meal and maybe ended in the bedroom!). While there are many romantic culinary situations one can find oneself in, to me nothing is more romantic than a picnic.

During the summer months, many romantic outdoor activities suddenly become available to help set the mood, like plays, concerts, fireworks, and films. Picnics are also playful and less formal, making them more conducive to getting to know the other person. Plus, if you so choose, instead of staring across the table at your date, you can get to know each other over a Frisbee or football toss!

Planning the meal should never be difficult or too time-consuming, because anything goes with a picnic. While it's great to prepare your own food, if you are short on time--some of the best picnics can be purchased. For example, if you're meeting up after work, simply stop at the nearest gourmet deli and pick out a few of the following: cheese, paté, charcuterie, antipasti, some fresh fruits and vegetables, a crusty baguette, and a bottle of wine. While this is a great start, you should toss in whatever you like. You can go as casual as a sandwich or all the way to a five-course meal. It's up to you! If you are looking to impress your date, you can purchase some wonderful picnic accessories, ranging from baskets to blankets to fully-stocked picnic backpacks.

Here's a bit of advice on picnic foods from my own experiences: finger foods and individual servings are best since they cut down on the amounts and supplies you have to schlep to and from the park. For example, when I make a pie for a picnic, I will often make individual handheld pies for everyone instead of bringing a big pie and a heavy pie plate. The smaller pies are easier to pack and much easier to clean up. I pack my handheld pies in individual brown paper bags. They look supercute, and if that's the one thing you prepare in advance, you'll be sure to impress your date and end the evening with a touch of homemade romance. If you are preparing food in advance, purchasing some cooler bags is a smart idea to preserve the food.

Of course, picnics don't have to be date specific. They are a great way to gather with a large group of friends as well. Every year for her birthday, my friend Shoshanna hosts a big picnic party in Central Park. Her eclectic gathering of hoagie sandwiches, homemade pitchers of sangria, and excessive numbers of lawn chairs always makes for a memorable event. For Shoshanna it is perfect, because her picnic also acts as an open house, allowing her guests to come and go as they are available from a central location, rather than having to show up to a restaurant at a specific time.

If you are meeting a group of friends and don't want to spend too much money, a picnic potluck is another great idea. They allow you to gather with your friends, share the expense, and not have to worry about doing all of the work.

One of my favorite places for a picnic also happens to be one of the most romantic as well. Tanglewood in Lenox, Massachusetts, is the summer home to the Boston Symphony Orchestra. To me there is nothing more relaxing than spreading out a big blanket, sipping a glass of wine, and enjoying live music among the green rolling hills and mountains of the Berkshires. On top of it, the picnickers at these events mean business. They show up with red wagons full of fine food and wine, fancy blankets and stemware, and even candelabras. While I tend not to put that much effort into my picnics, it's certainly fun to be surrounded by it.

So now is the time to take advantage of that park, lake, or beach you never get to while the weather is warm. Whether it's a date or a mixing of your nearest and dearest friends, I can't think of a better way to spend a summer evening.