The Best Take-Out for Summer Picnics in London and New York
They can’t account for rain or ants, but these top restaurants make the food a cinch.
(Bloomberg) -- From the 3Q 2017 issue of Bloomberg Reserve, a Bloomberg Brief's publication.
Restaurants are perfecting take-out and making it easier to pack it up and go. The relentless search for profit means culinary luminaries from Momofuku's David Chang to the team at Eleven Madison Park are looking for ways consumers can take restaurant quality food home, to a park for lunch or a festival, or to their weekend abode — and still have it retain its quality.
London
Rex Whistler: You can't take it away, but this may be the best picnic, courtesy of a restaurant at the Tate museum. They pack up a seasonal basket of British goodies, throw in silverware and a blanket, and you get a front row seat of the Thames.
Fortnum & Mason: The most famous name in picnics still does the best job of getting you ready for Glyndebourne's operas, a day in the park, or just a night at home where you don't want to cook.
German Gymnasium: Bang next to the new urban spaces by King's Cross, they'll pack up three different complete picnics in steel hampers and highlight a different German wine. Good Eurostar option too.
Mandarin Oriental: You don't have to be a guest at the Hyde Park location for them to custom-make a picnic for any taste or style. Even better, Mandarins around the globe do the same!
New York
Made Nice: The new fast casual branch of Daniel Humm and Will Guidara's Eleven Madison Park empire has nine dishes, like my favorite, the Salmon Rosti, and chicken frites that pack up nicely.
Le Coq Rico: It's all about the chicken, and they'll pack it up expertly, provide a how-to for assembly and throw in all the salads and sauces.
Mission Chinese Food: Not only does MC deliver, they'll make sure that you arrive at your destination ready to go and talk you through which dishes travel best.
Hill Country BBQ: Perfectionists will moan that BBQ has to be right off the grill, but smoke and marinade make it one of the best candidates for traveling well. Order whole cuts, a complete rack, for best results. Dinosaur Bar-B-Que is great, too.
To contact the editor responsible for this story: Alison Ciaccio at aciaccio1@bloomberg.net.