It's fair to say that the only thing keeping us sane right now is the weather, and eating all the food (no change there really). So it's the perfect time to combine both with an outdoor picnic (ideally with three other people now that the reins have loosened slightly). Here's where to make a stop off for provisions on the way to the park.
Spitalfields
Spitalfields announced this week that they were coming back, with picnic bags in tow. Their €65 offering for two looks enormous, with 13 different elements and a bottle of wine. Standouts include their famous devilled eggs, sausage rolls with Lakeshore mustard, Ballymakenny potato and herb salad, and a monster three desserts - a gateau opera, an Irish blackcurrant Eton mess and white chocolate cranberry clusters. No wonder it sold out in a day. Keep an eye on their Instagram for next week's release.
Cloud Picker
Launching next Tuesday, Pearse Street Café Cloud Picker's click and collect lunchbox looks right up our street. It's €13 (or €12 for the vegetarian option) and will change each week, but includes a main like fried chicken or stuffed savoy cabbage with egg-fried rice, a potato bun, salad, sauce and something sweet. It will always contain something fermented and you can add a homemade kombucha for €4, or whatever coffee you fancy. It's available from Monday - Saturday and you can book online via their website until midnight for collection the next day.
Eatyard
Eatyard at The Bernard Shaw in Glasnevin reopens at 12pm today for takeaway only. Two new vendors have joined the line up, Village Pizza and 3fe for coffee and pastries, and old reliables La Cocina Cuevas, The Saucy Cow, Janet's and My Goodness return. Grab your food and go for a sit down along the canal.
Mamó
We've mentioned it before but we could hardly leave Mamó's new picnic hamper out of this one. We liked it so much we did it two weekends in a row, and a picnic along the Howth cliff walk overlooking the sea is a tonic. Order one for collection or delivery in North County Dublin here.
Two Boys Brew
We were very impressed with a recent visit to Two Boys Brew for a takeaway lunch. You can order online and wait outside while staff bring it to you, or join the queue to order inside and pick up Belview eggs, Ballymakenny Farm potatoes and a gigantic tub of granola while you're there. We highly rate the hotcake with strawberries, raspberries, lemon curd and vanilla mousse, but everything's a winner. Don't leave without a peanut butter cookie sandwich. Take it all to the Botanic Gardens or Blessington Street Park.
Fable & Stey
Blackrock's Fable & Stey are back in business from Wednesday - Sunday for takeaway lunch and cakes. We've been eyeing up their puff pastry tartlet with gubbeen chorizo, cheese, roasted red pepper + basil pesto (served with dressed leaves and homemade pickles), and their white chocolate and pecan banana bread. Drop in and order or call them in advance, then take your haul to Seapoint beach or any green spot nearby.
Locks
We're loving the look of every single thing that's coming out of newly reopened Locks lately, particularly their Thu - Sun daytime take out menu, which begs to be eaten along the canal outside. Some recent options include tempura salt & vinegar hake with peas, mint, tartare sauce and chips, seabream crudo with salted cucumber, wasabi & sushi rice, and lobster with green beans, white peach, mint and Espelette pepper. And we haven't even talked about the tiramisu for two or the peach fool for dessert. See what's on the menu here and pop in on the day or pre-order.
L. Mulligan Grocer
Stoneybatter's favourite gastropub L. Mulligan Grocer are slowly reopening with a limited click and collect menu, some of which is perfect for a trip to the park. Pick up an Irish Farmhouse cheese or charcuterie board, and you can add on a beer box or wine to go. Just pack your own glasses. They're open for collection on Fridays and Saturdays (so far) from 15:00 - 18:00, and you need to order in advance here.
Fowl Play
The only thing better than a daytime picnic is an early evening picnic, eating rotisserie chicken, croquetas and peanut slaw while the sun goes down (craft beer/natural wine optional but recommended). Fowl Play are back in business offering a slightly condensed menu Thursday - Sunday from 16:00. Pick up a family feast and head for Merrion Square or Grand Canal Dock and soak up the last of the sunshine. Order here.
The Woollen Mills
The Woollen Mills have a lot of bases covered if you're trying to find something on the North side of the Liffey, from their turkey, cheddar, gherkin, chipotle mayo, crushed tortilla and guacamole sandwich, to the fish bag with seaweed salt and grilled lemon. Or go all out with their bacon and cabbage mac and cheese. The Yarn is open too if pizza in the park is more your bag.
Where's your favourite place to pick up a picnic? Let us know by emailing info@allthefood.ie.
