Packing the Perfect Pride Picnic

The Grocer’s Table. Photo by Lindsay Pohlad

Picnic season is upon us. There is no better time of year to pack a basket or a backpack full of goodies and enjoy them somewhere scenic. There is no one way to do a picnic. You might prefer a picnic out on the water, at the end of a hike, at your favorite local park – or even in your own backyard. The rules are just as lax when it comes to the food you pack. Whether your ideal picnic features sandwiches, salads, or something in the charcuterie family, we have several local grocery stores and delis that will help you craft your best picnic yet.

The Grocer’s Table

The Grocer’s Table is a market, café and wine bar located on the edge of Lake Minnetonka. This little grocery store is a perfect one-stop-shop for premade treats and picnic staples. Recently The Grocer’s Table introduced their Family Style Menu, which, among other things, features three different charcuterie boards that can bring a special flair to your next picnic. Each board serves 8-10 people and includes a fresh baguette along with various meats, cheeses, and pickles. The Grocer’s Table also offers several heartier spreads with BBQ or brunch items. For the perfect finishing touch, we recommend getting one of the refreshing cocktail mixes that The Grocer’s Table carries.

Once you have your meal prepped, you can meander across the street and enjoy your picnic in the green space at the park. The Grocer’s Table also provides dockside delivery, so call in an order and get a ready-made meal next time you are out enjoying the lake.

thegrocerstablemn.com
326 Broadway Ave. S.
Wayzata, MN 55391
(952) 466-6100

MinnyRow Market. Photo by Katie Heymer

MinnyRow Market

MinnyRow Market is a small, family-owned grocery store and deli. This Hopkins favorite focuses on locally sourced and ethically produced foods and operates with a mission to bring its community together through food.

You can always find a fun new arrangement of cheese and cured meat at MinnyRow Market. They have a rotating spread from Red Table Meats that can be combined to make a fun charcuterie spread personalized to your taste. There are also plenty of made to order salads, sandwiches, soups, and pizza available at MinnyRow. All items are chock full of fresh, local ingredients and there are always vegan and gluten-free options available.

MinnyRow sells delicious non-alcoholic beverages like iced tea (try Jinx) and soda (Spring Grove is a favorite). If you are looking for an alcoholic option, they recommend checking out the canned wine from The Vine Shop next door. Each can contains two glasses, so they are perfect for sharing!

There are several large parks nearby, with the Downtown Park being the closest. If you time your visit well, you might even be able to catch some music onstage.

minnyrow.com
740 Mainstreet
Hopkins, MN 55343
(952) 426-0981

Photo courtesy of Broders’ Cucina Italiana

Broders’ Cucina Italiana

Broders’ has a long history in South Minneapolis dating all the way back to 1982. All three restaurants on the corner of 50^th and Penn (Broders’ Pasta Bar, Terzo, and Broders’ Cucina Italiana) belong to the same family. All three spots are worth a visit, but if you are preparing for a picnic, it is the Cucina Italiana that you want to visit.

Stock up on Italian cheeses and charcuterie, rosemary spiced almonds, olives, fresh focaccia bread and the ever-popular Fulton Flatbread. The Antipasti Kit is also the perfect addition to any picnic. There are also plenty of pizza, salads, and sandwiches available. The South Jersey Hoagie has been a long-standing crowd favorite and you can never go wrong with the New York style pizza.

There are lots of great picnicking spots near Broders’: you can choose between a beachy picnic at Lake Harriet, a sun-dappled snack session at Lynnhurst Park, or just take a little drive to Minnehaha Creek West Park!

broders.com
2308 W 50^th St.
Minneapolis, MN 55410
(612) 925-3113

Photo courtesy of St. Paul Cheese Shop

St. Paul Cheese Shop

The St. Paul Cheese Shop is the Mac-Groveland outpost of France 44 Cheese & Meat. The St Paul Cheese Shop has a smaller footprint, but still stocks the same delicious meats, cheeses, and grocery items as its sister across the river.

There are plenty of mouth-watering combos to be made from the fare at St. Paul Cheese Shop, and if you ask for recommendations, you are practically guaranteed to be introduced to something new and delightful. When we asked for suggestions, we were recommended a crusty baguette from Rose St Patisserie in St Paul, triple crème Briilat Savarin, and local Red Table Salami with a brownie butter crispie for dessert and a refreshing Spindrift seltzer to wash it all down.

There are several nearby green spaces if you want to go straight to your picnic, but we recommend taking a short drive to College Park in the St Anthony neighborhood of St Paul. It is perfect for a summertime picnic with its long, sloped meadow and shady trees.

stpaulcheeseshop.com
1573 Grand Ave.
St Paul, MN 55105
(651) 698-3391

Happy Picnicking!