Welcome to 3AW. Skip directly to: Search Box, Section Navigation, Content.

3AW - Fairfax Radio Network

Wednesday May 23, 2012

What we're talking about

The Art of the Picnic

Posted by: Ela Carte | 31 January, 2011 - 2:35 PM
picnic

THE ART OF THE PICNIC - NGV St Kilda Road, Melbourne www.ngv.vic.gov.au

What better Summer eating experience than the humble picnic? So this week, a perfect spot for a city picnic (and next week, a country location … but more about that later!).

It’s not often you stumble upon a corner of the city you’ve never seen before, and out the back of the National Gallery on St Kilda Rd is one such place for me. Head in the front door, past the Atrium, through the Grand Hall and just beyond that is a little known green oasis with the perfect accessory – a Garden Bar. And taking full advantage of this expansive space, the NGV is running until the end of March “The Art of the Picnic”.

Observing “The Art of the Picnic” simply involves partaking in the consumption of a finely arranged hamper, while indulgently comfortable in a green space, and accompanying it with a refreshing drink. With this promotion at the gallery, booking in advance is probably the easiest way to go, otherwise they need an hour’s notice to make you up a hamper. But if you ring the gallery and order your basket, the process is easy as … well, quiche. The baskets themselves are priced at $35 for two, you pay on presentation at the Garden Bar and receive your blanket and a couple of cushions – the choice of location is yours. Drinks are available at the bar, two whites, two reds, four beers, soft drinks and juice.

The edible component is delivered to you in a wooden box once you sit down, spread out, and make yourself comfortable. At $35 for two, it’s great value.

A long French baguette is shared between two and paired with a selection of cold meats, a tub of quince paste, a piece of brie and some soft blue cheese. The summer salad for us was cous cous with roasted vegetables spiced with a mix somewhere between Middle Eastern and Mediterranean, the super soft, super sweet caramelized onion was the highlight. Topping off the savoury components were a couple of home-made quiches – to be perfectly honest, cold quiche ain’t quite my cup of tea, so this wasn’t my favourite dish of the day. But, there are other offerings are available for purchase from the bar, including pate for $15 or dips at $6 each, so I’d probably add in one or two of those next time.

To finish off, two super sweet orange macaroons with poppy seeds. It’s simple fare, but the environs are what make the experience. For a taste of culture first we wandered around the gallery’s European collection, before spending a good three and a half hours on the lawn sipping champagne.

If the weather’s looking dicey, you can always pop inside to the Gallery’s restaurant Persimmon instead, much fancier fare but still some great value options there – including a $55 lunch that gets you two courses, a glass of wine and entry to the ticketed exhibition of the day.

If a day in the city is in order, and you’re in need of a cultural fix, then “The Art of the Picnic” is a great way to spend a long, lazy afternoon.

Of course, some other great picnic options close to the CBD include a $15 Lunchbox from Café Vue on St Kilda Rd to be eaten in the Botanical Gardens; or maybe a hamper from the new collection at Richmond Hill Café and Larder to be eaten in the Fitzroy Gardens or Abbotsford Convent.  Leave your own suggestions below!

AUDIO: LISTEN TO ELA'S VISION OF THE PERFECT PICNIC

Blog comments Your Say

Post a comment * Mandatory fields