“The English have enough enthusiasm to overcome all obstacles where picnics are concerned.”
Isak Dinesen, Letters from Africa, 1914 -1931
Next time you find yourself by the seaside at Santa Cruz, don't worry about packing a picnic before hand. For sweet little beach-side pit-stop, The Picnic Basket is a perfect treasure trove of fresh, seasonal bounty from farmers, foragers and artisans, suitable to eat-in, out or to-go-adventuring.
If ever an eaterie comes recommended by more than a couple of discerning, food-loving friends, I have to check it out sooner or later.
And a winter's weekend in Santa Cruz to visit my student son, Luc, proved prime for a quick bite at the Picnic Basket, at 125 Beach Street, a stone's through from the Boardwalk.
Pictured here, to tantalize your tastebuds is the eaterie's scrumptious classic Brown Sugar, Almond Custard Cake topped with organic whipped cream ($3.75).
Also sampled in the early morning mist, al-fresco, a warming bowl of Goldilocks Giusto's Hot Cereal with brown sugar, walnuts and cream ($5.50).
The concept of filling a picnic basket to go is a winning one in an area so rich with ocean and mountain activities.
Zach Davis and Kendra Baker are the team behind The Glass Jar, mother company of The Picnic Basket and also Santa Cruz’s hip and wildly popular The Penny Ice Creamery. The enterprising duo open their first full-service restaurant, Assembly, with Executive Chef Carlo Espinas, this month.
One particularly clever Picnic Basket combo of their gastronomical goodies is a Beer Float of Tahitian Vanilla Bean in Santa Cruz Mountain Brewing Pumpkin Porter. I guess you'd need to eat-in to fully appreciate this double treat, priced reasonably at $8.
Major players in Slow Food Santa Cruz, the community farmers market, Community Alliance with Family Farmers and Think Local Santa Cruz, here's a poster company for small business being actively involved in bettering a region's food culture.
Of appeal on the chalk board the day I stopped in for sandwiches and such available from mid-day on was Dad's Meatloaf Sandwich with Swiss Cheese, Balsamic Onion Jam and Baby Spinach ($10), Porchetta with Meyer Lemon, Arugula and Grain Mustard Baguette ($9), Roasted Sunchockes from Little Organic Farm, Sesame Kale with Gonzales Orchard Dried Plums and Fromage Blanc Baguette ($8), sides of marinated olives and spiced nuts, and a Picnic Salad of Roasted Chicken from 38 Degrees North, Feta, Fuji Apples, Celery, Schmidt Family Raisins, Toasted Walnuts and Butter Lettuce ($8.75).
Open 7am to 4pm Mon – Thu & 7am to 9pm Fri – Sun
125 Beach Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Phone: (831) 427-9946
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