The sun is shining, the flowers are blooming and it’s a blissfully wide-open weekend morning. What better way to celebrate the beauty of the day—and your freedom from a schedule—than heading out for a picnic with the family or your Special Someone? Here are a few places in the region that will help stock up that pretty picnic basket.
Your local farmers market is a treasure-trove of picnic fare, from super-fresh fruits and vegetables to artisan cheeses and olive oils, just-baked breads and pastries, preserves, beverages and, in some markets, wine. Farmers markets generally open early in the morning and close about noon, so you’ll be able to pick up your food on the way out of town. This list of certified farmers markets in the Sacramento Valley region will help you find the market closest to you: http://www.cafarmersmarkets.com/findMarkets?region=2:Sacramento+Valley
If you’re planning to picnic in Apple Hill or the beautiful El Dorado wine country, make sure to visit Dedrick’s Cheese in Placerville. Set off the busy main street of this quaint little town, Dedrick’s is crammed full of fun picnic fare. In addition to an exciting selection of cheeses (don’t miss the dry, crumbly Italian Toma Brusca or the French ultra-creamy Pierre Robert Triple Cream), the shop features a serve-yourself olive bar, which also includes pickled cornichons and caper berries. Rustic breads and pastries from local Rizing Baking Company are available, as is a lineup of Italian cured meats such as sopressata, prosciutto and salami. Condiments include mustard, roasted yellow tomatoes and quince paste, and lots of fun crackers. (Try the garlic flatbread and the olive oil biscuits.) Dedrick’s Cheese, 312 Main St., Suite 105, Placerville; (530) 344-8282; http://www.dedrickscheese.com/ (second location in Nevada City)
You’ll find some exotic and intriguing picnic fare at Kolobok Bakery, Deli, Market & Smokehouse in Carmichael. This colorful establishment specializes in eastern European cheeses, deli and smoked meats, breads and pastries, and a wide variety of canned goods and preserves. There also is a selection of fresh fruits and bottled juices—pomegranate juice is wonderful with cheese!. Grab a whole smoked herring from the cold case, along with some Ukrainian cheese, slices of Russian vetchinaya (cured ham), a loaf of freshly baked bread, and a bottle of pickled pattypan squash, and you’ll be fully prepared for a bountiful—and hearty—picnic. Kolobok Bakery, Deli, Market & Smokehouse, 7307 Fair Oaks Blvd., Carmichael, (916) 972-9582; http://www.kolobokbakery.com/
Placer County residents are lucky to have a picnic food fantasyland at their fingertips. The swanky Quarry Ponds shopping center in Granite Bay harbors not one, but three, establishments that cater to local foodies seeking upscale picnic fare. The Pullman Kitchen offers up pre-roasted chickens and luscious salads (of special note is the colorful, dill-flecked beet salad and the shockingly yellow curry-saffron cauliflower salad, dotted with currants and cherry tomatoes) and richly flavorful frittatas. Next door at Bay Gourmet Market, shoppers will discover artisanal bread rolls, a pretty selection of cheeses and pre-made salads, as well as deli meats and chunky, luscious-looking cookies. Across the way, One Ripe Tomato shows off an inspiring collection of ripe, fresh and locally sourced produce. This is truly a one-stop-shop for gourmet food purchases. Quarry Ponds, 5550 Douglas Blvd., Granite Bay, http://www.quarryponds.com Pullman Kitchen: (916) 772-5050 Bay Gourmet Market: (916) 772-5888 One Ripe Tomato: (916) 797-8333
Long-time favorite David Berkley is a must-visit for folks seeking high-quality, classy comestibles. You will find items for your picnic basket that you won’t see anywhere else in the region: dry smoked scallops; glazed, roasted figs; and feta cheese-stuffed green olives. This upscale, cozy establishment has a wonderful selection of cheeses and wines, in addition to their cured meats (from Danish salami and smoked liverwurst to head cheese), pates and specialty items (olive tapenades, beef dolmas, quiches and chilled soups). If you want a pre-made picnic, order one of David Berkley’s famous sandwiches or hot and ready-to-go items (don’t miss the chicken enchiladas), and save room in the basket for dessert—the shop’s pastries are simply beautiful. David Berkley, 515 Pavilions Lane, Sacramento; (916) 929-4422; http://www.dberkley.com
» Ron Cunningham’s 20th Anniversary Celebration At Ron Cunningham’s 20th Anniversary Celebration, The Sacramento Ballet’s artistic director was honored with a performance and party at the Sacramento Theatre Company.
» Ron Cunningham’s 20th Anniversary Celebration
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