Picnic

"You could probably fit a reunion of every romantic hopeful from The Bachelor inside this massive Kensington restaurant. Picnic comes from the team behind Beddia and Kalaya, so oversized dining spaces aren’t exactly new to them. But this one also includes a full wine shop up front, communal tables for large groups, and a lengthy bar in the back. But it’s not just its size that makes it great for a casual date, a last-minute group dinner, or lunch after a Little League game—it’s the dependable, built-to-share seasonal menu, which includes one of Philly’s best rotisserie chickens. photo credit: Nicole Guglielmo photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO Low lighting and plants make this renovated industrial space feel warm and energetic, as do the friends sharing inside jokes over banana negronis and plates of the perfectly smoky bluefish toast. Grilled cabbage salads and oyster platters crowd the tables of eight-plus, and they should—Picnic’s raw bar is consistently one of the best on this side of the El train. There are misses, too—we had a scallop crudo tossed in an XO sauce that was more slick peppery oil than flavorful, and the Italian sausage with raclette is a messier version of what you’d find at Citizens Bank Park. But the caliber of the ingredients and extensive menu makes Picnic one of the most reliable restaurants in the neighborhood, whether you head there for a laidback cheese plate and glass of wine or a boozy afternoon with 10 of your closest friends. Get a group together and confidently go for the standouts—not least the excellent chicken that’s worth your final rose. Food Rundown photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO Banana Negroni It sounds like the first cocktail you order when you get to your beachfront resort. But this drink has way more depth than any island drink you’ve had before. It’s a well-mixed rum negroni, so there’s the classic herby bitterness, while the banana liquor gives it a smooth sweetness. It’s our go-to here. photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO Oysters You can’t miss the raw bar out front when you walk in. Options change, but the quality is always excellent. They’re served with a mignonette, smoky hot sauce, and tangy verde sauce sidekicks. Get a dozen. photo credit: Nicole Guglielmo Chicory Salad In walks this colorful, chopped chicory salad that balances the natural bitterness of the leafy green with hazelnut, date, and a slightly rich crème fraîche. It is good. But it also has the flavor profile of every chicory salad served in every Contemporary American restaurant, so it’s not essential unless you’re in the mood for a salad. photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO Bluefish Toast Briny, smoky bluefish, zaatar cucumbers, and toasty sesame are beautifully draped over toast points. We would happily eat this three times a week. photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO Grilled Branzino A nicely charred slab of grilled branzino, citrus salad, and lemony beurre blanc. It’s fine, but it’s not knocking anybody’s socks off. photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO Rotisserie Chicken Picnic’s pièce de résistance. And that’s why it’s the never-changing core of this rotating menu. The skin is so beautifully charred that they could make a side dish out of that alone. But then you’d miss out on the tender, fall-off-the-bone meat. Dip the chicken, which comes as a half or whole, into the classic hollandaise, anchovy salsa verde, roasted garlic chicken jus, or any of the other sauces. But the beauty of this bird is that it doesn’t need anything extra. Just you, your greedy fingers, and a little privacy. photo credit: NICOLE GUGLIELMO Yogurt Who knew frozen yogurt could be this thick and flavorful? The silky froyo comes topped with fresh fruit and a crunch—we’ve had apple, tamarind, and pie crust crumble. A cup is supposedly made for two, but we didn’t get that memo when we hoarded it for ourselves. Not sorry." - Candis R. McLean