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Today's picnics can be anything from a romantic appetizer with wine for two to a barbeque feast for a crowd. Many restaurants already provide a take out menu. A picnic menu takes the concept one step further, keeping in step with the Merriam Webster definition of a picnic as "a pleasant or amusingly carefree experience." In today's rushed lifestyle, a picnic is just the answer for busy families and rushed organizers looking for a unique casual dining experience.

Is a Picnic Option Right for You?

Since picnics are intended for outdoor eating, some restaurants are naturally more suited for a picnic element when considering the type of food served, location, and time of year. Unlike take out foods, which can include almost anything on the menu, picnic selections need to be specifically chosen for ease of eating and serving in the outdoors. Some restaurants would have a difficult time pulling together a successful picnic, because some foods include sauces and condiments that make outdoor eating challenging. It is important to maintain the flavor and selections representing the dining experience of the restaurant.

Location is also a factor. Restaurants will have the best luck offering picnic options within walking distance to a park, beach, ball field, stadium, outdoor concert venue, or other inviting outdoor picnic spot.

Although a few restaurants offer winter picnics for cozy indoor eating by a warm fire, most picnic menus are available seasonally during summer months. It is worth considering limiting this even more at first. For instance, offer picnics during summer holidays such as Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day. If business booms, you can always consider expanding offerings the following summer season.

Upscale to Down Home

Depending on your type of restaurant, picnics can be presented and packaged as gourmet dinning experiences or as casual as sandwiches and chips. Jacqualine Lynn, author for Restaurants USA shares, "Whether you operate a casual or a fine-dining restaurant, or a catering business, what it takes to successfully sell picnics is the ability to put together a package that offers a complete outdoor-dining experience." Consider the style of picnic that might appeal to the most people who frequent your restaurant. It is also important to choose foods that are light to carry, easy to eat outdoors, and are resistant to fast spoiling. Salads with eggs and mayonnaise and warm meats should be avoided. Packaging can include ice packs, but remember that these add weight.

Be sure to create a picnic that emphasizes special foods featured at your own establishment. If you have a special bread, salad, or side, try to incorporate this in your picnic, if at all possible. Here are a few suggestions to get your imagination started.

• French Bistro Picnic—baked baguettes, herb salad, mini quiches, bottle of wine.
• Barbecue Picnic—cold barbecue chicken, corn bread muffins, three-bean salad, sodas.
• Greek Picnic—Mediterranean salad, humus and pita bread, olives, cheese, grapes.
• Beach Picnic—shrimp vegetable salad, rolls, tropical fruit.
• Eco Picnic—foods made by locals with fresh local fruits and veggies. Use returnable or reusable containers for packing.

The Picnic Site offers this advice, "Simplicity is the key to a good picnic menu. It doesn't pay to be too ambitious or to assume that recipes, which work well at home, will be just as good in the open air. Delicate flavors can be lost eating al fresco. Pack simple food but not too many choices—you don't want to be constantly passing things round. A picnic should be a relaxed affair with an easy to recognize, wholesome, menu."

Packing and Presentation

Some restaurants go all out with a picnic theme that includes picnic baskets. These come in all shapes and sizes, but for convenience and ease of packing it is wise to choose square bottomed baskets that can be stacked. Be sure the basket is sturdy enough to hold the weight of food. A deposit is include in the price of the picnic and refunded when the basket is returned. Baskets can also be offered for a price, if patrons become attached to their receptacle. Bags and boxes are also acceptable, it helps to use gingham checks and a bright picnic logo on these disposable choices. In either case, take the time to choose bright summery napkins and a few flavorful condiments. And be sure to tuck in a picnic menu for future outings!