A Refined Palate | The Pleasure of Feasting Outdoors

^{Édouard Manet (1832-1883), Luncheon on the Grass (1863), oil on canvas}

The History of ‘En Plein Air’ Dining

The concept of the picnic—a sumptuous meal enjoyed outdoors—has roots stretching back to medieval hunting feasts, but it was the environment of post-Revolutionary France that perfected the idea.  

Freed from the rigid formalities of courtly dining, the French aristocracy and the subsequently burgeoning middle class embraced the liberating experience of dining en plein air. They elevated the picnic from a simple meal to a refined social event, complete with elaborate hampers, elegant linens, and carefully curated menus. The French popularized the "pique-nique" as a stylish and convivial affair, transforming it into a symbol of leisure and social connection, thus setting the standard for picnics as we know them today.

The Metaphor in the Meal

For me, picnics have never been about the food, but rather about savoring time; with nature, with yourself, with the people you love. Picnics teach us to enjoy the little things in life, to take our time and savor every moment.  

There are certain times of the day that I have to remind myself not to scarf down a meal—sometimes life calls for a quick, convenient sandwich or a pick-me-up latte that’s doomed to disappear within seconds of receiving it. At other times, things taste so good that I have to resist the urge not to gobble down the entire plate and to instead take my time and savor the process of spinning the rich, truffle pasta onto my fork or sipping the wine slowly, allowing it to linger on my palate while I catch up with old friends and family.  

Food transcends mere sustenance. In my mind and in the hearts of nearly every civilisation across the globe, food is a form of art. While it fuels our bodies, it also has the potential to create a shared experience, elevating it to something truly exceptional. From Chinese tea ceremonies to elevenses in England, and even to Middle Earth’s fanatics of second breakfast, it would be a shame to discredit the importance of food and the traditions surrounding the partaking of a meal throughout global society.

Picnicking through Life

What I loved about my outings as a little girl was that they didn't require a special occasion or elegant food—they were simple acts that gave me joy. They didn't require a scheduled time or a calendar invite, and neither do extraordinary culinary experiences.  

Whether a simple snack or an elaborate spread, the most memorable meals—whether a light snack with a daughter, a quick bite with a friend, a planned reservation at a fine restaurant, or a sandwich on the beach—are those where we are fully present, savoring each moment and appreciating the confluence of food, surroundings, and company. 

My encouragement for you and for me is that we don't wait for a formal invitation to indulge in cuisine. Create new traditions, revisit nostalgic tastes, reinvent classic dishes with modern spins and take the time to savor the collecting, creating, and cooking.  

I encourage you to bring love to every table, whether it's a yellow cotton quilt, a lavish marble counter, or a footed tray in bed. If you show up and savor the sweetness of the smiles shared and memories made, any meal can be divine.

Preparation

My grandmother always had fresh mint growing in her yard. In the spring and summer, I’d take the leaves and sprinkle them on fruit salads or put them in my tea at night.  

Taking the time to forage and collect my own ingredients always elevates the experience of food creation and consumption—the food becomes a part of you. Preparation, it could be argued, is the most sacred part of the process, and knowing that you or someone else has put effort and love into the collecting, washing, curing, cooking, and canning of the food being consumed makes it all the more special.  

So when precious moments present themselves, take advantage and pick the mulberries from the tree in the park, or fill your basket with violets from the field to top your salad with a colorful flourish. Season your meals with love, and you’ll love the taste of every season.

Sometimes, the preparation is in the planning. Elevate your culinary transportation with a classic bike basket.

Woven from the highest quality naturally grown lacak rattan—a firm species of the palm family native to the tropical forests of the Philippines—this collection of bike baskets remain our best-sellers year after year due to its classic design. Stash with your favorite picnic goodies and rest assured that your culinary treasures will make it to your special spot.

Enjoyment of fine meals can’t be sustained if our bodies are not sustained in return. Freshen up your breath after a hefty meal and promote digestive health with pure peppermint.

Refreshing, cooling, and therapeutic, a few drops of peppermint oil boasts a vast array of benefits within its verdant leaves. Promote gut health, fresh breath, and a sharp mind with this delicious medicinal plant.

Al Fresco: Discover New Obsessions

From my childhood afternoons spent journaling amidst daffodil fields, basket brimming with simple snacks and provisions, to my present-day spring cravings for sunny picnics laden with artisanal spreads and truffle-infused delicacies, the allure of al fresco dining has remained a constant. The emergence of spring, marked by the Bianchetto truffle's harvest, rekindles a lifelong passion for this earthy fungi delight, a journey that began with a transformative pasta dish in France and continues with my quest for the perfect springtime truffle creation. 

As a testament to the enduring joy found in simple, seasonal pleasures, I encourage you to experiment with Truffle Salt. Discover the taste of spring and elevate your simple dishes with a rich, umami luster.

A luxurious enhancement of everything from risotto to grilled vegetables to popcorn to eggs, just a pinch adds an earthy, umami-rich flavor that will elevate any dish to a fine-dining experience. Sourced from Sicily, this classic blend of Italian black truffles and French fleur de sel will become your next obsession.

Truffle pairs well with lemon. Up your culinary experiments with a dash of this zesty oil.

Bursting with bright citrus notes, this aromatic Sicilian Lemon Aromatic Oil will add a refreshing zest to any dish. A vibrant infusion of sun-ripened Sicilian lemons and premium oil, this golden delight provides a perfect zesty zing to elevate your culinary creations with. 

Or inspire yourself and friends with the fabulous concoctions found amidst colorful cookbook pages.

With over 75 seasonally inspired, approachable snack boards, recipes, and cocktails, The Art of the Board has all you need for fun, stress-free entertaining year-round. Packed with culinary tips and tricks, this book of treasures offers luxurious inspiration for your next snack board as warm weather rolls around.

Simple Joys with Us

Join us for our first Thursday Tasting of the year!

Embark on a culinary sojourn without leaving Savannah; take your palate for a trip through our carefully curated global pantry on the first Thursday of every month. From the fields of France to the spice markets of Italy, our eclectic selection of candies, cocktail mixers, preserves, spices, and spreads awaits your discovery. 

This March, we are delighted to feature the artisanal creations of Bella Cucina, inviting you to indulge in their handcrafted spreads, including their verdant Arugula and Pine Nut Pesto and their zesty Preserved Lemon Curd, from 3–5pm.

Experience the exquisite and the extraordinary.