Bay and Bloor is a bit of a hectic place during the day. There’s not a lot of reprieve (unless a quick shop at Holt Renfrew is your mid-week relaxation) amid the bustle. But luckily, there is a spot to pick up some fresh eats that’ll keep you going throughout the day without taking up much of your time in the process.
Picnic (60 Bloor Street W) was born out of the idea that you’re busy. ‘Cause, well, you are. Subways, meetings, taxis, phone calls, Facebook (how else would you know what you’re missing?) – the list goes on. But that doesn’t mean your stomach should suffer simply because you can’t sit still long enough to find it something fresh to eat. Grab-and-go can be a dangerous game to play when you’re on the verge of becoming hangry. We suggest you let Picnic’s daily selections calm you down.
It might sound like a simple idea, but when something’s made that day it’s never going to be stale. This is what Picnic does. Salads, sandwiches, smoothies. All these are made in-house on the same day they’re sold to you. You no longer have to worry about how long that wrap’s been sitting on the shelf, when exactly that lettuce was first chopped up, or any of the common fears that usually come with the sighting of an egg salad. Their selection of fresh and easy food isn’t just good for your stomach, it’s also remarkably easy on your wallet. Feeling a California club for lunch? At Picnic, roasted turkey breast, sliced egg, avocado, turkey bacon, tomatoes, Greek yoghurt pesto dressing, and spinach on a baguette is less than $8, while a crispy Asian steak & noodle salad (flank steak, crispy rice noodles, sesame seeds, red peppers, shredded carrots, mixed greens) will run you less than $7.
This isn’t just about lunch though. An extensive breakfast menu that includes everything from a Mexican chorizo burrito to an omega booster bowl ensures that you can start your day off just how you want to (i.e. without the letters Mc in the name of what you’re eating). Coffee and fresh juices are always on offer as well, but it’s Picnic’s made-to-order smoothies that we could see ourselves coming to rely on. The Aloha (pineapples, strawberries, agave, coconut milk, vanilla protein powder) definitely delivers both the taste and energy we need to get over that mid-morning hump.
If you’re not just grabbing and going, the long, communal picnic tables (what, you thought it was just a name?) offer an easy place to get some work done or just people watch as you enjoy some good food. There’s free WiFi and, perhaps more importantly, readily available outlets to charge up whatever devices are currently dying on you. With a super-secret second location scheduled to open in time for summer, we’re excited to see what Picnic can do with a little patio space and sunshine. Though, in a way, that’s kind of what they’re already offering the concourse at Bay and Bloor.
#LYNL | (Live Your Notable Life)
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