European Picnicking in New York City

August in Europe is a time for vacation. The entire month is dedicated to being away from the office — relocating to beaches, getaways, and homes-away-from-home. In the United States however, and in New York especially, we are not so privy to this month of uninhibited bliss. In most cases, work schedules abound almost all 365 days a year, give or take a few weeks. So while offices empty and beaches swell overseas, American offices continue to operate in full force.

The solution? Asellina has an idea. The Italian restaurant in New York City’s Flatiron District is bringing the vacation to you, or… at least the food. While Italians are jetting off to idyllic locales along the Amalfi Coast or Tuscan hillside, New Yorkers can jet to the nearest park or bench, or use the weekend as their fantasy get-away, with a basket of their own.

Full of Italian delicacies, these baskets include dry-aged Cacciatorini wild boar salami, a wheel of Tomino cheese from Torino, roasted peppers and mixed Italian olives marinated in fresh herbs and Sardinian olive oil, freshly baked ciabatta bread, handmade garganelli pasta salad with seasonal vegetables and house vinaigrette, house-made Sicilian tuna salad, house-baked lemon pound cake with seasonal berries, and your choice of Sant’ Arturo pinot grigio or montepulciano, and Acqua Panna or Pellegrino. What’s not to love?

If you want a basket, though, call ahead (at least 48 hours ahead). You have to reserve these flavor-blasted antipasto feasts. And although Asellina is open for business, for your basket, you have to call (646-380-5315). 

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