The story below is from our July/August 2015 issue. For the DIGITALLY ENHANCED VERSION, download our FREE iOS app or view our digital edition for FREE today!
Our intrepid foodie dining writer has done the research to assure summer fun outside.
1 of 9
John Park
2 of 9
John Park
3 of 9
John Park
4 of 9
John Park
5 of 9
John Park
6 of 9
John Park
7 of 9
John Park
8 of 9
John Park
9 of 9
John Park
It’s often said that “life is no picnic,” but what if you could make life a little bit better one picnic at a time? This summer, I’ve attempted to do just that with a local twist. From where to buy the freshest fruit to the best field to lay your picnic blanket, I’ve rounded up my top picnic picks for 2015 – and guaranteed that they’re all a stone’s throw from your house. So gather up your friends or a loved one and head outside, because nothing beats al fresco dining this summer in (or above) the Roanoke Valley.
Seasonal Spread
The first stop for stocking any picnic basket is your local farmers market. Now home to more than six distinct farmers markets that operate on various days of the week, Roanoke has truly embraced the “live local” concept – a boon for anyone wanting to incorporate fresh vegetables and fruit into life. From fresh strawberries, plums and apples to local goat cheese, radishes, preserves and carrots, you can easily hand-pick-and-choose your favorites from the local and seasonal bounty. Given that it’s mid-summer, make a quick fruit salad out of heirloom peaches, blueberries, and blackberries, maybe drizzled with a little local honey and pinch of sea salt. Or slice a few tomatoes to eat fresh off the vine. Either way, you won’t find fresher produce anywhere else.
Bread Board & More
What’s a picnic without a baguette? Not one I’d attend, that’s for sure, and there’s no better place to carb it up than Bread Craft in downtown Roanoke. Since 2006, Bread Craft has been rolling out fresh artisan breads and pastries both wholesale and retail. Its S. Jefferson Street location is been my go-to for crusty baguettes, Parisian-style croissants and uber-rich Saturday brunches. In terms of your picnic, the options are endless. Of course you need a baguette, but who can pass up an apricot or raspberry jam bar with its crumbly crust and sweet, gooey jam? Or perhaps a rich dark chocolate brownie is more your style. You could even throw in a slice of spinach quiche to lighten things up a bit. No matter what you choose, however, you’re in for a treat from the best bakers in southwest Virginia.
The Finest Choice
In the early 1930s, Tinnell’s Finer Foods opened its doors at its first location on Tazewell Ave. Now a fixture of Crystal Spring since the 1950s, Tinnell’s is my favorite place to shop for the kinds of prepared foods every picnic demands. Upon entering the store, head directly back to the meat-and-dairy case and ask for help in picking out a piece of their famous honey smoked salmon. Smokey and sweet and perfectly flakey, this salmon is an irresistible crowd pleaser. Next, ask for one of the spicy pepperonis that hang behind the meat counter or pick up the Charlottesville-based Olli salami (my favorite version is the Napoli with its hint of smoky applewood). Twirl behind you to the prepared foods case and don’t miss out an opportunity to score some of the much beloved pimento cheese, ham rolls and Waldorf chicken salad they prepare each day. Spread the tangy pimento on your Bread Craft Baguette or add it to a ham roll, and you’ve got the finest Southern cheese plate around. As for the chicken salad, it’s a nice, cool addition with its pop of sweet grapes reminiscent of summer afternoons in the shade. While I’m sure Tinnell’s has changed quite a bit in their 80 years in business, one thing hasn’t – quality – and its offerings possess the perfect je ne sais quoi.
Drink with a View
If “wine is bottled poetry,” as Robert Louis Stevenson once said, then the view at Valhalla Vineyards is a symphony. From the ruckus of grapes running the hillside to the valley’s sweeping expanse below Chestnut Mountain, it’s almost impossible to appreciably take it all in. Which is why you ought to settle down for a picnic, buy a pitcher of Sangria, and make an afternoon of the vineyard.
First, indulge in a tasting (I recommend the Reserve selection which allows you to sample some of their more aged reds for only $10), but afterwards, purchase a pitcher of their chilled and slightly sweetened sangria. Made with the 2001 Syrah and a mix of fruits (often orange, peach and strawberry), the sangria is perfect for sipping under the shade of a tree or out on the terrace overlooking Roanoke Valley. Whether you’re catching a band every Friday from 4-8 or enjoying a simple Sunday afternoon, Valhalla is the perfect venue to lay out a blanket, nestle in with some handpicked local foods, and sip and sup the hours away.