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Wow. What a bummer. The fried chicken sandwich that we ordered was killer, but our meatball sandwich that was on sale and marketed as "day old meatballs" was completely raw in the middle. I called just to give them a heads up and was gaslit that the meatballs had been cooked all the way through. I was told multiple times "Sir they were baked well and then also cooked again in the sauce". To which I kept having to explain that they may have been cooked multiple times, but never to temp. The person I spoke with wouldn't budge, would not admit any wrong and never validated what I was saying could be true which is the only reason I'm writing a review. A simple "I'm sorry we messed up." or even just a "Thank you for letting us know" was all I was looking for. I didn't even want anything in return I just figured they'd probably want to know. I attached a picture for reference. I also want to reiterate that it is not the raw meatball I was upset about. It was the absolutely bizarre customer service.
I've been wanting to try Picnic in Albany for such a long time and finally on St. Patrick's Day I had the chance to stop in. I love the idea of grabbing items fresh to-go for your very own picnic, or having them in the immediate with either indoor/outdoor seating. From fresh salads, daily sandwich specials, chips/sides, rotisserie chicken and the fixins, desserts, drinks, and also a full case of to-go sausages, sliced meats, pâtés and more, there is def. something on the menu for everyone here in this cozy corner spot! We had the Sunday sandwich of the day which was corned beef, cabbage, parsley aioli, and Dijon mustard on a super fresh Acme roll. Also ordered was a chocolate chip shortbread cookie and of course, a Topo Chico seltzer to wash it down. Honestly, everything was so delicious! I could have ordered more food like the fresh-made Mac n cheese, but we had to make an appointment. I can't wait to comeback to try another daily sandwich special like the Smoked Ham Melt or Fried Chicken on Fridays. Also can't wait to try the rotisserie chicken and sides for a summer outing now that the weather is getting better! The team behind Picnic can also be found at local farmer's markets like Kensington and the Gilman Wine Block/First Fridays in Berk. grilling up their sausages & more! Overall great service, value for the ingredients served, and super cute vibes - can't wait to share this spot with others!
Have always passed by this adorable storefront and today was the day to venture inside. The inside is cozy and colorful, which I think serves their local, limited menu style very well. I ordered the chicken and Italian butter bean soup and a small mac and cheese and for $16, thought the value was good. I enjoyed the soup, it was hot and tasty, but the ratio of bits:broth is high on the broth end. Would have loved to see more beans in my cup. But that could really have been the luck of the ladle. The mac and cheese was nice, with a surprise breadcrumb I didn't know would be in it. The cheese was starting to separate and congeal in the way that mac and cheeses sometimes do; didn't stop me from finishing it! Will definitely come back to try a sandwich and a rotisserie chicken soon.
{icnic now makes a chicken pot pie and it's wonderful, serving me two meals. It's very tasty and not too rich. So much better than the Swanson's chicken pot pies of my childhood, a;though I liked those then. They also make a chicken liver paté that's quite good. I've been enjoying it on toasted Rize Up OG bread. They're now open every day of the week.
The fried chicken sandwich was delicious, and so was the chicken pot pie. I came for lunch. They were pre-made, so they weren't piping hot. It didn't matter. We ate them room temp, and everything was well seasoned. I could have heated them, but they didn't need it. I'd stop here if I was going on a long hike and wanted to bring something wonderful to eat. The service was also delightful. Kind people. It's a cute little shop. I think they have seating outside in the summer. I've driven by so many times and wanted to come in. They have a fridge with sausages that I think they make, wine, cute little knickknacks. Highly recommend!
2 months ago
I really wanted to love this place. Very small and quirky, limited menu. I'm not really a "salad is a meal" person, although my two best friends are. They were very happy with their arugula salads. I ordered the mac n cheese which was okay. Even though I grew up in El Cerrito, I sometimes feel like my NorCal green card has expired. I've lost touch with my small batch, organic self. (Although I have never liked arugula) This store is adorable and just the kind of independent neighborhood place that should be frequented and appreciated. Unfortunately I also had to use the bathroom and they don't have one for customers. So they recommended walking a block away to the BevMo. So I guess that added some negative feelings. read more
A true hidden gem right at the bottom of Solano Ave in Albany! I'm embarrassed to admit that Picnic has been around for about 5 years in the east bay and I've just tried it for the first time this week. But I'm so glad I was finally introduced to it. The staff greet you promptly when you enter and you can even watch them work effortlessly together in the open prep-station behind the counter. They have a gorgeous display of deli items, wines, cheeses, cold sides, and even some cute candles & house made croutons. They've got everything you would need for an elevated picnic or even a barbecue with the family. They have an intriguing selection of house made sausages-- the Chicken Tikka Masala sausage caught my eye and I can't wait to try it. They also sell whole smoked quail that are seasoned heavily yet each bite has just the right amount of smokiness, spices, and salt. Their hot food items and sandwiches are perfect for a quick lunch during your break from work or on your way home. There are also a few counter seats if you want to enjoy your meal there. So far I've tried the smoked quail, the Muffaletta sandwich, and their green lentil soup with chicken + veg. The sandwich was filled to the brim and each bite was a flavor bomb. The lentil soup was very comforting & paired well with the smoked quail. I'm looking forward to trying everything they have to offer. read more
2 months ago
4 months ago
Wow. What a bummer. The fried chicken sandwich that we ordered was killer, but our meatball sandwich that was on sale and marketed as "day old meatballs" was completely raw in the middle. I called just to give them a heads up and was gaslit that the meatballs had been cooked all the way through. I was told multiple times "Sir they were baked well and then also cooked again in the sauce". To which I kept having to explain that they may have been cooked multiple times, but never to temp. The person I spoke with wouldn't budge, would not admit any wrong and never validated what I was saying could be true which is the only reason I'm writing a review. A simple "I'm sorry we messed up." or even just a "Thank you for letting us know" was all I was looking for. I didn't even want anything in return I just figured they'd probably want to know. I attached a picture for reference. I also want to reiterate that it is not the raw meatball I was upset about. It was the absolutely bizarre customer service. read more
3 months ago
I've been wanting to try Picnic in Albany for such a long time and finally on St. Patrick's Day I had the chance to stop in. I love the idea of grabbing items fresh to-go for your very own picnic, or having them in the immediate with either indoor/outdoor seating. From fresh salads, daily sandwich specials, chips/sides, rotisserie chicken and the fixins, desserts, drinks, and also a full case of to-go sausages, sliced meats, pâtés and more, there is def. something on the menu for everyone here in this cozy corner spot! We had the Sunday sandwich of the day which was corned beef, cabbage, parsley aioli, and Dijon mustard on a super fresh Acme roll. Also ordered was a chocolate chip shortbread cookie and of course, a Topo Chico seltzer to wash it down. Honestly, everything was so delicious! I could have ordered more food like the fresh-made Mac n cheese, but we had to make an appointment. I can't wait to comeback to try another daily sandwich special like the Smoked Ham Melt or Fried Chicken on Fridays. Also can't wait to try the rotisserie chicken and sides for a summer outing now that the weather is getting better! The team behind Picnic can also be found at local farmer's markets like Kensington and the Gilman Wine Block/First Fridays in Berk. grilling up their sausages & more! Overall great service, value for the ingredients served, and super cute vibes - can't wait to share this spot with others! read more
3 months ago
4 months ago
9 months ago
8 months ago
Have always passed by this adorable storefront and today was the day to venture inside. The inside is cozy and colorful, which I think serves their local, limited menu style very well. I ordered the chicken and Italian butter bean soup and a small mac and cheese and for $16, thought the value was good. I enjoyed the soup, it was hot and tasty, but the ratio of bits:broth is high on the broth end. Would have loved to see more beans in my cup. But that could really have been the luck of the ladle. The mac and cheese was nice, with a surprise breadcrumb I didn't know would be in it. The cheese was starting to separate and congeal in the way that mac and cheeses sometimes do; didn't stop me from finishing it! Will definitely come back to try a sandwich and a rotisserie chicken soon. read more
{icnic now makes a chicken pot pie and it's wonderful, serving me two meals. It's very tasty and not too rich. So much better than the Swanson's chicken pot pies of my childhood, a;though I liked those then. They also make a chicken liver paté that's quite good. I've been enjoying it on toasted Rize Up OG bread. They're now open every day of the week. read more
1 year ago
2 years ago
The fried chicken sandwich was delicious, and so was the chicken pot pie. I came for lunch. They were pre-made, so they weren't piping hot. It didn't matter. We ate them room temp, and everything was well seasoned. I could have heated them, but they didn't need it. I'd stop here if I was going on a long hike and wanted to bring something wonderful to eat. The service was also delightful. Kind people. It's a cute little shop. I think they have seating outside in the summer. I've driven by so many times and wanted to come in. They have a fridge with sausages that I think they make, wine, cute little knickknacks. Highly recommend! read more
11 months ago
8 months ago
3 years ago
First time here. Ordered lunchbox, wagyu sandwich and chicken farro soup came out to $48. The rotisserie chicken was moist. Sauces were not necessary and wasn't impressive. Wagyu sandwich was okay. Bread was great. Meat was chewy and lacked flavor. No trash can or public bathroom. This was odd to me considering they provide indoor and outdoor dining. The trash is the city trash can right in front of the restaurant which seems wrong. Service was off at the beginning. Felt like questions and feedback weren't welcomed. Food was running out during this hour as the cashier was turning away customers due to sandwiches being out of stock. read more
1 year ago
5 years ago
Decided to stop by here to pickup lunch after an acupuncture appointment, and so glad that I did! Looks like they have a different menu everyday that they update on their website! From today's menu, we tried the porchetta sandwich, asparagus salad, and potato salad. I spotted some beef tongue pastrami in their deli fridge that looked interesting, so picked some of that up too - I'll update my photo caption with our review once we try that! The porchetta sandwich was tasty and wasn't too greasy. We love Roti Roti porchetta sandwiches at the ferry building so when I saw it on Picnic's menu, I knew I had to try it. The meat is cut thinner here, and there's less meat overall, but Picnic does a great job of balancing the fatty meat flavor with the other toppings like their salsa verse, pickled onions and garlic aioli. I'd say if you like a sandwich with a delicious balance of flavors, definitely try their porchetta sandwich! Both the asparagus and potato salads were delicious. I was already full but I had to finish the asparagus salad because the flavor was just addictive! The potato salad had a samosa filling taste to it - so good! All in all, had a great experience here with food and ordering. You just go in to order and everything is pre-prepared and packaged so it's super fast - no need to order ahead. I think the idea is you can stop by here to pick up a picnic lunch, and I'd love to come by here to pick stuff up for an actual picnic next time! read more
11 months ago
11 months ago
1 year ago
** The following review reflects my takeout experience DURING the COVID-19 pandemic. ** I had been anticipating its opening for at least a couple of years when current owners Susannah Schnick and Leslie Nishiyama took over this prime location.on the northwest corner of Solano and San Pablo right next to the Ivy Room. However, they hit every conceivable roadblock possible and an inconceivable one, COVID-19. When they were able to open in December, they decided to operate on an order-ahead basis, and that was part of my own delay in trying them out. That's because when I want rotisserie chicken, I usually want it like NOW. Don't blame me for my impetuosity, blame Costco because there was a time when that would be the first thing I opened and devoured after I got home. Picnic asks you to order by Wednesday (and they run out quickly), so you can come by at a designated time on Saturday to pick it up. After two failed previous attempts, I finally secured an order for Jamie W. and me, and you know it was all about the poultry. It was billed as "pasture-raised, non-GMO, heirloom chicken with our signature brine, cooked to perfection in the rotisserie", and for $23, we were expecting the moon. It was quite good, nicely seasoned if a tad salty but quite moist, even the white meat (photo: https://bit.ly/3tjFcFy). As the inevitable accompaniment, we also got the $11 Herby Green Salad with sliced sweet pears, freshly chopped herbs, watermelon radish, pickled radicchio and pepitas (photo: https://bit.ly/3e9zdPc). On the side was a lemon shallot caper vinaigrette which brightened the freshness of the ingredients (photo: https://bit.ly/3eej4rE). We also figured we could afford the $5 Marinated Mushrooms where they indeed marinated maitakes, brown mushrooms, and shallots and made it a side dish served cold (photo: https://bit.ly/3eejXAk). Well, it is called Picnic after all. It's definitely worth a return visit because they also serve porchetta, roast potatoes, and even ramps. But like I said, when I need a rotisserie chicken, it's hard to convince me to get anything else. FOOD - 4 stars...not my absolute favorite chicken but awfully good even if you have to order it in advance AMBIANCE - n/a...looked nice inside but I could only peek through the window SERVICE - 4 stars...they had the order ready to go in a matter of minutes TOTAL - 4 stars...definitely higher-end picnic fare RELATED - Exploring Albany? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: https://bit.ly/3ebRKbk read more
1 year ago
Picnic Rotisserie opened up fairly recently and I am so excited to try them out! The system they have at the moment is quite unique: it's pick-up on Saturdays by appointment only. So how does this work?? If you check out their website, you'll see that you can place an online pre-order starting from Wednesday, 12pm until they sell out! If you want to try some of their more popular sausage varieties, be sure to get on the website right at 12!! I placed my order around 1:30 on Wednesday, and the Andouille was already sold out. We ended up ordering the Italian and the Smoked Hot Link, which I'm super excited to try out (and yes, I WILL come back for you, Maple Donut & Bacon Breakfast Sausage). Pick up was very quick and efficient, all you need to do is walk up at your designated pick-up time, say your full name, and everything is packed up for you. Parking around the area is a bit scarce, so be sure to arrive early. I already know I'll be coming back to try everything on their menu. :) read more
2 years ago
3 years ago
Wow, best fried chicken sandwich I've ever had. Absolutely love this place. They have amazing pate and general charcuterie but don't sleep on the daily sandwich offering. read more
2 years ago
1 year ago
2 years ago
5 years ago
I came across Picnic through their social media and I immediately made a plan to visit on the weekend. What drew me to Picnic the most was their rotisserie item on the menu but they also have other great selection of seasonal salads, artisanal sausage, charcuterie on the go. After glaring at the menu for few minutes (seasonal & changes weekly/weekend), i decided to stick with the original plan -- ordered the rotisserie porchetta, seasonal salad (farro & english pea) and roast potatoes. The rotisserie porchetta was roasted to perfection, crunchy exterior (skin), and moisture/tender on the inside, i swear the first bite melted in my mouth like butter. The seasonal salad and roast potatoes was impressive, worthy of praise on its own. The serving was very generous, enough to feed 2-3 people, and needless to say we were very satissfied with our meal. I think my wife sum'd up our dinning experience pretty well when she said, "this was the best porchetta (meal), she'd ever had...". Picnic is another great addition to Albany, Solano avenue, that is already full of good eatery. I love the story behind the business owners and how people in the community came together to support the business during the pandemic. Thanks for the awesome food. We will surely be back to pick up more goods for our own version of picnic or dinner. Note: as of this write up they're currently open only on Friday and Saturday (limited hours). Some items on the menu are only available on specified dates, so be sure to check their website or Instagram account for the latest updates. read more
2 years ago
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Ask the Community - Picnic
Do they serve GF bread or pasta?
All sandwiches are available gluten free if you call them and preorder. Salads vary from week to week. I don't know about gluten free pasta.
