The Picnic, Burwood – Rating: 17/25

The Picnic

The Picnic has one of the more unique menus that I’ve encountered for a while. With a series of unusual ingredients and interesting combinations, the dishes suit those looking for something slightly different to the norm. Located in Burwood Park, it’s surrounded by trees and lawns. It makes for an idyllic atmosphere, I just wish that the vines climbing along the pergola were real and not plastic.

The Picnic doesn’t take bookings but with so much seating available, you won’t be waiting long if at all. There’s a takeaway counter for beverages and baked goods which is cash only while the main restaurant allows plastic payment as well.

The waitstaff seated us quickly and were attentive throughout our visit. Other than one mixup with our order, everything ran smoothly.

Flat white

My coffee was one of my favourites in recent weeks. I only have positive things to say about it as the flavour was rich and strong.

Watermelon and lychee cooldown

The watermelon and lychee cooldown was refreshing and ice cold. The flavour is more watermelon than lychee (which is a pity as lychee is one of my favourite fruits) but on a hot summer day it works a treat.

Popcorn salmon

While the salmon itself isn’t ‘popcorny’ in the popcorn salmon ($19.50), the corn fritters certainly are. Presented exquisitely, my guest enjoyed every element on this plate. The coils of house cured citrus salmon, the crunch puffed fritters, tangy beetroot relish, horseradish creme fraiche, poached eggs and micro herbs were all delicious on their own or when combined with each other.

The Picnic fave

I can see why this dish is called the Picnic fave ($16.90, poached egg $2.50 extra). It’s hard to go wrong with this combination of ingredients but when they’re fresh, seasoned and prepared so well, there’s not much more to say. The avocado was in abundance and tangy and the pomegranate & mint combination was a refreshing addition. The small dollop of labneh with paprika and zaatar seasoning worked well but almost wasn’t even needed. The quality and flavours in this dish are what I look for in a breakfast, definitely recommended.

The Picnic breakfast board

I wasn’t as happy with my dish, the Picnic breakfast board ($24, citrus salmon $2 extra). Served with flat bread, this dish has both fresh and cooked flavours. I was reasonably content with most of the dish; the seasonal fruit, a basic hash brown, olives, tomato & cucumber and labneh. The eggs though, had been baked into oblivion. They were far too dry and quite dark underneath. They had been baked with haloumi and it too had been cooked for too long. There were other dishes on the menu that I’m sure I would have preferred…

Courtyard seating

One such dish would be the smoothie bowls ($15.90) which come as pink dragin (dragon fruit, mango, raspberries, banana and apple juice smoothie topped with granola, chia seeds and seasonal fruits) or the greenie (spinach, coconut, mango, pineapple and banana smoothie topped with granola, chia seeds and seasonal fruits). Other dishes available include shakshuka (two free range eggs with a house sauce if tomatoes, peppers, leek, rainbow cahrd and sujuck, $18.90) and the breakfast burger (fried free range eggs, grilled bacon, American cheese, oak lettuce and house mad ehickory sauce, $17.90).

With a breakfast that consisted of many hits and one miss, I can recommend The Picnic as a sunny spot that offers quality dishes and well composed drinks in an open, relaxing atmosphere.

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