The Adventure School » Adventure Tip #132: Picnics and Peonies

Peonies have come into season and they’re blooming all over the place. For a perfect impromptu picnic party, go to the Market and grab a bunch, then swing by Salumi to pick up some mouth-watering cured meats handmade by Armandio Batali (as in father of Mario). For other delicious nibbles, try DeLaurenti or drive down to SoDo for some authentic Italian olives and cheese from Big John’s Pacific Food Importers, one of Seattle’s best kept culinary secrets. Wine anyone? Pick up one of of Trader Joe’s shockingly cheap bottles, ranging anywhere from $3.99-$6.99. Despite the price-point, I assure you they don’t taste like Franzia boxed wine. If my food-infatuated parents approve, I reason that it’s probably not too bad.

Finally, find a pretty quilt from home, place your haul in a basket, and head out to one of Seattle’s many urban oases — Volunteer Park, Cal Anderson Park, Seward Park, The Arboretum; take your pick.

Once settled, toast the natural beauty, inhale the scent of the peonies, and say, “Ah, the good life.”

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