Picnic and Pantry

Nice assortment of fresh and prepared foods in this tucked away store.
I decided to drop in here randomly having passed by it many times. I was pleasantly surprised by all of the produce and ready-​made goods! There was a range of drinks, frozen food, and canned things as well. The woman at the counter told me to think of it as the grocery store for Melt. After telling me that some of the spreads were made in the commissary kitchen in the back, I bought some artichoke spinach dip with plantain chips. I love artichokes! The dip had a lot of garlic and was very light, not heavy and overly creamy like I have had elsewhere. I had to be careful not to eat the whole thing in one sitting!
I’m looking forward to trying more dips, especially the vibrant beet hummus/​dip!

They catered our wedding and it was not only delicious, but the food portions were generous. We had a blast and everyone was well fed.

I’m like a kid walking into a candy store when I’m here.
Usually I drop by if I’m in the area just to test my resilience against all the tempting items in this compact, wonderful little grocery store. As a result, I end up pacing around the store 10 times, trying to decide how to indulge my inner hipster today: the kale chips or the whole wheat pita? OR the kombucha.
And usually I leave with a random item and a cookie (a cookie is never random in my book; always premeditated). Last time it was a bottle of agave nectar, which I totally didn’t need, but just had to pick up because I was THERE. That’s the power that this little store has over you. The cookies, though, are a different story: a good reason to stop by is to get the compost cookie. Every bite tastes different and amazing. A bit of salty, a bit of sweet, a whole lot of buttery satisfaction.
What I love most about this store is that every packaged item (e.g. fresh ground peanut butter, raisins, homemade hummus, etc.) tells you what date it was packed so you know you’re getting fresh stuff. The care they put into this store comes through in the neat displays and the eclectic collection of cooking and baking items. Don’t expect to find ANYTHING here, but do expect to find something unexpected — as silly as that sounds.

I shop at Picnic and Pantry frequently-​whether it is to pick up produce, vegan chocolate pudding, or a hot item. I generally have good service there but not today. The employee who rang me out had a real attitude, wasn’t friendly at all, and didn’t try to right a wrong-​even though it was on Picnic. When I asked to be refunded for my item, the employee asked for my card back but offered no apology. It was only because of another employee that I got what I came for. Here’s a tip, dude: leave your bad day at home, and don’t take your day out on customers. I eat at Melt and Picnic because I’m vegan. Looks like I need to make my trips there more infrequent. Sad.

Such a cute little shop full of vegetarian and vegan delights. Come here to grab a sandwich and salad for lunch or a handful of sundries on your way home to make something for dinner. It has a nice courtyard out front to eat or drink your purchase if the weather is good and the staff was friendly and helpful. While I couldn’t see it replacing all of my grocery shopping at Trader Joes or the fresh market, it is a convenient little place to get a few key ingredients for something special, especially if you live up in the north side.

Picnic and Pantry catered a lunch event we had at work and I think I paid more attention to the food than I did the work. I can’t get over that pasta! It was a small pasta (orzo, I think) with pesto, sundried tomatoes, and small bits of cheese. I could have made a meal off just this, it was THAT good. But the caprese salad was simple and delicious too. They also had a couple of different wraps, but I filled up on tomatoes, mozzarella and pasta!
I had never heard of Picnic and Pantry before this lunch but I’m glad I have now. I plan on making a visit this weekend to the actual store and sampling some more.

A small convenient grocery store selling organic products with «to go» deli products and desserts. My favorite is the fresh hummus, curry catsup, and desserts.
I feel like the prices are reasonable and products are fresh.
There is a outdoor patio if you would like to eat lunch outdoors/​dine out.

I am a SUPER busy entrepreneur and mom, so Dinner can be a serious time-​crunch, Which is why I LOVE Picnic and Pantry. Get Sammies, veggies to sauté’ kombucha, all the makins for whatever I want to cook– OR I can load up on al the Nummy pre-​made deliciousness that is available all day everyday. You can even spoil yourself with decadent desserts.
Super nutritious Dinners fast,
Quick and filling lunch nibblets,
snacks and fizzy beverage all at VERY REASONABLE prices!

The name says it all — this is the perfect place to stop in for what you need on your ideal picnic, as well as when you need to stock your pantry with delicious and unique ingredients for your next feast.
I left with a pint of the Jeni’s Brown Buttered Almond Brittle Ice Cream. .. pretty much heaven with a spoon stuck in! If you stop by the place, be sure to give the ice creams a try and I guarantee you won’t be disappointed. Totally worth the $ 11 price tag, too!

This is the perfect place for Northside, while Northside offers other shopping for staples this is the best shop for fresh produce, eggs and more.
Upon entering the store Bread is on the right as they carry sweet Williams buns, local bread from Shadeau, and much more granola is also by the bread.
In the refrigerated case there are plenty of premade fresh salads like herbed cous cous with spinach and some many other offerings. There are also fresh local eggs and on the other side of the store fresh local honey, maple syrup and so much more like fresh carrots and produce.
We stopped in for some cookies and they were a bit pricey, but hey this is Northside and a locally owned store. The chocolate chip cookies were ok, not the best, but I will be back to get other items from this store.
I spoke to an employee and they commented that since the Can lofts opened business has been up steadily.

This place is cute. They have a small selection but it includes a lot of the essentials like Shadeau bread and things like Jeni’s ice cream that I just love having a short walk away. Also, their soups are lovely. It’s not worth driving across town for, but, if you live in the area and haven’t checked it out, you’re missing out.

ode to picnic and pantry (apologies to pablo neruda)
and it was at that age… picnic and pantry arrived
in search of me. i don’t know, i don’t know where
it came from, from kitchen or a restaurant.
i don’t know how or when,
no, they were not voices, they were not
words, nor silence,
but from a tavern i was summoned,
from the branches of night,
abruptly from the others,
among violent fires
or returning alone,
there i was without a meal
and it fed me.
i did not know what to say, my mouth
had no way
with names
my eyes were blind,
and something started in my stomach,
thirst or forgotten hunger pangs,
and i made my own way,
deciphering
that menu
and i tasted the first flavorful bite,
flavorful, full of substance, no
nonsense,
pure wisdom
of someone who knows everything,
and suddenly i saw
the breads
blue oven
and earthy,
salads,
palpitating plantains,
kale perforated,
riddled
with braggs, garlic and ginger,
the winding rice noodles, the roasted vegetables.
and i, infinitesimal being,
drunk with the great gastrointestinal
void,
likeness, image of
bounty,
i felt myself a pure part
of the gastronomy,
i wheeled with the jeni’s,
my gut broke free on the open table.

Over-​priced, but (for whatever reason) I feel good about shopping there for the sake of supporting local business. The apples and apple cider are amazing.

Great place to pick up a few needed items for the kitchen at home — especially if you’re trying to stay local and healthy!
I was (pleasantly) surprised to find Picnic + Pantry open late one weeknight when having some drinks outside at Northside Tavern. I popped in and bought a couple of vegan cupcakes that were so rich and delicious.

how is it they have so many of the items i need and want in such a tiny store?

Wonderful local, fresh produce. A great array of locally produced goods at reasonable prices. They also have lots of grab and go options, which include totally delicious sandwiches, salads, and soups. I stopped by to pick up supper for my husband and I the other night and had a hard time deciding what to get, which is amazing since we are both vegetarians. I love the convenience of being able stop in and quickly pick up what I know will be a healthy and satisfying meal or snack.

Picnic and pantry is the perfect cornerstone for Northside.
One of the best parts about Northside is their almost fanatical dedication to heathy, homegrown living — whether it’s the options at Melt or the vegetable garden at Slims/​Vout. P&P is no different.
This tiny one-​room mart, located in Northside Tavern’s patio, is filled with delicious if-​not-​good-​than-​at-​least – better for you items, like less-​processed chips and a slew of homemade delicious dips (dear god, their Cuban Guacamole with pineapples was impossible to stop eating, and I’m not even that big a guac fan!)
The staff is great too. I went in and two girls were working begin the counter. I explained just what I was looking for and in the mood to eat and they gave me a slew of options for what I might like. They knew their product and had tried it and could recommend it. Win.
While this place is meat-​friendly, it clearly leans towards Vegan and Vegetarian. Also, the prices are a tad bit high, but you’re paying for quality of food. In the end, I’m declaring it worth it.
Plus, eating good food, drinking at Northside Tavern — Cincinnati may not offer a better night.

I love Melt, so of course I love Picnic and Pantry! The great part about this place is if Melt is super crowded/you’re in a hurry/​you want to just take something home, you can run in and buy select items from the cooler. They even have the house seitan so you can make your own custom burgers in your kitchen (not as good, but still cool). I wish I lived in walking distance.

Picnic and pantry is a wonderful neighborhood store brought to you by the folks who own Melt. Whereas Melt is a nice place to sit back with a cup of coffee, a friend and a big plate of vegetarian goodness, P&P is an in-​and-​out kind of place. They’ve got a deli case of prepared sandwiches, salads, and some really good charcuterie boards. It’s all fresh with an emphasis on natural and organic ingredients. Like Melt, it’s vegan and vegetarian friendly with options for meat eaters as well.
They have a selection of cold bottled beverages, and most importantly, pints of Jeni’s ice cream. Last time I was in, they even had a single-​serving size about as big as a dixie cup. Perfect!
You can find organic deli meats, grains, and vegetables to take home and turn into a meal if you’re not into the grab-​and-​go deal. With Northside Tavern next door, a good drink is close at hand too. Then again, you’re in Northside. Good food and drink are always close by. Still, Picnic and Pantry fills a gap in the retail food space on Hamilton Ave and I hope it’s there to stay.

Another venture by the owner of Melt, Picnic and Pantry is a micro-​market selling locally-​grown and locally-​made food. They have a small produce section from local growers, food made by local businesses (Sweet Peace Bakery, Melt, Fab Ferments, Queen City Cookies, to name a few), and the basic necessities for health food lovers (soy/​nut milks, home-​made seitan, etc.)
It is nestled on the opposite side of Northside Tavern from its sister-​location (Melt) and boasts an outdoor seating area that is commonly utilized by the patrons of the Tavern after the Pantry’s door is closed for the night.
In my many experiences here so far, I can’t help but grab Sweet Peace Bakery’s «oatmeal dream pie» and a bottle of Fab Ferments kombucha tea. I’ve also bought some plums, basil, and spinach and each were fresh, locally grown, and reasonably priced.
One of the reasons I come to Picnic & Pantry (as well as Melt) almost twice a week is how much the employees love what they do and love the business they work for… and it shows!