Life is a picnic in the Hamptons

It has been said that there are two reasons people flock to the Hamptons every summer: First, the beautiful scenery, which is a perfect backdrop for reason number two, get-togethers featuring good eating with family and friends.

And what better way to combine the two than a backyard picnic or by packing a to-go basket and heading out to one of the Hamptons’ beaches or parks on a gorgeous summer day?

Though there are some perfect days when everything just seems to go right, many things can ruin an otherwise lovely picnic—the seemingly endless rain, ants and, of course, coming unprepared.

A picnic checklist should be prepared to ensure the best possible picnic outcome. Be sure to include sunglasses, insect repellent, sunscreen, something to sit on, and most important, a well-stocked basket.

Picnic carriers no longer need to be the big, bulky two-flapped “pic-a-nic basket” type affairs that Yogi Bear so famously tried to steal from unsuspecting tourists at Jellystone Park. Today, there is a variety of options including temperature-controlled wine carriers, sleek totes, backpacks and travel cutlery and plate sets.

And apparently for those who live in the rest of the country, nothing evokes feelings of the ultimate luxurious picnic locale quite so much as the Hamptons. It’s no surprise that the Hamptons Collection picnic gear line from California-based Picnic at Ascot Inc. is a big winner.

The line, which includes the $110 Hampton Ultimate Picnic Backpack Cooler—a carrier equipped with a blanket, plate settings, and a pouch to store a bottle of wine—is the very best the company has to offer. It is available only through individual upscale retail boutiques and can be purchased at a variety of East End retailers, such as Hildreth’s in Southampton.

“The Hamptons is the most upscale looking collection,” said Ruby Pollack, a sales representative with Picnic at Ascot, last week during a telephone interview. Most Picnic at Ascot products are insulated to keep food cool in the heat, and many contain full plate and cutlery sets.

Ms. Pollack said customers love the line, featuring light green 100 percent cotton materials, which she added reflects the elegance and class of summer in the Hamptons. “It happens to be our top seller,” she said.

“Those basically come in and sell out fast,” said Kathryn Letson, Hildreth’s creative director, of the Hamptons Collection line. She added that simple dining at home is one of the first things people think about when planning their vacations on the East End.

Many people come into the Main Street shop looking for ways to enhance their summer vacation, especially coolers and plastic pitchers for picnics and barbecues, according to Ms. Letson.

“Outdoor dining is a big deal,” she said, adding that among the biggest sellers are disposable plates, forks and knives, all of which can make picnic cleanup easier.

Rather than taking dirty plates home or harming the planet by using Styrofoam, Hildreth’s also offers a line of Bambu plates and cutlery, eco-friendly products which are disposable and made entirely of organically grown bamboo. “[Customers] think it is fantastic,” Ms. Letson said of the Bambu line.

Once the gear is taken care of, the next biggest challenges for picnic-goers is what to bring to fill it. Without a ready source of heat, most picnic foods must be able to be eaten cold or at room temperature. Sybille Van Kempen, who owns Loaves and Fishes gourmet takeout shop in Sagaponack with her mother, Anna Pump, said that her establishment is the perfect place to stop and stock up before hitting the beach or park.

“Everything we make is great for picnics,” Ms. Van Kampen said. “It’s all ready to eat and great at room temperature.”

On the Loaves and Fishes take-out menu, Ms. Van Kampen recommends the rotisserie duck and chicken, broccoli salads and French bread, all foods which she said are easier to eat without the convenience of a table. The menu at Loaves and Fishes changes weekly and can be viewed on their website at landfcookshop.com.

Ms. Van Kempen recommended purchasing a quarter pound of a side dish per person as a good way to gauge how much food to bring on a picnic. “One of the greatest challenges is how much is every one going to eat,” she said.

Although finger foods such fried chicken are often a picnic staple, Ms. Van Kempen said that they can pose a problem for people who don’t want to get their hands dirty. “If you don’t want to use your fingers, we offer a lot of dishes that are fork food,” she said, adding that chicken salad and noddle dishes are popular with adults and children alike.

Loaves and Fishes also carries a variety of cheeses which Ms. Van Kempen said when paired with a bottle of wine makes for a nice, light snack. And as an added bonus, she reported that busy picnic-goers can drop off their totes at her shop and have them stocked with everything they need, removing all of their picnic worries.

“It’s great fun,” she said of the picnic packing service. “And it’s so easy for everyone.”

How very Hamptons indeed.