Picnic the Restaurant Closes, Citing Rough Economy

Picnic, the award-winning Radburn restaurant located in the Plaza Building, has closed, chef/co-owner Christine Nunn confirmed Thursday.

"I was trying to save things, but the economy got the best of us," Nunn wrote in an email to Patch. She said she would focus on catering and finishing her first book, "The Preppy Cookbook," as she regroups.

Picnic becomes the third prominent Radburn restaurant to close in the past six months, preceded in September by the Radburn Deli, and in October by Daniella's Track Side Grille, which was seized by the state for non-payment of taxes.

The restaurant broke the news on its Facebook page Thursday morning, posting, "We have closed, at least for now. In the mean time, If you'd like a Picnic, be it for two, four, or a crowd, I am happy to cater at your place!"

Picnic, which featured a rotating array of menu items made from fresh, local ingredients, had been lauded by critics and foodies alike since Nunn and Annabel Schlair opened it in 2010.  

New Jersey Monthly named Picnic one of New Jersey's Top 25 Restaurants in 2012, one of only two Bergen County eateries that made last year's list. It was the second straight year Picnic had earned that distinction.

In addition to its acclaimed food, which attracted patrons from across the New York and New Jersey area, Picnic provided a friendly hub for Radburn residents.

This fall, during the extended power outages caused by Superstorm Sandy, the restaurant, which had power, shuffled its menu to accommodate storm-wearied residents.

Instead of her usual fare, Nunn served up an assortment of comfort foods at lower-than-normal Picnic prices and allowed patrons to charge electronic devices or store food in its freezers for free even when, as it turns out now, the restaurant itself was struggling financially.

Picnic, which was put up for sale Wednesday on the New Jersey Multiple Listing Service, has an asking price of $89,900.

According to the restaurant's NJMLS ad, Picnic paid $4,100 in rent each month and grossed approximately $10,000 per week.

"Don't miss the rare opportunity to walk into a already established business for the price of a start up," the ad reads.

--

Follow Fair Lawn-Saddle Brook Patch on Facebook and Twitter, and subscribe to receive our daily newsletter in your inbox each morning