Our first time experiencing the VIP 5-course picnic dinner under the stars on Market Street

I was pleased to accept an invitation to attend The Feast of St Lawrence Picnic on Market Street in support of Second Harvest on a complimentary basis.  I had been to three of their past annual media walking tours (2018, 2019, and this year 2022) and heard much about the actual big event but had not attended it before.  It was on short notice but we were able to make it work (we spent the day at the Toronto Zoo and then drove downtown for the dinner).

Market Street

Tented tables and chairs

We arrived on Friday, August 12 at 7 p.m. (the event ran from 6 to 10 p.m.) and picked up the reserved picnic basket of food at Cirillo’s Academy at 10 Market Street.  (Those who had bought tickets for the event could pick up the baskets between 5:30 and 8 p.m.)

Redeeming the baskets and drinks

The entire Market Street was adorned with tented picnic tables and chairs with candles on each table.  There was live music playing which added to the ambiance.

There were already a lot of people sitting at the tables already and I was really glad that we were able to snag the last table (it seemed that way).

Our picnic table

The “picnic basket” (really a black paper bag) contained the VIP 5-course picnic dinner packed in sustainable takeout boxes along with utensils, napkins, and paper plates for each course.  Each course was prepared by some of the St. Lawrence Neighbourhood’s top restaurants (this year: C’est What?, Hot House, Omni King Edward Hotel, CC Lounge, and George Brown College Centre for Hospitality & Culinary Arts).  I also received two drink tickets (for two wine and whisky cocktails) which I could redeem at one of the drink tables.  Each table had a bottle of water and 4 plastic water cups and embellished with succulents, candles, and lighted tinsel in a glass bottle.

A first look at what’s inside the “picnic basket”

All of the takeout boxes of food

The Feast of St. Lawrence picnic dinner menu 2022

Utensils and paper plates included in the basket

Though the dinner was meant for two people (by default me and my husband), I actually brought my entire family with us to eat (my mom and my toddler).  There was no set rule on this and since we were eating out in the open and the table had four chairs, we had enough to sit and eat with.  If some people wanted, they could even take the picnic basket of food and bring it home to eat too (but then they would miss out on the whole ambiance and eating on Market Street experience).

Vegan Spring Rolls with a spicy sesame dipping sauce from C’est What?

Summer Corn Gazpacho from Hot House

Summer Corn Cobb Salad with Seared Citrus Yuzu Salmon from Omni King Edward Hotel

Seared Korean-Style Tofu on Kale and Glass Noodles from C’est What?

Korean-style Short Ribs with Grilled Corn from CC Lounge

Polish Apple Cake with Dulce de Leche from George Brown College Centre for Hospitality & Culinary Arts

Wine from Somewhereness

The vibe

It was a fun experience eating the foods again and letting my mom share in the experience since she didn’t attend the walking media tour.  It was a nice evening and one of the rare times we get to dine outdoors in the city core.  It was definitely a highlight for my toddler.

I wasn’t a big fan of the chairs at the picnic tables though.  Because of security reasons, they attach each chair to the table with wires.  It was difficult to maneuver the chair to how I wanted to sit.

There was a lot of food that we actually ended up taking the leftovers home to eat.  My mom especially enjoyed the summer salad and Korean-style short ribs.

I felt really grateful to be given the opportunity to experience the Picnic Dinner Under the Stars event after hearing about it since 2018 when I went on my first media event.  Thank you so much for gifting us this opportunity!

Dining under the stars in St. Lawrence Market neighbourhood

FTC Disclaimer:  Although I was invited to a complimentary meal at The Feast of St. Lawrence Picnic Dinner, the opinions expressed here represent my own and not those of the event hosts or the businesses.