When you just can't bear one more lap around the Salad Loop, how about a picnic in the park?

We ducked out of the office early to pick up a classic picnic basket (think Ralph Lauren plaid blanket and wicker) at VanDusen Botanical Gardens. Simply stock it with grilled roast-of-the-day sandwiches, caesar salads, Limonatas, cheese and homemade cookies from Truffles Fine Foods in the new architecturally stunning Visitor Centre, and head into the garden to explore.

We strolled through the fragrance garden, past the formal rose garden, into the black garden, and finally onto the Great Lawn, where we spread out our blanket under the Beeches and listened to the birds.

Deadlines? What deadlines? —Sarah Bancroft

$58 includes two garden admissions and a picnic for two. Truffles Fine Foods at VanDusen Botanical Garden, 5251 Oak St., Vancouver, 604-878-9273, www.vandusengarden.org

Bring out your inner Annette Funicello and plan your own beach blanket bingo party with the world’s cutest picnic grill, Fyrkat Picnic by Bodum.

With its classic red and black colour combo, slick enamel-coated round body, shiny chrome legs, and a heat-resistant silicon handle, this compact little guy is the quintessential beach accessory. It almost sounds like we’re talking handbags! 

We’ll even throw on a few veggies on the barbie. —Anya Georgijevic

$69.99 at Homewerx, 1053 Davie St., Vancouver, 604-682-2204, www.homewerx.ca

Heading to Lumbermen’s Arch for a romantic picnic, or spreading a blanket at Second Beach?

We recommend you forgo soggy fish and chips this time, and bring your basket to the new Italian deli Cardero Bottega nestled in the West End off Denman.

Owned by the former New York consular chef to Pamela Wallen, this pretty little deli is stocked with all the goods you’d find on The Drive, without the cross-city trek.

We loved the inventive made-to-order sandwiches on soft Portugese buns (try the porchetta) and the Italian rosé wine sodas. Pick up breadsticks and a chunk of Ossau Iraty sheep’s milk cheese, and don’t forget a container of crunchy, marinated picholine olives.

And when the fireworks go off? Tell him you arranged that too.

Cardero Bottega, 1016 Cardero St., Vancouver, 604-689-0450, www.carderobottega.com