Coronavirus diary: Feeling stuck inside? Chef’s Palette has the perfect to-go picnic.

“It’s supposed to be sunny and mid-70s today,” I said to my wife late one morning a couple of weeks ago. “How about a backyard picnic?”

After being cooped up for several days, I was itching to get outdoors for any purpose that wasn’t taking out the garbage or walking the dog.

“Sounds great,” she said, “what are you going to grill?”

“No, I’m not talking about a cookout. I’m talking old-fashioned picnic. You know — fried chicken, coleslaw, baked beans, paper napkins, bottle of chilled rosé. That kind of picnic.”

She knew me too well to ask how I was going to pull off that magic trick, seeing as how the only item we had of those I had just reeled off was napkins. She wouldn’t be surprised to learn that my wizardry involved nothing more than calling Chef’s Palette and ordering curbside takeout.

In addition to its regular menu, the restaurant is now offering family meals. Served in ample portion for four hearty appetites, the meals are divided into two categories, each with a variety of options.

“A Taste of Italy” for $39.99 includes garlic bread, house or Caesar salad, and your choice of four pasta dishes ranging from classic spaghetti and meatballs to shrimp and mussels in a pesto cream sauce.

Another 10 bucks will get you “Grandma’s House”: bacon-wrapped pork tenderloin, chicken fried chicken, or a BBQ ribs and wings combo, plus biscuits or rolls and your choice of two homespun sides like mac and cheese, mashed potatoes and gravy, and green beans.

It was the chicken fried chicken that planted the seed of the picnic idea, along with the baked beans and slaw listed among the side options. The discovery of a Portuguese vinho verde rosé on the wine list sealed the deal.

The website encourages patience when you call in an order, noting that their two phone lines aren’t always sufficient to handle the volume of calls. Lucky me, I got through on my first attempt, and ordering from the friendly person at the other end of the line was a breeze. My luck held when I called to let them know I had arrived (five minutes early) to pick up my order, and the food was ready.

The picnic was just what the doctor ordered. The chicken — eight pieces of boneless breast, juicy in a craggy batter — was still warm when we got everything set up on the deck. The slaw was creamy and mild, and the baked beans riddled with bits of bacon, ground beef and pulled pork. I couldn’t resist splurging on an extra side, and the mashed potatoes were homemade-lumpy, with a peppery cream gravy served in a separate container.

A strawberry cream pie (yes, a whole pie, for $10) reminiscent of bygone potluck suppers brought the meal to a sweetly nostalgic conclusion. And as the sun dipped below the edge of the patio umbrella, we had just enough wine left to drink a toast to Chef’s Palette, which celebrates its 10th anniversary next month.

Takeout Tales

A few weeks ago, I invited readers to share their restaurant delivery and curbside pickup and experiences. That invitation still stands. Just email me at ggcox55@gmail.com, with a description of your experience. I’ll publish as many as I can in this space.

In response to last week’s description of my curbside takeout experience with Crawford & Son, Billie F. describes a meal worthy of a celebration:

“We are huge fans of Crawford and Son, and I loved the article that you wrote. We picked up my husband’s birthday dinner on April 2. The Buttercrunch lettuce salad was indeed delicious. The trout traveled beautifully and was absolutely mouthwatering atop the hoppin John, filled with what looked like field peas and the most unusual, but yummy, black-eyed peas. Plus the butter sauce over the rice and beans was wonderful enough to bring tears to my eyes.

“My husband had the chicken pie, which he said was equally delicious. A bonus was the fact that there was enough food for two more meals. Our experience was fantastic from beginning to end. We will make a return visit.”

Mike W tells about scoring a case of heady brews from Fortnight Brewery:

“I live close to Fortnight Brewery in Cary. Checked online to see how they might be selling their brews. You could order and pay online. I ordered a case of one of their hoppy beers. Drove up and a very nice friendly worker was at the door and put my case into the back of my pickup truck. I never got out or touched anything. So smooth.”

Martha S. shares this update of Jack C.’s recent description of his Boulted Bread experience:

“Boulted is selling Friday and Saturday (and usually Sunday but not this week) only, with online ordering. They have the door propped open and come to the door with your order.”

Chef’s Palette

3460 Ten Ten Road, Cary

919-267-6011 or chefspalette.net

This story was originally published May 3, 2020 at 11:00 AM.