PIKNIK Takes Over The Echo Park Lake Boathouse
- By: Ashley Joy Parker
Picnic In The Park Vibes…
The creative forces behind The Lonely Oyster, quintessential east side destination renowned for its intelligently crafted cocktails and sustainable seafood, are set to welcome a new culinary addition to their umbrella–PIKINK.
Opened on July 4, PIKNIK takes over the iconic Echo Park Lake Boathouse and promises to elevate the park experience with farm-to-table Scandinavian inspired fare alongside a laid-back lake house ambiance.
Nestled between the swan boats at the water’s edge, PIKNIK’s ambiance exudes a welcoming farmhouse-lakehouse vibe, providing a serene retreat for park-goers to relax and unwind and will offer a diverse array of culinary delights.
Patrons and park-goers can indulge in a refreshing selection of house-pressed juices, Be Bright coffee, daily pastries, and smoothies in the morning with sandwiches and entrees available in the afternoon and evenings. A rotating selection of house made ice cream will cool you down this summer, and beer and wine will be in place by September.
Additionally, the restaurant will offer PIKNIK baskets filled with artisanal treats, perfect for date night, or an impromptu city escape in the park’s picturesque surroundings.
Incorporating community elements to enhance park-goers’ experiences, PIKNIK will support a variety of events, including the Lotus Festival, a summer concert series, yoga sessions, daytime DJ programming, and homegrown festival Echo Park Rising.
“In my mind, I always envisioned a European-influenced cafe nestled by the water where folks could savor farm-to-table fare and enjoy a killer cup of coffee,” says Crisp. “This vision stemmed from a desire to recreate the romantic ambiance I experienced in the park when I first arrived in LA. It was here that my wife and I had our weekly dates and it is those enchanting memories that have stayed with us ever since.”
He continued, “By reinvigorating the Boathouse and infusing it with a touch of European charm, my goal is to bring back that magical ambiance and make it a place where love stories are born and cherished, just like ours. With a commitment to offering exceptional food, a picturesque setting, and a welcoming atmosphere, the Boathouse aims to be a haven where guests can create lasting memories and bask in the beauty of all that is Echo Park.”
PIKNIK is created by the team at The Lonely Oyster, owner Don Andes and Chef Dom Crisp. Born on a vineyard in Oregon, Crisp developed a palette for the finer things early. Entering the kitchen at the ripe age of 15, Crisp started in the dish pit and earned his burns over the hot stoves of the Portland bar and restaurant scene.
Getting serious about chef work, and Portland feeling smaller he sojourned to Southern France to hone his knowledge in the intricacies of French cuisine. Knife in hand, Los Angeles beckoned with promise of Chef roles and Crisp opened and ran many seafood restaurants before anchoring at The Lonely Oyster, Echo Park’s first neighborhood oyster bar.
With the purchase of Little Joy Cocktails in 2012, Andres began a long standing relationship with Echo Park. After purchasing Allumette, he created The Holloway which ran for 9 years, until it closed to make room for The Lonely Oyster. Portia Street Studios has quietly existed for over five years, as a haven for recording local musicians. Along the way, he’s made countless connections in the local community and looks to leverage them to bring something very special to this iconic location. He sees PIKNIK as an opportunity to give back to this beloved neighborhood.
“In my mind, I always envisioned a European-influenced cafe nestled by the water where folks could savor farm-to-table fare and enjoy a killer cup of coffee,” says Crisp. “This vision stemmed from a desire to recreate the romantic ambiance I experienced in the park when I first arrived in LA. It was here that my wife and I had our weekly dates and it is those enchanting memories that have stayed with us ever since.”
He continued, “By reinvigorating the Boathouse and infusing it with a touch of European charm, my goal is to bring back that magical ambiance and make it a place where love stories are born and cherished, just like ours. With a commitment to offering exceptional food, a picturesque setting, and a welcoming atmosphere, the Boathouse aims to be a haven where guests can create lasting memories and bask in the beauty of all that is Echo Park.”
Read More
