Some Portable Feasts for Eating on the Go

My husband accuses me of turning every trip into an extended picnic--taking along enough food, thermal containers and eating utensils so we could be stranded just about anywhere for a day or two and never go hungry or thirsty. Now I’ve discovered some portable culinary aides that make my mobile dining inclinations even more palatable. Many items may be available in area stores. Prices do not include shipping and handling.

Bigger Thermos: I seldom travel without my stainless steel Thermos, especially on car trips. In this virtually indestructible vacuum bottle I can keep the coffee of my choice steaming hot all day. Now for people with a really big coffee thirst--or who are traveling with others with whom they must share--Thermos has developed a huge two-quart model with some handy innovations. There’s a retractable handle for easy grip that folds nearly flat and prevents rolling, and a detachable heavy-duty shoulder strap for easy transport while walking. The plastic stopper has grooves that allow pouring without removing it ; just twist the stopper one turn, tilt and the liquid pours out smoothly. The manufacturer claims this model keeps liquid hot (149 degrees) for 24 hours in a room at 68 degrees or higher. Amazingly, that proved true in testing.

Thermos/Nissan 2-quart stainless steel vacuum bottle (NCD18) is about $65. For a store near you, telephone (800) 243-0745.

Picnic on your back: Just because you are heading off on foot (or canoe or bicycle), doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have all the accouterments of a gourmet picnic. Vesture, a North Carolina manufacturer, has developed a backpack stocked with all the accessories you need for fine dining alfresco--you just add the food and wine. The Back Pac, made of a heavy-duty blue PVC material, comes with two each of sturdy plastic plates, acrylic wine glasses, blue-and-white checkered napkins and tablecloth, forks and spoons, as well as a cutting knife, cheese slicer, corkscrew and cutting board (the latter stores in an internal pouch pocket). An insulated side pouch can hold a bottle of wine. The Back Pac comes with a slim cooking pack that can be frozen beforehand to keep items cold in the backpack. There is also a heatelement that keeps items hot after it has been warmed up in a microwave oven. Now all you need are the ants.

Picnic Back Pac is $78 from Vesture. For mail order or to locate a distributor, tel. (800) 283-7887.

Cool coolers: A less chichi but very efficient portable cooler is the Backpackable Cooler from L.L. Bean. Made of heavy-duty cloth with a no-leak vinyl lining over foam insulation, the 16 1/2-inch by 11 inch by 6 1/2-inch-deep pack has two zip compartments (one on top, another in front) to keep beverages separate from food. A deep pocket on each side can hold eating utensils (not included) or bottles up to one liter. A large mesh zippered pocket at the front of the pack can hold sunscreen, magazines, a towel and other small items. Shoulder straps have extra padding for hefty take-along feasts. Bean also makes three other easy-tote coolers; the 6-Pack, which carries six cans of soda or other beverage and has a zip pocket for extras, the larger 6-Pack Plus Carrier, which also has room for sandwiches and other snacks, and the Picnic Size, which carries lunch for a whole family.

Backpackable Cooler is $65; 6-Pack is $18; 6-Pack Plus Carrier is $35; and Picnic Size is $40; all in spruce/navy or red from L.L. Bean; tel. (800) 809-7057.

Table to go: Picnicking on the ground is not the most comfortable way to go--especially for us aging baby boomers with increasingly persnickety joints. Rejoice then for the Little Table Box from Howda Designz, a 10-pound briefcase-like pine box that converts in minutes into a perfectly civilized 31-inch-by-19-inch dining table. Pull apart the canvas carrying handles, fold down the 12-inch-long legs (alas, we said this was a table, not full-size table) and you are almost ready. The box also contains two canvas stadium seats with basswood frames so you can avoid grass stains and get some back support. The table supports a maximum weight of 10 pounds.

Little Table Box with two stadium chairs is $190 from Howda Designz; tel. (800) 348-3884.

Toddler tumbler: So your toddler can join in the picnic without spilling her drink all over the crowd, Evenflo, makers of children’s products and furnishings, has developed an (almost) spill-proof plastic child’s travel tumbler. The screw-on lid conceals a soft silicone straw that pops up when the top of the lid is turned counterclockwise and folds back in when the lid top is turned clockwise. The lid also has a detachable carrying strap so junior can roam the grounds with ready refreshment.

Toddler Travel Tumbler is $4.99. For a nearby store, call the manufacturer, Evenflo; tel. (800) 356-2229.

Gear & Gadgets appears the first week of every month.