The Dinner Party Guide: Champagne Edit
Only the unimaginative can fail to find a reason for drinking champagne.
— Oscar Wilde
How to celebrate life
the mood
— effervesce — dote — giggle — toast —
The Inspiration —
There's nothing better than hearing a cork pop from a bottle of bubbles. It's a sound that promises instant joy and delight — whether you're celebrating someone, something, or the simple pleasures of life. Set your table with pops of color and spend an evening celebrating the region and the wine. Because Champagne is meant to be savored, shared, and enjoyed.
The Mood is…
The anticipation of the first pop, and everyone leaning in to hear it. Fizzing, gushing. Toasting for no reason at all— and every reason.
Everyone gathered in the kitchen, sharing stories, dancing, giggling, creating memories. Then, finding yourselves saboring on the front step with a butter knife because the moment calls.
Melding highbrow with lowbrow, special with everyday. Finding joy in the ordinary and letting it overflow.
The mood is loud. The mood is happy.
Peter’s February Playlist — “Le Cupidon”
Cupid, in his Marie Antoinette inspired Boudoir atop Mount Olympus with bated breath over the anticipation of Saint Valentines Day.
He’s throwing a dinner party and EVERYONE is going to be there. Donatella Versace, Aphrodite, Liberace, Mona Lisa AND Liz Taylor (rumor has it) finally lost 10 pounds and will be seen in public (it was a tense holdout!)
What would his playlist be? Lots of Classic love songs, Early Beatles, Island Gems, Cheesy Eighties drama filled Ballads and some Funk to round out the night.
Dasbrat spinning the records (its my DJ name). AKA Peter, the new Studio Director at Paris Dining Club
I’m glad to know you :) Bien Vivre!!
I drink Champagne when I’m happy and when I’m sad. Sometimes I drink it when I’m alone. When I have company I consider it obligatory. I trifle with it if I’m not hungry and drink it when I am. Otherwise, I never touch it―unless I’m thirsty.
― Lily Bollinger
what we’re cooking
We’re toasting to this elegant region with inspiration from both the cuisine and the iconic bubbly. The minerality, effervescence, and acidity will cut through the richness of salty dishes like potato chips with bagna cauda crème fraîche and savory bread. Curry replaces paprika with oeufs mimosa, France’s answer to deviled eggs. Savor Coq au Champagne, wine braised chicken with mushrooms & pearl onions before diving head first into chocolate passionfruit trifle.
Bubbles not included but definitely required:)
Champagne is the best way of saying "I love you" in any language.
— Clovis Taittinger
what you’re cooking
In case you missed the box, simple recipes to recreate the experience yourself.
France’s answer to deviled eggs.
A savory, snack-y French "cake" that is insanely good, versatile, and easy to make.
Similar to coq au vin but is made with white wine instead of red.
Julia Child’s recipe for chocolate mousse is perfect, and unless we’re making our own recipe for Pot de Crème, it’s our go-to — and a recipe to master.
Too much of anything is bad, but too much Champagne is just right.
— F. Scott Fitzgerald
l’art de la table
Bring beauty, warmth, & conversation to your dining space.
On The Table — Color! Pinks, oranges, lilacs. Fun, not stuffy. We love anything la Double J.
No menus. Write directly on butcher paper stretched across the table.
Coupe > Flute. We are firmly anti-flute (hello squished noses!) Coupes are classic, glam, and way more fun. Invest in a chic set or go antique hunting. Try these: Cosmo Coupe Set, Nude Savage Set , Isla Fluted Champagne Coupe
Champagne buckets, obviously. A classic champs bucket is ideal. But no bucket? No problem:
Bain marie (sleek)
Polished brass planter (chic)
Stock pot (charming— tie a bow around it.)
Pedestals are must. Crystal or silver— doesn’t matter. Put those potato chips up high where they belong!
Family-style plating. Cook & plate your Coq au Champagne in a Dutch oven, then pop it on a trivet in the middle of the table. Pass plates & let the host serve. Intimate, communal, simple.
Deviled Egg Trays are so back. Use any excuse to bring that bad boy out. No tray? A small bowl works, but these are fun: this heart one, this blue one, and this pink one.
Flowers are mandatory. Going minimalist or maximalist is your call. Just make it colorful. If you’re crafty, make them out of paper. And be certain to garnish your cocktails with flowers.
Champagne is the one thing that gives me zest when I'm tired.
— Brigitte Bardot
the atmosphere
First, we must transform — Turn your home into a special space.
Like you’re stepping into somewhere completely new. No big lights, lamps only. It’s so obvious, but light candles & burn incense**.
**A note from Sarah: My home is everything— it’s where I work, create, unwind, host, & have date nights. So, I’ve learned to transform it with lighting and scent. A few intentionally placed lamps with specific jobs allow my home to become the 100 different spaces I need it to be. And I’m an incense girly through and through. Maybe it’s something about smell being connected to our deepest memories— but a few well-chosen scents let me set the exact mood I need.
Flow of the evening — Whatever you’re doing, do it together.
Make it communal: everyone plays a part in creating the evening. Someone cooks, someone makes cocktails, someone sets the table. All the while, share stories about each other (and keep those glasses full).
The best cheesy group activity is sparking conversation with our monthly conversation deck.
As the Host — The fun starts with you.
It’s a champagne party. Saber at least one bottle— because, duh?
Something practical: Have at least one bottle of bubbles per guest. On the table, set out at least two wine glasses per person so everyone can compare the bubbles they’re drinking.
Something sentimental: Save the evening’s corks. Write the date & what you’re celebrating, like “Champagne Dinner 2025,” for a sweet memento.
And remember, if you’re anxious, your guests will feel it too. Slow down, pour yourself a glass of wine. The only people here are the ones you love most.
As the Guest — Be a part of the experience.
Pour for the host as a gesture of care. In Japan, pouring sake for others first signifies generosity and a desire to build connection.
Bring an attitude of love. Don’t hold back— gush, toast, laugh. Enjoy every moment.
There comes a time in every woman's life when the only thing that helps is a glass of champagne.
— Bette Davis
what to drink
The Cocktail — Aperol Spritz avec Fleurs
We debated featuring a cocktail for a champagne-inspired dinner party because, honestly, you should just drink champagne. But on the other hand, an aperol spritz is a wonderful way to start a dinner celebrating bubbles. We also suggest an Elderflower French 75.
The Wine — Champagne all night. That’s the rule.
Look to our friends at France44, North Loop Wines, and Thomas Liquors— they find gorgeous pairings for us each month. Explore all three lists to find the wine that suits your table best :)
Champagne for my real friends and real pain for my sham friends.
— Tom Waits