The Dinner Party Guide
…because you should invite some friends over for dinner
“a dinner party is about what is said, not what is eaten”. -Gabrielle Hamilton
Inspiration for a simple dinner with friends. It really just takes a few ingredients to make a dinner party something special. Nothing fancy, no intense planning. Just humans being humans together. We've created a “recipe” for you. It won’t take much to pull off and your full heart will thank you at the end of the evening.
theme simplicity. The ultimate expression of skill and beauty, or as Da Vinci says, sophistication. And, it requires both courage and vulnerability, two things I’m always working on. For example, sending guests home with a favorite poem. Very simple, maybe feels a little scary, but what an amazing way to share your heart and make people feel good.
tips create a first course that can be preset and doesn’t require heating, you will get to enjoy your own party. Dessert should encourage lingering… think little bowls of treats scattered on the table and cordials of amaro for sipping.
menu serve anything. Fried chicken in a bucket! I promise no ones cares about fancy. Here is a menu idea for you and exactly what I’ll be serving to anyone who comes to my place in the next few weeks.
wine pairings see Sommelier Bill Summerville’s notes here.
apéritif
Lillet spritz (recipe below)
Potato chips with crab spread and a few olives (store bought, remember our theme?)
to begin
Asparagus tart with chevré and black pepper (Times recipe)
entree
Cacio e pepe linguini with lemons
(Butter Club recipe, the first month is free)
Baguette with Butter and Sea Salt
sweet
Chocolate bars, dates, nuts and little cordials of amari
(shop senti) has the cutest serving dishes and chocolate bars!)
dinner conversation download our May conversation deck here. It’s a game called Rose, Bud, Thorn.
playlist the playlist might be even more important than the food. Find my May(list) here.
parting gift a little memento to send with your guests serves as a lovely reminder of the evening. I like to write or print out a favorite poem and tuck it in a thank you. Something that will be wonderful to read when hearts are full. See one of my favorites below.
propagation party ask guests to choose a healthy stem from their favorite house plants (using sharp shears, cut just below the node) and place the stem in a glass jar with room-temperature water. Trade at dinner and make sure everyone places their new cuttings in a spot that receives bright light but not direct sun.
table vibes this month babies breath and vintage lace table clothes will be gracing my tables this Spring. Granny chic is IN. You might even find a doily or two around these parts. Oh, and a few new items I can’t resist purchasing- these food shaped candles and the cutest ever cocktail napkins both go miles to delight!
Want to dinner party with us? You have options!
dinner party package skip all the prep and shopping, we deliver.
In studio, it's really pretty here;)
Read more here.
Lillet Spritz Recipe
3 ounces sparkling wine
2 ounces Lillet Blanc
1 ounce soda water, or enough to top your glass
The Laughing Heart by Charles Bukowski
your life is your life
don’t let it be clubbed into dank submission.
be on the watch.
there are ways out.
there is light somewhere.
it may not be much light but
it beats the darkness.
be on the watch.
the gods will offer you chances.
know them.
take them.
you can’t beat death but
you can beat death in life, sometimes.
and the more often you learn to do it,
the more light there will be.
your life is your life.
know it while you have it.
you are marvelous
the gods wait to delight
in you.
-- by Charles Bukowski
