The Dinner Party Guide: Alsatian Edit
the inspiration
THIS MONTH WE ARE INSPIRED BY ALSACE.
Alsace is in the northeast of France, bordering Switzerland and Germany. Because of its proximity and complex history of occupation, the region is not quite French and not quite German. The countryside is a blend of dense forests, small farms and vineyards, and dotted with picturesque villages along the Rhine.
The Vosges Mountains shelter the region from excess wind and rain, allowing the vineyards to produce quality white wines like Riesling, Gewurztraminer, and Pinot Gris. Though the grape varietals are Germanic, the wine produced in Alsace is made in a different style, making them dry, aromatic, and perfectly suited to pair with the rich and comforting food of the region.
to set the mood
RECOMMENDED READING
Time and time again, I come back to this NYT piece by Gabrielle Hamilton, chef & owner of New York City’s Prune, titled The Art of the Dinner Party.
This article beautifully captures the essence of communal dining experiences. It highlights how the focus of these gatherings shift from merely being about food and drink to a deeper appreciation of the rich social connections they foster.
THE CONVERSATION
I love to set conversation cards on the table. You can find ours on the site. Use this month and don't forget to check out our past months as well. Putting a little care into curating the moment, but not overly directing really makes a gathering special.
WHAT TO WATCH
Menus-Plaisirs Les Troisgros: A movie that shows the inner workings of a legendary fine dining restaurant in Loire. The main setting is Le Bois sans Feuilles (translation: “The Forest without Leaves”), a restaurant with three Michelin stars run by the Troisgros family. (IMBD link here)
PLAYLIST
Nothing sets the mood like the right music— let us help. Find winter tunes here.
MOODBOARD
You know I love moodboards! They’re a fantastic way to visualize ideas and set the tone for a dinner party - or any project! See my January Pinterest board here.
for the table
THE FLOWERS
Ann Mekala of Hyssop floral stays true to her ethos by using gorgeous foraged and dried items in the winter. And somehow, they are even more beautiful than fresh. Check out her Dried Floral Workshop on February 10th.
THE SETTING
Everything by Laila & Nadia Gohar of Gohar World is so delightfully weird that I can't choose a favorite. But, ok! Here are a few:
The very cool girl Lace Appliqué Apron is a serious upgrade from the overdone chefs aprons of late. These Lace Trimmed Cocktail Napkins are just darling and this Baguette Bag is a work of art! How were we even carrying our bread around before?
THE APÈRO
Whether it's date night or a dinner party, I love to have an apèro spread set on the table when guests arrive. This offers an opportunity to gently transition from the day's hustle to the evening's calm.
Each month we design the apèro spread with relaxation and conversation in mind. So this month, we had to put pretzels on the menu — because they’re so obviously Alsatian, duh — but our fun twist is to serve them in the shape of a bow!
on the menu
recipes for you
Sauerkraut & Potato Fritters
A delightful twist on the classic latke, these fritters are inspired by Alsace with the addition of sauerkraut.
Feel free to use frozen hashbrown potatoes for this recipe as it eliminates the extra steps of blanching & grating potatoes.
GET THE RECIPE
to drink
SOMMELIER NOTES FOR DECEMBER
Our favorite local sommelier, Bill Summerville, has some sage advise:
“Explore riesling, you won’t regret it. Definitely look into Crémant d’Alsace. Sparkling wine made in France outside of the Champagne region is called Crémant. The frigid temperatures in Alsace help create some of the more beautiful and racy non-Champagne sparklers.”
Read Bill’s full notes & recommendations for January.
COCKTAILS ANYONE?
The Alsatian Swizzle is a simple and elegant cocktail, perfect for a date night at home.
Its name derives from the stirring method rather than the ingredients. Created by bartender Paul MacDonald at Friday Saturday Sunday in Philadelphia, this drink combines dry Alsatian Riesling and herb-infused vodka, offering a unique but delightful flavor. Get the recipe here.
LOOKING FOR SOMETHING ZERO-PROOF?
Whether you choose not to imbibe or you're dipping your toes into Dry January, we have a couple options for you!
Checkout our refreshing nonalcoholic cocktail recipe that’s perfect for a post-holiday detox: The Hibiscus Swizzle.
And, as always, Marigold has a selection of nonalcoholic menu pairings here!
THE MEMBER GIFT
Each season, our members receive a complimentary hand-selected gift. This season’s gift is perfect for entertaining— Love & Victory Diver Cocktail Picks from Shop Senti. We can’t wait for you to show them off!