One of my favorite dinner party settings in the last couple of years was, unsurprisingly, at my sister’s house. She’s a consummate hostess. And one evening, she set us up at their outdoor dinner table, lit by countless candles, with a screen on one side playing a muted black & white Italian film. The menu was heavily Italian, too, as were the wines; I remember a medium-bodied red with an osso buco. I’ve had that setting in mind ever since… not to replicate but to emulate. As the kids would say, the vibes were immaculate.
As soon as the clock strikes October, I crave dinner parties. But until recently, it had been ages since I threw one myself. (We shall blame that sister who does it for me and better than I do.) I had a handful of friends for dinner two weeks ago and was reminded of how nice it is to invite people into your space and to feed them well. I thought about what stops some of us from hosting more. Is it that you haven’t replaced those old wine glasses yet? The pressure of wanting to cook like Ina for your friends?
Let’s solve all your problems:
Set the table. Gorgeous platters and dinnerware abound whether you prefer vintage silver from Elsie Green, seamless and simple sets from Snowe Home, cool design-y stuff from Hay, or something fun like this blue paint-splattered set from March SF. (I have these utensils from Hay and am obsessed.)
After the jump, paid subscribers get some table setting greats, delish menu ideas, a golden oldies playlist, and smattering of fall fashion links.
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