Nota bene: This is rather a long post on what I hope you will find an enjoyable account of a recent dinner party we held at home, and the preparations involved in making it all happen.
After the lull of summer, and the more casual al fresco entertaining of friends that goes on around here, we are always ready for a change of pace by the time autumn rolls around. So, hatching a plan to rev things up a few notches, we began planning a small at-home-old-fashioned-sit-down-dinner-party back in early September. Now, I say "old-fashioned" because it appears to me that with few exceptions, the at-home-sit-down-dinner-party has become a rarity, at least in my world it is. In an age where restaurants are so numerous, and everyone is short on time, I can very well understand the instinct to meet friends at a local eatery for an impromptu dinner. We often dine out ourselves and, of course, if that is the only opportunity we have to catch up with acquaintances, we'll take it. However, there is nothing quite like an enjoyable at-home-old-fashioned-sit-down-dinner-party shared with a group of fun friends over the course of a long evening of tasty libations, scrumptious food, and delicious banter to make for a memorable occasion. Now, doesn't all this sound infinitely more pleasing than having to put a time limit on a restaurant table, and worrying about when it will be turned over to the next hungry diner in line?
The door bell will soon be ringing, announcing the arrival of our dinner guests
Photo: Chronica Domus
This past Saturday evening we kicked things off by hosting our first dinner party of the season. Once we had secured a date when all of our guests would be available, it soon dawned on us that two of them would be sharing birthdays very close to the day of our party. Well, that was all the impetus needed to ratchet things up and make the evening even more special. However, before the first cork was popped in celebration, there was much to prepare. These things take lots of effort and lots of planning to pull off successfully, so please don't be fooled into thinking otherwise by the "effortless entertaining" set. Frankly, there is no such thing. However, with adequate preparation, much can be accomplished.
As this was to be a small dinner party, we could handle all the food preparations ourselves. Larger gatherings, of course, would require outside help. Once we had settled on the menu, which included recipes we were already comfortable cooking (do not attempt to make anything you are not already familiar with - your guests are not your guinea pigs for the evening!), we set about sourcing the ingredients. A call to our favorite fishmonger was placed several days in advance of our dinner party to insure our order could be fulfilled.
Next, alcoholic beverages. Champagne, port, white and red wine, check! I leave this important task in the capable hands of my trusty husband who does the lion's share of our household's wine and spirits purchasing. He seems to take more than a passing interest in keeping our wine cellar stocked, and we are rarely caught short of enjoying an evening's worth of imbibing. One can have quite the party down there!
Hmm....decisions, decisions... but wait, let's take all three bottles upstairs!
Photo: Chronica Domus
The day before a dinner party is spent fussing over such details as the tarting up of the dining table, selecting flowers, and making sure the house is
shipshape and Bristol fashion.
An early morning run to the
San Francisco Flower Market is the first order of the day. If you are anything like me, you will easily find yourself becoming quite giddy at the sight of mounds of gorgeous greenery and flowers on offer. Inevitably, it takes a few laps around the market before I can finally focus and settle on my purchases. In the meantime, my husband patiently awaits in the Volvo ready to assist with packing it all into the
boot trunk (thank you, darling!).
The Volvo packed with the morning's spoils
Photo: Chronica Domus
Once we return home, I turn my attention to tomorrow's menu. I get to work making the carrot, leek, and thyme soup, and then poach Bosc pears in Merlot wine and spices.
Poached pears are simple, delicious, and elegant, just add vanilla ice cream or heavy whipped cream
Photo: Chronica Domus
These shall be eaten for dessert and are very easy to make. The pears also provide quite the "wow" factor when presented at table. I also make a batch of cheese straws that will be served, alongside other
hors d'œuvres, in the drawing room with champagne. While I'm racing around the kitchen, my husband takes his leave to shop for cheeses, chocolates, and assorted comestibles. Thank goodness he's willing and able. He enjoys the activities revolving around our dinner party preparations as much as I do.
Having decided weeks ago that I would set the dining table with my recently acquired
creamware, I have a last minute change of heart. Realizing there would be seven of us at table (I only have six dinner plates), and no bowls from which to serve the soup, I quickly resort to "Plan B". Old Paris Porcelain will suffice. It is always wise to set the dining table and round up all the serving pieces to be used the day prior to a dinner party. Averting last-minute pesky issues that could very well send the coolest of hostesses into a tizzy is the goal here.
I could feed a small army off Old Paris Porcelain dishes which, somehow, I've amassed in a variety of colors over the years - for this occasion, a classic gilt ring decoration seems appropriate
Photo: Chronica Domus
It is now Saturday morning, the day of our dinner party. Although we had spent a lovely Friday evening over at our neighboring friends' house for dinner (thank you Jeannette and Harvey!), there is no sleeping in on this particular morning. Locally grown seasonal vegetables need to be picked up at the farmers' market, where we are always assured of the best selection and freshest produce available. I would not dare leave such details to the last minute were it not for the fact that we are fortunate to have easy access to a reliable and
excellent farmers' market.
Three bunches of organic carrots, two heads of cauliflower, and three bundles of brocollini will be added to the potatoes already at home to form part of this evening's menu
Photo: Chronica Domus
Next, I must bring the flowers and branches up from our basement and make three low arrangements for the dining room table, and two for the drawing room's mantelshelf. Meanwhile, my husband drives to the fishmongers to pick up our order, four pounds of fresh Alaskan halibut.
Dahlias, autumn's best flowers, in black and salmon pink, miniature ornamental cabbages, and green pin oak leaves await in a bucket
(note: It's best to avoid highly fragrant flowers on a dinner table - candles too for that matter!)
Photo: Chronica Domus
One of two diminutive posies that will grace the dining room table this evening - these stand in a pair of Anglo-Irish cut glass footed bowls
Photo: Chronica Domus
Once I've set the flowers on the table, I light the candles in the room so that I can snap a few photographs for the purpose of this blog post, and before I forget to do so later in the evening when the party is in full swing. I think it is all beginning to look rather festive, don't you?
The third arrangement sits at the center of the table in a black basalt pot
Photo: Chronica Domus
Photo: Chronica Domus
With only a few hours remaining until our guests arrive, the dining room is almost ready for action
Photo: Chronica Domus
Later in the afternoon, I prep the vegetables that will be roasted (carrots, cauliflower) and
sautéed (brocollini). I make the base of the B
éarnaise sauce which I finish right before we serve the fish. It takes but a few minutes to prepare, as does the fish. I leave my husband peeling potatoes while I set up the dishes that will hold the
hors d'œuvres in the drawing room. I remember too that the refrigerated cheeses need arranging on a platter and set out, with plenty of time to come to room temperature before the cheese course arrives at table.
With the frenzy of kitchen activity at full-throttle, we take a short break and perform a last minute walk through of the public rooms in the house. We want to insure that every detail is taken care of before our guests ring the doorbell. After all, our goal in hosting such a dinner party is to spend an enjoyable evening in the company of our dear friends, and to make them all feel as comfortable and as welcomed as possible.
At five-thirty, once everything that can be taken care of ahead of time has been, we get ourselves party ready. Obviously we want to look our very best when greeting our friends at the front door, who will also arrive dressed appropriately for such a celebratory dinner (this means at minimum ties for the gents in our merry party). With thirty minutes to go, my husband makes a quick gee and tee for himself. I, wisely, forgo my cocktail - just this once - but promise to make up for things once the bubbly begins flowing. The red wine and port is decanted, and the white wine and champagne is chilling on ice.
My husband lights the fireplace right before six-thirty, the time our guests are expected. This is the first fire of the autumn and I can't think of anything more welcoming than the glowing flames of a roaring fire lighting up a room during the cooler months of the year.
Photo: Chronica Domus
The doorbell rings at approximately six-forty which means it's party time. Once everyone has arrived, we toast two of our dear friends with birthday wishes over delicious champagne and
hors d'œuvres, and spend a convivial hour chatting and laughing away like there is no tomorrow.
With vegetables roasting in the oven, and the candles lit, we proceed to the dining room and begin our dinner. First course, soup. But wait, something is amiss! I've forgotten to set out the soup spoons. Yes, even with all the careful planning that is required to carry off such an enjoyable at-home-old-fashioned-sit-down-dinner-party, something invariably gets forgotten. With minimal fuss, my mea culpa is swiftly put right, and after a good chuckle by all, we finally set about enjoying a most delectable dinner.
Photo: Chronica Domus
Throughout the evening, everyone exclaimed what a wonderful time they were having and how marvelous it was to spend such an agreeable evening in each other's delightful company. It really was quite lovely. After dinner, we retired to the drawing room for chocolates and more drinks, via a quick breather on the balcony to admire the night view and take in the fresh air. It was just past midnight when our first friend took her leave of us, with promises of a reciprocal dinner soon.
I toddled off to bed around two o'clock in the morning, still high from the evening's merriment. I had somehow mustered up the strength to wash all the silver and dishes before doing so. My dear old husband just couldn't take it any longer. He retired an hour earlier, exhausted but happy.
The next morning, I slowly and gingerly tackled the remainder of the fallout. Glasses, pots, and pans needed washing. I performed my best impersonation of a scullery maid, hand-washing all of the antique glassware I enjoy using so much. The English Regency champagne flutes looked so pretty lined up on the drainer. I use my Irish linen glass cloths to dry those and the other wine glasses we used last night. They are the very best cloths available for wicking away moisture and, most importantly, are lint-free. Your glasses will be sparkling clean in no time. I encourage you to invest in a handful of these useful little towels if you too assume the position of a scullery maid in your household.
Irish linen glass cloths make light work of drying one's beautiful glassware
Photo: Chronica Domus
Now, if only the task of removing dripping candle wax was as enjoyable.
The remains of an evening well spent
Photo: Chronica Domus
The scene around the dining room's candle sconces was just as piteous in the morning light. Ah well, this is but a small price to pay for the honey colored light that sets a room aglow.
At least I still had these beauties to gaze upon, reminding me of our marvelous dinner party. I can't wait to do it all again.
Photo: Chronica Domus
I do hope you enjoyed this post, and that you too might consider reviving the tradition of hosting an at-home-old-fashioned-sit-down-dinner-party in the not too distant future. It really is a lot of fun.
