Here’s proof that hosting your nearest and dearest for an outdoor meal doesn’t have to send you into a stress spiral.
One of the unequivocally joys of summer is the ability to dine al fresco. And while going to your favorite outdoor cafe is wonderful, there’s something beautifully intimate about having people over for an outdoor dinner.
Make hosting easier on yourself and elevate your outdoor dining area with these simple tips.
A well-dressed table that blends effortlessly with your outdoor surroundings makes for a more harmonious dining experience, so consider what you have and whether it works for your al fresco dining plans.
How you set your table should be driven by the size of the table and the number of guests, but also by the atmosphere you want to create.
Everyday kitchen crockery is fine for a casual BBQ, but if you are looking to elevate your dinner party you may want to consider other options. Mismatched tableware is charming and can add a sense of relaxed glamour. And pulling off the look certainly doesn’t have to be pricey. A quick trip to a local thrift shop will provide tons of affordable options.
Not into the mismatched thing? Consider colored melamine dishes. They’re available at a range of price points and you won’t have to worry about glass breaking outdoors. Plus, they come in lots of colors and patterns so you’re sure to find one that works with your aesthetic.
Individually plated meals add a lot of time and pressure. Instead, opt for a relaxed family-style meal and serve everything up on platters. Take wooden chopping boards, ceramic serving bowls, and cast-iron pans to the table so that guests can help themselves rather than plating food individually in the kitchen.
Don’t overthink your table and let your beautiful outdoor setting be the real star of the show. Skip the table cloth and go for a simple table runner and cloth napkins for an easy elevated vibe.
From there, keep it simple and in line with your outdoor theme. Place foliage, herbs, or cut flowers in small vases and place them amongst the serving dishes.
As the sun sets, you’ll need lighting. Your goal: To create a lighting scheme that is gentle and inviting.
Floor lamps placed strategically around the table will create a look that’s aesthetically pleasing. Alternatively, use string lights above your entire dining area—the smaller bulbs give the space a nice warmth.
For additional glow, set up lanterns around the perimeter—which can help illuminate walkways. You can also fill any empty areas of your table with tea lights for an added kick of ambiance.
Where possible, avoid bright lighting that sits above the table as this can be overpowering.
If you’re stressed, your guests are going to feel it. So, prepare as much as you can in advance, then consider leveraging the talents of your guests to enable you to focus on hosting.
Whether it be making a signature cocktail that sets the party mood or bringing along a crowd-pleasing dessert, anything you can delegate will make it easier for you to be in the moment and to enjoy the night.
Leave the 8-course tasting menu to the professionals and instead go for an easily achievable offering of seasonal favorites. Dining outside lends itself to fresh flavors cooked over a flame so look for dishes that you can prepare in advance and finish on the grill. For example, you could prep a few salads in advance and then throw marinated teriyaki salmon on the grill to accompany it.
You could also consider an elegant plant-based summer menu that doesn’t require any cooking at all—think gazpacho, pasta salads, and sorbet for dessert.
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