Hosting a Fall Dinner Party

I have always enjoyed throwing a dinner party. I believe this love for entertaining must have come from my grandmother who has always hosted our family gatherings with meticulous detail spent on the menu and table display. Some of my absolute favorite memories consist of making pie’s in her kitchen and setting the table for my family in the dining room. 

On one particularly memorable night, my grandmother had just found an old record player hiding in the basement and an album from the band Wild Cherry who famously sang, Play That Funky Music. This led to my entire family dancing around the dinner table as we screeched out the lyrics.  

Although the idea of hosting an elegant dinner party may seem overwhelming, you would not believe the compliments I’ve received over a simple roast chicken that took maybe 15 minutes to prepare. Simplifying your menu to maximize your time but still receive a few compliments along the way is the goal here. This menu is so easy and great for summer evenings or chilly fall nights.  

Guest count: 4 

Menu

Roast Chicken with Lemon and Thyme

Roasted Carrots with Cinnamon

Roasted Kale with Sea Salt 

I like to have fun with my table settings and change it up from season to season while always being mindful of my guest’s experience. I have a few pieces however that I’m in love with and almost always make an appearance on every single table I set.

Gold Flatware

An unexpected modern twist and guests always seem to be pleasantly surprised, I think we’re all just so used to silver flatware. My set was a gift from my husband so I’m not positive on where they are from but this Jasper Gold 20-piece set from Crate & Barrel is pretty fabulous.

Blue Willow Plater

I’m a Blue Willow fanatic, I’ve been going around to antique shops, up and down the east coast collecting different pieces. My platter was purchased while on a weekend getaway to Maine but you can also find them posted on Etsy.

Napkin Holders

There’s something so classic and charming about napkin holders. It’s a detail rarely seen on today’s tables and yet instantly elevates a meal. Mine were purchased as a wedding gift from my grandmother and can still be found at Williams-Sonoma and are currently 20% off!

An Apartment Entertaining Staple: The Bar Cart

I have always loved the look and feel of a bar cart. I’m not one to drink often these days but when I do I like to make a cocktail or pour a glass of red wine and really enjoy it. We collect different wines and liquors whenever we travel and keep a stock in our closet to refill when needed. We’re especially excited for our trip to Italy for this exact reason.

During my time at Rachael Ray magazine I was able to collect different bar tools from the freebie table to help outfit my cart. I did, however, buy a wine carafe (old, similar here) the Hatch Cut Glass Decanter, a set of four- 22oz wine glasses and two Viv Martini Glasses all from Crate & Barrel. I worked right next to the store and become a bit obsessed

For B and I’s wedding, we each created a cocktail to give our guests. Mine was titled, Eight Floors Up (Find the recipe here) and his CB Squared. We each made our own infused simple syrup and it was a lot of fun watching everyone pick their favorite. This is the perfect activity for a cocktail party as well. However, allow your guests to mix the alcohol with their chosen simple syrup and ingredients.

I also leave a couple of jazz records on the bottom shelf to pop onto our record player. I have always loved classic jazz and Bossa Nova, it instantly puts me in a state of relaxation. A few of the artists I listen to regularly are Stan Getz, Miles Davis, Charlie Byrd, and Dizzy Gilespie.

If you enjoyed learning about hosting a fall dinner party, head over to discover more recipes coming from my NYC kitchen.