How to Host a Dinner Party Like an Adult
If you’ve ever had a dinner party (or brunch, or dinner), you know there is more to it than just making a bunch of food. People need plates to eat from, cloth to wipe off their face, and furniture to sit their buttocks on. While nothing is more important than food, it is the details that actually make the party.
Look, people will always be grateful and impressed that you fed them, but if you want to give the impression that you are some kind of adult who can give advice on adult things like how to deal with jet lag, there are a few small additions. … you can suggest to elevate your culinary romance:
Stew good salt and pepper
Iodized salt and ground pepper do their job well, but both leave a lot to be desired. Freshly ground peppers not only taste a ton more than the other ingredients, but there is something very nice about grinding them yourself. You can buy a fancy wooden pepper mill, but Trader Joe’s has a very good rainbow pepper mill for about two dollars. As for the salt, do everyone a favor and buy Maldon’s box . These gorgeous pyramid shaped crystals are said to have a milder and less bitter taste than other crystals with lower sodium chloride, and I have found this to be correct. They not only look great in a small mold or sprinkled on perfectly roasted vegetables, but they also provide the most pleasant crunch and their unique shape prevents crystals from sticking together .
Use real napkins
Paper towels are for moving pizza parties. Paper napkins – for picnics. For adult dinners, cloth napkins are required. Your guests may be confused at first – in fact, I’ve had people asking for a paper towel because they didn’t want to get my pretty napkins dirty – and you might have to reassure them that it’s okay if they smear the napkin with tomato sauce; that’s what they are.
Provide an adult drink
Skip this if you tried your best to dine out, but I love being able to offer at least something alcoholic, be it wine, especially a good beer, or a simple cocktail . Do you want to really surprise your friends and loved ones? Serve them a simple aperitif as they walk through the door, preferably something composed of vermouth (Cocchi Americano) and soda or your favorite Italian liqueur and soda garnished with a strip of lemon or orange peel.
Take flowers
There is something a little intimidating about walking into someone’s house and seeing a vase of fresh flowers. “Wow. This person will probably be doing their Christmas shopping by August,” I think, sniffing their begonias or whatever (I’m not good at flowers). Just don’t overdo it with foliage so as not to look like you Trying too hard, a bouquet or two will do just fine.
Tease with a simple snack
Sometimes, knowing that they will be fed later, people abstain from food during the day and come to the dinner party ready to eat . When you’re done stewing the osso bucco, prepare a small breakfast to help everyone calm down and socialize. Cheese plate is always pleasurable , but Frico – the most exciting application, consisting of a single ingredient, and nobody ever gets angry at home onion sauce .
Turn on the music
An awkward silence is awkward, so create a playlist, put on a recording (Tom Waits closing time or Fleetwood Mac’s Tusk ), or have Spotify do all the work and create a radio station around the song that truly captures the mood you want to create. … (My summer aesthetic is best described as “Stevie Nicks screams at Lindsay Buckingham during a 97th Silver Springs live show,” and that turns into a pretty cool Spotify channel.)
Also, wear an apron while cooking. Not only will you look cute as a dick when you’re done trimming – I’m talking to the girls and boys in the audience – but you’ll also protect your beautiful outfit, which is very mature for you.