Dinner party...?

Question

I'm having an dinner party with some friends on this coming saturday and I want everything to be fancy/elegant as far as to set up everything. I got the dinner menu plan but what are some ideas to set up the whole thing?

Answer 1

You can get some great tips on dinner parties at this site:
http://www.gourmet-food-revolution.com/index.html

Answer 2

Get out your best tablecloth and napkins and give them a wash if needed. If you don't have them, you can buy a few yards of fabric for cheap from the fabric store and make your own. Use your best china or dinner plates. Don't forget the napkin rings, you can even use strands of raffia as long as you're at the fabric store. Or just fold neatly. Get some candles, but not tall tapers. The candles and centerpiece (pick up some shorter flowers) should be short enough that guests can see each other over them. Maybe a little favor and name card for each plate. Turn on some background music, set the table, get all the food done in advance and put it in serving bowls. Have the beverages cold even if you have to put a cooler on the back porch. Make sure you have plenty of glasses and ice. Get all your serving utensils ready beforehand. Keep the food warm until the guests are done with appetizers and ready for dinner, then flip the food into the serving bowls. That's the only last minute thing you really have to do. You can relax a bit before guests arrive, and then you get to mingle.

Answer 3

I have thrown quite a parties and I think the most important thing is lighting. Try to stay away from overhead lights if you can. If you have a dimmer use it. Bring in candles, but stay away from tapered - they tip over too easily.

The second thing is to pick good background music. It should be a mild taste of whatever type of music you like best, that way if anyone asks what the music is you can explain it. Or, something very open, i.e. Amy Winehouse, Nora Jones, Foreplay. Don't do elevator music.

Third, think of interesting ways to serve your food. For example, I have served dips (of course with corresponding flavors) in coconut shells, tomatoes, squash. I have also served soup this way. You may also want to consider different types of place settings. You can do this pretty cheap at a dollar store or christmas tree shop. I know it sounds cheap, but you may be able to find some type of dishes that match perfectly with your meny.

Finally, if you are not a wine knowledgeable I suggest speaking to someone at your local dealer. They will be able to suggest wines that will go with each of your courses. Make sure you take note, then you can explain it to your guests, even if you don't get it.

Answer 4

Did you send out invites and specify formal attire?
Then I would say:
Keep the lights a little low and light some candles
Have some jazz music playing
Dress up the table with tablecloth, cloth napkins, silverware, etc.
Use candles on the table, but watch the height...don't want people not being able to see across the table!
Offer a wine choice with dinner
Have a pitcher of iced lemon water on the table
(make sure you have water goblets out)
Serve everything in your nicest bowls and platters.

Answer 5

if you are looking for elegant, make sure you have a nice tablecloth and cloth napkins. serve wine in wine glasses and make sure that all your tableware matches. set some candles and flowers at your table. if you really want to go all out, opt for namecard settings, although personally i think that's a bit much. also, make sure you are playing some nice, mellow music while you eat. make sure your eating area is nica and clean too.

Answer 6

Nice table ware. Candles n holders. Fresh flowers. Name place settings. Serve coffee with ur dessert. Maybe even go with a theme.

Answer 7

One way to go is to select different shapes and sizes of crystal or glass vases. Fill each with colored stones and add matching flowers that tie in with your theme or surroundings. A nice grouping of smaller vases can be framed with a variety of colorful, fragrant candles in different shapes and heights or surrounded by fruit or vegetables. try this site, she has some great ideas for tables scapes & lots of other stuff...
http://www.semihomemade.com/

Answer 8

i could save it rather basic, because of the fact alot of folk do unlike curry, or extraordinarily spiced ingredients, yet you DO elect it to be specific. attempt this: Busy Day hen KIEV 6 boned & halved hen breasts a million c. butter, softened a million clove garlic, minced high-quality a million TB. each chopped chives & parsley a million tsp. salt a million/2 tsp. each rosemarry & pepper a million c. bitter cream a million c. bread crumbs a million/2 c. Parmesan cheese blend softened butter with herbs, salt & pepper. Roll up into 3/4"x8" sticks and freeze until eventually no longer uncomplicated. meanwhile, pound hen breasts flat. Lay a butter roll on each hen breast and roll up. take care of with a toothpick. Dip into the bitter cream and roll in bread crumbs (blended with the Parmesan cheese). place in one layer in 9x13" pan, and bake uncovered at 4 hundred for approximately 40 min. Serves 6 Alot of the prep may well be executed the day forward, and it particularly is an extremely specific dish. Serve with clean steamed broccoli or asparagus, a fruit salad of strawberries & pineapple...and a equipment of untamed rice Rice-a-Roni form rice. ... a rapid, uncomplicated dessert is Vanilla Bean ice cream, with a can of apple pie filling which you have have been given heated up and pour on suited....

Answer 9

Well sit them down FIRST. Then give them wine SECOND. Get the food out THIRD. Get the desserts out FOURTH. Sit and watch a good movie if you would like LAST.
Hope this helps!!
Before you guys eat I would suggest like a little sit down and all of you guys have conversations. That what we always do!

Answer 10

White linens, fresh flowers, candles, and background music. Most important "good friends". Have fun.