“Ever since I saw the movie "Chocolat," I have been longing to have a back yard dinner party. After such a harsh winter, I have decided this is the summer to do it … so this brings me to my questions, what do you suggest for the tablescape?  I would like this to be a memorable meal, but not one that will require me to be in the kitchen or at the grill all evening.  What would you suggest serving?   Also, I welcome any comments or ideas you have to make this a grand affair.” Dorothy, Kansas City, MO

Dear Dorothy,

Sounds like a fun party!  You’ll have to send pictures for me to share with MemorableEntertaining.com members!

Here are two different theme ideas:  Mediterranean or Tuscan

Mediterranean

Food:  Serve Greek wine, grilled lamb and shrimp kebobs, orzo salad and grilled vegetables Make up a batch of lamb meatballs with a dipping sauce. Put out plates of feta cheese, Kalamata olives and dolmathas (grape vines stuffed with rice).  For dessert grill peaches and drizzle with Greek yogurt mixed with honey, along with plates of fresh or dried figs, dates stuffed with an almond and rolled in sugar.

Setting: Use a color theme of blue and white. Fill cylinders with sand and insert votives, tie raffia around the cylinders. Sprinkle shells on the table, intersperse small vases filled with a combination of white & blue flowers.  Drape boat cord around the edge of the table. Place cards: find little statues of Greek gods or goddesses, a column or a Greek urn or laurel and tie a place card to the item or write the person's name on individual shells.  If you have the party around 4th of July fill a large flat platter with sides with sand, tie 3 sparklers together with blue ribbon - each person will have sparklers to light as the fireworks begin.

Play Greek music (Check out our music section ‘Around the Globe’ for a selection of Greek music).  It might be fun to hire someone to teach guests how to dance Greek.

Tuscan:  

Food: Pre-dinner beverages of Campari, Negronis or Processco.  (Visit our ‘Champagne Section” for more about Processco). Italian wines with dinner.  Dessert beverages such as Vin Santo, Grappa or Limoncello.

Make up antipasto platters with a selection of Italian meats such as salami, proscuitto and mortadella.  Add anchovy fillets, canned tuna packed in oil along with a selection of Italian cheeses like Fontina, provolone, fresh mozzarella or Parmigiano-Reggiano and roasted peppers and complement with a selection of great breads or crostini.  Dessert:  Grilled fruit with gelato, olive oil cake, panna cotta or macerated strawberries with balsamic vinegar and biscotti.

For more food ideas check out "Party Ideas", All Seasons, Evening in Italy on our web home.

Setting: Decorate your table in the colors of Tuscany; terracotta, dark honey, Tuscan red, barely cream, pale gold ocher, sage, yellow gold, warm browns, burgundy red.  I love the idea of candelabras in bronze, iron etc. draped with vines down the middle of the table. Fill in the base of the candelabras with flowers in Tuscan colors. Also check out save-on-crafts.com they have some really cool lighting ideas and other items that could work just perfect. I also like the idea of burlap. Not sure if you want to cover your table but you could make runners out of burlap or place mats. The fabric lends itself to the rustic feel of Tuscany. For place cards start collecting old corks.  Shave a slice off the bottom of the cork so it will stand flat, and then make a slit in the tip so you can insert a place card.

Ciao! Debra

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