Sharing a meal with others is a time to share laughter and stories, eat a great meal and make wonderful memories.
Peoria resident Maria Kohayan, who frequently entertains family and friends in her West Wing home, echoes that sentiment. "Some of the best memories are ones made around the table," she says. "Not with what’s on it, but with the people who sit around it."
An evening with family and friends can be stylish, elegant and special without costing a fortune, requiring hours in the kitchen or hiring caterers.
Kohayan shares tips on the best way to throw a stylish dinner party with ease.
Keep it Simple
Remember that a dinner party doesn’t always have to be fancy. Keep it simple with an assortment of food, take-out or a table of appetizers. Our dinner party featured foods from The Sicilian Butcher at Park West (TheSicilianButcher.com). It’s easy to call the restaurant and discuss what you have in mind, tell them the number of guests you expect and they do all the cooking. You simply stop in and pick up the food.
Add a colorful centerpiece, some candles and a few craft store decorations to create an easy yet elegant tablescape. We called Elite Flowers & Gifts in Arrowhead (EliteFlowersandGifts.com), and they created the perfect centerpiece within our budget.
Use the Good Dishes
One of the best ways to elevate takeout orders is to transfer everything to serving plates. Use long, flat dishes to make it easier for guests to help themselves.
Kohayan reminds us there doesn’t need to be a special occasion to whip out the nice plates and glasses. “If you have them, use them!” she laughs.
A simple table is instantly more stylish with a tablecloth, nice napkins and candles. Experiment—pair nice wine glasses with everyday plates, vintage serving dishes and seasonal decorations.
Get a Good Bottle of Wine
Kohayan encourages everyone to set the mood for the dinner party. Find music that fits the pace for the evening, whether it is quiet and calm or lively and upbeat.
Start your guests off with a glass of sparkling wine to get the evening going. As Jennifer Sinconis, co-owner of Turquoise Wine Bar (TurquoiseWineBar.com), stated, “Every dinner party is better with sparkling wine.”
In fact, tastings at Turquoise always start with sparkling wine before sampling the other wines. If you have no idea which wines to serve, stop by 8160 W Union Hills Drive in Glendale to let owners Jennifer Sinconis and Laura Hernandez help you select the best wines to pair with your meal.
ON THE MENU:
The Sicilian Butcher in Park West (TheSicilianButcher.com) can quickly help you serve a feast to your guests without spending hours in the kitchen.
Flora's Salad with heirloom tomatoes, Roman artichokes, roasted peppers and Sicilian olives.
Paccheri Pasta topped with Picchio Pacchiu Sauce and Tomaso's Sicilian Meatballs of veal, prime beef and pork.
Sweet Treats to round out your meal might include eclairs, housemade Tiramisu or cannoli.
WHAT'S TO DRINK:
Stop by the new Turquoise Wine Bar at 8160 W Union Hills Drive in Glendale (TurquoiseWineBar.com) to let owners Jennifer Sinconis and Laura Hernandez help you choose the best wines for your meal.
Gruet Winery Blanc de Noirs
A New Mexico-based Gruet Blanc de Noirs is ideal for setting the mood as guests arrive. This is a lovely, balanced sparkling wine made from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Turquoise price: $21
2018 Noceto Sangiovese Originale
The 2018 Originale from Vino Noceto in California's Shenandoah Valley is a ruby red wine with subtle oak and hints of peppery spice. Turquoise price: $27