Notes on the Unexpected Table
/Staying Home and Staying Safe
At-home entertaining and dining have taken center stage in response to our Covid-19 pandemic. We have a new normal that is likely be around for awhile. Eating at home every night has been a challenge for us, just as it has been for most hyperbolically social beings. So let’s think of how not to be boring. How to stay creative. How to remain fresh. How to make it easy. You can practice social distancing and remain connected with those in your bubble (once you determine that you are Covid free) in a fabulous, creative and unexpected way. Having FUN is more important now than ever! Let’s work at having FUN!
1. Who says you have to dine in the dining room at your dining room table or in the kitchen at your kitchen table?
Move your tables around the house! In one of my lectures, I speak of moving your tables to unexpected locations. For instance, I’ve moved a kitchen table into the living room smack in front of the fireplace for a cozy dinner for four on a Connecticut snowy night. I’ve moved a long cherry French dining table outside onto our terrace for an elegant candlelight dinner for 12, complete with white linens, crystal and silver. This is fun! Guests love it in a dismayed kind of whimsical way. My favourite is dinner in the library/study/office. Keep the desk there if there’s room, or take it out if need be. Or, better yet, use your desk as your dining table! There is something magical about dining amongst bookcases filled with books (*more later on combining your library and dining into one space-saving elegant room with flexible use). My winter mantra is to follow the warm glow of a raging fire!
2. Sometimes the most exquisite tabletops have absolutely nothing to do with what’s on the table, but rather where the table is!
Travel with your dinner! I recently posted a scene from my favourite Nantucket restaurant showing tables on the sand almost at the water, mentioning that tables outdoors don’t need to be restricted to the patios! For those of you in warm weather living, drag your tables to the water’s edge if you can. Bring a folding table in your car. I love nothing more than dressing up to dine out beautifully, only to throw off my high heels upon arrival and bury my feet in the sand with a champagne in hand! The post got a ton of feedback immediately from people sharing how they move their tables around, too. I was so happy to hear it!
3. Dining al fresco at your home can be incredible!
As long as the weather permits, lets stay outdoors where the air flows freely. That said, it’s important to be sure it’s a reasonably comfortable environment for you and your guests. Here are some things to consider:
Is the temp comfortable? Have some nice throws on each chair (Pottery Barn etc.) Heaters are terrific, if available.
Is there enough light? Candlelight is always my go-to! Lots of it. I’ve also brought lamps outside with low-glow lighting, a lovely, soft way to relax. You can also use torches, which I like for the drama, the light and the efficacy of a bug deterrent.
Speaking of….do you need spray for bugs? And how do your guests feel about it? Have some natural, safe and effective bug-repellant available.
Is there a canopy in the event of unexpected rain? An awning?
Is your table level or tippy? How do your glasses stand on the table?
Are your chairs comfortable enough for hours of leisurely dining? Or do you need a throw pillow on each of them?
4. Finally, how to make cooking all the time, easy?
I purchased an Instant Pot Duo Evo Plus (a lot of words), which is pure magic! Call for take out or delivery. Cook up on the weekends for the week. Freeze for future use. Have breakfast for dinner with deliciously creative omelettes. Utilize your outdoor grill all year to save on kitchen clean-up. Find a cooking website you love. This has worked for me! I’ve fallen in love with several. You will emerge from this crisis with new culinary skills!
5. Take a minute to “make the ordinary extraordinary”.
And it only takes a minute. Light a candle. Turn the lights down low. Play soft background music (Alexa! Play Billy Holiday!) Pour a glass of wine. Have a relaxing supper wherever that may be. My husband and I do this every night. It’s a much needed cleansing experience that’s so good for your soul. And maybe it only takes 45 seconds…Just sayin’