When you try a great meal at a restaurant, do you ever get that overwhelming desire to make it at home? Or, if you’re feeling super brave, make it for your friends and family? It’s a great feeling! Like being inspired to do something great. The thing is, whilst restaurants obviously specialise in serving amazing food, a big part of the overall experience is the atmosphere. So even after you’ve found a recipe and invited your friends over to try this great dish you had, how do you create the same atmosphere that the restaurant had?
Fortunately, we’ve looked into it and put together a foolproof plan to help you recreate that restaurant feeling in your own home for a great price.
Centrepiece
The first step in any great table setting is the centrepiece. A centrepiece is key to any formal setting but that doesn’t mean it has to be overly elegant or expensive, the only key rules are:
– Don’t let your centrepiece take up too much space.
– Don’t let your centrepiece be so tall that it stops people from being able to speak to one another.
– Don’t let your centrepiece make it difficult to serve your guests.
It’s as simple as that really. Some great ideas are fresh or imitation flowers, fruit bowls, ornaments or intricate china – but fresh flowers are the cheapest (and often the nicest) option.
If you do opt for fresh flowers, then the next difficult step is making sure they don’t wilt before your guests arrive – especially considering how busy you’re going to be right before the party starts! For flowers that you’ve had for a while, see this guide on how to make cut flowers last longer; the best approach is to cut the flowers on the same day, though.
Plates and Tableware
There’s no doubt that the type of plate your food is being served upon makes a huge difference in the overall eating experience. Think about those burger places that bring your food out on a chopping board? It gives the whole restaurant and meal a more rustic or authentic field. Those are the little details that make all the difference, so it’s important to think about what you’re serving your meal on.
There are countless options from the classic to the unusual but the best way to think about it is by imagining the origins of the dish you’re cooking. Classic British dishes probably belong on your average plate, whilst Chinese-style stir-fries could go in rustic wooden bowls. How you eat your food can have a big effect on what it tastes like, so make sure to do a little research about where the flavours of your dish have originated and pick up some complementary tableware.
Cutlery and Flatware
Cutlery is a broad topic, with formal table settings often requiring three different types of fork, three different types of knife and varying different types of spoons. The thing is, your family and friends likely aren’t that bothered by their cutlery options. Still, at least a little formality will add that little something special to your dinner party, so here are the details cut down.
– Dessert fork or spoon should be placed horizontally above the plate.
– Main meal forks should be placed on the left-hand side of the plate – one for each course.
– Knives should be placed on the right-hand side of the plate, with the blades facing the plate – one for each course.
Traditionally, knife and fork sizes vary depending on the dish you’re serving but if you’re only serving your friends and family, there’s no need to worry about that. If you happen to require a spoon for one of the dishes, keep it on the right-hand side with your knives.
Glassware
The best value glassware on the market (that’s particularly popular with restaurants and individuals alike) is made by LSA. LSA glassware is hand blown and champed into all sorts of different styles from champagne flutes to wine glasses. In fact, LSA champagne flutes are perfect for more than just your dinner parties, upcoming events like Christmas and New Year always make for great celebratory moments where you can pull out the bubbly.
When table setting, include one full water glass and one empty wine glass for each place.
With that we’re all done. Now you’re fully prepared to put together an affordable dinner party table set that will impress anyone. Be sure to write down the recipe for whatever great meal you end up eating!
