How I'd host an East Coast Summer dinner party
Manifest an East Coast summer right at home with this exclusive menu—and all the wines to pair!
Growing up, my summers always looked the same. I rolled out of bed and put on my swimsuit. Breakfast would always be something simple, and usually something we picked up in town—bagels or donuts or blueberry muffins. The beach was always the goal, with fresh cut vegetables, turkey sandwiches, and big bags of Cape Cod chips. We remained under the sun until we were thoroughly sunburnt, then we would head home for dinner. An outdoor shower was always a must, followed by a night on the deck. Cold drinks (and when I hit 21, cold white wine) , card games, and really, really good food. Usually it was something on the grill, and it always featured fresh vegetables—whether it be from my parent’s garden or bounty from the market. If we were lucky, the night ended with an ice cream cone. Twist with rainbow jimmies. And yes, they are jimmies. Never “sprinkles.”
It’s these kind of days that make me say I love summer the most. Fall is fine. Spring is pretty. Winter can be peaceful. But summer…that’s what I always crave. I’m a summer girl at heart, and nothing beats an East Coast summer.
Hence why, for our very first Cellar Club Dinner Party series, we are going to create some of that East Coast summer magic right at home. Whether you’re in a cramped, sweltering apartment in the city or in the middle of the country amongst fields of corn and soybeans, I think we can manifest a dinner by the beach.
Tips for hosting a dinner party
Here’s my take on a dinner party: Keep things simple. If I make it this whole big thing that’s super exhausting and taxing, I will likely be too tired to socialize and never want to host again.
So, how do we keep things simple, but also special?
Prep as much as you can beforehand. You’re inviting people over to have a good time, so the last thing you want to do is waste time in the kitchen. Do as much prep as you can beforehand. The appetizer should be ready, and the salad should be assembled except for tossing in the dressing.
Let the table be the decor, forget the rest. You’ll be spending most of your time at the table, so as for decor, I wouldn’t worry much past that. Remember, your friends and family are coming over to hang out and have a delicious meal. Quality dishes, placemats, and cloth napkins go a long way. Don’t think too much on it.
Make a good playlist. Good music makes a good party. Spend some time making a playlist that goes with the theme.
Batch a fun non-alcoholic drink. I do provide an option for this with your menu, but it’s nice to have something non-alcoholic if people want a break from the wine pairings. Place it in a large pitcher and have it ready to go in the fridge.
Invite six to eight people. Each item on this menu goes with a wine pairing, which means you’ll be opening up three to four bottles for the night. I would invite a good number of people, because the last thing you want is to be stumbling your way home. We love wine, but we also love safety! Three-ounce pours will do.
Want the menu with wines to pair? This is a Cellar Club exclusive, so upgrade to get the recipes, wines and other beverages, specific decor recommendations, and even a downloadable menu you can print for your table.
Stop letting wine intimidate you. You deserve to drink the good stuff. Reinvent your taste with a Cellar Club membership for $5/month, less than an average glass of wine.
