DAN'S PAPERS, December 19, 2008 Page 64 www.danshamptons.com
Dining and Nightlife
Ahhh, the Return of the Dinner Party
Jmes Lowney
By Silvia Lehrer such as a variety of root vegetables that The winter holidays shout party time. It’s caramelize when slowly roasted to capture a time to gather friends and family for their sweetness. Stews of beef or chicken can cocktails with light ‘savories’ or a cocktail be elegant, a boeuf bourguignon served with buffet, which are often large affairs. You homemade croutons or chicken fricassee and pretty much know the rules, mingle, minmushrooms with rice pilaf. Do-ahead salads gle, mingle, have a drink and a nibble and incorporating lively greens, an intensely flachat with whoever you happen to be next vorful cheese and perhaps candied nuts is a to. I love it. It’s festive and fun, yet I often satisfying way to begin. Poached fruits are wonder, whatever happened to the six to always best when done ahead and are a eight-person dinner party? You know, the sweet light note to end a meal. The timing is kind where it may take a bit of effort over certainly right for dishes that not only look a couple of days to prepare some of your and taste rich but can also be luxury for less. favorite dishes to share with close friends These are merely suggestions; it’s up to – friends who may or may not know each you to approach your menu with the food you other, but who you know will be compatiwould most like to eat and recipes that you ble – which is the central idea. There will can easily prepare. If you look over the A well set table (this one by Christina Verger) is welcoming be time to talk and time to simply enjoy recipes carefully you’ll find that much can be leisurely conversation around the dining done ahead of time and refrigerated, somefruits garnished with greenery. It’s your individual table. times even frozen then defrosted overnight in the touches to the table that make a setting that will be The table should be set with a holiday theme and refrigerator. Be practical with your cooking decisions. warm, comfortable and receptive. the elegance of your service. Tall candlesticks add Before you get carried away about preparing a parThen there is the food – food that should echo the drama and color or float individual votive candles ticular dish, think about your equipment in terms of season. Hearty short ribs, lamb or veal shanks – around a treasured centerpiece, a beautiful tureen or saucepans, skillets and the casserole and/or platters those long cooked braised comfort foods that are best simply a pedestal bowl, retrieved from your cupto serve the food in where necessary. Remember to made up to a day ahead – are a boon to the hosts. board, piled high with a panoply of fresh seasonal select and place your serving utensils, glass and bar Think earthy ingredients at this time of the year, ware, cocktail napkins and wine bottle opener before your guests arrive. You don’t want to start dragging Waterfront Restaurant and Bar all these items out of a cabinet or drawer at the last ni Th Pr 3253 Noyac Rd., Sag Harbor gh ur ix www.oasishamptons.com t , F Fi moment. I’ve been guilty of this. x & r 725-7110 Sa i, S e Whether you’re planning a sit down dinner or cockt u un Join us for New Year's Eve, featuring The Lone Sharks. nt , tail buffet, many of the above rules apply to either il 6: Passed hors d'oeuvres • Five course dinner • Champagne toast • Dancing and party favors setting. And when all is said and done, plan a little 30 $125 per person. extra food to send over to the local food bank or homeless shelter. It just may be the best holiday gift Please visit our website to view our New Year's Eve menu & information at oasishamptons.com 1141635 you can give.
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