We went to the Hampton's last fall and it was the sort of trip that made me want to come home and have a dinner party. Do you know that feeling? I keep referencing back to the feeling of those pretty streets, gracious food stores and lush gardens. It is the kind of place that makes you want to move right in. Instead of uprooting, I keep thinking of ways to bring that feeling (of living next door to the Barefoot Contessa) into our home.
I've had this party concept in my head for a while - our Green Berry Stripe Tablecloth & Napkins with Hydrangeas + natural basket/jute. Something I would picture in Ina's backyard. Simple and quintessentially summer. The green and white color palette feels like a lush, summer garden, and you know I love a tone-on-tone look. The table feels bountiful because of the basket brimming with hydrangeas, the stripes make it feel less fussy than a floral option. The addition of the basket/jute texture also makes the table feel more relaxed and casual - I'm over things that feel too fancy, especially in the summer. The menu (details and links below) is a little stepped up (hi, lobster), but in a Hi-Low way.
This is everything I want in a summer dinner party - fresh, seasonal, lots of flavor with some indulgence. The lobster will stretch far, the bread and potatoes will fill anyone up that's starving, and the beef is always a crowd pleaser. Everything can be made ahead of time, nothing to serve on the stove, everything is room temperature so the pressure of timing is off (except the warm crisp at the end of the night, but you can't mess that up).
I would start the night with bowls of Truffle Chips & Marcona Almonds. I always go light on appetizers with drinks because I want everyone hungry for dinner, instead of having too much charcuterie.
Green Berry Stripe Tablecloth (rectangle shown here, also available in square which works great for a round table) & Napkins
Oval Jute Placemats (similar)
Simon Pearce Hurricanes + Target Glass Votive (I buy these in bulk to keep them on hand)
Basket from Martha Stewart's Tag Sale - sorry!
Annabelle Hydrangeas from my yard
I put a large glass vase inside the basket and arranged the flowers using a flower frog to help keep them upright.
Green Berry Stripe Tablecloth & Napkins
Oval Jute Placemats (similar)
Tomatoes & Ricotta (swap for burrata if you want to make it very easy on yourself)
I can not have a party (especially in the summer) without some version of this.
Ina didn't mess around with this one. If not for a dinner party, I picture myself on a boat (somewhere off the coast of Maine...) enjoying this salad. I love that it's an indulgent side + completely make ahead = perfect for a party. Barefoot Contessa's Potato & Lobster Salad
I especially like this version for summer. I would make this completely ahead of the party and let it rest during cocktails. Perfectly ready to slice and serve for dinner and the Basil Mayo makes it feel fresh for summer.
Barefoot Contessa's Beef Tenderloin with Basil Mayo
This one has been around for a while, but you really can't go wrong when everything is in season - and because it is a crumble, it isn't fussy to make. Make it in the morning, but i would put in a warm oven (250 degrees) during dinner so it is warm. Bring it to the table and serve slices with ice cream. Because it is mostly fruit, it isn't too heavy after a big meal.
Peach & Berry Crisp (recipe calls for blueberries, but I think Blackberries are actually better)
