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Make every meal feel like you’re on holiday by taking it outside. You don’t need a big garden; a tiny balcony will do. All you need is a simple menu, some rudimentary tablescaping skills, and big bottle of SPF. Here’s our guide to the al fresco season.
Summer is the time to embrace the joy of eating, drinking and entertaining al fresco. It’s permission to leave the formality of indoor dining – all ironed napkins and polished crystal – behind, and to relax the usual rules. However, there are some things you can do to make sure everything goes to plan.
Don’t let the weather get in the way of a good time
Be prepared for any eventuality. Check your weather app in advance! Have blankets or even hot water bottles ready for the drop in temperature at nightfall. You could even invest in a fire pit. If the sun’s out, have extra sun cream, perhaps even a spare straw sun hat or two, ready to loan out. Beware the baking sun: a decent parasol or pergola should protect you from both sun and light rain. In the event you do have to move indoors, make sure it’s ready to receive guests.
Test-drive the furniture
Check for wobbly tables and chairs – one of the pitfalls of having a table on an uneven lawn or patio. Try out those smart new wrought iron chairs for the duration of a meal yourself first. Might your guests appreciate an extra cushion or a bit of padding? Check wooden furniture has survived the winter and hasn’t cracked or splintered.
Outdoor lighting is an essential in the evening
You don’t want to have to move inside while the night’s still young. Fairy lights and candles can turn any garden or small balcony into a magical setting. Scented citronella candles are the traditional Mediterranean way of keeping bugs at bay. Modern outdoor lights can be used to spotlight paths and borders for safety reasons, or to spotlight the table and beautiful outdoor plants for more aesthetic ones. Inexpensive glass hurricane candle holders will stop a naked flame blowing out at the first gust of wind and produce an attractive diffused light. A judiciously placed outdoor mirror reflects the light further.
Don’t make life difficult for yourself
Al fresco dining is, by its very nature, more casual than a traditional dinner party. Plan a simple and straightforward menu of pre-prepared dishes, so you’re not running to and from the kitchen all evening. Set out sharing plates of salads and side dishes, perhaps with one low-intervention centrepiece that can be left alone to cook indoors or outside on the barbecue. Adapt the menu to the weather, for example serving a soup chilled on a scorching day or heated up if there’s a nip in the air.
Embrace imperfection
If you’re not blessed with great ‘tablescaping’ skills, don’t worry about it. An unironed or unhemmed tablecloth that might look scruffy inside, conveys pure rustic chic outside. Some fresh herbs or flowers from the garden in a jar look better than any formal arrangement. Runners, napkins and place mats in any colour or pattern, even mix and match, bring great cheer. Stick the cutlery in a big utensil pot or jar for guests to help themselves. The one thing worth investing in is food covers when there are flies and wasps about.
Don’t forget ice
Chill your drinks well in advance and if you’re serving them outside, be ready with cool boxes and ice buckets to keep wine and beer cold. If you want to make cocktails, make just one in a big batch (watermelon coolers, sangria and palomas are all crowd-pleasers) not forgetting a non-alcoholic option for the non-drinkers. Have glasses and jugs of water ready and waiting on the table.
Have fun making a play list
A portable speaker is a must. Music sounds ‘distant’ floating from inside to outside.
Enjoy the sunset
Whether you have a seating plan or not depends largely on personal preference and the occasion. Either way, be sure to give the guests the best seats, looking out to the view (such as it is). In the evening, a west-facing table is best for watching the sun set. If space allows, set up a ‘lounge’ area with comfortable seats, deckchairs or cushions for guests to retire to.
Don’t forget the little ones
If there are younger children in the party, provide shade, SPF, and some form of entertainment, be it outdoor chalks, a croquet set or swing ball.
Make every meal feel like you’re on holiday
Don’t save the garden for entertaining guests. Take out your morning coffee, set up a spot for a solo lunch, or get the kids outside for breakfast before school. Nothing sets you up better for the day than some fresh air.
