Savoring Parisian Fare: Insights on Hosting a Dinner Party in the French Style, as Revealed by Top Hosting Professionals
Transform your dining room into a charming French bistro with these simple yet effective tips for hosting a memorable dinner party.
Table Setting
Dress your table elegantly with neutral-toned linens, high-quality cutlery, sparkling glassware, and low flower arrangements. Candlesticks rather than tealights provide warm, flattering candlelight. Include a water carafe and water glasses alongside wine glasses, ideally using mismatched vintage carafes for personality. Position the hosts at the center of the table to better engage all guests in conversation.
Ambience
Keep music levels low with soft French jazz or accordion tunes to enhance conversation without dominating. Use simple yet refined décor, such as fresh flowers and ivy casually draped for natural charm.
Food
Serve a classic French bistro menu including starters like pâté or escargots, main dishes such as steak frites or grilled meats, and freshly baked baguettes with fine French butter. Present food family style on platters or boards to encourage sharing and a relaxed atmosphere. Prepare dishes largely in advance to keep hosting relaxed while focusing on details like the table setting.
Wine
Offer a range of French wines, including reds and whites, complemented by Champagne or rosé for a celebratory touch. Decant wines in a carafe to enhance flavor and presentation.
By combining elegant, simple table decor with authentic, thoughtfully presented French dishes and wines, all served in a warm, conversational setting, you can evoke the charm of a Parisian dinner party in your own home.
Additional Tips
- A sliced baguette is handy for pre-dinner nibbling or can be used to mop up sauces and served with cheese.
- For an aperitif, try a Kir Royal.
- Don't be afraid to mix and match different pieces for a chic, understated look. Vintage pieces, in particular, will work well in this scenario.
- Classic French mains, such as coq au vin, duck confit with pommes sarladaise, dorade meunière, steak and frites, are options for a French dinner party.
- Aperitifs and amuse-bouche can help ease into the meal.
- If dining in the summer months, an al fresco set-up will undoubtedly add to the atmosphere of your evening. Candles and outdoor lighting work together to create a magical setting.
- A light starter, such as gougères tapenade with crispy baguette, charcuterie, salted butter, and baguette, is appropriate for a Parisian-style dinner party.
- Cognac, Armagnac, Calvados, or herbal liqueurs like Chartreuse/Genepi are all good options for digestifs.
- Lillet is a classic French wine-based aperitif that's typically served before meals and can also be crafted into a spritz for guests.
- Building in an l'heure d'apéro, or aperitif hour, is recommended for a French dinner party.
- Take the time for guests to chat between courses. There should be no rush, dishes and conversations need to be savoured.
- Cheese must be served before desserts. A selection like Brie, Comté, Roquefort, and Brillat-Savarin served with baguettes and seasonal jam/chutney is suggested.
- Bread and olives can be offered as easy nibbles for guests when they arrive.
- Music should be kept at a low level during a French dinner party.
- Fresh flowers are important for brightening up the table.
- Neutral tones are suggested for the tablecloth and napkins.
- Proper table linen, cutlery, condiments, coasters for wine glasses, decorative holders for the wine bottle or carafe are essential for a well-dressed table.
- A more formal entree, such as French onion soup, salade de chevre chaud, or smoked salmon with creme fraiche on blinis, is typical for a French dinner party.
For a truly indulgent French dinner party, consider an indulgent menu, such as oysters, duck, a cheeseboard, and apple tarte tatin. A chalkboard or hand-printed menu can add to the French theme of the dinner party. Warm hospitality is key. Charm and warm hospitality outweigh perfection; great conversations are key.
- Incorporate a selection of French cheeses, such as Brie, Comté, Roquefort, and Brillat-Savarin, served with baguettes and seasonal jam, to create an indulgent French-themed menu.
- For a Parisian-style dinner party, offer an aperitif like Lillet to guests before the meal begins, and consider a Kir Royal for an enjoyable pre-dinner drink.
- In the home and garden, a chalkboard or hand-printed menu adds a charming touch to a French dinner party, continuing the French theme throughout the gathering.
- A light starter, like gougères or tapenade with crispy baguette, is appropriate for a relaxed, yet elegant French dinner party setting at home.
- While hosting a French dinner party, music should be kept at a low level, allowing ample space for enjoyable conversations among friends and family.
