Outdoor Dining: al Fresco Living
Bring your style outdoors…create all time favorite spaces for home, cottage, boat or beach-side entertaining.
Dining
al fresco, better known as "out in the fresh air," has been the traditional
operating procedure on much of the planet since the days when al fresco was the
only ambiance available. In more recent centuries, of course, Europeans have
elevated al fresco dining to an art form with their oh-so-chic sidewalk cafes. The causal elegance of al fresco dining has captured the imagination of hosts, chefs and families across the globe.
Whether
it's a camp site, your cottage, the beach or your own backyard, dining outside
offers the perfect opportunity to get fun and funky with your table settings and entertaining. Outdoor dining areas are an inspiration for beautiful home decorating
and classy entertaining .....you can create a sense of seclusion between the tall plants, flowers and shrubbery that surround your outdoor dining area, or create a party mood with stylish
garden furniture, beautiful table settings and fabulous linens. Dining as an "experience to remember" is made even more fabulous when created on the water....al fresco dining expands our horizons and brings added enjoyment to yachting. Whether elegant or casual, here are some suggestions for making your outdoor event memorable.
Cover an outdoor
table with plain table linen, then place a bright, stripy fabric over the top.
Dining
alfresco is the perfect excuse for relaxing some of the rules and making the
occasion enjoyable for all! Surprise your friends and family, invite the "crowd" to a outdoor breakfast brunch.
Breakfast is one of the best times to dine out of doors. Most of the bugs are
still asleep, the air is the cleanest it will be
all day, and it's just such an
invigorating time to be out in the either. Also, traditional morning dishes with
ingredients like egg and cheese are perfect because they hold well and don't
have to be served piping hot.
The
main objective of al fresco is pleasure for everyone concerned and that
includes the "chef." For this reason, the menu needs to be a simple
and easily moveable feast. Color adds spirit and drama. A one-dish meal
is the best possible choice, keeping
one from running in and out of the house a zillion times. Use serving
trays, trendy unbreakable dinnerware and glassware. Pretty, colorful
wipe-off tablecloths, generous napkins and tastful napkin rings add
panache to the table setting. Consider a side serving buffet or cart to
facilitate keeping the food in close proximity to the table(s). Having
the right tools hereby is good choice as well, making cleanup as breezy
as
your surroundings. So don't fuss unless there's a super-special reason. Let Ciao Bella! help keep it SIMPLE and lovely.
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