January Dinner with Friends
our january inspirations for a simple dinner with friendsbecause you should invite some friends over for dinner
the inspiration
THIS MONTH WE ARE INSPIRED BY ALSACE.Alsace is in the northeast of France, bordering Switzerland and Germany. Because of its proximity and complex history of occupation, the region is not quite French and not quite German. The countryside is a blend of dense forests, small farms and vineyards, and dotted with picturesque villages along the Rhine.
The Vosges Mountains shelter the region from excess wind and rain, allowing the vineyards to produce quality white wines like Riesling, Gewurztraminer, and Pinot Gris. Though the grape varietals are Germanic, the wine produced in Alsace is made in a different style, making them dry, aromatic, and perfectly suited to pair with the rich and comforting food of the region.
“To me it has always been clear that a dinner party is about what is said, not what is eaten. There would always be wine and salad and bread and stew; chocolate and fruit and nuts and sparkling cold duck. But those were just the props — the conduits for funny and real and meaningful conversation; the set pieces of a lively, engaged, lingering old-school dinner party. The one that I have been chasing ever since.”
to set the mood
RECOMMENDED READINGTime and time again, I come back to this NYT piece by Gabrielle Hamilton, chef & owner of New York City’s Prune, titled The Art of the Dinner Party.
This article beautifully captures the essence of communal dining experiences. It highlights how the focus of these gatherings shift from merely being about food and drink to a deeper appreciation of the rich social connections they foster.
THE CONVERSATIONI love to set conversation cards on the table. You can find ours on the site. Use this month and don't forget to check out our past months as well. Putting a little care into curating the moment, but not overly directing really makes a gathering special.
WHAT TO WATCH
Menus-Plaisirs Les Troisgros: A movie that shows the inner workings of a legendary fine dining restaurant in Loire. The main setting is Le Bois sans Feuilles (translation: “The Forest without Leaves”), a restaurant with three Michelin stars run by the Troisgros family. (IMBD link here)
PLAYLISTNothing sets the mood like the right music— let us help. Find winter tunes here.
MOODBOARDYou know I love moodboards! They’re a fantastic way to visualize ideas and set the tone for a dinner party - or any project! See my January Pinterest board here.
for the table
THE FLOWERSAnn Mekala of Hyssop floral stays true to her ethos by using gorgeous foraged and dried items in the winter. And somehow, they are even more beautiful than fresh. Check out her Dried Floral Workshop on February 10th.
THE SETTINGEverything by Laila & Nadia Gohar of Gohar World is so delightfully weird that I can't choose a favorite. But, ok! Here are a few:
The very cool girl Lace Appliqué Apron is a serious upgrade from the overdone chefs aprons of late. These Lace Trimmed Cocktail Napkins are just darling and this Baguette Bag is a work of art! How were we even carrying our bread around before?
THE APÈROWhether it's date night or a dinner party, I love to have an apèro spread set on the table when guests arrive. This offers an opportunity to gently transition from the day's hustle to the evening's calm.
Each month we design the apèro spread with relaxation and conversation in mind. So this month, we had to put pretzels on the menu — because they’re so obviously Alsatian, duh — but our fun twist is to serve them in the shape of a bow!
on the menu
Settle into the heart of winter with our January menu inspired by the fairytale land of Alsace. Apèro hour includes many of the classic snacks you can find around the region— like the Alsatian flatbread with lardon & melted onion and salty pretzels. Glaze the spaetzle à la minute with our butter of the month: caramelized onion & bacon butter. And don’t forget to add on Munster (not to be confused with Muenster), one of the only cheeses produced in the region.
MENU HIGHLIGHT:Munster (not to be confused with Muenster!) is a soft French cheese from the Vosges mountains, renowned for its strong scent and mild, buttery taste. Made from unpasteurized cow's milk, it features a moist orange rind and a creamy texture, and is often savored with bread, potatoes, or Alsatian wines.
“Set the table. Arrange the chairs. Even if you can now afford real flowers, trudge across a field for a morning anyway collecting attractive branches and grasses to arrange down the center of the table — it will put you right. ”
recipes for you
Sauerkraut & Potato Fritters
A delightful twist on the classic latke, these fritters are inspired by Alsace with the addition of sauerkraut.
Feel free to use frozen hashbrown potatoes for this recipe as it eliminates the extra steps of blanching & grating potatoes.
GET THE RECIPEto drink
SOMMELIER NOTES FOR DECEMBEROur favorite local sommelier, Bill Summerville, has some sage advise:
“Explore riesling, you won’t regret it. Definitely look into Crémant d’Alsace. Sparkling wine made in France outside of the Champagne region is called Crémant. The frigid temperatures in Alsace help create some of the more beautiful and racy non-Champagne sparklers.”
Read Bill’s full notes & recommendations for January.
COCKTAILS ANYONE?The Alsatian Swizzle is a simple and elegant cocktail, perfect for a date night at home.
Its name derives from the stirring method rather than the ingredients. Created by bartender Paul MacDonald at Friday Saturday Sunday in Philadelphia, this drink combines dry Alsatian Riesling and herb-infused vodka, offering a unique but delightful flavor. Get the recipe here.
LOOKING FOR SOMETHING ZERO-PROOF?Whether you choose not to imbibe or you're dipping your toes into Dry January, we have a couple options for you!
Checkout our refreshing nonalcoholic cocktail recipe that’s perfect for a post-holiday detox: The Hibiscus Swizzle.
And, as always, Marigold has a selection of nonalcoholic menu pairings here!
THE MEMBER GIFTEach season, our members receive a complimentary hand-selected gift. This season’s gift is perfect for entertaining— Love & Victory Diver Cocktail Picks from Shop Senti. We can’t wait for you to show them off!
(dinner) party with us
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Hosting an event? We’d love to help! See catering options here and our In-Home Dinner Party Package here.
Find us around The Cities for unique dining experiences. Happenings are listed here.
“Instructions for Living : Pay attention, be astonished, tell about it.”