NEW KDHamptons ENTERTAINING DIARY: A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM
This summer, hosting family and close friends at home is more meaningful to me than ever. An intimate sunset dinner in our gardens at Maple Shade made for a beautiful evening to welcome my sister Kim to town.
As Kim was visiting from Charleston, we kept the list of guests to only family and close friends whom I’ve basically been quarantined with all summer. With girls in flowing dresses sipping cocktails by the pool, and beautiful flowers, linens, and votives adorning the table, the scene was set for private chef Elena Apostolides to work her magic.
Below is my party diary recap featured in my new Hamptons magazine column, Delaney’s Dossier, as well as lots of menu and design details you might like to incorporate into your next dinner party. Just because we are all living in the new normal doesn’t mean you should not make things super special. It actually inspired me more to create an unforgettable midsummer night dreamscape…
Chef Elena crafted a delicious surf and turf menu pairing my favorite hearty salads, side dishes, and entrees all sourced from our favorite local farms. For just one night, the world around us disappeared, and we were grateful for the mellifluous sounds of friendly voices and Mother Nature surrounding us…
SETTING THE SCENE:
My Balinese bench was lined with my gorgeous new Schumacher Printed Trellis Pillows. The legendary American design house launched a fantastic Schumacher X Williams Sonoma Home Collection this summer featuring many of their famous prints on fabrics, tabletop decor, linens, pillows and more. See the full line HERE.
TOTES TABLESCAPE:
I recently acquired a beautiful vintage Lowestoft set of Adams Calyx Ware at an estate sale by Lilee Fell in Bridgehampton. The color play included a minty green, soft pink, and coral hues. For flatware, I choses my vintage natural bamboo set to keep the look natural. Next step was finding the right linens to marry the whole table design together, which I found at Amanda Lindroth. Her Island-Inspired Indian Block Print table cloth and napkins were the perfect pairing, along with her charming Pink Raffia Wrapped Glasses which are a beautiful collaboration with Julia Berolzheimer.
FABULOUS FLOWERS:
My friend Michael Gianelli of East Hampton Gardens designed breathtaking arrangements with Delphinium, Veronica, Hydrangea, and Clematis paired with Juliette roses and peonies from Millstone Flowers.
WELCOME COCKTAIL HOUR:
Guests were welcomed with Whispering Angel Rosé, Billecart-Salmon Brut Rosé Champagne,and Casamigos new signature cocktails.
A NICE NOSH:
The casual cocktail hour at sunset featured a Grazing Board cheeses from Mecox Bay Dairy, Catapano Dairy Farm, and Cavaniola’s. A basket of fresh baked breads. Balsam Farms Crudite and homemade dips: Whipped Ricotta, Smoky Eggplant, and Hummus.
The dinner menu included a savory squash and zucchini galette (a big hit!), Lobster Rolls filled with Gosman’s fresh catch, Rainbow Beet Salad, Caprese Salad, Crispy Roasted Potatoes, and Mexican Street Corn (above) all sourced by Chef Elena from Balsam Farms. Grilled Filet + Ribeye from Mark’s Quality Meats.
Dessert was as decadent as it should be: Jeanne Purpurra of Sugar Rush Bake Shop blew us away with this Swedish Princess Cake (above) with Marzipan. I have never seen one before have you? She also baked a Vanilla sponge cake with pastry cream, and homemade strawberry jam (strawberries sourced locally from Golden Earthworm Farm in Riverhead). I can’t wait for her to open a bakery in Southampton next summer.
