Thoughts of winter entertaining bring to mind images and auras that are warm and comfy—candle or fire light, a whiff of cinnamon, colors of brown and gold.
Spring time entertaining is about light and sparkle, fresh air, the smell of a newly mowed lawn, and the aroma of something fabulous on the grill. It’s also about options—indoor or outdoor, formal or casual.
When America’s master butchers, the Lobels, entertain, their party style preferences are remarkably similar, but for different reasons.
Evan – “Hands down, I prefer sit down. It’s more intimate and conducive to conversation. I love my family and friends, and I find them endlessly interesting. So, when we get together, I like the engagement of being with the people I cherish most. Good conversation generally flows easily when fueled by great food and some really good vino.”
Stanley – “To me, a sit-down dinner is much more elegant. Don’t get me wrong, I love a good summertime barbecue when everyone comes and goes. But, I like the focus of a sit-down dinner and the planning of a menu in which each course works together, especially when paired with an appropriate wine. And, I find in the long run, a sit-down meal is actually less work if you’re planning to serve a roast that’ll feed everyone.”
David – “Sit down is a more relaxed atmosphere when people aren’t constantly on the move during dinner. I love the moment of silence that inevitably descends across the table when my friends or family dig into a meal that is so fabulous it leaves everyone momentarily speechless.”
Mark – “If it’s only 2 or 3 couples, we will do a sit down. But when it’s a bigger crowd, an open-house type of event, for example, that stretches from afternoon into evening, I prefer a buffet. I like creating several different main courses with sides and salads, and spreading everything out on our kitchen’s center island. And as a practical matter with any sort of large gathering, you have to consider a range of dietary preferences as well. Also, a buffet accommodates those who like to nosh on and off all afternoon as well as those who prefer to fix a plate and settle down.”
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