Now that the entertaining season has arrived with Memorial Day weekend, it might be time to update your table. For a little inspiration, a recent trip to Savannah and Hilton Head was filled with the simple touches that speak to me.
At the Little Duck Diner in Savannah, a half-hour wait for brunch confirmed this was a popular spot for good reason. The amazing Salmon Avocado Salad with cucumber dill dressing would have been enough to keep me happy, but the rubber ducks that embellish the beverages took my contentment to another level.
Among the other highlights were the sweet potato biscuits at a Hilton Head restaurant that offered an impressive breakfast. At another stop — the French Bakery — specialties included coffee-infused ice cubes and Crab Cakes Eggs Benedict with a kick. A framed napkin that read: “The Doctor Told Me To Lose Weight…I Went To The Bakery For A Second Opinion” made me want to display my paper products in the same way.
Even the coffee mugs that were available for purchase at several restaurants made an impression. Letting your guests select their own when hosting can be a fun option.
When I treated myself to a massage one day after my husband and daughter went to the beach, I was comforted by the lounge where patrons wait before and after treatments. There, conversations flowed along with refreshing beverages. Healthy snacks in glass containers had detailed descriptions for the varied nuts and dried fruits.
At a casual eatery, some touches that stuck with me were a metal tray filled with southern fare and a galvanized bucket for barbecue sauces. Trays always go a long way when entertaining, but I appreciate them even more as a base for your plates. This approach makes it easy to carry the main dishes and sides they contain, like the pulled pork, mac and cheese and coleslaw in this case.
When the same restaurant surprised my husband with a free dessert for his birthday — a freshly made brownie served a la mode — a server who could really sing “Happy Birthday to You” changed one verse to say: “You don’t have to share this…Happy birthday to you.”
Another dinner featured scallops and risotto topped with a parmesan crisp that looked like a little roof over the main dish for such a pretty presentation. The honey butter that came with the bread was a top contender, too. These little extras make guests feel special.
On more than one occasion, the Caesar salads my daughter and I often share were served wedge style, which elevated the standard chopped romaine with a simple twist.
Classic white plates with unique shapes, like a teardrop, made me want to revisit my special dishes when entertaining. Even the beverages were served in unexpected vessels, like the steel varieties for espresso martinis and the iced latte that came in a fancy glass with a flower garnish.
Details like these can be fun to capture when you travel. Then, when you come home, you can take your favorites and make them your own.
Jeanine Matlow is a Metro Detroit interior decorator turned freelance writer specializing in stories about interior design. You can reach her at jeaninematlow@earthlink.net.
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Smart Solutions: How to make your next dinner party feel special
Reporting by The Detroit News / The Detroit News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
