What makes a great dinner party?

Question

For 4 people?

Answer 1

I am an ex chef but i think what makes a great DP is good simple food, a nice and comfortable place to sit, candle light is a wonderful atmosphere setter, no matter whether your dining area is tiny or the size of times square, intimacy is great, it puts people at ease and helps the conversation flow, a simple centrepiece is also a nice touch, splurge on linen napkins, they have a very luxurious feel when dining, always have a jug of iced water with perhaps a cut lemon & lime in in to cleanse the palette, keep the table simple, nothing worse that cluttered mess when eating, and a relaxed hostess who doesnt spend hours in the kitchen making meals she doesnt feel comfortable with is the biggest no no, relax, keep it simple, and enjoy your evening

Answer 2

Having the right amount of food to feed the guest,having good table manners,and avoiding too much alcoholic beverages.

Answer 3

Good food and good company are all that really matter.  Order in, or buy pre-prepared food to heat up, that will make you less stressed and you can all relax and enjoy~!

Answer 4

Most important is a host that is not freaking out!

You should devise a menu that is challenging enough for you to feel good when everyone says WOW! but not so daunting that YOU are the headless chicken on their plates.

Cold starters and puds can relieve a lot of pressure as they can be plated up and banged in the fridge before your guests arrive.

Actually, I think a dinner party for 4 is a piece of p*ss - I just choose a favourite menu I am used to cooking for the two of us - and double up on the quantities.

Soup is a great starter as you can serve it with crusty rolls - warmed in the oven - and then that wonderful yeasty smell of baking bread permeates the house - and lets folk know they're in for a good feed!

Answer 5

you need people who are prepared to chat - good stories , anecdotes , something topical and controversial etc but also people who are also prepared to listen ( nothing worse than a bore who wont shut up). Together with a pleasant atmosphere, good but simple food and a relaxed host who can guide the conversation.

Answer 6

Good food, ( disguised fast food works best for the lazy ones)

interesting guests ( random people work best) and a classic s***w up makes it history IE food catching fire or something really random hope I could help.

Answer 7

For me a great dinner party is when everyone can relax including you. Prepare as much as you can in advance so you'll be less stressed and can be relaxed at the table. For example, for a starter you could have, prawn cocktail, melon balls or pate. Main meal, beef stroganoff with rice is good, if you don't want meat, mushroom stroganoff is just as good. There's a great Greek dish but I just can't think what it's called at the moment, that too is a 'single dish' meal and doesn't need rice, it has aubergines in it. Ah, it's just come to me, Moussaka, you can get recipe on net. The sweet, there's always the safety of a good trifle or a tiramisu, recipe is on net or buy one. Ice cream with tia maria poured over it mmmm, lovely.  If you don't want alcohol leave that one out. Try creme caramel, mousse, sorbet is good as it's refreshing after a meal.  Ask your partner to help by clearing the table between courses, then you can sit with the guests, when he's/she's done you can serve the next course when everyone's ready. So, Your starter and sweet are already made and the main course is in the oven, the table is laid and all the preparation washing up is done, now it's your turn. Nice soak in the bath, take your time getting ready so you're done before guests are due and have a great dinner party just going into the kitchen 3 times. Oh yeah, it's always good to offer cheese and biscuits instead of a sweet. A good finishing touch is a few mints on a plate to have with coffee.

I wish you loads of luck and hope you have a great dinner party.

Answer 8

food?

Answer 9

home cooked meal, made with  fresh ingredients and served hot with plenty of finest list of Red and White wines available.

Answer 10

The right people with good conversation, good wine and food, good china and cutlery, Irish linen, comfortable chairs

Answer 11

fired squirl an corn friters  jest lik my mama couked, unliss u r 2 upity

Answer 12

Make it a “Retro 70’s Theme Dinner Party” send the home made invitation cards to the guests.

http://www.noteworthynotes.com/images/Wh...

http://www1.istockphoto.com/file_thumbvi...

Pop to the local Red Cross shop for:

1) Retro table cloth (curtain material if you can't find one)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/somethingfi...

2) Mismatch retro crockery

http://www.flickr.com/photos/9346410@N06...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/lynnola/149...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mercylane/9...

3) Retro clothes for you http://www.flickr.com/photos/nam749/1655...

4) Twister game.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/baby_eskimo...

FOOD:

Cheese fondue with cheese twists, carrot sticks, with a tray of retro goodies of wild mushroom voluvents ("Jus-rol" is vegan in the UK and it is safer to use the delicatessen for the fungi!)

http://img2.travelblog.org/Photos/19414/...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/davethebad/...

LATER bring out the retro cakes and coffee

http://www.flickr.com/photos/debbiedoesc...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/fizzkitten/...

MUST HAVES:

1) 70’s music.

2)  Mirror ball and space under it.

http://www.ecardfriends.com/wallpaper/im...

The money being spent on a good cause (Red Cross) and no one has to get pissed-up to have a laugh before driving home.

Answer 13

The most important thing is that everyone feels relaxed, if the host/hostess is trying too hard, then no-one feels comfortable, I would prefer to sit at a table eating sausage and mash and having a laugh than sitting there while someone is exhausted from getting everything right, like its a competition... I mean, whats the idea, a gathering with mates, or a trial??

Answer 14

alcohol and drugs

Answer 15

Keep the food really simple. Something you cook before hand and simply reheat. Your guests want to see and talk to you not seeing a demonic blur panicking about food.

Great company is the key to a great dinner party so always invite one person who is sure to keep the conversation lively.

Decent wine and nothing cheap as you guests will think you a cheapskate.

Have a great evening.

Answer 16

The people- if they are comfortable and know how to have a laugh.

Dont go overboard with the type of food- simpler the better as it gives you more time with your guests. Keeping an eye on everyone's drinks, small eats (but not too many) and so on helps.

Easy background music is nice too.

Keep a sense of humour about and laugh- thats key! People remember laughter memoris most!

Answer 17

Good food, good company.

If throwing one stresses you, exploit your friends.

If the latter take "good" wine to show your appreciation.

Answer 18

Good company and simple food

Answer 19

the company and lots of laughter :)

Answer 20

outragious people - they provide the entertainment for free - the louder the more outragious the better - and good food and invite interesting people

Answer 21

There are only three things that make a good dinner party.

Good Food

           Good Wine (drinks)

                      Good Company

Enjoy

Answer 22

Plenty of LAUGHTER and CONVERSATION, they probably can't cook any better than you so DON'T worry, Try to take it in your stride and enjoy. Bon Petite!.

Answer 23

I agree with all the earlier answers. Great food is the key plus setting the mood with scent like aromatherapy burner with lavendar will relax your guests. Great dinner music is a must, for example, jazz is good for dinner party for 4.

Answer 24

Ok. Well the fist ingredient is ambiance! The second is you have to dress great!  And most importantly you prepare from 3.30pm if the dinner is at 8! . This gives you 3 whole hours to prepare everything and you don’t need to panic one bit!. When it’s all done you shower at 6.30pm and be completely ready at 7.30 just checking over everything for that last time. Pitch the music and lighting to taste! Very important!. At first maybe you can sit in the living room/sun room or somewhere separate from the dining area. It must not be seen by your guests immediately so as to create the greatest effect. Have some light romantic jazz or light r and b.( You decide -it's your night). For drinks and chit chat offer a generous selection of choice shorts/cocktails and wines and always some still or sparkling water. Serve with some carefully chosen snacks. A platter of finely cut pieces of various cheese and grapes on cocktail sticks or crackers and maybe salmon with thinly sliced lemon on  rich brown home cooked bread or crisply cut toasted white!. Possibly serve pastries with a fish or mushroom filling. They are delicious and look great. The platter must include a little parsley or bay leaves for colour effect and a small selection of cashew or hazel nuts. Remember it’s for 4 people so don’t over serve. Just enough to tease and have a little fun. Cocktails are simple and delightful to make. But check out how to serve them best by yahooing a selection of fine cocktails! Offer only two for each person!  Have lots of ice available too. Now choose your dress style. For an informal dinner party maybe a guy will wear very cool newly washed jeans and a fabulous white shirt open necked. Lash on the cologne!  For a girl I'd recommend the most beautiful casual dress she has (sleeveless and very s**y) - not a formal one but the one which makes everybody go Ohhh OMG she is gorgeous in anything! If it’s a formal evening I’d recommend black for both!

Ok after the chit chat.. you move to the dining table. This is carefully set with two 6 piece candle sets( but 3 will do)  - preferably red candles but white is still very acceptable. They are delicately balanced in terms of distance apart and you have already lit the candles about 2 minutes before you ask your party to come to dinner! The light must be dim and the table will sparkle in the candle light. The table itself is set as follows. Your cutlery and crockery matches completely. You have a side plate to the left and you will have bought (if you don’t already have) a set of beautiful large linen/Cotton serviettes/Napkins (buy 6 I'll explain later) each one enfolded in a suitable ornament for their purpose (silver brace/ wooden/marble - it’s your choice). You will have two glasses per person. A water glass and a wine glass/goblet!. They are two different sizes and make sure they do not have finger prints :) . The cutlery is displayed correctly. For starters you will have the outside cutlery piece - usually a pallet knife if you are serving fish as a starter or it could be a teaspoon if you are serving avocado and prawn for example. But in general you will have up to 8 pieces of cutlery for each person for the perfect dinner party. You asked the question!!! :) And I'm just answering! You will have a silver wine bucket draped in one of those serviettes/napkins I spoke about and the spare one is for any mishap! You may need a replacement during the evening :) A chardonnay is always acceptable and have an extra one in the refrigerator . A shiraz is always loved too. So have both on the table for 4! (Do not overspend on wines) You can choose fantastic wines from Tesco/ Sainsbury for great prices , however I'd recommend you pay about £10 per bottle because you CAN  tell the difference in quality immediately and as I said its a perfect dinner party you want! But no need for £25 bottles. They are only for your boss who could be snobbish and a wine connoisseur!

A dinner mat is under each main plate. Choose a theme! It could be seasonal and there are so many available in hard board or other beautiful materials. If your table is a beautiful wood/glass type, I'd recommend that your tablecloth be criss- crossed to expose the wood or glass at either end. It can be very attractive! And this can be planned a week before your dinner night preparations. You can choose the music and snacks etc a week earlier too. You just make a list in the week and start from the outside in. The table should have a flower - just one will do! It is a sign of love in nature and can be very welcoming and a subject of discussion. In your dining room you should have classical/opera music which is very s**y and romantic and non intrusive . A good MP3 is better so you don’t have to change the c.d.!

Now the food itself is a different subject! This is as far as I go! There are just too many possibilities. Oh so many and so lovely to cook. You must choose your menu. Enjoy your evening. Wish I could come :)  xx

Answer 25

4 bottles of wine, no kids and anything edible. Honestly, it all comes down to the people.

But if you are really looking for a dish, think about what you can make well and go from there. For me, I love to cook New Orleans dishes (shrimp creole, jambalaya, etouffee, etc) because that's where I'm from, but any good food and good company is a great recipe for a fun dinner party.

Answer 26

nice tasty simple food. And a good bottle of wine/ champagne, and a clean welcoming enviroment with a nice odour.

Answer 27

A good chief and good company.

Answer 28

good guests with good senses of humour who dont expect to be fed by a michelin star chef.

Answer 29

good company, good food and great wine.   enjoy

Answer 30

The best food in the world can not make a good dinner party

but get the guest list wrong and it will be the worst dinner party in the world,

Choose people that are good mixers not aggressive and have Good sense of humour (not too over the top as that can be very wearing) choose food you feel comfortable cooking

that usually shows and then people will enjoy it because you do.

do not choose persons that are too much alike as that can be boring, you need people that are reasonably interesting,

but most of all be a good hostess

Answer 31

Well, it all depends on the guests.

For me a great dinner party involves pizza, beer, and several sci-fi movies on an awesome home cinema system.

Three or four friends would also be nice provided they stfu!

Just kidding, the people are the most important part.

Games make a good dinner party great, regardless of the social background.

Other people like fancy food, pretentious conversation, over-priced wine and disciplined organisation.  Samurai women were masters at entertaining this way.