Table for Ten

My husband and I invited four couples over for dinner last Saturday evening for a dinner party.  It was great fun and I'm so excited to be entertaining again.  After almost six years of being parents, I think we're finally ready to start being fun adults who actually talk to and are friends with other adults. 

Here's what we did on Saturday.

THE TABLE:

Our "formal" dining room table seats eight when the leaf is inserted to make it square.  I added our kitchen table to seat ten.  Luckily, the runner I have fits this arrangement well.

I have settings for eight (because that's how many my table seats).  Borrowed white plates and colored bowls from my mom and put together mix and match place settings.  Her bowls happened to match my multi colored placemats and napkins perfectly!  Thanks, Anthropologie and Bed Bath & Beyond!

THE FOOD:

  I adapted Antonia's Winning Dish from last week's Top Chef.  

I did the rissoto the same way, but substituted edamame for the fava beans.  

Note: *OMG, lemon zest in risotto!*

I also substituted Tom Colicchio's Short Ribs for her braised veal.  I used her flavors, his technique. 

Note: *Always go back for fatty seconds.*

I think the Top Chef All Stars title will go to Antonia or Blais.

Salad by Martha.  Only I forgot the blue cheese crumbles and the pecans.  Dressing was a little tart.

THE DIGESTIVES:

I cant really call these after dinner drinks, because there were three or four more hours of drinking later.

One couple brought chocolate shot cups, a bottle of Jameson and alcohol infused whipped cream.  Then topped it with cinnamon.

Another couple brought Chocolate Red Dessert Wine (also delicious when consumed from and with the chocolate cups).

We had another offering from a couple who brought a bottle of vodka and some awesome mixes from Golden Fig - Basil Limeade and something that was pink (possibly Hibiscus Roseade, Sour Cherry with cardamom or something with pomegranate that I'm not finding on the site.) That was consumed before dinner, though.

THE DESSERT:

I made Thomas Keller's Chocolate Chip Cookies from his Ad Hoc Cookbook (which you should own) and Creme Brulee Ice Cream.  

It got eaten very quickly.  

There are no pictures.  

Enjoy instead this oragami napkin I made while hearing my guests tell Bear Stories.

THE AFTER DINNER DRINKS:

THE ALMOST 16 YEAR OLD DOG:

THE MORNING AFTER:

Why is there olive oil on the table?  To drizzle on the ice cream (with a sprinkle of Kosher salt), of course.

Why yes, these did all start out full, why do you ask?  

Not pictured: Tanqueray, beer, wine, and the aforementioned vodka.

THE LEFTOVERS:

THE BEAR STORY:

Well, one of them, anyway.  That's our friend Joseph with the beard.  Watch for the gummy bears they trained the bear with! (Especially the one in Joseph's mouth at the end....)