Celebrate Spring with Alfresco Dining
The phrase “alfresco” is borrowed from the Italian phrase meaning “in the cool air” and the name really goes a long way in defining what an alfresco dining experience is all about. The phrase comes from the Mediterranean where the cool evenings and nights provide a respite from the heat of spring or summer. Many restaurants and cafés will pull tables out onto the sidewalk to take advantage of the cooler temperatures and guests are often entertained by street performers and buskers creating a celebratory atmosphere.
Spring harvest foods, an outside setting and a generally festive atmosphere are the core tenants that define an alfresco experience, so as long as you have those covered, you’re halfway there. However, creating a truly memorable event is all about appealing to sight, sound, taste, smell and touch to create a total sensory experience that will be etched into your guest’s memory for weeks (and even months) to come.
An Alfresco setting is a celebration of all things spring and summer and lends itself beautifully to the principle of a feast for all the senses.
A FEAST FOR YOUR EYES
The shift from afternoon to evening is an essential factor when it comes to planning the table setting of your alfresco experience. Your table setting needs to seamlessly flow from daytime to night-time mirroring the atmosphere of the party. This means that lights, candles and lanterns should be a central consideration, helping to create the right ambiance as the sun goes down.
Since alfresco is a celebration of nature think wooden textures and soft linens, little touches that bring a tactile feeling of nature to the table. Another important consideration is how food will be presented. With many diverse dishes on the table you might want to look at cake stands and large bowls to beautifully present the different dishes.
TASTE THE HARVEST
While we’re on the topic of food, the focus should be on dishes that are light, fresh and bite size. Think tapas, salads and cheeses. Everything from cheeses to dessert can be brought out at once to create a feast for the eyes. While bread has always been a staple of the alfresco table, you could instead offer some more on trend grains such as quinoa which offer a healthier option. This type of spread is all about options. With alfresco dining your guests can decide what to eat, how much to eat and when. It also saves you the trouble of having to consider your guest’s dietary requirements as they can simply eat what appeals to them and skip the rest. If you are looking for some specific recipe ideas there are some great recipes online that can help spark some ideas.
Another important consideration is cocktails. Nothing says spring quite like a statement glassware filled with a delicious drink. Liven up the traditional Gin and Tonic by adding some fresh fruit. A great example of this is the Strawberry & Black Pepper G&T. Champagne is also a great for spring days, helping to further enhance the festive atmosphere you have created.
MUSIC TO YOUR EARS
Because a festive atmosphere is such an important part of creating an alfresco dining experience, one of the most important considerations for setting the tone is the music. The temptation might be to go full Mediterranean with Café Del Mar or something similar, but this is missing the point. An alfresco experience is about creating an environment that is both relaxing and festive for your guests. You need to consider that these events will often move from the afternoon into the evening and the music needs to complement these different stages of alfresco dining. Obviously, the exact choice of soundtrack will depend on your personal taste and the taste of your guests, but the idea of keeping it light, positive and upbeat will always be relevant. If the task of playlisting your party sounds daunting, don’t worry, Bose has you covered.
THE SCENT OF SPRING
They say scent is closely linked to long term memories, so if you are creating a memorable event don’t ignore this important sense. Your table will feature the aromas of some great and nostalgic dishes, but there are a few other ways to tantalise your guests sense of smell.
The scent of fresh fruit whether it be on the table or in a cocktail really help build the summery feelings associated with alfresco dining. Another great way of bringing fresh fruit to your table is to integrate it into your table decor with pieces such as this monkey bowl, bringing pops of bright colour and an overarching feeling of spring. And speaking of flowers, every alfresco table needs a bit of floral magic, such as these incredible silk flowers which are a great way to bring that spring feeling to the table.
A TOUCH OF NATURE
An alfresco dining experience is a celebration of the outdoors and consequently natural textures such as soft linen napkins, summer fruits or wooden finishes are a very important part of creating the right atmosphere. There are many ways to bring these touches of nature to your table. They can take the form of platters or jugs that pop with natural colour; or simple linen tablecloths and napkins that provide a tactile connection to the harvest table. However, one of the most practical ways to bring wooden textures to your table setting is with wooden serving boards. Not only do cheese accessories beautifully complement a spring’s afternoon from a culinary perspective, but they also bring these natural textures to your table without it feeling forced.
The celebratory nature of alfresco dining make it the perfect type of event for end of year parties and business/networking events. Where an informal table seated dinner can naturally and organically shift into a party. If we could give one pro tip it’s to remember that your guests will be spending a lot of time in the sun. It is very important that you provide enough shade for everyone, and also to ensure that your guests stay hydrated. Keeping with the spring theme fruit infused waters are a great way to ensure your guests are able to enjoy your party late into the night.
