Food

Pretty Pieces for Entertaining

We’ve invited friends over a few times this summer, and we’re starting to find our entertaining groove. Alex will make burgers, a salad and tater tots (great for grown-ups, too:), and my job is to assemble a spread of cheese, crackers, grapes and olives. One night, I ended up getting this olive plate, which looks so enticing filled with green olives. I weirdly really love it. Just that small thing makes the whole evening feel more like a polished event. Here are a few more pretty things, which would be nice to bring out when friends are over…

Which do you like? Any other recommendations?

P.S. Dinner party tips from 15 genius hosts, and the #1 item you need for house guests.

(Top photo of the Food52 x Jono Pandolfi collection by Bobbi Lin and Rocky Luten.)

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madeline

August 30, 2016 7:11 pm

have been thinking to myself for a long time how much i wished tomato vine was a scent! you have really just improved my life y like at least 80%.

Emily

August 27, 2016 2:30 pm

I love the salt & pepper shakers and the brass candle holders! So modern and simple.

Chantelle

August 26, 2016 2:50 pm

Went to order that adorable olive plate in gray for $13. But they wanted to charge me an additional $24 for shipping which is ridiculous. No thanks!

Angela

August 25, 2016 8:53 pm

I think there is something beautiful in the simplicity of clear glass water pitchers. The one you linked to is lovely. For some reason, water chilled in pitchers has always seemed like such a thoughtful touch. I throw a few sprigs of rosemary into my water pitchers when I entertain.

Vicki

August 25, 2016 7:35 pm

Ooh, I want a pile of mismatched linen napkins! Just the right combination of frisky and formal! I read some advice from someone once regarding everyday dinner plates for families with small children: Get Fiestaware, one place setting in every color. It’s inexpensive, it’s been around forever, and if you break a piece, you can replace it with any color you feel like. I bet the same goes for those napkins.

Sarah

August 25, 2016 7:09 pm

Tater tots! That caught my eye! Pre made? What brand? Do you dress them up at all? Thanks!

Sydni

August 25, 2016 7:03 pm

Now, where would you store any of this in a New York apartment?? I also live in a small space and find it limits the amount of extras I buy.

Shruthi

August 25, 2016 5:03 pm

I saw this very pretty pink dessert plates in porcelain for $60 can’t find the link though.

Shruthi
http://nyambura.co

Laura Mitbrodt

August 25, 2016 4:56 pm

That rustic board is so cute!
xo
http://www.laurajaneatelier.com

Chicago Kate

August 25, 2016 4:24 pm

Is this an ad? If so, please say so. Thanks.

Joanna Goddard

Admin

Reply to Chicago Kate

August 25, 2016 4:27 pm

no, not at all — it’s just a round-up of pretty things we’ve found around the web. we always mark our sponsored posts clearly. thank you!

Emily

Reply to Chicago Kate

August 25, 2016 5:05 pm

I always appreciate these round-ups. There’s usually one or two inspiring pieces that make me re-think about how I can use some of the pieces I already have in my home. Thanks, Jo!

Sophie

August 25, 2016 4:18 pm

I love the bamboo container and the cake stand. It is so cute how the cake stand has fruit on it.

May

August 25, 2016 3:59 pm

I love the rustic board! It would be fantastic to have stoneware plates to match that look like rustic wood.
Linen napkins are elegant and a must have. Its neat to use a worn out linen shirt, cut out the back, hem the edges, and sew the cuffs into napkin rings.

Jackie

Reply to May

August 25, 2016 8:35 pm

Genius!

Erin @ Her Heartland Soul

August 25, 2016 3:21 pm

Love those salt and pepper grinders!

Elsa

August 25, 2016 3:13 pm

Gotta love the Spanish wine glasses. It is worth it to invest on table deco. A few little things here and there go a long way. :) Thanks for sharing!

Xo, Elsa

http://cafesocietyxxi.blogspot.de/

Kiran

August 25, 2016 2:58 pm

Great picks! Xx

ALittleKiran | Bloglovin

louie

August 25, 2016 2:35 pm

No to scented candles when eating, however good they smell.

Amanda

August 25, 2016 2:32 pm

My husband makes gorgeous serving trays with a grooved dish that would be perfect for your cheese, grape, and olive display. Of course I have a bunch and get nothing but compliments! Beautiful West Coast hardwoods out of Portland, OR.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/elliotstith?ref=search_shop_redirect
http://www.elliotstithfinewoodworking.com

Bethany

Reply to Amanda

August 25, 2016 2:48 pm

Whoa, these are gorgeous! Thanks for sharing! Maybe a perfect wedding or housewarming gift?

Joanna Goddard

Admin

Reply to Amanda

August 25, 2016 4:27 pm

so pretty!!

Alison

August 25, 2016 2:32 pm

I think a cheese board really makes a dinner or party feel like a real party – I’m not sure why. Love your picks, can’t wait until I actually have a home to entertain in! Someday…

http://alisonpate.blogspot.com

Scribs Farm

August 25, 2016 2:16 pm

I’m curious about the tomato vine candle. Does it really smell like tomatoes?
If so sign me up!

Stella Blackmon

Reply to Scribs Farm

August 25, 2016 2:21 pm

Yes, it’s insane! It’s so delicious.

Stella xx

Cynthia

August 25, 2016 2:11 pm

I like your olive dish!

Regine Karpel

August 25, 2016 2:02 pm

Great.
http://www.rsrue.blogspot.com

Lauren E.

August 25, 2016 1:35 pm

I’ve had my eye on those Canvas plates for a year now. Thankfully I found something similar at Crate and Barrel so that I could add them to my wedding registry.

Joanna Goddard

Admin

Reply to Lauren E.

August 25, 2016 2:20 pm

they’re so beautiful!

Anna E

August 25, 2016 1:31 pm

Yes ! @jonopandolfi (Instagram) makes stoneware for restaurant across nyc but has flash sales all the time where you can go and get things from his “seconds” pile. All cash and such beautiful pieces similar to these !

Ros

August 25, 2016 1:26 pm

Oh, that olive bowl is so pretty!

For Canadian readers, can I plug in The Bay’s Gluckstein Home Catering products? I’ve had the wine glasses and plates for 4 years now, and haven’t chipped a plate or broken a glass (and I dropped a plate ON a glass – still don’t know how it survived). They’re affordable, look super nice, and seem like they might survive the apocalypse (or my toddlers).

Jennifer

August 25, 2016 1:21 pm

I really like the article but love the dishes? Where are those from?

Lee

Reply to Jennifer

August 25, 2016 1:47 pm

They look like http://www.jonopandolfi.com/. But not sure!

Hannah

Reply to Jennifer

August 25, 2016 2:16 pm

They’re from Food52, Jennifer! https://food52.com/shop/p/food52-x-jono-pandolfi

Charli

August 25, 2016 1:21 pm

Great list. I would add a glass pitcher for water/lemonade/tea/cocktails.

My favorite place to look for fun entertaining items are all the local secondhand shops. Great vintage pieces at a bargain if you have the time to look!

Laura

August 25, 2016 1:17 pm

I read this title as “pieces that are pretty entertaining” instead of “entertaining pieces that are pretty” haha. I guess they could pass for both!

Heather

Reply to Laura

August 25, 2016 1:38 pm

I did the same thing!! haha

Joanna Goddard

Admin

Reply to Laura

August 25, 2016 4:28 pm

hahaha we switched it to be clearer. thanks!

Michelle

August 25, 2016 1:17 pm

At first I kept reading Abbesses plates as “Abscesses plates.” Was not sure why they’d choose to name them that. :)

Lisa

Reply to Michelle

August 25, 2016 2:30 pm

I did the same thing! Haha

olma

August 25, 2016 1:15 pm

I love the Spanish wine glasses too and the glass is nice and thin like a “real” wine glass.
Perfection!

jeannie

August 25, 2016 12:49 pm

I absolutely love those Spanish wine glasses, especially for outside since they more stable that a stemmed wine glass. These are definitely on my wish list!

Joanna Goddard

Admin

Reply to jeannie

August 25, 2016 1:12 pm

they’re so great! we have them and use them for everything — wine, juice, water.

Liberty

Reply to jeannie

August 25, 2016 1:55 pm

GOT THEM! You won’t regret it! They’re also great for serving ice cream, or other single-serving desserts. I have one set, but keep contemplating getting another.

Tania

August 25, 2016 12:39 pm

those candle holders are gorgeous!!

Alice Quin

August 25, 2016 12:35 pm

Love the cheese board!! Herriot grace and her father have a beautiful story.

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