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204 - La Dolce Vita |
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Italian Peasant Table |
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Entertaining along a multi cultural theme needn’t be expensive or
formal. How about a casual Italian table instead of an ornate service?
Our table in La Dolce Vita used beautiful, bright coloured items
available pretty well anywhere.
We began by covering the table with woven runners instead of table
cloths. The China is traditional Sicilian fare, hand-painted, beautifully
glazed clay. Side plates are for big chunks of Italian bread and
olive oil, the deep bowls perfect for big helpings of hearty soups.
Napkins are vibrant, maybe a bright yellow. Cutlery is from your
own everyday collection.
The glassware is where we stray from the norm; tall and slender
for wine, squat and almost square for sparkling water.
Table accessories are very simple. How about wicker-covered Chianti
bottles coated with wax drippings? Only use one colour candle to
give it an entertaining update. You can get a head start by dripping
another, similarly coloured candle around the neck of a new bottle.
We anchored each end of our service table with large basil plants;
pots, soil and all. Groupings of smaller plants like Rosemary, Sage
and Tarragon also give off a stimulating aroma.
Each of these details can be applied to entertaining along any multi
cultural theme. It just makes dining more of an adventure!
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