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The holiday’s are over, the decorations are put away, and the new year has begun. So it’s a fabulous time to have some friends or family over for an informal dinner party to liven up those dark nights.

Here is a quick, easy, and super delicious, informal dinner menu plan. I have included Recipes, Wine Pairing and Table Setting Ideas for you to enjoy. The key to a successful dinner party, for me, is to always buy the best and freshest ingredients prepared with love!

The Menu

First Course
Super Delicious Beet Salad

Wine Pairing: New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc

Here is the recipe: https://www.elegant-entertaining.com/super-delicious-beet-salad/

Main Course
Lemon Butter Poached Salmon Topped with Crispy Salmon skin

Wine Pairing:
White – Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay
Red – Pinot Noir (light low tannin red)

Here is the recipe: https://www.elegant-entertaining.com/poached-salmon-with-lemon-butter-sauce-and-topped-with-crispy-skin/

Dessert
Chocolate Mousse Cake

Here is the recipe: https://www.elegant-entertaining.com/chocolate-mousse-cake/

The Table Setting

Informal table settings are ideal for parties of eight or less.

The lovely thing about an informal dinner table is its emphasis on intimacy and enjoying the people you’re with. Spoil your guests with fine quality cutlery, china and stemware, then go all out on design, details and style.

Instead of a tablecloth choose a runner that brings elegance and opulence. Add simple placemats that showcase the china and that do not overpower the table runner.

At Each Setting

  • Place a placemat at each setting, ensuring they are in line with the setting across from them.
  • Set the dinner plate in the centre of the placemat
  • Set the salad plate in the centre of the dinner plate

Cutlery or Silverware

  • Place the fork to the left of the dinner plate
  • Set the salad fork to the left of the dinner fork
  • Place the knife to the right of the dinner plate
  • Set the salad knife to the right of the dinner knife
  • Lay the dessert fork above the dinner plate

The fun of an informal table setting is you can experiment with design, for example: Did you notice I put the salad fork and knife in the folded napkin in the middle of the salad plate instead of at the left and right side of the plate?

Glass and Stemware

Set the water glass in the top right corner, above the knife. Place the wineglass (s) (red or white wineglasses, depending on what you’re serving) to the right of the water glass.

My table is very narrow and I do not have a lot of room above the knife so I simply placed my stemware next to the knife. Perfectly fine for an informal setting.

Napkins

The napkin can be placed on the plates or underneath the fork to the left. I have chosen to lay my napkin folded on the salad plate with the salad cutlery placed in the fold of the napkin.

Have fun with your napkins, they can be folded in a variety of ways or simply add a decorative napkin ring.

The Centrepiece

Votive Candles give a flattering glow to your table! Unscented are preferred.
A beautiful centrepiece adds elegance and character to your table. Choose a theme that suits the setting, your style or the type of cuisine you are serving.
A couple of flowers in your arrangement add freshness and beauty.

Simply Enjoy!

The thing to remember when you are having a dinner party is to simply have fun. Don’t get too caught up in the formality! Just enjoy setting a beautiful table and don’t forget to take a photo. It will make you smile the day after the party when the guests are gone and the dishes are done!