The Perfect Fall Dinner Party

I always love reading about how certain celebrities and influencers entertain in their homes, so I thought it would be fun to share what a typical dinner party thrown by my husband and I would be like. Autumn in New York is my favorite time of year and with this mild weather we have been having, outdoors is our favorite place to gather close friends. We are fortunate to have a fabulous terrace off our living room with views of the Freedom Tower that are just spectacular, and with the outdoor heater we received as a wedding present from a good friend it makes for a lovely setting. 

Ideally we like to invite 8-10 people at most to keep things intimate. Coming-up with our guest list is so much fun; it’s usually a blend of my old friends, Neil’s old friends, and some of our new friends that we have met since moving downtown. 

When guests arrive we always offer champagne, a rule in our house. The conversation usually shifts immediately to whatever jewelry I am wearing, and sometimes I’ll slip off a ring or a cuff to let a friend wear it for the evening...but never my diamond Lili chain, that is my signature piece!

My husband is a bonafide foodie and usually the one who sets the menu. I have been a pescatarian for many years now - after periods as a vegan and then vegetarian -  so we rarely serve beef at our home, and we always use fresh, seasonal ingredients.

For a fall dinner party we like to start with something warm, like a great lentil soup or a mushroom risotto. The main course is typically tuna steak or fish kebabs, accompanied by an assortment of roasted fall veggies like butternut squash, yams, endive and cauliflower. Desert is usually lots of fresh fruit and a pie, plus some biscotti to munch on. 

I keep the table settings simple and informal - especially when we are outdoors - and stick with a few understated floral arrangements that I leave in the hands of a close friend who I have been using for years. 

The music gets going after dinner, which is always a 70’s mix on Pandora or a playlist from our wedding. It makes for the perfect end to a fun evening. 

My parents loved to entertain also, so I am happy to carry on the tradition in my home!