Bring the restaurant experience home
Dining out in your favourite restaurant is an extremely enjoyable experience and something to look forward to after a long week. However, it isn't always practical as you may not be able to afford a dinner out on a weekly basis. Whether you are stuck in or trying to save money, creating a restaurant experience in your home is a great way to entertain and with a little imagination, you can make it a night to remember!
Select a theme and create a menu
A fun way to begin creating your own restaurant within the confines of your home is by choosing a theme.
If you are inviting friends around, you could try and replicate your favourite restaurant to eat at or simply think of something that will create a special atmosphere for the evening.
Once you have selected a theme, it’s also fun to create your own menu. This way, your guests will really feel like they are ordering from a restaurant even if there is only one option!
Write up what you are planning on serving as the starter, main and dessert and even include a range of sides to choose from if you are feeling confident.
Think about your cutlery
A great thing to start with when forming the perfect table set up for your home restaurant is the cutlery. If you are serving a small family of four or five people, you could keep it simple and opt for some standard cutlery or plain economy cutlery that will still look nice on the table.
However, if your gathering is going to include six or more guests, it may be worth pulling out all the stops and going for some premium 18/10 stainless-steel cutlery or parish pattern cutlery to add an extra touch to your table setting.
If you are hosting an intimate dinner party with friends and want them to feel special, this is an excellent opportunity to serve your meal on quality flatware, so you could also get some steak knives and forks to help the dinner run smoothly.
Glassware
Dining out is not just about the food, it’s also about the delicious drinks whilst you wait for your next course. In your home restaurant, you need to ensure the drinks are flowing and are as good as the delicious food.
A great way to make serving drinks at home exciting is by getting a range of glassware suitable for each drink preference, which will help elevate the experience.
For example, if you know your guests love a good cocktail, get some martini, margarita, or champagne saucers to make the drink feel more special and look elegant on your table.
When out at a restaurant, most people also enjoy having some soft drinks on the table to sip in between their alcoholic beverages. A great way to add extra refreshments without crowding your table is by getting a glass carafe, which is a long jug that all your guests can use to fill up their water glasses.
Tableware
When creating your own home restaurant, the table is the centerpiece and most important part of the set-up. Therefore, it's a good idea to decorate your table with high-quality, beautiful tableware to set the scene and make your guests feel like they are really dining out.
Food serving presentation displays can change your whole dining experience as by presenting your food on platters and food serving baskets, you can make it look extra appealing.
It would also be fun to get some real menus and table signs such as table numbers and reserved notices, as these simple touches will really make your guests feel like they are sitting in a restaurant rather than your home kitchen.
Finally, add the finishing touch to your table display by decorating it with tealights and candles to create a relaxing atmosphere where you can enjoy your meal in a beautiful setting.
Accessories
Once your restaurant table set-up is complete, it’s always a good idea to add a few extra accessories that really help to bring your home dining experience to life.
For example, if you are serving steak, you could get some assorted steak markers and label how each dish has been cooked from well done to rare to add some extra excitement to the meal.
Finally, since we eat with our eyes first, get some serving baskets for any sides or extra dishes.
If you want to re-create the restaurant experience at home, visit Cooksmill and browse a range of products that will help you create a special atmosphere without breaking the bank.
If you wish to enquire about any of our products or services, or if you are just after some friendly, professional advice, contact us today using the form on our website, by calling 0161 886 4989, or by emailing info@cooksmill.co.uk.
