I have a secret that I just can’t keep in anymore. We’re just not that into Valentine’s Day around Apartment 34. At least not in its red and pink, heart focused form. What I am into is an excuse to share the love in the form of a great dinner party!

Hosting friends for fabulous food is pretty much one of my most favorite things and I’d love to treat some of my nearest and dearest to a fresh take on the traditionally overly-saccharin holiday.

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We’re all craving the return of spring, right? There’s nothing that gets you in the mood for a new season more than a super vibrant chartreuse, paired with clean, energetic whites. Modern candelabras and pops of metallic, from the gold flatware to the geometric dinner napkins keep things feeling casual, while the tulips and the boxes of rose macaroons give a little nod to the sweet day we’re gathering for. I’m also loving champagne in martini glasses these days. The pomegranate seeds are the one pop of red on the table.

Even with a more modern tablescape, I couldn’t resist having some classically romantic food, especially when I learned about Kitchit, the network of private chefs that can come into your home and teach you gourmet techniques in less than two hours. It’s true. I learned to shuck an oyster, make fresh, hand-stretched mozzarella and an amazing, impress your in-laws chicken dish all while sipping on champagne with friends. Now that is what I like to call a good time!

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Our chef, Jed Cote came with an impressive pedigree {hello Chez Pannise}, but he quickly broke down intimidating dishes and had Courtney, Melissa, Caitlin and I learning knife skills, molding fresh mozzarella, and deboning chicken. As you can see, we were getting down and dirty and having a grand ole’ time!

Our menu featured simple, whole ingredients that actually didn’t require that much manipulation. We really only had to focus on proper seasoning! Our feast included Tomales Bay oysters with mignonette, hand stretched mozzarella and nigella with artichokes, black olives and water cress, chicken al mattone with wild mushrooms, kale , farro and gremolata and for dessert, a meyer lemon tart that left me lusting for more {and more and more}. 

Even if this wasn’t the traditional Valentine’s Day dinner it definitely brought out the love!

PS: recipes and how-to tips for your next dinner party are coming to the blog soon. Can’t wait?? Hire a Kitchit chef to make your next event much more interactive and delicious. I know what I’m asking for Valentine’s Day now!

photography by colin price for apartment 34 / creative direction and styling by erin hiemstra 

shop the table: gold flatware / table runners / classic martini glasses / placecard votives / dinner napkins 

What do you think?

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13 Comments

  1. This is such a sweet idea. I love the notion of making Valentine’s day about celebrating all the popele in your life that you love.

  2. love this! restaurants are so crowded and expensive (and not very romantic!) on valentine’s day.

  3. This is such a sweet idea. And I love the hints of Valentine’s Day without it in your face.

    Doing a lovely little (not sickeningly sweet) Etsy/Valentine’s Day giveaway on the blog…check it out and enter! xx

    Kate

    http://www.thrillofthechaise.com

  4. This is such a lovely idea, with double fun and perfect to keep a bunch of people entertained for hours 🙂 I just wish chiefs would offer this service where I live too.

  5. i absolutely LOVE these photographs! especially the last one. happy valentines day i mean feast 🙂

  6. its refreshing to hear someone else, especially in this ever-so-cretive blog world, come out and say that v-day is kind of lame…thanks for the honesty and the lovely substitute 🙂