Here's a recap of the al fresco lunch we hosted here at the house this week, especially for those of you who didn't get a chance to join me on Twitter as it happened.
I love greeting guests with a beautiful passed hors d'oeuvre. I think there's something so elegant about it! Good presentation, too, is in the details, so for the tray garnish, I opted for simple hosta leaves in a moss-covered frog. I thought it was appropriate and pretty, as one of my guests was Margaret Roach of A Way to Garden.
For the hors d'oeuvres, I served miniature curried pita chips with homemade hummus and roasted cauliflower, garnished with a spring of lemon thyme, fresh from the garden. I love how the variegated leaves in the hosta mimic those in the lemon thyme.
Now for table, inspiration began, as it often does, at the flea market, this one in upstate New York, where for 12 dollars, I found a set of flow blue plates with a fern botanical I love.
Even though they're antique, they feel modern to me. The transfer pattern, too, I thought worked well for an all-vegetarian menu. Now to keep things casual, still with an air of sophistication, I used Stitch Witchery to turn a fabric remnant from Stormville into a table topper. The dark blue gingham, paired with the monogrammed silverware, made for a good mix of formal and casual. Finally, the flowers I found growing wild in the fields around our house, then added leaves of variegated hosta to tie in the tray garnish. They remind me a bit of snowcap hydrangea, but I don't know what they're called. Do you?
The etched glasses I've been collecting at flea markets and thrift stores for years but only now realized how similar their pattern is to the botanical fern on the plates.
Just because it's not your monogram doesn't mean you can't mix them with confidence! One of the napkins (actually, they're vintage hand towels) does have my monogram, but the Christofle forks have an "MG," while the bone handle knives have a scrimshaw "KES." I think the look is eclectic, modern, and super rich.
Now, onto the food! The main course—individual grilled pizzas with herbed goat cheese, tomato confit, grilled radicchio and roasted vidalia onions—I served tableside on a vintage round cutting board, together with chipped parmesan cheese in a hotel silver dish and fresh basil, straight from the garden.
For a simple salad, I did bibb lettuce, cucumber and sweet red onion, tossed in a lemon herb vinaigrette and served in an old wooden serving bowl with vintage George Jensen servers in Lucite and sterling silver. Together, the mix of materials felt sufficiently country but with a sophisticated, modern edge.
For the final course, a dessert so simple and beautiful, it's my new summer favorite! Australia's Donna Hay I've always thought is such a genius and this recent pavlova recipe of hers inspired me to make it my own. First, I chose to use both pastry and whipped cream in the meringue, then topped it with macerated peaches and farmstand raspberries. It was just sweet enough with a crispy crust and a soft, decadent inner, the perfect ending to another summer lunch in the country.
You always show us the most beautiful table and details ! MERCI
Posted by: le petit cabinet de curiosites | July 25, 2009 at 03:49 AM
The table looks beautiful, Eddie! The flowers are called Elderflowers. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sambucus
They are edible and used a lot in summer recipes in my native Scandinavia.
Love your blog :)
Birgitte
Posted by: Birgitte Jokinen | July 19, 2009 at 02:14 PM
MMM...I love pavlova...and your setting and food are amazing as usual...just like a magazine:)
I've been checking back again after your visit to the Skirted Roundtable...I forgot how much I loved your style.
Best,
Michelle
Posted by: michelle | July 17, 2009 at 11:09 AM
What a wonderful post... great table, fabu hosta in moss [love that], wonderful plates et all, the food divine! Love Donna Hay, too!
Thanks for the inspiration!!
Posted by: Barbara | July 17, 2009 at 12:06 AM
those plates are beautiful!
Posted by: Jennifer | July 16, 2009 at 03:52 PM
Eddie, this is beautiful. Love the hosta and moss in frog idea. Your glasses look so much like William Yeoward...nice finds
Posted by: beachbungalow8 | July 15, 2009 at 06:49 PM
Loved following the lunch on twitter!! Felt like I was right there. Great blog!!
debi
http://www.personalityispreferred.blogspot.com
Posted by: debi | July 15, 2009 at 12:33 PM
After seeing the spread in the recent Country Living with the fabulous thrift shop sofa and chair, I googled you, and I am glad I did. Perusing your website and your etsy shop really made my day. I am so enthused and inspired by your energy and your eye for great style!
If you're ever in need of an assistant to do the "dirty work", administrative tasks, etc., I would LOVE to work for you. I've worked for a couple of high-end interior designers in New York, but I think you've hit on a combination of thrift and timeless taste that's just right in this economy. mbkaroll (at) yahoo.com
Posted by: MB | July 15, 2009 at 12:04 PM
looks delicious and beautiful!! i love making arrangements with hosta too!
Posted by: brandeye | July 15, 2009 at 11:29 AM
Hi Eddie and Jaithan,
Just took another look and really noticed the gorgeous dessert knife/server. Love it!!!
Hope you're having fun in Kansas City.
xoxo
Evy
Posted by: Evelyn Weiss | July 14, 2009 at 11:35 PM
Everything looks beautiful as always and as a vegetarian, I especially appreciated this menu!
Posted by: FROM THE RIGHT BANK | July 14, 2009 at 10:29 PM
What a lovely and thoughtful lunch. A book deal must be in the works?
Posted by: Jacquelyn | July 14, 2009 at 09:17 PM
Eddie
well..just as i am paring down all my lovely table settings, you inspire me to keep keep keep.
What a beautiful lunch and setting you had.
blessings,
xo jody
Posted by: jody | July 14, 2009 at 08:48 PM
Everything looks so perfect! Wow..you can cook too! Just perfect! Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Mimi | July 14, 2009 at 12:32 PM
Yum- the menu is divine and those fern blue plates are so gorgeous- what a find! -e
Posted by: Emily | July 14, 2009 at 10:44 AM
oh my goodness i am now HUNGRY. it's breakfast time & i'm making a salad thanks to you guys, hahahah
preggers lady! everything looks SO PERFECT!!!
xoxo,
lauren
Posted by: Lauren Liess | July 14, 2009 at 09:51 AM
I've gotten lucky at some recent yard sales, but nothing like the finds you come up with! $12!!!
Love the preppy monograms - it never would have occurred to me to collect other's. So cute!
Posted by: Sadaf Trimarchi | July 13, 2009 at 10:11 PM
what a beautiful lunch!
Posted by: hanako66 | July 13, 2009 at 05:49 PM
I, too, collect monogrammed flatware -- none of which has my monogram. :) Your table looks so fresh and wonderful, and the menu sounds divine!
Posted by: mary | July 13, 2009 at 04:39 PM
Eddie & Jaithan, I had such a great time. I am looking forward for your return from travel as I miss your menus.
XOXO
Posted by: Shandell's | July 13, 2009 at 03:22 PM
As a vegetarian, I have to say this may be one of my favorite posts of yours. :-)
Posted by: laura @ the shore house | July 13, 2009 at 03:07 PM
YUM. I'm a vegetarian, and I'm wondering where in NYC can I get what you are serving.
Posted by: Cherry@NewburghRestoration | July 13, 2009 at 11:42 AM
What a beautiful placesetting as usual!
Posted by: LindsB | July 13, 2009 at 09:34 AM
Eddie, thank you so much for stopping by my blog and visiting Kathysue on her guest post. She is such a fan or yours and such a sweet and talented friend. You made her day and mine. I really appreciate it. I am hoping to get her to do more guest posts. Help me encourage her. Thanks again. Hugs, Marty
Posted by: Marty | July 13, 2009 at 09:06 AM
Hi Eddie!
The food looks delious! The table settings look super good! Your lucheons are great. You have such good tast! Thanks for sharing.
Ciao!
Posted by: ralphie | July 13, 2009 at 01:31 AM
Oh my goodness. This is one delicious lunch with plenty to please the eye as well. You're amazing.
Posted by: seleta | July 13, 2009 at 01:26 AM
Great snaps, food smells devine and thanks for the explanation and wonderful layout.
Bette
Posted by: Bette | July 13, 2009 at 12:39 AM
Uh...
YUUUM.
You can sing that if you like.
YuuuuuuMMMM!!
Posted by: Linda@Lime in the coconut | July 12, 2009 at 09:48 PM
I really like the beautiful plates. That shade of blue is one of my very favorites...the photos of your food are fantastic too :)
Posted by: stacy di | July 12, 2009 at 05:34 PM
It all looks so wonderful. I love the tray with the hosta in the middle. I might have to borrow that creation from you.
Thanks for sharing these wonderful photos.
Posted by: Susie | July 12, 2009 at 11:49 AM
your pavlova looks fanstic! That is my hubby's favorite dessert (unfortunately for him I only make it once or twice a year). I love your topping choice ... I have never heard of macerated peaches. I'll have to try that next time!
Posted by: Katy | July 12, 2009 at 09:04 AM
So beautiful! I particularly love the idea of mixing monograms - such a great idea to bring these mismatched beauties together and put them into service in this way!
Posted by: KB | July 12, 2009 at 08:06 AM
Yum yum send me some!!!!
Sounds like a glorious feast for the eys & taste buds!!!
I love mixing monogrammed silver. My favorite store is As You Like It in NOLA, Lower Garden District, good ole Magazine St. Basket upon baskets of everything you could desire. I always bring back pieces for gifts. So much better than a t shirt or beads!!!
Posted by: Alicia | July 11, 2009 at 11:42 PM
My oh my! Can you share the recipe for that pavlova??
Posted by: Shawn | July 11, 2009 at 11:19 PM
i just love how you take all sorts of things and really make them your own with your own style. i'm loving your site more and more everytime i visit it! i aspire to have a butler's pantry to rival yours! its awesome!
Posted by: katespears | July 11, 2009 at 11:16 PM
O I need that dessert recipe described further, if you please
and agatha cristie could put some clarity on the hemlock, if she were real and still around
Posted by: pippa | July 11, 2009 at 10:45 PM
So pretty, dare I say even better than the red/white/ yellow recently... well done.
Posted by: The Blushing Hostess | July 11, 2009 at 10:08 PM
Hi Eddie,
Donna Hay has some lovely ideas doesn't she! She has a fantastic range of kitchen products here in Australia... I'm not sure if you can get them in the USA, but her little colander with feet is the cutest thing you've ever seen! here's a link to a pic - it's not the best pic, but it gives you an idea :)
http://demi-t.cocolog-nifty.com/blog/images/2007/10/10/colander_1.jpg
She has also just opened a General Store here in Sydney which is absolutely lovely. If you want me to CP anything for you - just let me know.
Cheers!
Michelle - Sydney, Australia
Posted by: Michelle | July 11, 2009 at 09:59 PM
The table setting is so fresh and lovely. And my jaw is dropping that you found the dishes for $12. Whoa.
As a vegetarian, I have to say your menu is making my mouth water! Yum!
Posted by: The Undomesticated Wife | July 11, 2009 at 09:44 PM
Everything just looks beautiful!
I'm glad I came across your Blog! I recently started one and hope you get a chance to come by!
Posted by: Aimee | July 11, 2009 at 09:37 PM
Wow!! and that is an understatement. Your setting and menu sounds delish. I'm so glad you and your guests enjoyed themselves.
Posted by: Judy | July 11, 2009 at 07:52 PM
Gorgeous! it's all simply perfect, as usual!
Posted by: Monica | July 11, 2009 at 07:51 PM
In awe. The table setting is so, so beautiful - I especially love the plates. The entire set for $12? Would love a set like this. And the menu is perfect for summer entertaining. I love the entire thing so much.
Posted by: kim | July 11, 2009 at 07:36 PM
Dear Mr Ross, I have noticed in this edition of your blog a rather nice and familiar logo on the cuttlery handle, if i am correcet the initials are an
intricared form the the letters MG, shaped as the letter M and a fish like G , this is our family monogram, I would love to discuss this further with you
Best wishes
Posted by: Miri | July 11, 2009 at 07:31 PM
Pavlova is my favorite dessert. It's my request every year for my birthday. I'll have to try the pastry cream version. A few months ago Martha had a chocolate one and it's to-die! We added raspberries to the top for a little extra pizazz.
Posted by: Sarah's Fab Day | July 11, 2009 at 07:23 PM
How about recipes for the pizza and the curried pita chips etc. YUMMY!
Posted by: Gerrie | July 11, 2009 at 07:19 PM
I'm fairly certain the wildflowers you found were elder. Both the flowers and the leaves fit that description.
Your table settings look lovely and I really enjoy following your events on Twitter!!
Posted by: Lotta | July 11, 2009 at 07:16 PM
Oh Eddie..beautiful...just beautiful. I love the blue transferware dishes..and the glasses are perfect. I really like how you mix the gingham with the sophisticated. What a great mix....and the flower arrangements... delightful..the food is all outstanding as well. You are an inspiration....
Warmest Regards from San Luis Obispo, CA
Kary
Posted by: Kary Gonyer | July 11, 2009 at 07:16 PM
Another beautiful tabletop and menu! Inspiring as always - thanks much for sharing!
Posted by: Julie - eab designs | July 11, 2009 at 06:41 PM
Like the table setting blue & white classic right? Also just wanted to say, caught the little roundtable discussion before I left on holiday ( Laguna Beach & Palm Springs)..... great discussion. Alway's a great presentation!
Hello to you & Jaithan,
Leslie
Posted by: lamaisonfou blog | July 11, 2009 at 06:22 PM
Love your style, Mr. Ross.
Posted by: Shelley Noble | July 11, 2009 at 06:21 PM
I just love those table settings! To be so talented decorating wise and also talented cookwise -- wonderful!
Posted by: Margaret | July 11, 2009 at 06:15 PM
Eddie,
I think the wildflowers you used for your vegetarian lunch were water parsnips. However - and I am not kidding - please do be very careful when mixing unknown wildflowers with meal preparations. Water parsnips are harmless but they look a lot like water hemlock, which is highly poisonous. According to my Audubon Field Guide to North American Wildflowers, only a very small quantity of this plant (water hemlock) can cause death. See more information on line at various sources, including this link: http://www.natureskills.com/deadly_plant.html
Posted by: Barbara | July 11, 2009 at 06:05 PM