Best dinner party you’ve been to or hosted?

[FizzyPink]

And what made it so good? Whether it was the food, entertainment or something else entirely?!

We’ve done quite a few BBQs recently but have a few more formal sit down dinners scheduled and I’m keen to make them as fun and enjoyable as possible given it’s been so long since we’ve been able to host lots of friends inside.

Anyone?

The ones I've enjoyed have really only needed people that I get on with, the host being relaxed (not spending hours in the kitchen, being anxious that everyone eats everything, etc), a decent space to host in, enough drink/snacks for if we all end up staying late after dinner...and that's it really. The only bad ones I have been to have been dominated by poorly behaved pets or children.

For a dinner party I appreciate knowing in advance: who else is coming, what we are going to eat, is it a site down meal or more casual, roughly when will food be served, is it just dinner or are we all staying late, and what I should bring.

The host wants to open an Israeli cafe and invited us all over to try some dishes she'd created. The food was amazing, but what made it good was the company. I didnt know all the people at the dinner party but left feeling really happy and as if I could spend some time with each person and it not be awkward. I think thats what made it actually, a really good mix of people.

The best dinner parties I've been to have always been relaxed affairs. If the hosts are frazzled, worrying about if everyone likes everything etc, spending too much time in the kitchen as PP said it's going to be a flop.

Plenty of alcohol and non-alcoholic drinks that aren't just orange juice. Have some sort of mood music in the background. It also helps to know who else is coming and what is on the menu in advance. I love candles!!! But above all else it's been the atmosphere, a great atmosphere can make up for less than stellar food!

Yes definitely agree with it being a relaxed affair. There’s nothing worse than the host being stressed and feeling like you have to offer to help out with the food or sitting around the table for hours starving as lots on come dine with me seem to!

My favourite, because it was such a special environment, was as a guest at a dinner in Nelson cabin aboard HMS Victory. Sixteen of us, some interesting people, formal dress, a RM string Quartet and pianist. Watched sunset over Portsmouth from the quarterdeck. Just fabulous.

I like to eat at the table, but decamp quite quickly to comfy chairs, otherwise it can get quite painful sitting around on straight backed chairs.
I have tended to enjoy smaller rather than larger affairs where there aren’t too many conversations. The worst though was just four of us. The hosts had some sort of boiler failure so bloody cold. Either the leek soup or rhubarb pudding had a powerful laxative effect followed by the most foul and loathsome stinking wind all night. I’ve never known anything like it even from Jerusalem artichokes.
I wouldn’t expect to know the menu in advance, although it’s wise to check absolute no-no’s.
Serving a really good pie is always satisfying.

@LemonRoses

My favourite, because it was such a special environment, was as a guest at a dinner in Nelson cabin aboard HMS Victory. Sixteen of us, some interesting people, formal dress, a RM string Quartet and pianist. Watched sunset over Portsmouth from the quarterdeck. Just fabulous.

Im going to a dinner on HMS Victory soon!

Jane Austen themed weekend where a gang of us rented a small country house and we had an evening in period costume. I know it sounds really wanky but mobile phones were banned, big log fires were the order of the day, we all got stuck in making meals and entertaining. Epic.

Letsallscreamatthesistene It was lovely - a car sent to collect us from home, drinks at Admiralty House, then a car to the ship to be piped aboard. Just the sixteen of us, the musicians and the staff.
Hope you have a good evening too.

Pom Bears in abundance, of course

The absolute worst dinner parties I've been to involve games and dressing up. I hate forced fun. The best - casual food and chats with good friends.