These chargers inspired a Safari table for friends
that were coming over for dinner
It was the perfect excuse to get out my favorite china
I started gathering things from around the house
to set a table for the evening
I couldn’t believe all the things I found!
I also couldn’t believe I had never done this before
We have a round glass table in the foyer
that was perfect for the small dinner party
The black placemats are actually the underside of some placemats
that have a pattern on them.
I just flipped them over and none’s the wiser!
I don’t have a lot of cloth napkins because, ummmm….the truth hurts here….
I think it’s a pain to wash and iron them….
BUT I did have 2 golden pinned dotted ones and 2 solid black ones
I laid them horizontally across the dinner plate under the salad plate
I saw this done in a tablescape over at Home is Where the Boat is
Check out her tablescapes, she does some amazing things
This china is “Casablanca” by Christian Dior
I LOVE it, but only use it occasionally
I have 12 of these gold coasters that work in so many table settings,
especially the holidays, so they get lots of use
I painted the leopard base balloon wine glasses
The martini glasses have small gold pin dots on them
I served small chopped salads in them…a little “amuse bouche,”
loosely translated from the French
meaning delighting or stimulating the appetite
Recipe at the end of the post
For the centerpiece, I started with a lime green tier from Pottery Barn
and used it to elevate the round wire basket
The green works because of the palm trees on the china
The basket holds three earth tone patterned decorative orbs
It’s topped it with a funky bowl that is supposed to be half an ostrich egg
In that I placed a clear glass orb
Now its a good height that won’t interfere with lively conversation later
Then I tucked some little ceramic animals down it the basket between the orbs
Aren’t they cute peaking out?
Then I added my marching elephants and some tiger candlesticks
a zebra and a giraffe,
a tiger and some Rhinos
Just for fun I made up some exotic names for the menu dishes
and printed the menu out and framed it
Guests love to know what they’re eating
so I often use decorative signs for buffet dishes
I put the frame on a woven tray which served as a centerpiece on the kitchen island where
we serve the dinner buffet
Everything’s ready for our African Safari!
When the party’s over, I can keep this centerpiece on the table for a few weeks
while I wait for Halloween….
Salad Martini
Equipment
- martini glasses
Ingredients
Salad
- carrots
- zucchini
- cucumber
- radishes
- peppers
- celery
- corn
- artichoke hearts
- grape tomatoes
- romaine
- fresh spinach leaves
- blueberries and/or oranges or chopped strawberries
- vinaigrette of choice
Frico
- 1/2-1 oz grated Cheddar or Parmesan for each wafer
- chopped basil or rosemary optional
Instructions
Salad
- Chop vegetables into small cubes or matchstick pieces
- Cut or tear lettuce and spinach into small ribbons or pieces
- Top lettuce with desired vegetables and fruit and drizzle with vinaigrette
- Serve in a martini glass with a Frico garnish
Frico
- Use 1/2-1 oz grated cheese,Parmesan, Cheddar, whatever you like, for each cheese crisp
- Place 1 heaping T of grated cheese on a silpat, parchment paper or foil lined baking sheet
- Bake at 400 for 3-5 minutes until cheese has melted and begun to crisp. Add chopped herbs to grated cheese if desired before baking
It was just a simple few bites of fresh veggies, a refreshing bite with the spicy main dish.
I love crazy and unexpected!
……………………………………………………
I will be joining these fabulous parties and blogs
Celebrate and Decorate, Rustic and Refined,
Between Naps on the Porch, Coastal Charm, Cooking and Crafting with J&J, The Scoop, A Stroll Thru Life Inspire Me Monday
Tickle My Tastebuds, Wow Us Wednesday
Full Plate Thursday, Work it Wednesday
Poofing the Pillows, Creatively Crafty
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Filed under creations, party panache, tablescapes · Tagged with amuse bouche, animal print, frico, martini salad, menu idea, safari, tablescape
Comments
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[…] Walk on the Wild Side […]
I love your Walk on the Wild Side Table! Your wonderful dishes, centerpiece, especially menu are so creative! I hate to iron too, so I cheat and use Downy Wrinkle Release spray on my napkins and tablecloths 🙂 Thanks for the shout out!
Excellent job! I love the look you created! I’m a fan of elephants so you had me there! Love those dishes and the chargers!
Stunning yet whimsical. Love it!
Hugs,
Susan and Bentley
Thanks! So glad you stopped by
Well, isn’t this terrific? I have some things from Africa that would blend right in. I love the clever way you presented the menu, but I’m still wondering about the Safari Martini. Sounds like a great way to start!
hi Lulu, I was glad to hear from you, hoping you weren’t impacted by Sandy. The martini was just some chopped veggies and fruit with a drizzle of dressing, of course everyone grabbed the frico first!
I love the chargers and especially with those gorgeous dishes. Your centerpiece couldn’t be better to carry out a theme. Your menu is just scrumptious.. I love your table.. xo marlis
Thanks for the nice comments Marlis! Thanks for your visit
Jenna
This was just adorable! How refreshing to see something so different, so unusual and rather exotic! I loved this!
Thanks Betsy, it is an old post that has always been one of my very favorites!