One true thing we know from 2020 is that it’s important to appreciate the good things in life.
For wine lovers a Big Night Out of wining and dining is firmly in the good things category. We all know how limited we are as far as visiting our favorite wine and food haunts, but I am here to offer an alternative that gives us the same thrill and helps to support our favorite wine purveyors and restaurants. It’s called the Big Night In.
Come sail away with me on a five-step journey for hybrid dine in/out experiences that bring some joy into our lives.
So, come sail away with me on a five-step journey for hybrid dine in/out experiences that bring some joy into our lives.
Planning | Perform your wine-pairing adventure in advance. Create a wine theme, such as a region or your favorite producer, or anything that strikes your fancy, and enjoy exploring local wine purveyors on their websites, in person if possible or even revisit the fun of ringing them up and talking vino.
Set a fine-dining table | This is a wonderful opportunity to use the settings you probably reserve for special occasions and add some flowers to up the ante. This acts as eye-candy that sets your mind in motion anticipating the dinner to come.
Plan on not planning | Since this is a dining-out while you are dining-in experience, treat it as such, and don’t plan your food in advance. Yes, select your restaurant in advance, and get an idea of lead time, whether that be for delivery or pick-up. But then sit down or Zoom with your dinner-mates exploring the menu together. This lets us get back to the joy of “What looks good to you?”, “You order the Salmon en Crouté and I’ll get the Chicken Picatta, and we can share both”, or my favorite, “If you order that Molten Chocolate Coconut Cake, prepare for me to pilfer some.”
Dress for dinner | Remember that velvet dress or pair of luxurious cord slacks you look great in and haven’t worn in a while? Rock those duds, and while you are at it groom and primp like a movie star. This helps create the feeling of special we are shooting for.
Enjoy | Steps one through four bring the fun of planning and executing, delicious anticipation, the magical ingredient of atmosphere, and of course, the special occasion vibe wine and dine events bring.
Bonus tip: I can attest from personal experience that this works just as well if you are dining solo.
