The elegance and etiquette of French dining makes it perfect for formal occasions and celebrations. There are few better ways to mark a happy event than with a delicious, beautifully laid out French meal, complete with all the refined trimmings and decorations.
Create a sophisticated table with glamorous hues of slate grey, charcoal and silver. Be sure to use the finest linens, silks and team this with sparkling crystal glasses for an utterly chic look. Offset the grey colour palette with touches of purple – think deep, rich purples the colour of African violets. Pretty, forest-green napkins that will add just the right accent of colour to your gorgeous grey backdrop while sprigs of rosemary or sage at each place setting will add a country touch to the table.
Then, bring out your best silver, making sure you polish it to perfection. Team it with fine porcelain. Keep in mind the two to one ratio when dressing your table – if your cutlery is ornate and you have decked the table in curling candelabras, keep porcelain pattern-free and tablecloths pared-back.
When it comes to menu planning, try your hand at The French Window’s contemporary twists on traditional French flavours. Chef Mickael le Calvez explains his approach, saying, “the philosophy of The French Window is to reconstruct the craft with a modern interpretation of fare that is of uncompromising quality and aesthetic values.”
