Whisk your guests away with these 8 genius tips for al fresco dining! Get the best menu planning, drink ideas, and more!

I'm sharing a peek at my patio set for the season ahead, along with a classic al fresco summer tablescape- complete with styling tips!

Create the perfect al fresco dining space! I'm sharing easy recipes and decor ideas to make your next al fresco meal absolutely fabulous!

With spring just around the corner, I can’t wait to indulge in one of my favorite activities: dining al fresco. Outdoor eating just feels so relaxing and fresh. Whether it’s inviting my girls on Sunday mornings for a mimosa and some yummy brunchy eats, or just me and my man on a warm evening after...

At this time of year, I like to dine outdoors as often as possible, whether I’m entertaining guests or just enjoying breakfast on my own. Eating outdoors makes me reminiscent of holidays, automatically elevating even the simplest meal to more of an occasion. Although I enjoy dining al fresco and encourage others to do the same whenever possible, there are a few things to consider when eating outdoors to make sure you are comfortable. Here are some of my tried and tested tips and tricks to make al fresco dining simpler, more enjoyable and stress free. Comfort is key We all spend time and money ensuring that our dining chairs are comfortable for everyday dining; outdoor chairs are no different. Avoid stools and metal chairs, opting for wooden dining chairs with cushioned seats to ensure your guests are sitting comfortably. If you are hosting an evening dinner party, be aware that the temperatures may drop even on the hottest days, so provide blankets or throws for your guests to use if they feel chilly. Keep wasps and flies away One of my pet peeves of dining outdoors is wasps and flies buzzing around the food. Always keep food and drinks covered when you’re not eating, even savoury dishes. It’s a myth that wasps are only attracted to sugary food. A good tip that I learned from holidays in Italy and Croatia is to place dry, used coffee grounds in a small bowl and light them as you would incense. Place the bowl upwind of where you are sitting to deter insects such as flies and mosquitos. Be prepared for rain and wind Even at the height of summer you can’t guarantee there won’t be a sudden shower. If you have the option, dine beneath a covered area, or have a large parasol that protects against rain positioned over your table. Consider also how you would protect your table on a windy day. Weigh down napkins with cutlery or substantial napkin rings, and ensure pieces of paper such as place cards or menus can’t fly away. Have fun with your table styling Al fresco tables are generally more casual, even for more formal occasions. This is the perfect time to try out something different with your table styling or to use a bolder piece, such as a gingham ruffle tablecloth. I like to think of an outdoor table as an elevated picnic, using ginghams, rattan placemats and basket weave plates to add to the ambiance. Flowers gathered from your own garden are the perfect finishing flourish. Plan an easy menu You don’t want to be running back inside to stir or check on what you’re cooking, so plan a simple menu that you can cook, or at least prepare in advance. Sharing dishes such as salads are ideal for relaxed outdoor dining, alongside something that can be left in the oven on a timer, such as a roast chicken. You could also fire up the barbecue and cook outside, to serve alongside pre-prepared side dishes. How to make al fresco dining more formal Dining outdoors is typically more casual but can also work for a more formal occasion or celebration. To make your al fresco meal more of a formal event, it’s all about the tableware you use and the way you present your food. Don’t be afraid to bring out your best crockery and cutlery, and to lay an elegant tablecloth. A crisp white linen tablecloth always lends well to elegant occasions, and you can add your own flourish with your choice of placemats and napkins. Rather than picking your own flowers, elevate your table with the addition of a floral arrangement crafted by your favourite florist. Browse our Al Fresco tableware edit for inspiration for dressing your own outdoor table this summer.

The crowning achievement of Giambattista Tiepolo's career is the largest ceiling fresco in the world placed in Würzburger Residenz, Germany.

Al Fresco dining is not just about the food or the setting; it's about building memories. It's about the stories shared around the table, the soft laughter echoing in the open air, and the shared appreciation for nature and the outdoors.

In this aperitif cocktail recipe, Naren Young bumps up the botanicals with a measure of gin, which complements floral notes from St-Germain.

I love dining outside this time of year, don't you? Check out our 7 Tips for Al Fresco Dining and Entertaining. And the salad recipe is included today!

via Benozzo di Lese, dit Benozzo Gozzoli (1420 ou 1424-1497) est l'un des peintres majeurs de l'école florentine.

This Guide to Al Fresco Dining offers menus and tips to create the perfect outdoor spread!

Textural, illustrative paintings of British wildlife and landscapes by Dawn Stacey. Represented by KMA, award-winning art, sculpture and ceramics gallery Brighton, UK.

Star fresco, starnuti sgloriati, star sull'albero a cantare, star sulle sue, stiracchio, ridanciani modi di dire per definire altrettante situazioni non sempre piacevoli. Se non altro il modo è comico. STAR FRESCO: modo di dire ironico che significa "andare incontro a cose o conseguenze spiacevoli". "Si sta freschi se la vita la seguita a rincarare di questo passo". L'origine sarebbe dantesca (Inferno, XXXII, 117): "Là dove i peccatori stanno freschi". Ed effettivamente nell'Antenora, secondo girone, terzo cerchio, quelli ci stanno freschi davvero, dentro il ghiaccio come sono stati messi. "Star lustro" è l'equivalente di "star fresco", e senza scomodare Dante STARNUTI SGLORIATI: a Siena sono gli starnuti rumorosi, da maleducati STAR SULL'ALBERO A CANTARE: gingillarsi; perdere l'occasione propizia. Forse l'origine del modo di dire può essere attribuita alla favola ricorrente in Esopo, Fedro, Apuleio e La Fontaine, di quel corvo che convinto dalla volpe a cantare aprì stupidamente il becco e lasciò cadere il cibo che vi teneva STAR SULLE SUE: non concedere confidenze; mostrare una certa superbia STIRACCHIO: a Siena è il lesso rifatto, ovvero gli avanzi del bollito cucinati in modo da gabellarli come una pietanza differente. "Ossessione delle famiglie toscane poco agiate" lo definì Arrigo Benedetti

Fall is one of my favorite seasons to have an Al Fresco meal. The light is golden and there's reason to set the mood with candles. Here's how we're doing it in our new backyard.

Styles and Tips for Al Fresco Summer Dining. I am going to show how easy it is to get a great outdoor tablescape, but still look beautiful.

Roman painting is just as alive (and inspiring) today as it was thousands of years ago. Learn all about roman fresco paintings and their influence on art!

Summer might be nearing an end, but that doesn't mean you're out of time for an al fresco dinner for the gals! And, here are a few recipes for you.

Detail : Neptune and the ship of Ulysses. 1550-51. Pellegrino Tebaldi. Italian. 1527-1596. fresco. Palazzo Poggi. Bologna. Italy. http://hadrian6.tumblr.com

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