With spring and summer comes a renewed spirit. Diners are looking for a fun, lighthearted atmosphere as they gear up for music festivals and outdoor parties that are oh so popular in the warmer months. To capture the solstice spirit, now is a great time to create a fresh new look to the overall appearance of your tabletops. From dinnerware to the menu to the accessories, simply adding new elements keeps your ambiance lively and exciting. Below are ideas to incorporate into the dining experience of your guests.
Refined Dining: Restaurant dining rooms are making a shift back to a luxury look. In recent years, the industry adopted a minimal, industrial appeal with warm reclaimed woods and subway tiles. There is a turn now happening to soft textiles and saturated hues. While a dining room overhaul may not be in your budget, consider a subtle color scheme for the walls, contemporary table lighting, and incorporating the use of table cloths and cloth napkins to soften your table setting.
Vintage Inspired Dinnerware: Who would have thought grandma’s floral china would be in demand? Dainty floral prints in whimsical colors are the perfect way to add a bit of spring and summer to your tabletop. These dishes are making a big impact on restaurant dining rooms across the country and can easily be accent pieces for the season. Churchill China is already on top of this trend with their Vintage Prints line.
Smooth, Polished Flatware: Ornate or hammered flatware is on its way out and sleek, chic stems are in. With the move toward more refined dining comes an update on the look of this tabletop essential. Simple, no fuss designs pair nicely with lush, rich linens. The next time you reorder flatware, consider replacing your oversized, hammered pattern with a sleek flatware design that features alluring, elegant lines as seen in the Amici or Valencia patterns by Venu.
Seasonal Sweets & Cocktails: Using locally-sourced ingredients is a movement that is here to stay. Revise your dessert and cocktail menus by bringing in seasonal produce and herbs. Unique flavors will entice your regulars to taste something new, knowing it will only be available for a limited time. Food & Wine magazine has a number a seasonally inspired dessert and cocktail recipes just waiting for you to try out..