The weather has been so darn hot that the thought of cooking anybody anything is completely unappealing. However, when the sun starts to go down, and it cools off a bit, I still like to entertain on my deck. Since I’d scratched cooking off my to do list, I decided to host a dinner party and serve my guests (gasp!) Chinese takeout. What would Martha Stewart say? Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn! I thought rather than serve plates of heavy food, I would offer mainly little bites– like dumplings, fried wonton, egg rolls and lots of cold beer. And, so that Martha wouldn’t give up on me entirely, I also decided to make a quick Chinese Noodle Salad with a Spicy Peanut Sauce. So, if you can excuse the takeout menu, join me for Dim Sum On The Deck.
On the theory that people will forgive anything if presented with a lovely setting, I began to design my Asian-themed tablescape. I found this set of octagonal melamine salad plates with a green “Blue Willow” pattern on clearance from Pier One. Since the plates have a bamboo border, I used these great textural bamboo place mats as the foundation for my table. On top of the mats, I placed green melamine dinner plates, the Chinese patterned salad plates, and Chinese soup spoons. Shatterproof green stemless glasses, monogrammed pagoda linen napkins, bamboo embossed flatware, and small embellished Chinese takeout cartons complete the place settings.
Dramatic white pagoda lanterns complement the theme while adding height and drama to the tablescape. I kept the flower arrangements on the table simple and small so as not to compete with the lanterns.
The battery operated hanging Chinese lanterns I embellished with paper flowers further illuminate the table and create a festive ambiance (see upcoming post tutorial).
When the sun finally went down, I lit the lanterns and chopsticks clumsily in hand; we were ready to eat. Our takeout Dim Sum On The Deck consisted of veggie and pork steamed dumplings, spring rolls, egg rolls, bang bang shrimp, chicken satay, and crispy cheese wontons.
I know, I know, I said I wasn’t going to cook anything, but I the peanut noodle salad is so darn good, and since I use rotisserie chicken in this recipe, all I had to do was boil the water for the noodles (remember to check out my next post for this easy dish that can be served hot or cold.) Besides, Mostly Dim Sum On The Deck isn’t nearly as catchy!
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Oh, my goodness! What a fun and brilliant idea! I love your decor and tablescape as well as the yummy Chinese food you served! Your deck, flowers/plants, lanterns and just everything looks absolutely wonderful! Thanks for sharing your ideas; what a great theme to entertain by!
Thanks so much for your kind comment. I did feel a little guilty serving take-out but it was a fun party. I got to concentrate on decor which I love, and because I only had one dish to prepare, I could relax and enjoy my guests.
Wow, what fantastic pictures! Way to elevate takeout to new heights!
Thanks so much for your comment. I recently bought a new camera. I am still not a great photographer but I am working on it.
I’m loving the colors and patterns of you tablescape! It looks like it was a magical evening to eat outdoors.
~ Emily from So Sunny Day
Thanks so much. It was a fun party and easy for me since I didn’t have to cook much.
Very lovely – looks beautiful. I’m adding chinese lanterns to an upcoming surprise party for my parents 50th wedding anniversary.
Would love if you’d share your creativity at my first ever Reader Tip Tuesday: http://www.jodiefitz.com/2017/08/01/reader-tip-tuesday-along-new-food-craft-party/
Hope to see you there.
Thanks so much for your comment. I really appreciate it. There is something so magical about Chinese lanterns. I am sure your parents will love the added glow they will bring to their celebration. Thanks for inviting me to Reader Tip Tuesday. I will be sure to stop by.
This looks absolutely delightful! I love your table setting and decorations for your deck. What a fun dinner party!
Carol (“Mimi”) from Home with Mimi
Thanks, so much Carol. It was a fun party. I didn’t have to cook much and I got to concentrate on decorating which I really enjoy so, win, win!
What a beautiful setting for Dim Sum, we have a friend that every time they come to town they take us for Dim Sum!!
Thank you for sharing on Friday Features Party this week.
Come again…..Soon!
Hope you have a great weekend!:)
Thanks so much Karen. And thanks for hosting a great link party. Hope you have a great weekend too!
I love this idea! I’m afraid I have fallen into the pull everything from the bag and eat! I would love to make this a special dinner! Thank you for your suggestion.
Beautiful :)! Thanks for joining the first ever Reader Tip Tuesday! I hope you join us at this week’s party: http://www.jodiefitz.com/2017/08/08/reader-tip-tuesday-food-craft-party/
Have a GREAT day…
Thanks for commenting. And thanks for hosting a great party.
Those soft colors are just so pretty! Love those pagodas, too!!
Thanks so much for your kind comment. I really appreciate it.
This is so gorgeous, I just love it! Thanks for sharing your ideas with us at #overthemoon link party. The table looks beautiful.
Thank you for your kind words about my Dim Sum On the Deck post and thanks for hosting Over The Moon.
All I can say is “WOW!” I just love everything about the Dim Sum dinner! The way you decorated…how ever did you find those octagonal salad plates just when you needed them? And all the other Asian touches are just superb. The Chinese takeout things, the lanterns, the pagodas, the flatware, not to mention the food. Wish I was there!
Thank you so much for your kind comment. I very much appreciate it.