10 Staples for a City-Smart Summer Dinner Party
From the right speakers for background music to the air fryer that helps me ignore the oven, this is the best gear for easy-going summertime entertaining
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When it comes to summer get-togethers, barbecues monopolize the conversation. “Grillout” is synonymous with every summer holiday, and our memories take us back to deciding between a hamburger or a hot dog. But what about city dwellers like me? My apartment in Brooklyn, with limited space and only a small balcony, isn’t compatible with the classic grillout, but after 20 years here, I’ve nearly perfected the art of a summer dinner party in the city. (I’ve also perfected cooking hot dogs in a skillet for when I’m desperate to "grill.")
Before I moved to New York, I grew up in a small town in Iowa, where I learned from my mom the great art of entertaining, especially around holidays. While my two home bases have little in common, they share one summer staple: the farmers market. When I host friends, I make fresh produce the centerpiece of the experience. Sometimes I even go so far as to theme my dinner party around a fruit or vegetable like a tomato, serving tomato brine martinis with fresh bruschetta, pasta, and a tomato tart.
What follows isn’t a recipe list, but rather a toolkit: The 10 items I rely on to elevate both the flavor and the feeling of a perfect summer dinner party.
Graf Lantz Merino Wool Placemats
Living in an apartment means limited cupboard space, so I don’t have the luxury of owning multiple sets. My placemats need to be durable, easy to clean, and chic. It’s a tall order that Graf Lantz nails. Made from Merino wool, these placemats are water-resistant, easily wipe clean (even after wine spills), and come in a variety of stylish tones. Matching coasters—even Kleenex box covers—are available if you’re going all in.
Scandles Candles
Old clips from Martha Stewart Living are having a moment. Her elaborate tablescapes are everywhere on Pinterest. LA-based candle brand Scandles simplifies that vibe with its sculptural, produce-inspired candles. I love mixing a few—think lemons or tomatoes—with real fruit or vegetables as a centerpiece. Just a note: They’re intended for decorative use only, so place them on a heatproof tray and never leave them unattended.
Some people spend time on a tablescape, others focus their pre-guest-arrival energy on the dinner party playlist. When it comes to playing tunes around the bar, table, or balcony, opt for a high-quality speaker like the Sonos Era 300. It doesn’t take up excess space, sounds great, and works with an app that any of your guests can use to take over DJ controls while you cook—if you’re willing to relinquish the power.
The Google Nest Mini doesn’t boast the same concert-quality sound, but it’s tiny and is especially discreet if you use these mounts to plug into the wall outlet. I place one in my bathroom and keep music on throughout the evening. In a small apartment, background music in the powder room is a subtle but thoughtful touch.
Toyo Sasaki Fino Stackable Tumbler 10.5 oz (Set of 6)
From the ambiance around the table to inside the powder room, making sure your guests are comfortable is central to a successful dinner party. There’s nothing more awkward than when a guest breaks a glass, and that’s why I love Toyo Sasaki’s tumblers. They’re thin like high-end glassware but made with ion-toughening technology that adds durability. Bonus: They’re stackable, saving precious cupboard space.
Meat and cheese plates get so much airtime in the dinner party circuit, but when it comes to a summer gathering, I love unique and elaborate crudité: multicolored carrots, radishes, and cucumbers, all paired with a great dip. In the summer, I try to minimize (or all-out avoid) using my oven. Store-bought hummus is fine, but there are lots of dips that can be made in a skillet, like Alison Roman’s labne with sizzling scallions and chile. This Caraway ceramic-coated frying pan works great and is super quick to clean, so you can wash it even with guests gathered around.
Following the theme of not using the oven, I love my Ninja Crispi air fryer for making entrées. I’ve used it to perfectly cook a summer staple like salmon and even heartier dishes like chicken Parmesan. While its biggest downside is its small size (ideal for smaller dinner parties of two to four guests), it has some huge upsides: It doesn’t take up much counter space, and its glass basket is dishwasher-safe.
Farberware Pro Pump Spinner
It’s not a summer dinner party without a big salad. Whether you’re grabbing your ingredients from the farmers market or the grocery store, your greens need a bath. A salad spinner is essential. No one wants a soggy salad. A spinner ensures every leaf is crisp, clean, and ready to soak up whatever dressing you’re serving.
I’m a baker, but baking takes it out of me. When I’m hosting, I like to keep it simple. My favorite dinner party trick is to pull out my stand mixer after the plates are cleared and make whipped cream on the spot. This KitchenAid mixer scores especially high when it comes to whipping time. There’s something nostalgic about whipped cream that guests love. Forming stiff peaks live feels a little like a cooking demonstration, and the end result pairs with fresh berries from the farmers market (topped with fresh mint for even stronger summer vibes).
Breville Bambino Plus Espresso Machine
Capping off an evening with an espresso feels sophisticated and special (barbecues could never!). My favorite feature of my Breville Bambino Plus (a beginner-friendly option from CR’s espresso maker evaluation) is that even after a long night, it’s easy to use. Whether your guests want a single or a double, this machine makes consistently great-tasting espresso.
