Today on the blog, I am joining friends to share some of our outdoor ideas and tips. I am so ready for easy summer dinners and lunches and alfresco dining! I just returned from the Big Island, so I am sharing an Hawaiian themed table and menu.
At the Rosewood Kona Village where I just stayed, I really enjoyed that the tables were set with lovely linens and pretty touches like rattan and seagrass wrapped hurricanes and glasses. Still, the vibe is casual and yet island elegant and I was inspired to add these touches to my home – and to a table.
These pretty napkins were used all over the resort, at the beach, their Shipwreck Bar, and Cookhouse. I looked them up and found them sold by Garnier Thibaut- a company that specializes in linens for the hospitality (hotel) industry, but you can buy them here. They are thick and luxe and I bought 2 sets of 4 which were just $29 each. Perfect for summer lunches and dinners by the pool.
The Table
I started with a yellow cotton block print tablecloth as my base, also bought in Hawaii at the Waimea General Store (always good things.) I added in the stripe napkin, blue plates, my bamboo flatware and rattan wrapped glasses (similar here). Rattan napkin rings kept the island feel and instead of flowers I used an air plant in one of my seagrass hurricanes and a few coral pieces we’ve had for ages.
The Menu
Easy is how we roll in California, so I am making this simple. I am going with a crowd pleaser and fan favorite, Asian Noodle Salad with chicken added to make it a main course, a stone fruit burrata salad, and an easy app.
The Drink
I love serving Audrey Palmers, which is my version of Arnold Palmer, but with fizzy lemonade and lemon and orange slices. Make them in a pitcher if you can just before everyone arrives. Make it extra easy with a bottle each of Teajava unsweetened tea and Trader Joe’s French Lemonade. If people want to drink, a light white wine like a Vinho Verde from Portugal, is crisp. low in alcohol and has a bit of an effervescent quality to it. Make sure it’s very cold!
The starter
I said it was simple, so use a pineapple salsa you can buy. They have it at our local Whole Foods and also Trader Joe’s. Put that in a pretty bowl and add a bag of Taro chips, a staple of the islands, in a woven basket lined with a pretty napkin.
The main
My Aunt Wendy’s Asian Noodle Salad is always a hit! It is best made a day ahead so the noodles can soak in the sauce. Adding a protein to it like chicken makes it work as a main course too- or have a bowl of roasted chicken to add to it so people can choose. Full recipe here.
Stone Fruit Burrata
This dish is so good! It is from one of my go-to cookbooks – Gaby Dalkin’s ‘Everyday California Food’ natch. I was fortunate to get to the Farmer’s Market in Los Gatos last weekend and loaded up on stone fruits. This is the season to make this wonderful and colorful dish.
I used a mixture of nectarine, white and yellow peaches, and apricots. Slice and arrange on a plate, then rip a burrata ball in pieces and dot around the dish. This can be messy, so I do try and cut mine a bit before and then drop dollops. Drizzle citrus champagne vinegar in a thin stream lightly, and then Maldon sea salt to taste and a fresh twist of pepper. I garnish with fresh basil and it is ready to go. The vinegar gives it a little zing and the salt and pepper is a good foil to the sweet fruits. I think you’ll find it different and addicting! Gaby’s website also has a variation on the recipe from her book here.
I hope you try this dish. I would be happy to eat this alone and some crackers for a ‘girl dinner!”
A few pieces to create a Hawaiian vibe and other kitchen things you may need for this…
You may also like this Summer Dish that will be a hit, and Summer Picnic Lunch Ideas.
Let’s pop over to my friends and see what great ideas they have for outdoor spaces and entertaining….
Classic Casual Home
Most Lovely Things
Molly In Maine
Thanks for stopping by. I’ll see you all on Saturday for the weekend blog!
Kim
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Kim! Those napkins … oh my goodness. So good. I know what you mean about good hotel linens … they elevate the experience. They just do. Same with your new tablecloth. Pretty. Love your backyard and remember a fun lunch there a couple of years ago … very relaxing and chill next to the pool. Your menu is the best. Starting with the Audrey Palmers. I’ve made your Aunt Wendy’s Asian Noodle salad and can confirm it’s the best. What a fun idea for summer outdoor meals and entertaining. I think I need those napkins! xo
My mouth is watering, Kim. And I just had a big Vietnamese dinner. Love those napkins and tablecloth.
Kim, This is the best post and thank you for the inspiration always! Your Asian Noodle Salad is one of my family’s favorites now. I too add in chicken for protein. I’ve added this beautiful and tranquil Hawaiian resort to my travel wish list. My husband and I just returned from an amazing Italy vacation. Between your and Juliet ‘s style recommendations over the last year, I felt pulled together for most of the trip. Grazie mille!
Kim—I absolutely LOVE this post! I’m always drawn to vintage, casual, rattan and woven goods! That pineapple salsa sounds delicious and your tablescapes are always SO good!
Hi Kim — Thank you for taking me away to Hawaii! Love the mix of the striped napkins with the yellow block print tablecloth. The stone fruit burrata salad sounds delicious and I will definitely have to try the Audrey Palmer drink with the fizzy lemonade. So fun joining you for the blog share today!
Hi Kim,
Thank you for such gorgeous recipes and the napkins!! Everything looks so fresh and inviting! Love ! Happy week!
Kim, you have such a lovely patio and yard. The recipes sound delish and perfect for al fresco dining. Love the linens, but I couldn’t seem to connect to the source of your pretty round tablecloth? Btw, many congrats to your boys and to Kirsten! It is bittersweet that they won’t be living that close to you, but I know you and Max will send them off with blessings. Xx
Just lovely Kim…I may need to get some of those napkins!
I make a peach, burrata, mint salad…try it!
Another good make ahead salad I make is a pickled shrimp with manadarin oranges. Much better the next day!
Kim, I love your table. The mix of the yellow print tablecloth with the blue stripe napkins is stunning. Unexpected in the best possible way. Love your bamboo flatware too! And all inspired by your trip to Kona! I love that about travel, it makes you see things differently, and then when you return home, you can bring a little of it back with you…to your table. Your menu looks delicious, too! And poolside in your own backyard, how divine!
Pinned the recipes and the table!
xx
Just visiting today from a link. Well this is beautiful. We lived in Northern California many years ago, and had a home in La Quinta in the South for 20 years. I truly love and miss California. It is the best! We have been in Boulder Colorado since 1982 and it seems a lot like California in its attitude. I will be trying the pineapple salsa and we are big fans of Taro chips. I have often made mango salsa, which is a favorite, but pineapple sounds delish. Ha, and speaking of pineapple..we were on the Big Island a few years ago and the fruits were fabulous.
Jillian Thank you so much for the kind note.
Oh I adore La Quinta. That must have been wonderful. Boulder is lovely I hear.
The pineapple salsa and Taro chips were my husband’s idea and I don’t know why I hadn’t thought of it before! Like a no brainer pairing.
Aren’t the fruits fab there? Almost worth the trip for them! xo
The table settings and food makes me wish I was having lunch at your house. Will give the Burrata stone fruit salad a go as I get bored with salads and need to step it up a bit when hosting.
Susan I wish you could pop over!! The salad is so simple. x
Kim,
Thank you for this lovely post. You have me yearning for warm summer days. I can wait to make your Aunt’s Asian Salad.
S
Shirley you are so kind! I think you’ll love my aunt’s salad ! x