How to turn your backyard into a bistro

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Summer’s over, but there’s no need to bring the party indoors just yet. Recently, my friend turned up the style by turning her backyard into a bistro, complete with live music.

She managed to wrangle the talented singer/songwriter Ed Harcourt (known for his dreamy, lyrical pop ballads) and a grand piano and set up a stage next to her garage. Now, not everyone has access to a British rocker and a Steinway, but it gave me lots of ideas for a backyard party that’s not just another beer bash.

The bistro setup:

• Enlist a friend who is 1) a ham and 2) can play an instrument, any instrument. This person doesn’t have to rock out: acoustic guitar, keyboard, harmonica, kazoo. It’s all good. The point is to keep it casual and fun, and maybe others will jump in and jam.
• Put potted plants around the area where your friend(s) will be performing to create a “stage.”
• Dress the part: I spotted a few piano-key ties circa '84. It's not a costume party, but you can certainly have fun with accessories.
  
• For decorations, the hostess chose a red-and-black color scheme to drive home the bistro theme. Black tablecloths are versatile, cheap, and you don’t have to worry about wine stains.
• She placed a candle in a red hurricane lamp on each table. Red votives or just plain tea lights would do the trick, too.
• Line each slat of an overhead trellis with red Christmas lights for dramatic effect, or create a twinkle light “bouquet” by bunching a string of lights together and securing it with wire. Hang it upside down from a tree for a makeshift chandelier.
• Put vases filled with flowers in plain paper bags to create laid-back centerpieces that fit the bistro vibe. Red roses were strewn around the buffet table.
• Stick to appetizers instead of a full dinner, and to save time, mix in convenience foods. The hors d’oeuvres selection at Trader Joe’s is amazing (frozen pierogi were a big hit). Set out an antipasto plate, a cheese plate and lots of crackers. Instead of dips like hummus or the usual Ranch dressing, put out a variety of mustards, from hot and sweet to whole grain. For homemade dishes, an easy vegetarian recipe is caprese bruschetta: Place one tomato slice, one basil leaf, and one slice of fresh mozzarella on a slice of toasted French bread. Repeat. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
  
• During the day, keep the flies from bothering guests without using nasty bug spray or a zapper by hanging clear plastic bags of water in strategic spots. The theory is the refracted light scares the flies away. Who knew?
  
• Last but not least, keep the alcohol simple. The point is to lay on the style without laying out a lot of cash. Buy both red and white wines and place them out on a table so guests can help themselves. Remember, good wine does not always equal expensive wine. There are plenty of great buys for under $10.

Comments

As long as you are at Trader Joe's for appetizers you may as well grab some wine too....Easy to stay under the $10 price point at TJ's. Here are my current favorites amongst Trader Joe's Wines (http://tinyurl.com/43vva2)...Enjoy!

Cheers,
Jason

Oops, tinyurl doesn't open correctly... http://tinyurl.com/43vva2

Jason, great list. Thanks for sharing.

If you're picking up stuff at TJ's, try the frozen potato wedges...great fried/baked up with olive oil , salt, and rosemary... a little fancier than fries and still hit the spot.

Grace, look forward to hearing which ones you enjoy....

Steve, TJ's also has frozen sweet potato fries which are quite nice as well. You tried them?