It’s the perfect time of year to invite a group of friends over for a small Autumn dinner party. Fall feels like the time to get cozy with candlelight, comfort food, and good conversation.
Here’s how Howard and I gave an intimate Autumn dinner party (including recipes) in San Francisco that was casual and stress-free so that we could enjoy our guests.
This is an updated post for 2025!
Small Autumn Dinner Party
I like to set the table a couple of days in advance. It’s enjoyable for me. Usually, it’s a mix of things I already own.
Setting The Mood
Flowers
These peachy pink dahlias and dark red leaves in a black vase nod to Autumn colors.
Table Linens
A grey and rust table runner is paired with earthy red linen napkins and my favorite round placemats. I mentioned on Instagram how I don’t really iron the napkins, I just take them out damp from the dryer and smooth them out by hand.
Plates
I bought the white chargers in Mexico (can’t find them here). The salad plates are by Juliska.
Music
On my iPhone, I have lots of playlists and two or three specifically for dinner parties (that I add to whenever I think about it). When our son, Tommy was here and we were relaxing at an outdoor cafe in North Beach, he and I both loved the music, so I asked the owner who it was. He said it was Antoine Villoutreix “Paris Berlin” on Spotify. I downloaded my favorites from the album on Apple music. It was playing during dinner and one of our guests asked for it, too.
You can play this while you read the rest of the post!
Candlelight
I simply used our two tallest taper candlesticks (similar) with two votives in wire baskets that I’ve had for years.
Four Dish Menu
Howard and I split the duties and everything was made in advance. Since it’s a hearty menu, we didn’t have appetizers. We served white wine before and with the salad and a bottle of special red wine (that Howard brought back from France from when we lived there 20 years ago).
Greek Stacked Salad
I’ve been making this recently since our trip to Greece. Everything was chopped and sliced in advance so that it just took a couple of minutes to assemble.
Red Wine-Braised Short Ribs
This made our house smell good all day (Howard had it cooking while watching football)…and had a great aroma for arriving guests.
Potatoes Au Gratin
Decadent but worth it. You could serve a smaller portion size (Howard doesn’t though).
Lemon Blueberry Tart
I like to make this tart but this time I cheated and went to a B. Patisserie and purchased their Meyer lemon tart.
It’s really pretty simple to make your guests feel special by hosting a small autumn dinner party. We sent them home with leftovers (and you know the short ribs will be even better the next day).
For a larger group, you may also like: Make-ahead Fall Dinner Party For 16 Guests.
Loved the music. Thank you for the suggestion. We just had short ribs at friend’s dinner party served with cheesy Southern grits, which was a wonderful accompaniment.
Sounds delicious!
Gorgeous setting, gorgeous food! I know it’s delicious too. I miss this San Francisco view … but your new one is spectacular too. Does this rhyme … omg. xo
What is the name of your silverware pattern?
I’m not sure…it’s about 25 years old and it’s stainless. I can check.
I love that table runner! I am scouring the Internet to find something like i but no luck. Any suggestions?
It was from West Elm last year.
The table is beautiful, and the food is outstanding! The two of you entertain beautifully.
Dinner looks wonderful!!! I always enjoy your post…I just booked the cabin in Lake Arrowhead that you shared next June for my 70th birthday celebration. Thank you
Oh how fun! There are lots of stairs but plenty of room to spread out.
Hi Mary Ann, you should write a book on entertaining!! You always have the most beautiful place settings. I have had those same placemats for a long time. :o) . Thanks for sharing the music video!
Linda S.
You are the entertainer extraordinaire…I should say you and Howard! Lucky are those who are guests at your home! I was wondering about the wine too! It must have been stored perfectly…lucky guests! I have never done short ribs I should try. That greek salad is a winner and so beautiful!!
Oh and you might like French singer Gerald de Palmas.
Thanks for the tip!
Everything looks so lovely! What a perfect evening. Another French group you might like is Trois Cafes Gourmands. Their hit song is A nos souvenirs. Bon week-end!
Thank you!
What a beautiful table and delicious menu. Will be taking a page out of your entertaining book and host an autumn dinner party here this year, too. Would you ever consider sharing your play list? It’s always fun to see what other people play while entertaining. I recently downloaded one from Ina Garten. 😉
I’ll see how to do that!
Just looking at the food and then reading the directions got my juices going. What a lovely and lively but comforting menu. I, too, wondered about the wine. Glad it worked out. Too funny about Chief and his toys at the table. He must have been tuckered from all of his modeling duties. What a soulful cutie pie!
Thanks!
Mary Ann,
I’m on the same page, we’re hosting a small dinner next weekend and another one in October. It’s such a wonderful time of year to catch up with friends.
xo,
Karen
thanks for the inspiration! Convincing my husband we need to host a casual dinner party soon! And definitely adding the music to my library! Happy Fall!
Beautiful table! You had me at Juliska – I love that pattern – I bought the large platter during a terrific Neiman’s sale as a remembrance for my husbands and my 20th anniversary a couple of years ago – it gets a lot of use and a lot of compliments.
I’m looking forward to auditioning instant pot braised short ribs as our “second” for Thanksgiving. They’re always delicious, surely they can’t be bad, but it’ll be the first time I haven’t done them old school. We’ll see…
What a GORGEOUS TABLE!I’ am eyeing those PLATES!
Maybe you can show me how to do a PLAYLIST?I have NEVER done the music thing!!
ALL THE FOOD LOOKED DELICIOUS……………did CHIEF bring his toys out under the TABLE?I know he does THAT for SPECIAL PEOPLE ONLY!
How was the VINTAGE WINE?
Drinkable I HOPE!
SEE YOU SOON!
XX
The wine was excellent…I think we both were a little worried! Chief did not bring out his toys! He went to bed early 🙂
This looks like the perfect dinner party! I love to make red-wine braised short ribs! And potatoes of course. I am going to have to stack my next greek salad!
So good, isn’t?!!