Eating-out season is here!

Summer is in full swing now, and entertaining outside or just planning a casual meal for the family might be on your mind. Garden or balcony – make either option a memorable occasion.

Summer Seating

Selecting the right outdoor tables and chairs involves not only practical considerations, but a balance of function and design, and your outdoor space needs to complement the ambience of other parts of your garden or balcony. With careful consideration and a little design flair when choosing outdoor furniture, whatever you pick can create an inviting and comfortable space.

If your budget is tight, you can use bright new cushions to create a new look for your existing outdoor furniture, but if you are in the market for a new table and chairs, pick carefully to minimise any maintenance. Something flimsy and cheap might be false economy in the long run, as it might not last until next season. Consider fold-up chairs if storage is a problem, and a table that is extendable will increase guest space. Size might matter – ensure there is enough room for the table and everyone around it to sit comfortably and leave enough space to pull out chairs without scraping the wall or railings, with sufficient room for guests to walk around the table without tripping over furniture. Plasticised metal and wood will last well, but wood will need re-oiling now and again after the ravages of a possible wet winter and the heat of summer.

Set the scene with good table décor

Alfresco entertaining is typically more laid back than indoor affairs, and platters and serving dishes add flair to the dining table, helping to bring people together over shared food and good conversation.

Places set with mats look good for a more formal setting, and those made of rattan are always a favourite, although cork or more solid ones won’t blow away! To keep the washing up to a minimum, perhaps use coloured disposable plates, but use attractive serving dishes - beautiful Portuguese traditional plates or dishes will make food look as good as it tastes, or use large handcrafted wooden bowls and decadent terracotta jugs for a centrepiece or for serving food and drink. Napkins can be colour-matched or contrasted with placemats or plates, and individual holders or a central weighted holder can prevent them from flying about. My own napkin holder is a repurposed giant Portuguese coffee mug that lost its handle at some point, and it makes a great holder for napkins, cutlery, or both.

Not everyone is keen on tablecloths, but to my mind, nothing looks nicer, particularly if your table underneath leaves a lot to be desired. Crisp white always looks good, but it could colour-coordinate with napkins and/or plates. Clips to hold tablecloths in place can be used, and I found some pretty bead-weighted ones online, but you could make your own to hang on basic metal ones if you are artistic enough!

If your guests need impressing, make a statement by creating an interesting centrepiece. Get creative and make your own, simply by placing flowers of any sort in a vase or display a range of different sized candles, particularly citronella, as they will help keep the mozzies away. For a long table, you could use a full-length summer garland and decorative lanterns to boost the atmosphere, and coloured paper lanterns that can be collapsed and folded away afterwards could add something special.

Afternoon Tea?

A coffee morning or an afternoon tea or might be something different – a big pot of tea (or coffee), cups, saucers and tea plates, tiny sandwiches and some delicious Portuguese treats on an old-fashioned teacake stand sounds good to me!

Spruce up your space beforehand, sometimes all it takes is to add some blooming flowers in pots or put up hanging baskets for instant summer colour, and hide away any tools or cleaning buckets and mops lying around. Don’t forget to provide some shade – your table under trees or parasols will give your guests welcome shade from the sun.

And don’t forget - in the corner, a sack for guests to tidy away disposables themselves!

Marilyn writes regularly for The Portugal News, and has lived in the Algarve for some years. A dog-lover, she has lived in Ireland, UK, Bermuda and the Isle of Man. 

Marilyn Sheridan