Having family dinners isn’t really as common as it used to be, but it’s one thing our family has always done. It’s gotten a little more difficult as the kids have gotten older. Cross-country practice at 6 p.m. throws a kink in it on a regular basis, but for the most part, we eat our meals together. On the weekends, we sometimes follow supper with fun family games, but every now and then, especially if there’s a specific reason to celebrate, I like to do something a little “extra.” That’s why I was intrigued when I saw the idea for creating a weekend home bistro. How fun does that sound? A weekend home bistro can be a really fun way to bring your family together. But how do you do it? Here a few suggestions:
Pick a Theme and Go with It
As I have mentioned before, I always love a good theme! My family loves to try food from different cultures so a weekend home bistro could center around elements of that culture and be a learning experience as well as a fun meal. (Homeschool families are always learning, right?) We live near the Gulf Coast so seafood around here usually takes the shape of cajun-inspired dishes like shrimp etouffee, but to make the weekend home bistro special, you might want to try something new and unexpected. For instance, I had no idea you could have something like live lobster delivery, and we would all be learning because I have no idea how to cook live lobster! What an experience that would be! There are so many options for theme ideas. Just think how cute and fun a 1950s diner theme would be, and paired with movies and music, it would be a great family night.
Create a Manageable Menu
The whole point of a bistro-style family night is to have fun, but if it’s hard to plan and prepare, everyone will be having fun but you. Keeping the menu simple and choosing items that you can prepare ahead of time will keep you from being too busy or stressed to have a good time. I like to mix new recipes with ones I know my family will enjoy just in case something goes wrong or just isn’t as good as I hope it will be. And, remember: bistro-style food is usually simple anyway, so don’t overcomplicate things.
Craft a Weekend Home Bistro Vibe
Something like a weekend home bistro is one of the more exciting ideas for quality time with the family. But how do you go about creating the vibe you’re looking for? Here are some ideas for crafting the right atmosphere:
- Arrange some small bistro-style tables around the space, and use booths if possible.
- Soft lighting from candles and dimmed LEDs provides a warm ambiance to the room.
- Add vintage posters of the theme, chalkboard menus, and diner-style accessories.
Prepare the Eating Space
Depending on the theme, the eating space will have different requirements. For example, a French theme would require correct table placement, silverware, and white linens. While the same template can be used for most other types of cuisine, there are small differences that can change the feel. For instance, a typical French bistro becomes an American diner when you simply swap out white linens for checkerboard tablecloths.
Have Fun and Relax a Little
This isn’t a special occasion like Christmas, so don’t put too much pressure on yourself when creating a bistro at home. The whole point is to shake things up and have fun, and taking it too seriously will only cause problems. No one will really notice small mistakes, but they will appreciate the effort of trying to do something different and fun. So, create the food everyone loves, sit back, and enjoy the evening as a family.
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