Dinner on the Hill
Last summer we started “Dinner on the Hill”, which is dinner at our house on Friday nights. It’s not every Friday, but it ends up being three Fridays each month. We make the main dish and the first 6 people to RSVP come and bring sides/wine/sweets.
It’s not my original idea, I read this article on Serious Eats and knew I wanted to do something similar. There were so many people we wanted to get together with, but busy scheduled can make it difficult to find a time when everyone is available. We decided an open invitation to our place on Friday night was the best way to go.
We’ve enjoyed a wide variety of dishes with wonderful sides and desserts brought by others. What a wonderful time we’ve had at each and every dinner!
It’s been wonderful, we’ve been able to enjoy dinner with friend we don’t see often enough and we’ve had the pleasure of meeting new people and making new friends. If you’ve ever wanted to find ways to build community, try hosting a dinner like this each week.
How often do you have people over for dinner?
Filed under Around the House | Comments (6)
What a wonderful idea. When we get settled in our new area, I think I will do this!
to Kay's comment
I absolutely LOVE this idea!
Hmm… might be something for my husband and I to think about starting. Not sure how well it would work with two small children, but I love the idea!
to Caroline's comment
Choosing something easy to cook would probably work well, I think the author of the original article has small children. I think that’s one reason she chose to do spaghetti every Friday.
to Susy's comment
Susie, summer time is when my neighborhood comes together with the grill and side dishes. We don’t have a monthly time but I’m guessing there would be some that would do it every month. We have one big grand slam block party some time in July when every one of the neighbors come together with all kinds of special dishes. Games are played with everyone participating in the raw egg toss. The street is blocked off so bicycles, tricycles, skate boards, and all other sorts of wheeled vehicles that normally would be banished from the street are zooming around. When all the eating and games are over the fire pit comes out and all the adults and kids gather around for smores. As the evening wears on and darkness creeps in street lights never let it get completely dark. The firepit is stoked up from dying embers and adult beverages appear as stories of the past year are told about the great happenings on the block. It’s always a great time and we really should do it more than once a year.
Have a great Dinner on the Hill day.
to Nebraska Dave's comment
We used to have an open invitation to people for lunch after church on our deck on Sunday- I would make Smitten Kitchen’s brisket in the crockpot, make coleslaw and people would stop over. I miss this-
Since we moved to Vashon Island Wa from St Paul we got out of the habit- We did have 24 people over for a Friendsgiving to our little house- and we had room to spare- so I know it can be done.
to Jennie's comment
I’ve loved this idea since I first read about it on serious eats. It’s so cool to read about someone putting it into action!
to Natalie's comment