There’s a shop in the West Village in New York City that makes me feel as if I have died and gone to heaven. Big Night is a tiny, dinner party shop.*  I say “tiny” because it’s only about 750 square feet inside but the wonderful thing is that it doesn’t feel that way and it also wasn’t designed that way by accident.  Owner Katherine Lewin had a vision to open a shop more like an apartment. A shop for people like me and you.  People who love to eat, cook, and entertain. 

Lewin and I have a lot in common.  She, like me, left a full-time career to follow her dream of starting her own business.  Both she and I had this epiphany right around the time of the worldwide pandemic when food, eating, family togetherness, and cooking at home were becoming more “of a thing” for a lot of people.  We share similar philosophies especially meals at home should always be a bit more special. We both love to eat, cook, and entertain! 

I absolutely love, love, love her shop.  I could spend hours there! 

The same energy and vibe of her shop is completely transferred to her debut cookbook, Big Night: Dinners, Parties & Dinner Parties.  She describes the book as “a treasure trove of tips, tricks, and guidance on every aspect of dinners, parties, and dinner parties.”   It is the ultimate hosting guidebook. The compass and roadmap to turn a meh meal into something extraordinary. 

 Like her shop, the book isn’t very big but it is packed with so, so much!  It’s organized by seasons and there are more than 80 recipes for snacks, appetizers, main dishes, desserts, and cocktails.  Each clever recipe will take you through any and all occasions, all year long. The photography is fun and that’s the way I would describe the book.  It’s all about fun. It’s high energy, bold, and colorful. 

Lewin says she’s the “definitely-not-perfect” host and cook and the essence of her book (and her shops) is that dinner parties or entertaining does not have to be intimidating and that there’s only one rea “rule” of hosting and that is that there should be snacks.  Y’all know I’m all about the snacks!

Actually, that is not the only rule.  Lewin does go into detail about other rules of entraining that include:

• There’s no rule that says you have to serve dinner at a dinner party.

• Serve cheese, and always remember to take it out of the refrigerator at least 30 minutes before guests arrive.

• Anything, even store-bought food (gasp!) (lol), can look good–if it is served in the right bowl.

• People just want to eat ham and potato chips. (I don’t think she means to take this rule literally, although it is quite possible.  I believe it means that people just like simple things but, sure, serve ham and chips, I bet they are the first things to go on the buffet!)

• Great olive oil makes all the difference.  Period.

• Don’t be the bartender at your dinner party.  Set up a “bar” with a theme. Set up a spritz bar, old-fashioned bar, or martini bar–get creative and have all the things prepared for a self-serve situation.  My own personal rule: using the best ice is crucial and can really make a difference in a cocktail!

Her recipes are wonderful–and fun. Any cookbook that has a “pigs in blanket” recipe is already a winner for me,   Her Sweet-Salty Pigs in a Blanket is phenomenal, it rival our Figgy Piggies in a Blanket. She also has recipes and ideas for things that all of us who entertain already do–but she adds a twist.  Artichoke Dip, for example, is a stand-by recipe that has been around for years. Her spin: have it for dinner.  Her cocktail ideas are outstanding.  Who doesn’t love a good martini? But, again, add a twist–not literally. Her Snap Pea ‘Tinis recipe is just so fun.  And so are her ideas.  Fix A Big Chopped Salad (to go with Takeout Pizza) is just one of her fabulous ideas. 

I couldn’t think of a better entertaining book to add to your library.   Don’t stress.  Have fun and, by all means, add your curious twist to your next dinner, party, or dinner party!

Cheers!

MK

* Actually, she has two shops in NYC.  The original, flagship store is in her neighborhood in Greenpoint, Brooklyn and her second shop is in the West Village.