Good Morning, Darlings!

You would call Eddie Ross a designer on Bravo’s Top Design, the former Senior Style Editor for Martha Stewart Living, Decorating Editor for House Beautiful, Contributing Editor to Woman’s Day and wildly popular blogger.

I am lucky enough to call him my friend.

When I learned that Eddie and his ultra fabulous beau, Jaithan, were going to be in town in July, they were so kind to set aside some time in their incredibly busy schedules to join us for dinner.

Okay, now that they have agreed to dinner – where do I go from here? This was not to be a wienie cookout with s’mores (though there is nothing wrong with that!), but needed to be warm, inviting and sophisticated – like the two of them.

Warm – check
Inviting – check
Sophisticated – let me work on that

The food is always important, but first you have to have the perfect mix of guests. This is key, my darlings, or else you will have a flop on your hands, no matter what fabulous food you are serving.

I wanted this to be a small, intimate dinner so my guest list was of the utmost importance. This was our group:

Eddie + Jaithan (of course!)

Eric and I (well, duh…)

Tami, my friend, food stylist and author of Running With Tweezers and her lively, fun friend Terri (you met her here)

Christy, CEO of Peas For Prosperity

Taruan, my beloved friend, who you have met here at the blog and was moving to NYC the very next day(!!) to go to Parsons School of Design

And at Eddie and Jaithan’s suggestion, the most delightful Kerry Howard (Eddie’s fellow designer from Top Design) and his bestie, Tyler

I invited Kerry and was beyond thrilled that he and Tyler agreed to join us. It was the icing on the cake.

Super Fab Guest List – Check

Now for the table and the food.

I set the table with my gorgeous gold embossed Moroccan-inspired glasses that I used as votive holders, gold chargers and a white milk glass bowl filled with green and yellow fruit as an homage to a centerpiece Eddie designed for Southern Living.

If you notice, there are no plates on the table. Eric and I decided to plate the dinner for a little extra sophistication. A first for us, I believe.

And I didn’t have 10 of any one gold charger, so I just mixed them up. It worked well.

And now, for the menu:

Endive Stuffed With Tabouli – Starter

Segura Vida Cava & Canton Ginger Liqueur or St. Germain – Welcome Cocktail

Grilled Lamb Chops

2006 Cynthiana, Three Sisters Vineyard

2006 Chardonnay, Three Sisters Vineyard

Tomatoes Stuffed With Corn, Bacon & Chiles

Oven Roasted Broccoli Florets

Onion Flatbread

With everything in place and the music picked by my darling husband (lots of upbeat tunes so no one would snooze…), we were ready to greet our friends. And away we go!

First to arrive – Eddie  + Jaithan. With the sweetest hostess gift – salt and pepper cellars. Love them!

I just love Eddie + Jaithan. I love how well they compliment each other. Eddie is ebullient, bubbly and fabulous. Jaithan is a modern day Cary Grant, debonair, well-spoken and fabulous. They are the best of the best. Just being in their company makes one feel better about life and all it has to offer.

Eric, Eddie, Jaithan and I got the last minute details in place before the rest of the guests arrived. Eric lit the grill for the lamb, Eddie styled the appetizers and he & Jaithan put together the welcome cocktails.

Upon seeing me, Kerry proclaimed that I looked like a big piece of pink bubble gum. I consider this a compliment. Pink! Bubble gum! What’s not to like?

I know I should have been nervous with all these interior designers in the house, but I wasn’t! Oh, the wonders of bubbly! lol

And then dinner was ready. Everyone, take your seats.

It was exciting to showcase only Georgia wines at dinner. My friends Doug and Sharon really know what they are doing.

For dessert? Well, Jaithan recently celebrated a birthday and since it was so close, I wanted to celebrate with him. Eddie told me that Jaithan’s favorite cake is red velvet, so off I went to the city’s best baker – Cake Hag and placed my order. They make their red velvet cake with a red wine reduction – tres chic. Like Jaithan!

The cake truly was as smooth as velvet. And the icing was not the extra heavy cream cheese type. This was much lighter. No one felt weighed down after indulging in a slice. The cake was paired with Three Sisters Georgia Port, a gift to me from my friends Doug and Sharon. It was the perfect match. The three candles represent past, present and future.

It’s rare to have television stars, interior designers, food stylists and fab guys like my Eric all at one table. But we did this night. And it was the greatest time. Filled with hilarious repartee, amazing wines and fine food. Eric, Honey, thanks for manning the grill in the hellish heat and for being the photographer for the night. You make my life a living dream.

One last shot.

Eddie + Jaithan arrived with gifts and when they left for the evening, left me with two even greater gifts – Kerry and Tyler’s friendship. Thank you to my wonderful friends – I can’t wait for you to return so we can do it all again.

xoxo, Patti

Today blogging to Dirty Dancing Soundtrack – Time of My Life