How To Make The Night Italiano

You don't have to spend lots of money to get some real Italiano inspiration.

The first trick is to serve the meal family style, using large platters or plates that get passed around the table.

To facilitate the feast, pair your platters with matching serving utensils in advance. I stick post-it notes on the platters with the name of the dish so that any helpers can efficiently plate up the food.

Italian tables are more concerned with the food than the decor, so keep it simple. Set the table with a simple crisp white tablecloth and lots of unscented candles. Mix and match different types of candles from votives to tapers and group them in clusters to create an illuminating cathedral as a centerpiece.