An Enviable Evening Gathering at Leanne Citrone's Abode

Rip & Tan: If you had to pick a word or phrase to encapsulate your approach to entertaining this year, what would it be and why?

Leanne Citrone: Simplicity. Don’t make it more complicated than it needs to be. People enjoy good company, seeing friends they love and meeting new people. Entertain more.

Rip & Tan: What do you consider classic elements of a Leanne Citrone gathering? 

Leanne Citrone: I love to entertain outside. A candlelit dinner always makes for an intimate evening with a great playlist in the background. I really enjoy putting together a guest list of people who may not know one another but have something unique in common, it always makes for unexpected conversions.

Rip & Tan: Any hosting trends you’re looking to adopt this year? 

Leanne Citrone: I’m not sure if it’s a trend but I may actually start saying yes when people ask what they can bring!

Rip & Tan: Walk us through this evening’s menu—what kind of seasonal flavors and inspiration does it draw from? 

Leanne Citrone: I’m always influenced by the farmers market—I love to see what’s available and fresh and what speaks to me. From there, this typically influences what direction I take dinner in. I’m lucky enough to know this group very well so I knew pizza would be a hit and I also wanted to serve their favorites from my site. It makes me really happy to feed my friends and family things that I know they love.

Rip & Tan: Beyond the menu, how did you strategize the essential elements of this backyard gathering? What kind of items were on your must-include and must-prep lists?

Leanne Citrone: I like to start with a clean kitchen and an empty dishwasher. A great knife is always key. All of my Jenni Kayne Pacific Dinner Plates, Frayed Linen Napkins, and serving dishes always come in handy and it helps that they’re so beautiful! I’m trying to be more diligent about cleaning as I go, but ultimately I end up cleaning after dinner—I don’t like waking up to a dirty kitchen.

Rip & Tan: What’s one of your favorite ways to easily elevate a simple gathering to make it feel more special? 

Leanne Citrone: A beautifully set table, even for the simplest of meals, and a great dessert. Hot water with fresh mint to help with digestion after dinner is always a nice touch that doesn’t require any work.

Rip & Tan: From pantry staples to tabletop décor, is there anything you always keep on hand for last-minute gatherings?

Leanne Citrone: I try to keep my pantry filled—lots of olive oils, different vinegars and my favorite condiments. I love having beautiful pasta on hand. Candles always make a table feel special. I go to the farmers market every week so there’s always something in the fridge to make even if it’s last minute. I’m also not afraid to bring in food from a restaurant and fill in with a homemade salad and dessert.

Rip & Tan: As a veritable expert host, what’s your take on a good host’s gift?

Leanne Citrone: On behalf of hosts everywhere…no more wine! Everyone has so much wine! Unless it’s requested, there are so many other great options out there—a beautiful loaf of bread and butter, some great olive oil, salt and a pretty salt cellar, a special incense or some chocolate. Or even something more personal like your favorite body lotion or lip balm. It’s the littlest personal touch that goes a long way with someone who’s spent so much time in the kitchen all day.