Whether it’s a long, relaxed dinner with citronella candles flickering, or a quick after-work drink on the terrace, summer entertaining is in full swing. We’ve asked some of the most stylish hosts we know to share their party tips. Pour yourself a Campari soda and get comfortable—it’s Aperitivo Hour.
It’s been hot in Pasadena lately, and according to Cat Chen, the best way to beat the heat is simple—invite friends over, keep the air conditioning on, and serve a light menu with a crisp white wine. “I want my guests to feel like they’re walking into an oasis, where they can kick off their shoes, relax, and be looked after,” she says. “I have an open door policy, so if you’re in Pasadena, you can always stop by for a glass.”
The founder of Dulan Wine and a Substack writer, Chen hosts often. Sometimes she squeezes everyone into her breakfast nook with the windows open to catch the breeze; other times, people gather around her coffee table, sprawled on floor cushions and armchairs. The constant is the laid-back vibe of these get-togethers. Her ideal evening goes like this: an afternoon drink in the living room, snacking on shared plates over a few hours. “And if we’ve had too much wine and want something more filling, I’ll switch up the music and quickly throw together a pasta dinner—those are the best nights!” says Chen.
On a recent Saturday afternoon, she hosted a similarly casual aperitif. Friends dropped by between their plans for the day, with no fixed start or end time. The food—light, seasonal, and mostly easy to put together without needing a stove or oven—was spread across the bright living area of her cottage, with chilled bottles of wine tucked into various corners. (A major perk, we think, of owning a wine label.) There are worse ways to spend a heatwave.
Photography by Serafina LoGiacco
Set the Scene
“This summer, less is more. I start with a tablecloth—I’m currently into vintage solids with intricate details. Then, I add color through flowers, food, and serving dishes. I like it minimal and uncluttered so there’s plenty of room for drinks. My dining and living areas are one big room, so I usually split the salty and sweet dishes between two tables. I love using natural wood pieces to serve; it’s always been part of my rustic, country style. The pieces in my home have been used for years, and you can tell they’ve seen a party or two.
I also start every party with a handwritten shopping list for the market—this notepad from Jaymes Paper makes a mundane task feel special. I typically write down a mix of what I need and what I’m craving, then adjust when I see something I like that’s in season.”
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Sézane embroidered tablecloth $215
Shoppe Amber Interiors natural wood pedestal $68
Jaymes Paper Memopad No. 01 $35
McGee & Co. mango wood carved pedestal $70
Photography by Serafina LoGiacco
The Hosting Outfit
“I love wearing all white in the summer, and I’m not worried about spills, so it works in my favor. Dressing at home should feel relaxed and easy; I want to lounge on the couch with my friends and talk for hours. So it’s either a simple white shirt and pants, or a flowy dress, and never, ever shoes!”
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Dôen Riana tee $198
Agolde Ren jeans $229
Chan Luu Diem drop earrings $95
Luv Aj The One and Only tennis bracelet $550
Photography by Serafina LoGiacco
Tabletop Heroes
“Everything in my house is a treasure from a trip, or a hand-me-down from my parents. I always bring home sWhen I travel, I always bring back something special—a vase from Taipei, an olive oil dispenser from Menorca, a tiny spoon from Paris, a ceramic dish from Lisbon, or a tapestry from my dad’s collection. I use every piece regularly, and they always make great conversation starters. Years ago, I bought a set of Pomelo Casa plates that I truly treasure—they’re fun, hand-painted, and made in small batches in Spain. Whenever I visit Merci in Paris, I grab a couple of Sabre pieces; my collection is getting a bit out of hand. I also have a set of vintage Liberty blue plates from the Rose Bowl Flea that I use every day.
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Pomelo Casa dinner plates – $92
POMELO CASA
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Pomelo Casa Casa Lila plate – $26
POMELO CASA
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Design Tree Boutique vintage Lunéville plates – $65
ETSY
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Gjusta Goods pasta bowl – $52
GJUSTA GOODS
Photography by Serafina LoGiacco
Photography by Serafina LoGiacco
What’s on the Menu
“I keep it seasonal and simple—whatever I find at the farmers market the day before, usually a vegetable tart with goat cheese and whatever’s in season. It’s foolproof, and you can make it the night before. Today it was asparagus, but I was also torn between heirloom tomato or zucchini versions. I also sliced a block of sharp cheddar, served it with cherry preserves, and added mini toasts and pâté. Then I sliced chilled heirloom tomatoes and drizzled them with salt and olive oil. I put out a little bit of everything: something salty, something refreshing, and something sweet, like fresh fruit. This week it was cold strawberries and plums—I couldn’t resist how cute and tiny the strawberries were!”
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Sabre Paris butter spreader – $20
MOCIUN
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Opinel Essential knife set – $53
OPINEL USA
Photography by Serafina LoGiacco
Photography by Serafina LoGiacco
Drinks Station
“It’s the summer of Chenin Blanc at my house, so that’s always chilled and poured when guests arrive—I serve them as soon as they get here, but if they want a refill, there’s always wine within reach wherever they’re sitting. I’m really sensitive to anyone having an empty glass! My fridge is also always stocked with sparkling water and Ghia, and I always keep a pitcher of water out, because nobody needs a hangover the next day. The one glass of wine to one glass of water rule is so real.”
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Shoppe Amber Interiors Spanish wine glass – $14
SHOPPE AMBER INTERIORS
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Schott Zwiesel Pure Sauvignon Blanc glasses – $102
WILLIAMS-SONOMA
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Jenni Kayne seagrass picnic pitcher – $55
JENNI KAYNE
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DuLan Wine 2018 Chenin Blanc – $38
DULAN WINE
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Fatlo cocktail picks – $6 $5 (17% off)
AMAZON
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Muji rattan coaster – $6
MUJI
Photography by Serafina LoGiacco
Photography by Serafina LoGiacco
All in the Details
“I always use ivory votive candles in clear glass. They burn for an entire dinner party and set a mood that’s homey and romantic. I love that they’re unscented and don’t get in the way. My house is always filled with flowers, usually from the farmers market. The table flowers are always simple and minimal, and always one type of flower—no mixing and matching for me. These little purple ones are called pincushion flowers (also known as scabiosas); I love how delicate and simple they are.”
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Barfly julep cup – $16
AMAZON
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Sam Villasenor white ceramic bud vase – $42
ETSY
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Nickey Kehoe x Maggy Ames stoneware colander – $80
NICKEY KEHOE
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Hosley glass votive candles – $40 $38 (5% off)
AMAZON
Dinner Party Dos & Don’ts
The Faux Pas…
“Not taking your shoes off and showing up empty-handed. It’s important to say thank you with a small gesture—even something as simple as a bundle of herbs tied with a ribbon.””The Party Playlist…
‘I made this bossa nova playlist years ago for my Dulan dinners, and it still sets the perfect mood. It doesn’t get in the way of conversation, but it keeps the energy upbeat.’
The Guest List…
‘I love having a mix of old friends who’ve known me for a decade and new friends who’ve never met but really should. Nothing makes me happier than seeing different parts of my life come together.’
The Stress-Reducing Secret…
‘I’m a natural planner, so I tackle small tasks throughout the week before a gathering instead of doing everything at once. I host so often that I know exactly how long everything takes—and it’s always longer than you’d expect! The day before, I always arrange the flowers, iron the tablecloth, and set out the wine glasses. I like everything to be ready by the time guests arrive, so my only job is making sure everyone’s glass is full.'”
Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of FAQs about Aperitivo Hour A Sunny Saturday Apéro with Cat Chen
General Event Details
Q What exactly is an Aperitivo Hour or Apéro
A Its an Italian and French tradition of gathering before a meal It usually involves light drinks and small snacks to stimulate the appetite and catch up with friends
Q Who is Cat Chen
A Cat Chen is the host and guide for this event She is likely a food and drink expert or enthusiast who will be leading the session sharing recipes and explaining the culture behind the drinks and snacks
Q Is this a physical event or a virtual one
A While the specific format can vary it is most often a virtual livestreamed class or a prerecorded video session You can join from your own backyard balcony or kitchen to follow along
Q When does the Sunny Saturday aspect come in
A The event is designed to be enjoyed on a sunny Saturday afternoon The recipes and drinks are chosen to be light refreshing and perfect for daytime sipping rather than heavy evening cocktails
Drinks Food
Q What kind of drinks will we be making
A Expect classic sunfriendly options like the Aperol Spritz Hugo Spritz or a light citrusy winebased cocktail Cat will likely focus on lowalcohol bubbly and refreshing drinks
Q Do I need to buy expensive alcohol or fancy equipment
A No The focus is usually on accessible ingredients Youll likely need a wine or prosecco a bitter liqueur sparkling water and fresh fruit A simple wine glass and a spoon are usually enough
Q What kind of snacks are typically served at an Aperitivo
A Small savory bites Think marinated olives cheese cubes cured meats crostini with toppings or salted nuts The goal is salty snacks that make you want to take another sip of your drink
Q I have dietary restrictions Will this be a problem