Whether it’s a long, relaxed dinner by the glow of citronella candles or a quick post-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 secrets. Grab a Campari soda and get comfortable—it’s Aperitivo Hour.
“The best evenings always mix something familiar with something unexpected,” says Alice Russotti, founder and creative director of the Brooklyn-based decor brand Porta. “I’ve never remembered a dinner because everything was perfect. I remember it because it felt lovely and no one wanted to leave.”
Recently, on one of the first truly warm June evenings, she put this philosophy into practice with an intimate backyard party in Brooklyn’s Boerum Hill. This summer gathering is a new tradition for Russotti. Friends and family meet under twinkling string lights, drinks in hand, to celebrate the season with a theme. Last year, she hosted a pizza party; this year, the plan was paella. “It’s an easy way to feed a lot of people, but it also adds a bit of drama to the evening,” she explains.
She brought in Arroces Street Paella to make two versions of the dish, so she could spend the evening chatting with guests. (This writer was lucky enough to be there and can confirm the vegetarian paella was so delicious it has ruined all other rice dishes for me.) “The best hosting is almost invisible,” Russotti continues. “The work happens beforehand so that once everyone is there, including me, the gathering can unfold naturally. People relax when they feel cared for.”
Ironically, the scene was picture-perfect: every little detail thoughtfully arranged, not even a cherry tomato out of place. Russotti usually lets her menu guide the decorations—here, that meant wicker baskets overflowing with heirloom tomatoes and ceramic bowls piled high with lemons, all ingredients you’d find in a paella. “Sometimes, setting the table is my favorite part of the evening; I joke that once it’s done, I could happily go to bed and call it a success,” she says.
But then she would have missed the paella.
Photography by Brett Warren
Set the Scene
“I always start with a tablecloth. It grounds everything and instantly creates a sense of occasion. My all-time favorite is our Riga tablecloth, which happened to match paella night perfectly too. From there, I layer in brighter colors and pile the table with vegetables (in all shapes and sizes, from tomato plates to actual tomatoes), fruit, glass candle holders, and serving pieces until it feels abundant and celebratory. I love a table that feels generous and full of life.”
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Porta Riga tablecloth $628
Porta Tomato small plate $48
Olive Ateliers Bordeaux basket $65
Zara rectangular basket $100
The Hosting Outfit
“I like to wear something a little special when hosting—a bit metallic, a little shimmer. And something that doesn’t wrinkle easily. I’m really loving Chan Luu right now. I love their wide-leg pants with their sequin tunic for a simple, complete look. Our garden is pebbled, so flat shoes are much easier than heels—especially if you’re running around as host. You’ll usually find me in Le Monde Béryl flats, though lately I’ve also been living in the Babette shoe by Sabah. I love that they add a little pop of color.
For jewelry, I almost always wear pieces designed by my mother under the name Talking Jewellery, including my Cake Writing bracelets with my children’s names on them. Otherwise, I love my Ulla Johnson chain necklace, and Completedworks always wins when you want to add character to the simplest outfit.”
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Chan Luu Chloe sequin tunic$390 CHAN LUU
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Chan Luu
Techno taffeta trousers
$275 SHOPBOP
$275 CHAN LUU
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Le Monde Béryl
Luna ballet flats
$555 NET-A-PORTER
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Sabah
Babet shoes
$225 SABAH
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Ulla Johnson
Brass teardrop chain
$650 ULLA JOHNSON
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Completedworks
Beaded calcite earrings
$295 PORTA
Photography by Brett Warren
Photography by Brett Warren
Tabletop Heroes
“It feels a bit like grading my own homework, but of course Porta is my favorite brand, and I’m definitely its most loyal customer because so much of it ends up coming home with me. For this party, some standouts: the Vito jug, which we used as a vase, the Akila candleholders, which we used to layer the table, and the August wood serving bowls. They work great as decor—we put dried orange slices in these for the party to have ready for the cocktails.”
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Porta
Vito jug
$172 PORTA
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Porta
Akila candleholder
$78 PORTA
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Porta
August wood serving bowl
$230 PORTA
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Porta
Tomato knife
$42 PORTA
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Porta
Giorgia pepper and salt shaker
$280 PORTA
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Porta
Nico napkin set
$118 PORTA
Photography by Brett Warren
Photography by Brett Warren
What’s on the Menu
“The menu really depends on whether people are sitting down or standing up. The paella party was about kicking off summer with as many friends as possible, so definitely not a sit-down. People can help themselves, wander around, go back for more, and keep talking.
We decided to go with two paellas: one more traditional seafood paella with prawns and octopus, and a vegan option with a miso base to make sure we covered all dietary needs. Paella is a great dish because it’s hearty and light at the same time, which means people feel fed and happy, but the portions are a bit ‘lighter’ as a standing food. We also cheated a little on the Basque burnt cheesecake and picked up three cheesecakes freshly made that day from Little Grace Bakery in Chelsea. We wanted to keep to the Spanish theme, and they make the best ones! They do different flavors, but I stuck with traditional. They were completely gone by the end of the night.”
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Porta
Palio small plate
$88 PORTA
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Porta
Palio dinner plate
$128 PORTA
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Porta
Tart server
$46 PORTA
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Garcima
Flat spatula
$43 AMAZON
Photography by Brett Warren
Photography by Brett Warren
Drinks Station
“Keep options tight: you obviously want something that appeals to everyone, but trying to offer too much will just make things fussy. We chose Agua de Valencias for this: they’re easy because you can pre-batch them, but you can also mix up the alcohol between Quattro Gatti Gin or Holiday Vodka—or both. When it comes to glassware, I almost always reach for clear glasses or a smoky green. It gives the eye somewhere to rest and lets the ceramics and food take center stage.”
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Porta
Botanical jug
$298 PORTA
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Porta
Lauren water glass set
$78 PORTA
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Porta
Lauren wine glass set
$98 PORTA
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Porta
Elodie water glass set
$128 PORTA
Photography by Brett Warren
Photography by Brett Warren
All in the Details
“Candlelight brings magic to everything: the flicker reflecting in the glassware, the glow on the ceramics, the feeling that the evening is shifting into something special. (Not to mention, everybody looks better in candlelight.) I’m not particularly loyal to one type: I love taper candles, but I also love hurricane lamps and lots of little tea lights scattered down a table.
When it comes to flowers, I tend to favor simplicity over extravagance: a few branches, a collection of single stems, something clipped from the garden or picked up at the market.
And then there are the details people often forget—the bathroom is part…for the party, too. A nice hand towel—often just a vintage French tea towel in my house—a candle, beautiful Santa Maria Novella soap, and soft lighting. These little touches make guests feel cared for.
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PortaLucia candleholder
$64 PORTA
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PortaLauren hurricane lamp
$198 PORTA
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Pottery Barn
taper candles set
$30 POTTERY BARN
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Pottery Barn
faux oversized branch
$99 POTTERY BARN
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Santa Maria Novella
Melograno Bath Soap
$95 FWRD
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Porta
French vintage tea towel
$42 PORTA
Dinner Party Dos & Don’ts
The Faux Pas…
“Without a doubt, having a phone on the table. Nothing is so important that you need it for the few hours you’re there. Put it away. Engage. Be curious. Talk to the people around you. I’d much rather have a conversation where no one can quite remember the answer, and everyone debates it for twenty minutes, than have someone immediately grab their phone to look it up. A good dinner party is one of the few places left where we can get lost in conversation for hours. It seems a shame to interrupt that.”
The Party Playlist…
“A bit of soul, something British, something current, something nostalgic. I tend to jump between genres and decades without much logic. For this Spanish-themed party, we had a guitarist playing in the background, which gave it a really soulful feel.”
The Guest List…
“I don’t think there’s a set formula, but one of my favorite things about hosting is bringing together old friends and new ones. I love those moments when someone arrives not knowing anyone, and by the end of the night they’re deep in conversation or making plans to see each other again. There’s something really special about introducing people you love to other people you love.”
The Stress-Reducing Secret…
“Plan ahead. Know what you’re making, know what you’re serving, and give yourself more time than you think you’ll need. Set the table early, chill the wine, make whatever you can in advance, and then leave enough time to get dressed and feel like a person before guests arrive. Have a drink. Take a breath and settle in. No one enjoys a party more just because the napkins were perfectly folded.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of FAQs for Aperitivo Hour A Paella Party with Alice Russotti
General Definition Questions
Q What exactly is Aperitivo Hour A Paella Party with Alice Russotti
A Its a cooking class and social event Alice Russotti teaches you how to make authentic Spanish paella while you enjoy Italianstyle aperitivo drinks and appetizers
Q Who is Alice Russotti
A Alice is a professional chef and cooking instructor known for her relaxed handson teaching style and expertise in Mediterranean cuisine
Q Do I need to know how to cook to join
A Not at all The class is designed for all skill levels Alice guides you stepbystep so even beginners can make a great paella
Q Is this a demonstration or a handson class
A Its usually a mix Youll watch Alice demonstrate key techniques but youll also get to participate in handson steps like stirring the rice and arranging the toppings
Practical Logistics Questions
Q How long does the event last
A Most sessions run about 25 to 3 hours including the aperitivo time and the cooking
Q What is included in the ticket price
A Typically it includes all ingredients equipment a welcome aperitivo drink light appetizers and the full paella meal you help create
Q What should I bring
A Just yourself and a good appetite Alice provides all the tools and ingredients You may want to bring a container for leftovers
Q Can I attend if I have dietary restrictions
A Yes but please let the organizer know in advance Alice can often adapt the paella with prior notice
Q Is there a minimum age requirement
A Yes usually 21 due to the alcohol served during aperitivo Check the specific event listing for details
Cooking Technique Questions
Q What kind of paella will we make