The Dinner Party Guide: Côte d’Azur Edit
Our July inspirations for a simple dinner with friends.
because you should invite some friends over for dinner
ON THE MENU
A glass (or bottle) of rosé is a must for this Côte d’Azur menu. We’ll transport you to the sunny south of France starting with the ratatouille tart, crispy panisse, and provençal olives. Of course, no summer patio would be complete without a brothy bowl of mussels and lobster with herbed butter and white wine. Summer Europe staycation?
THE BREAD: Fougasse, so dreamy!
THE CHEESE: Robiola Rocchetta
Robiola Rocchetta is a “triple crème” cow, goat, and sheep milk cheese from Piedmont, Italy. It’s mild and creamy, buttery and tangy, and runny at peak ripeness. The rind is edible, soft and wrinkled.
THE INSPIRATION
THIS MONTH WE ARE INSPIRED BY CÔTE D’AZUR
The Côte d’Azur stretches along the rocky Mediterranean coastline of the southeast corner of France. Although there isn’t an official boundary, it’s considered to be the coastal area of the Alpes-Maritimes department from the Italian border in the east to just beyond Cannes in the west. Previously a remote and impoverished region known for fishing, olive groves, and perfume, it became popular with the British upper class in the 19th century for its beauty, old school charm, and its revitalizing warm and sunny weather. The name was given to the area by French writer Stéphen Liégeard in his book, La Côte d’Azur published in 1887 for the azure color of the Mediterranean.
Picturesque small towns and cities dot along the coast — with brightly colored buildings, terracotta rooftops, narrow cobblestone streets, and views of the brilliant turquoise Mediterranean Sea. The area is still known for its glitz and glamor with iconic resorts in Antibes, Cannes, and St Tropez. Due to its Mediterranean climate, the Cote d’Azur has a long growing season and produces quality vegetables, citrus fruits, and predominantly rosé wine.
“The French Riviera is a haven of inspiration, where artists and dreamers find their muse in the azure waters and sun-kissed landscapes”
SET THE MOOD
THE MOOD BOARD
The July mood board: the simple beauty of life well lived with loved ones.
And! Get inspired by icons of the French Riviera.
THE PLAYLIST
Immerse yourself in Côte d'Azur’s sun-soaked vibe with our summer playlist.
Jamie’s On Repeat: Sonido Cósmico by Hermanos Gutiérrez
THE BIGGEST MOOD OF THE SUMMER IS LOUNGING.
Take time for yourself to rest and recharge. Be unapologetically lazy! Here are our book & movie recommendations to help you do just that — absolutely nothing :)
READ — Pick your poison: from a classic 20s mystery to sexual liberation in the 50s.
The Mystery of the Blue Train by Agatha Christie: A Hercule Poirot mystery that begins on the luxurious Blue Train to the Côte d'Azur, involving a wealthy heiress and a stolen ruby.
The Reunion by Guillaume Musso: Three former friends reunite at their old high school 25 years after a tragedy, uncovering secrets that have haunted them for decades.
Bonjour Tristesse by Françoise Sagan: A teenage girl spends a carefree summer on the French Riviera, but her father's new romantic interest disrupts their idyllic life, leading to unexpected consequences.
The Once Upon a Time World: The Dark and Sparkling Story of the French Riviera By Jonathan Miles: This book explores the transformation of the French Riviera from a remote wilderness to a glamorous hub of culture and luxury, blending historical and modern tales.
WATCH
To Catch a Thief (1955) Hitchcock’s classic film stars Cary Grant & Grace Kelly, featuring stunning scenes of the French Riviera as a retired cat burglar tries to catch a copycat thief.
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988) Steve Martin and Michael Caine as two con men competing to swindle an heiress in the beautiful setting of the French Riviera.
And God Created Woman (1956) Starring Brigitte Bardot, this film was shot in Saint-Tropez and helped popularize the town and the Côte d'Azur as glamorous destinations.
La Piscine (1969) Jacques Deray’s drama of sexual jealousy and possessiveness, set against the sultry backdrop of a French villa with a swimming pool.
Grace of Monaco (2014) This biographical drama stars Nicole Kidman as Grace Kelly, focusing on her life in Monaco amidst political turmoil and personal struggles.
ON THE TABLE
L’ART DE LA TABLE
I love these darling vintage silver candy trays. You can find them in antique stores or on ebay for under $10. I love desserts that you can pass and share, its a far better end to a meal than something individually plated, so they are perfect for the callison cookies this month.
EVERY TABLE NEEDS FLOWERS & CANDLES
Set your table with wildflowers, daisies, or whatever you find. Plop them in a mason jar, or my favorite—cut the stems really short and put them in a bowl.
This month, we’re all about dining outside. It’s simple and obvious, but string lights are a must. There’s nothing quite like sitting outside under that soft, warm light with a digestif in hand as the sun sets. If its too windy for candles, I just love these lanterns. You can keep them closed on the table until you need light.
THE BEVERAGES
THE COCKTAIL
Get in, we’re drinking French Pearls.
This cocktail embodies the spirit of the French Riviera with its use of pastis, an iconic anise-flavored spirit from southern France. The refreshing blend of gin, lime, and mint captures the leisurely elegance of the Riviera, perfect for savoring summer evenings and bringing the vibrant charm of the Mediterranean coast right to your glass.
THE PAIRINGS
France44’s July selections embody the essence of summer with vibrant rosés and refreshing whites. These wines capture the sunny, laid-back vibe of the Côte d'Azur, bringing together the elegance of Provence and the charm of Burgundy.
For zero-proof options, Marigold offer a refreshing blend of bright, tart, and herbaceous flavors. See the full list.
“The French Riviera is a place where the combination of sea, sun, and the simple pleasures of life never fail to inspire.”
THE RECIPES
Pan Bagnat
It’s the sandwich of the summer! I think of pan bagnat (pahn bahn ya) as a salad disguised as a sandwich.
Do as the French do! Make the sandwich in the morning and when driving to the beach, have the kids sit on them to press them down. The longer you wait, the better it will be! It’s perfect for a picnic on the beach, a pontoon lunch, or a late night snack.
Ratatouille Tart
The beauty of this ratatouille tart is the vegetables really shine on top of flaky puff pastry — and it’s handheld. It’s a simple summer recipe to use up garden vegetables, and it looks like you put more effort into it than you did. I promise you won’t need a rat on your head to pull this off :)
Mussels with Summer Tarragon Butter
I traveled to the Côte d’Azur two summers ago to meet my partner who was working there, and I think I ate mussels 7 days in a row. It’s the only thing I ever want in the summer: a big bowl of mussels with a glass of rosé on a patio. If I can do that in France, it’s a bonus.
Panisse
Panisse came to the South of France from Italian workers of the Piedmont and Liguria regions. The chickpea fries have a light crisp exterior and a custardy center. Psst. They’re also gluten free.
(DINNER) PARTY WITH US
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“Instructions for Living : Pay attention, be astonished, tell about it.”