Live Artfully: Food + Drink

The Ultimate Guide to Throwing an Artful Dinner Party
What does matter? By all accounts, good music, good lighting and a steady flow of drinks. Before she hosts a party, Arends always makes a playlist on Spotify that’s around six hours long (108 songs). “It’s mostly jazz, because that tends to appeal to everyone. I find it also kind of sets the tone that we should all be on our best behavior.” To create a relaxed vibe, turn off overhead lights (or use dimmers) and use lamps and scattered candles for a softer effect (just don’t put scented candles anywhere near the food).
Artful Living Magazine
Artful Living Magazine
Thanksgiving Table Setup
If you are pressed for time, you can skip the large, fussy floral centerpiece. (Of course, you can also outsource this task to some local talent like Apricot Floral or Lilia Flower Boutique.) If you have a long table, a series of micro arrangements looks chic — and may require fewer flowers. For an even more laissez-faire approach, look around your home, suggests Merkatz. Jewelry and other random objects can be repurposed as table decor. And don’t overlook natural elements. Pretty branches or pinecones foraged from your backyard can be artfully arranged. Another clever idea: “One of my friends recently carved out purple cabbages and filled them with votive candles,” says Arends.
Artful Living Magazine
Artful Living Magazine
The Ultimate Guide to Throwing an Artful Dinner Party
How to throw an epic dinner party that you and your friends will never forget.
Artful Living Magazine
Artful Living Magazine
Napa Valley Winery: Frog's Leap
Responsibly farmed, Frog’s Leap uses a dry farming technique that the state of California has identified as an incredible water conservation tool. All of the estate’s gorgeous vineyards are organically farmed without irrigation and reliance on rainfall.
Artful Living Magazine
Artful Living Magazine
Steve Hoffman Learns the Art of Mediterranean Cooking in Southern France
In 2012, food writer Steve Hoffman and his Minnesota family spent an extended fall semester in a tiny winemaking village in the Languedoc region of southern France. His daughter, Eva (14 at the time), and his son, Joseph (nine), attended local schools, while Steve and his wife, Mary Jo, “practiced for retirement.” In her case, this meant a daily photography project called STILL, which resulted in her recently published book: STILL: The Art of Noticing. For his part, Steve tried teaching himself to cook French food, mostly unsuccessfully, and returned to an early love of exploring languages and writing. Here, Hoffman shares an exclusive excerpt of his new memoir A Season for That: Lost and Found in The Other Southern France (Crown Publishing), which chronicles that time.
Artful Living Magazine
Artful Living Magazine
Experience the Magic of San Miguel de Allende, Mexico’s Historic Oasis
La Casa Dragones tasting room is incredibly intimate, offering only six seats. The artful juxtaposition of contemporary decor and 17th-century architecture creates an enchanting ambiance. And four thousand obsidian tiles provide an incredible backdrop to the bar in a nod to the rich volcanic soil of the Jalisco lowlands, where the brand’s agave is grown.
Artful Living Magazine
Artful Living Magazine
We Tried It: Acid League’s Wine Proxies
As the sober-curious trend continues to grow in popularity, more and more brands are hitting the market with their take on low-proof and nonalcoholic beverages. Enter Acid League.
Artful Living Magazine
Artful Living Magazine
Paris Guide: Stay at Fouquet's
Feel like a local savoring escargot, beef tartare and fromage while people watching on the patio at Brasserie Fouquet, then sneak through the discreet bookshelf door to speakeasy Le Marta, where trendy DJs tempt you to dance the night away.
Artful Living Magazine
Artful Living Magazine
Paris Guide: Dine at Marsan par Hélène Darroze
Chef Hélène Darroze’s flagship restaurant in the Sixth Arrondissement is named after her home region in Southwest France. Here, she cherishes the roots of her culinary odyssey, combining the best French ingredients with international influences — from the tandoors of India to the dashis and misos of Japan. Family heirlooms, including her grandmother’s recipe book and her grandfather’s wine list, are also on display.
Artful Living Magazine
Artful Living Magazine
Paris Guide: Dine at Cravan
Only cocktails are served here (no wines by the glass), but you’ll get a taste of 2013 Dom Pérignon to compare when you order the Royal Royal cocktail with a Champagne reduction. Both classic and creative libations lean on spirits within the Moët Hennessy portfolio, like Belvedere Vodka, Woodinville Whiskey and Volcan de mi Tierra Tequila. Snackable small bites are meant for sharing, including vegetable pissaladières, lobster rolls and buttery potato purée topped with black Aquitaine caviar.
Artful Living Magazine
Artful Living Magazine
How Athena Calderone Plans A Dinner Party
"When I’m planning a dinner party, I think about every granular detail. For this, I always turn to Mother Nature for inspiration. A trip to the farmers’ market will influence the entire evening: the menu, the tablescape, the florals, the decorations, even the color palette. Everything should feel cohesive and tell a story."
Artful Living Magazine
Artful Living Magazine
The Best New Twin Cities Restaurants of 2023
Although 2023 seemed to fly by in a blur, this year served up some stellar new culinary staples across the Twin Cities. If you’re ready to make your list of local eateries to check out during the holiday season and beyond, we’ve got your back. Including Daniel del Prado‘s magnum opus and Ann Ahmed‘s nationally renowned hot spot, here are the 12 best new Twin Cities restaurants of 2023.
Artful Living Magazine
Artful Living Magazine
Artful Eateries
Learn how savvy restaurateurs are crafting multi-sensory experiences using original artwork.
Artful Living Magazine
Artful Living Magazine
How Top Restaurateurs Are Curating Art-Forward Experiences
Artist Stephanie Dillon on how savvy restaurateurs are using original artwork to craft multi-sensory installations in their eateries.
Artful Living Magazine
Artful Living Magazine
Meet Brandon Collins, North America’s Only Mustard Sommelier
North America's only mustard sommelier, Brandon Collins, shares his passion for the history and culinary versatility of this tasty ingredient.
Artful Living Magazine
Artful Living Magazine