Enjoying a delicious meal in beautiful surroundings is one of life’s great pleasures. And you don’t even need to make reservations: You can create an elevated dining experience in your own home.
Below, read our tips on making any at-home meal special, and learn more about the upscale dining experiences at The Bristal Assisted Living.
Ways to Make At-Home Dining More Special
Plan a Menu
Start with some research on what you’d like to serve and eat. Perhaps you want to try a themed meal, such as a classic steak dinner or traditional comfort food. Or, maybe you want to recreate your favorite restaurant meal. Whatever it is, look up a few recipes you can use as a starting point — then feel free to tweak to your preferences.
Try Seasonal Ingredients
Nowadays, most ingredients can be purchased at any time of the year in any supermarket. However, it can be worth selecting those that are in season for the best flavor and end result. For example, fall apples, winter citrus, and summer sweet corn have a superior taste and nutrition compared to those that are harvested and stored to sell outside their natural season.
Splurge on an Item That Will Really Make a Difference
Sometimes, any variety of a particular ingredient will do. But when you want a certain flavor to be the star of your dish, it can be worth it to seek out the best version you can find. For instance, vanilla extract used in chocolate chip cookies may not need to be the best since it’s a background flavor. But if you’re creating homemade vanilla ice cream, you might want to source real vanilla pods. Another example of this technique is to switch out dried herbs for fresh greens, but be sure to adjust the recipe amounts accordingly.
Learn a New Cooking Technique
Whether it’s a way to sharpen your knife skills or how to keep your cream sauces from breaking, you can learn just about anything about cooking from the internet. Try finding a video or article on a topic that appeals to you — not only will it improve your cooking, but learning something new is fun and can be great for your brain.
Related: Simple ways to keep your mind sharp >>
Elevate One Food Group from Scratch
If you typically eat prepared or processed foods and want to create a more elevated dining experience, shift one part of the recipe and make it from scratch. For example, if you like frozen pot pies, you don't have to make the entire meal from scratch. Find a recipe for the filling and use a prepared pie crust to bring the meal to the next level.
Set the Stage
Part of the enjoyment of eating at a restaurant is the ambiance it creates. So, why not recreate that ambiance at home? Now is the time to get out the good china and polish that silver — even if it’s “just” a regular weekday. Linens like tablecloths, runners, or placemats also bring a more polished feel to your table. If you want to get creative, you can also try arranging a seasonal centerpiece or purchase some flowers for a vase.
Don’t overlook the difference good lighting can make. Soft, natural lighting is appealing when dining. Light some unscented candles, dim the lights, or enjoy a meal al fresco in nice weather.
Finally, music can enhance your dining experience and help set the stage for a relaxing atmosphere. Studies show downtempo, mellow music can be best for a meal — something like classical music or jazz. (Of course, it’s your meal — feel free to play whatever you enjoy!)
Dress Up
For many people, one of the joys of eating at a restaurant is getting dressed up. Why not try it at home? Some studies suggest that what we wear has an effect on our mood, so put on something you like wearing and feel comfortable in for your special at-home meal.
Invite Friends or Family
Finally, the pleasure of a good meal is often multiplied when we share it with friends or family. Consider inviting a friend or two (or more) to enjoy your meal together. Feel free to have them bring a drink or dessert to add to the mix.
Elevated Dining at The Bristal
At The Bristal, we offer residents an array of appetizing meal choices each day, along with special events, action stations, and culinary programs to keep the dining experience fresh and fun.
Some of our dining programs and options include:
- The Taste of Home Program - Residents share favorite recipes that can be recreated and shared with others.
- Food Committee Meetings - Monthly meetings for residents to provide feedback and help plan menus for the upcoming month.
- SmartChoice - Residents can choose from among foods that promote healthy brain function and improve cognitive ability. Heart-healthy, sugar-free, and no-salt-added options are also available in each of our communities.
- Farm to Table - Partnerships with local farmers and providers to ensure that no matter the time of year, we include fresh and in-season ingredients in the delicious meals that we serve.
- The Taste of the Season: Menus updated monthly and new offerings added regularly to include healthy ingredients and seasonal flavors you can't find anywhere else.
- Themed Dinners and Dining Events - From holidays to birthdays to unique themes, the chefs at our communities are always cooking up something new for residents to enjoy.
Eating well is important for our overall health — regardless of age. At The Bristal, we know a thing or two — not only about nutrition, but also the importance that food plays in our everyday lives as well as our family traditions.
On The Bristal Blog, we highlight our talented chefs, share some of their favorite recipes, and touch on important nutrition topics for seniors.
