Late Summer Lunch on the Lawn
As our Seattle summer fades into fall, we wanted one more excuse to soak up the sun over a luscious spread. What better place to spend time outside than The Admiral’s House in Magnolia, a historical property featuring 360 views of Elliott Bay and the Seattle skyline. We invited a few of our friends to savor a meal in good company, designed and activated by the extraordinary team at Valley & Co. Aleah and Nick Valley share their vision and inspiration for our moment in the sun.
Creating the setting for the luncheon with our friends at Lisa Dupar Catering was like designing the most delicious and best bountiful send-off for summer. Our vision was to welcome luncheon guests to the market perched atop the water – showing off the NW at its best. We focused on one uniform gathering table that nodded to the tasty late summer bounty, showing off local berries and house-made breads, artisan cheeses, flaky sea salt and edible flowers. Our 109′ serpentine table provided by CORT Party Rentals allowed for a unique, unexpected setting that allowed guests to enjoy conversation in a different way. Breezy white linens felt crisp and edited, setting the stage for the vibrant food (the fresh salad, Alaskan Pollock, and the long centerpieces that we created in wooden bread bowls flanked the tables.) Zinnias, dahlias, sage, wheat stalks, raspberry foliage, nine bark, and other near-fall elements came together and felt warm and colorful, cheerfully bringing our designs to life. Each place setting had bistro napkins cinched in gold velvet ribbon and were adorned with petite posies of raspberry and rosemary. Bright market-style menus illustrated what the feast was showcasing. The edible tablescape featured mixed baskets and bowls of dips, sauces, breads, and lavosh, with the intent of making our guests feel cozy and at home, relaxed yet refined.
It’s become a signature at our events together that the LDC team created a branded warm welcome. Smiling team members in our striped aprons and floral-print bow ties welcomed guests to the beautiful lawn at Admiral’s House, serving up peach slushies with mint, presented in old worn wood market trays. A farmers’ market trio played for the duration, lending to our market-style lawn luncheon. It was a gorgeous day filled with wonderful company, beautiful designs, and stellar food.
– Aleah and Nick Valley, Valley & Company Events
What We Served
Lisa’s Thirst Quenching Lemonade and Peach Slushie Shots garnished with fresh mint
An edible tablescape including house-made baguettes, lavosh, garlic crostini, hummus, tzatziki, olive oils for dipping, platters of smeared herbed butter, finished with sea salt, torn herbs & edible flower petals, artisan cheeses, marinated chevre & seasonal fruits
Sprout and Greens Summer Salad
strawberries, toasted almonds, formage blanc croutons & rose-champagne vinaigrette
Slow Poached Alaskan Pollock
warm fennel pollen-leek vinaigrette, olive oil poached fingerling potatoes, heirloom golden tomato & herb salad
Sliced and Grilled Eggplant
cashew cheese, roasted tomatoes, sauteed mustard greens, fizzled onions, warm basil vinaigrette
Marionberry Frangipane Tart
huckleberry swirl ice cream
Our Partners
Images | Matthew Land Studios
Designs/Floral | Valley & Co.
Rentals | CORT Party Rentals
Property | The Admiral’s House
Band | The Jelly Rollers
Menus | Libby Tipton
