How To Host A Last-Minute Dinner Party At Home 

Hey everyone! Thanks so much for all your amazing comments on this new episode. For everyone asking - the fourth place setting was for you, my dear viewers x

Being your friend must be an absolute blast

I remember family dinners where Mama would put three leaves in the table and gather six chairs, a piano bench, an odd chair with the phone book on it for a short person, a baby highchair for any baby who came, and a tv dinner table for anybody who did not like hordes and wanted to eat out on the porch!!!It was fun! It was 1965!

the more I see the kitchen, the more I like that red tile backsplash!!!

I love that your new apartment has a dining room and looks so elegant! I look forward to the wallpaper treatment and once your done decorating it!

I absolutely adored this ... completely mesmerised. I could almost taste the different dishes, and sensed the ambience of your dining area .... Thank you so much for posting - absolutely stunning xx

Oh, how I wished I was sitting at that table! What a beautiful meal, light, and tasty, fresh and filling--delightful!

For holiday or special dinners I always set the dinner table ahead of time too. It's relaxing and helps to give me a positive mind set as I prepare for the event.

There is nothing like company coming to motivate me to decorate and rearrange. I loved watching you get ready for your guests.

Those lemons looks divine! Lord the last minute dinners parties I have had over the years...... One of my most favorite was one that began while speaking to a friend about 10:45 pm or so and said Im hungry... are you? He said "YES!" I told him to call some of our friends and I will cook dinner... by 11:45 we had 15 for a sit down dinner didnt go to bed till 2:30 am and they all stayed the weekend.... stuffed french toast the following morning..... such a fond memory.... xoxo Randolph P.S. love your sneakers! xoxo

It is such a relief to know there are still people out there like yourself with dining sophistication, eloquence and etiquette. Watching so many of these people who have RU-vid videos I am horrified at how ignorant they are......they have no knowledge of how to hold a knife and fork, leave alone set a dinner table 😜😱🇿🇦

Beautiful and the music is so relaxing too.

It really boosts my mood, when I think, "Hey it's Friday, I'll bet Nic has posted this week's episode!" Without fail, your charming content and ideas warmed my soul and inspired me to plan my next great supper. I especially love the lemon pasta creation pal! I think what I enjoyed most out of today's episode, is the flood of memories it brought back of times arranging the table with my Father. They were works of art, even for the lightest of occasions. Once again, you've made my face hurt from smiling and my heart warm from appreciating what it is you do and are, Nicolas. You have my gratitude. Truly! xoxo

When I need a soft place to fall, you are there with your positive take on life and your soothing voice. Such therapy! For a person so young you have such serenity about you. I wish you great happiness in everything you do.

I think you’ve nailed it in not getting too fussed about having guests over for dinner! Keep it simple and prepare dishes you know well to avoid additional stress! Most of our friends don’t expect a seven course gourmet meal and just want to enjoy each other’s company and a yummy meal just makes it all more enjoyable! When you add a few simple touches to make it more visually appealing I think it shows how much you respect and appreciate your friends and want their time with you to be as lovely and pleasing as possible! Well done! 😍🥰😍

I like the shadows of people walking by from the windows, reflections of life happening as the gentleness of your care to set up a gathering, idyllic :)

Your table setting was so whimsical and delightful. I enjoyed every minute of this video and felt as though I was there. Julia Child embraced her mistakes and I am so glad you do also. Your food choices are original and I love that. Thankful to see you wearing a mask because we care about you ❤️

THIS MAKES MY DAY.. THE CALM IN OUR CRAZY WORLD.. GREAT JOB NIC XO

Lovely new home, Nicolas! I'm American but living in Asia for 2 decades. One nice custom here is that we don't wear the shoes we wear outside the home inside. We wear comfy slippers or shoes in our homes. Just thought this might appeal to you. 😍 ♥️

I could not help but chuckle when you served the pudding with the tea towel on your shoulder. When I was young and in school I took a home economics class. We had to prepare and serve a dinner to the Dean of Women. I served her and she gasped at the towel on my shoulder. Needless to say I did not receive a good mark. Your meal was lovely. So special to be with friends. No doubt you had a wonderful visit.

Simple and very inviting, plus I love the way you remain calm. I wouldn’t call it last minute though, shopping in your local Italian and enjoying a coffee 😉 For me last minute is when people come over and I have to basically scour the fridge trying to make the best out of my left overs 😅

I wish I were your friend too! My Goodness, everything you did was out of this world sublime! AND, your videos (and your voice) are always so calming. Love everything you do! --gv

What an elegant and well spoken man. Anyone who knows you is truly blessed. Thank you for sharing your art good sir!

I've recently found your channel and find it to be very refreshing, in spite of all the chaos in the world. Your apartment is lovely and the food looks scrumptious...Mary from Chicago

As someone who has thrown together more than a few last-minute dinner parties, I especially enjoyed this one Nicholas. I actually consider it fun raiding the cupboards and pantry and fridge and freezer to see what I can throw together and I have to say it almost always turns out well. I've made those meringues for my Palm Beach clients, I believe mine were specifically called Pavlovas and they were very similar. And what could be bad about lemon pasta! A perfect meal.

Edinburgh looks so splendid. The Georgian architecture is to die for!

How refreshing to find a lovely RU-vid channel that’s not over the top and self indulgent 💕

I was touched by your statement - that you set the table with effort and love..... you do many things with the same attitude.

The napkins are such fun! Love the touch of whimsy! Also, it's nice to see someone other than myself with pressed linens, ready to go at a moment's notice. You are a very gracious host.

You made it look so easy! You even had time for a coffee run. When I have to have just one person over chaos unleashes because my place is not pristine and needs rearranging. Last minute is better because knowing ahead is crazy for me. I end up prepping days ahead because I always feel I don’t have enough food! My challenges slow me down too so I need time to prep. I end up with four courses, antipasto and dessert and no one eats salad from being full. But I pack them with leftovers. I need to refrain myself more. I don’t know how because I used to be a sous chef. I loved your local Italian shop I use Molisana or DeCecco pasta too and Filippo Berio oil, and I’m Italian. You have a knack for not complicating your life. I need to try meringue for dessert, genius. I am so hungry now watching this :) PS your sideboard is so nice its just perfect in color and size.

Thank you Nicolas for yet another lovely video. So soothening listen to your voice and watching your gentle procedures. Kind regards from Stockholm.

Dear Nicolas this whole video was heaven to me. I never learned to properly lay a table and your table looks so pretty 😍 also the dishes look delicious 🤤

Nick love your style , you prove that presentation is the key & you do it so well!

Nicholas... You always manage to remain calm, even when last minute guests call. What an elegant meal. I thoroughly enjoyed the video.

Oh my dear Nicolas inviting us for dinner! Sooo sweet of you! Love the table setting. Again another beautiful cozy warm video. Thank you for being the calm elegant gentleman that you are. Have a blessed weekend.

Nicolas, I enjoyed your last minute dinner party video. I admire the fact that you can do such an elegant last minute dinner party, unfortunately I'm not able to achieve this. If I don't plan well ahead of time for entertaining, I'm virtually at a lost, at entertaining. I admire you and others who can entertain at the last minute. Hugs to Sophie. Take care 🥂

Nicolas , you set a lovely table. Food isn’t just the flavors but the presentation too. Beautiful 💕. I made the bean spread and it was absolutely delicious. I make that same pasta and the only difference is I add a good amount of white pepper. What a wonderful host you are. I do so enjoy your videos. Thank you for the recipes ❤️😊

Wow. I was nearly hypnotized by this video. Could almost taste that meal!

Thanks for the invite, like being a fly on the wall and watching it all! You must be thrilled to have a dining room! The dinner looked delicious, too! And thank you for your continued inspiration! Cheers~

Just wanted to say you are such a beautiful gentle soul and you bring such amazing things to your channel. I learn so much and it bri gs such peace to me. I love your channel. Thank you!

Oh I just find you so relaxing to listen to I love all your videos

Always looking forward to Friday’s because of your videos 😁. Thank you for sharing a glimpse of your life’s enjoyment’s with us all. God bless you.

I just lost my brother 2 months ago. He was creative and talented like you. Thanks for bringing good memories to me.

Everytime i watched your videos..one thing i admired you is that..your gesture..the way you move around..the way you dress up...you are simply gorgeous..❤

Brilliant! I’ve never held a dinner party before, but would love to host one now. I barely know how to make anything other than simple pasta, eggs, salads, juices, since I was never attracted to anything having to do with the kitchen. Preparing dishes generally seems tedious and I nearly always dine out, lol. I’m the sort who would hire a caterer for such a thing. However, there seems to be a distinct gratification in doing things oneself. This will be a good start in furthering my adulting skills. Much appreciated. 💐

I love how classy you are and it comes across in everything you do!🥰

Good Afternoon Nicholas. So good to see you!

Your new home has a lovely balance to it. The play of light, the shape of the rooms and eventually your finished colours, textiles and personal touches will be lovely. Its a very nice apartment, you chose well.

Such a lovely yet not overfilling meal. It all seemed like a very special time! The dessert was a dream come true! The setting of the table was done so well. What a wonderful way to spend some time with friends. Thank you!

Loved the simplicity of your menu yet it totally passed as elegant and delicious! The table setting was lovely as always. I believe that having a "go-to" table setting for last minute dinner parties is very helpful. You don't have to think about it--set the table and start cooking. Have a great weekend! (:

Hi Nicholas Susan from canada here I've recently subscribed and have been catching up with all your videos... what a pleasure listening to your soothing voice and your inspiration ...and setting a place for little old me!. Old I am for sure I'm 75 maybe old enough to be your granny but still appreciate you such a sweetie pie yours truly Susan in London Ontario

You know, I find your voice so soothing that when I watch your videos before going to bed I don't need my sleeping pills!

When Nicolas served the dessert meringue to the guests, he had a kitchen towel on his shoulder. I do not know if he forgot to take it down or if he really did not mind to leave it on his shoulder. This teaches me a lesson to serve instead of trying to look cool with the guests. This teaches me humility to please the guests and to hope that they enjoy the dinner than me looking fresh, cool, pretty... Usually, when i have guests over, i try to finish preparing the food early so that i can have time to rest, relax, take shower etc... And this causes me stress because i rush everything. Nicolas teaches me to take the time to prepare the party and do not mind how i look because when i take the time to enjoy cooking, preparing everything for the guests, i have plenty of time to enjoy every steps preparing the party instead of rushing so that i can look good... It is better to have cinder on my face, like Nicolas having the kitchen towel on his shoulder, than to look pretty, rested but not enjoying preparing anything because of worries. Nicolas is enjoying every moment of the party because he loves to entertain his friends. Me too, from now on, i do not rush and have stress anymore. I will take time to enjoy preparing the food and the table for my dear guests although i look messy. It is the heart that count. It is better to have a messy house and messy hair but a face beaming with joy than to have clean house, perfect food, but inside of me i get stressed out... What a lesson from friendly Nicolas. Thank you.

So happy that the process will be relaxed for you. When the life flows, we have heaven on earth. Enjoy the life.

Light and delicate. I love that there was no meat and the pasta was the star of the show!

Oh I have that Lemon sauce recipe written down and cant wait to try, wish I was sitting at that table, it all looks so lovely and the care you have for your friends to enjoy is Lovely. Have a Great weekend Hugs Dede xxxx

This was so lovely. I enjoyed everything about it, the table setting, dim light and delicious menu. Your apartment is coming along beautifully. 🐕💞🇺🇸

☀️🍃🍂”I really enjoyed this episode- it took me back to old times. Thank you, Nicolas!”💙✨

The whole dinner arrangement is so amazing! Surely going to try the pasta recipe!

Damn Nicolas you do a lot for the home. You give to the home a spirit. It looks very comfortable and cosy. You bring a lot more to the table than any entitled whamen nowadays. Keep doing your magic.

Now I want to invite my friends to my house too! I hope I can soon, this was so beautiful

Beautiful dinner!! You show your guests so much love!

I adore the way the outside light flows across the furniture in your lounge.

I felt so peaceful watching this masterpiece! And I loved the way you had time for a coffee and a walk with your fur baby! Excellent, thank you for the inspiration.

Your apartment is coming along beautifully! I look forward to seeing your future plans come to fruition.

I would love to see you make real comfort foods like pot-pies, baked chicken and burgers etc... The foods you make are more elegant than what I'm use to lol. I remember your friend from the live chat. I like the way she twirls her pasta into the spoon, never seen that before. It felt like you cut the video abruptly short, I wanted to watch them eat dessert lol. Can you do a video on how to eat elegantly? Thank you! ❤

I found your channel a few months ago and I can say you're the youtuber who relaxes me the most. I can listen to you and I immediately become calmer and get this tingling warm feeling. So thank you for that and all the tips on different things, I always learn something new x

So elegant without being pretentious. You have marvelous taste.

I love how you over whipped the cream and carry on haha. Sounds like something I'd do 😄

Everything looks wonderful-i cant help thinking the Queen would want you to work for her!

'With effort and love' is a lovely motto for life as well as table setting. How lucky we are to be able to see our friends and family and entertain again. Thanks for your wonderful video.

You always look so relaxed. It's very calming to watch your videos. That's one of the things that's wrong with this world today, everyone is always in such a big rush. If people would just slow down and relax a bit.

Another lovely video and again you set such a beautiful table! Everything looked delicious.

As always, so calming and informative. Thank you!

Nicholas, Everything was so lovely! I enjoyed watching you prepare that wonderful meal, but most of all I enjoyed watching your guests enjoying it with you! You are so amazing!

Thank you. You all have an amazing Saturday!

This was so wonderful and relaxing to watch you prepare a beautiful meal for friends. You are such a delight and I’m enjoying your videos so much!! Xx

Loved the video - shopping, cooking, furniture placement. I think that the kitchen tile is growing on me becasue we are going into fall and winter and the colour feels ...cheerful and warm - like a warm kitchen! FYI - now I will be making lemon pasta and meringues this weekend!

What a lovely meal and beautiful table, Nicholas. Thank you again for taking us along. Have a beautiful weekend and gentle, restful week ahead.

Love your meal and the simplicity of it. Just lovely.

Ahh - the best part of my Fridays! Thank you, Nicolas

I love the food market--so cute! Your separate dining room is a very nice feature...The kitchen has nice color and backsplash and the cutting boards look nice...The Kitchen Aid mixer is so wonderful...the Staub pumpkin is really cute...Your dining room is gorgeous--the food simple and fabulous...you make every evening memorable...dts/usa

Those Napkins!!!!❤️❤️❤️. They add such a nice little surprise to the table!!! I love it!!! ❤️❤️

Nicolas, I know you have told us that you don't like the red kitchen tiles, but I for one really love them, I think they make your kitchen really classy.

I am very happy for you. Living life and enjoying the moments it brings. Shopping and stopping for coffee ☕.

Thank your for your inspirational and amazing videos 👏🏼

Nicolas you out did yourself on this video. What a gracious host your were. Everything looked so beautiful. Thanks for sharing yourself with the world. You are everything and then some.

Love how design a party a look for this new yr love what you do ...

Hello Nicolas. This couldn’t come at a better time! Love your video’s ♥️

I so love your new place, you have made it a beautiful home. A great, very relaxing video 🥰

Thank you so much for these enchanting videos! Your unique life style, tranquil and sophisticated, is an inspiration. Your dinners does not kill the budget, and it's very relaxing to see how you prepared for the occasion.

Gorgeous video as always, thank you. Thank you for being so reliable in the delivery of content. I look forward to my Saturday breakfast and enjoying the latest offering. Inspired.

Yes everything looks perfect!

Looking forward to making the lemon sauce as it looks fabulous. I love the way you set your table - Pairs of s&p as well as candles without being matchy matchy. I like the informality of placing bread knife on the bread plate. Just ready for a lovely evening. I wanted a glass of wine with you. 😊

I love people like you who easily call friends together and whip up a meal. That's so hospitable of you. You've been a great menu for a dinner with friends.

Beautiful table setting and the food looks delicious! Thank you for sharing

Lovely gathering and food presentation.

Simply fabulous...you are indeed a very gracious host.

Nicolas, you are brilliant and inspiring. Every time I watch you I get a burst of motivation to improve an area of my home.

A treat to watch before going to bed on a Friday night. It makes me feel calm and peaceful and happy to watch these glimpse of moments of your life. Love what you see when you go shopping, love to see how your day is; can’t explain but it makes me feel safe and peaceful. I hope you have a lovely weekend ☺️