It was an evening filled with inspiration, in celebrating the art of celebrating each other. Celebrity designer Nate Berkus and Michelin-trained Chef Patrick Kriss of Canada’s top-rated restaurant Alo, teamed up with Stella Artois in hosting a most extraordinary garden party and inspirational dining experience.
The stunning home, on Toronto’s The Bridle Path, was the backdrop for this unforgettable evening. Marché carts brimming with seasonal flowers and fresh vegetables adorned the terrace. The gorgeously landscaped backyard, dressed in lush greenery and century old willow trees, was the perfect setting for guests to enjoy ice-cold Stella Artois cider’s and brews, in colorful summer-chic attire.
It was an evening created to inspire the idea of celebrating one another, enjoying time together, and ravishing in one of our exceptionally beautiful summer nights. As designer Nate Berkus so eloquently expressed, “It’s about the small details that really make us remember an evening or an event, and make us feel comfortable. Comfortable enough to share amongst ourselves, whom we really are; that little bit of vulnerability that comes from being comfortable enough to want to get to know the people that we invite into our home.”
Berkus’ display and aesthetic could not have been more stunning. Picnic tables lined the lawn for this intimate dining experience, decorated in the most elegant outdoor table settings; of gold-plated cutlery and straw place mats paired with linen napkins, next to low-cut seasonal flowers in beautiful brass vases.
Complimenting Nate’s inspirational ambiance, was chef Patrick Kriss’ exquisitely curated menu. “The way we wanted to cook was seasonal and delicious.” as Kriss expressed. And what he created was nothing short of that. The menu consisted of a combination of the most delectable seasonal vegetables; including heirloom cherry tomatoes, Saskatchewan chanterelle mushrooms, wild blueberries and white currents – paired perfectly with Japanese Hokkaido sea urchin, torched Hamachi, and Wagyu ribeye.
Throughout endless conversation, the beautifully curated sounds of Broken Social Scene’s Brendan Canning behind the DJ booth, and the taste of delicious Belgian chocolates – guests partook in the joy of lighting sparklers as the evening came to a close. It was an experience in itself to remember.
So we invite you to extend this idea. Gather friends, family, and your own personal expression of a perfect dining experience this summer – and let’s all #hostonetoremember !
Photos by James Shay