Daniel Lewis, the founder of Fitzroy’s Napier Quarter, has built a reputation for hospitality that is warm, precise and quietly assured. Between the wine bar and the rooms next door, he has created spaces where evenings tend to unfold properly. We asked him to share a few notes on the art of hosting, for those wishing to replicate the mood at home and be received well elsewhere.
For someone hosting at home, what are the first things to get right?
Create a feeling.What kind of dinner are you hosting? If it’s a celebration, make it feel celebratory.
Lighting makes or breaks a room. What’s your default approach for evening hosting?
Never use overhead lighting.
Your home should be bathed in soft, ambient light from warm lamps and candles but be certain your guest can decipher what’s on their plate!
Music: should it be planned, or instinctive?
Planned and Instinctive.
Plan the first hour or so with something you have heard before, set the tone. Then, follow the mood throughout and adjust instinctively. For later hours, return to planning the end of your evening with something down tempo – unless you are going out dancing of course!
Flowers on the table — necessary or optional?
Optional.
I tend not to have flowers on the dining table, as I like to keep things simple and about the food. If you are passionate about flowers, or are given some as a hosting gift, take them off the table prior to the food coming out, but keep them in view.
What’s the quickest way to make a home feel ready for guests?
A clean and tidy home - that smells wonderful.
Always have your house cleaned the day before hosting, an essential foundation before sharing your personal space. Burn some incense, oil or a candle by the entry but leave the kitchen and dining space to the aromas of your cooking.
How do you approach planning a menu for a small dinner?
Understand your guests needs - or wants.
It is important to know if anyone is vegetarian or vegan or any dietary preferences or allergies. If your dearest friend adores your roast chicken, indulge them.
Is it wiser to do one strong dish well, or several simple things?
Either.
But ensure you can do it well.
What should always be prepared in advance?
Everything!
From the sourcing of your vegetables to setting the table. Preparation is key and should be as enjoyable as the dinner itself.
What should never be left to the last minute?
Dessert.
Always bake the day before or the morning of. Successful cakes, tarts and sweets require diligence in following recipes and take time and patience.
Is there a format for a dinner that almost always works?
Entrée, main, dessert.
Every good story has a beginning, middle and an end, right?
What makes a table feel considered without feeling overdone?
Practicality first.
Start by using the classic setting formula then build from there. Once the essentials are out of the way, confidence in your styling will take over. Having a devotion to detail doesn’t always equate to being fussy. Let the table take shape layer by layer, and when in doubt, leave it out.
Should everything be set before guests arrive?
Absolutely.
With candles lit. There is nothing more inviting than a set table with warm, flickering light bouncing off glasses, cutlery and crockery.
Any quiet rules around glassware and wine at home?
Always change glassware when going from white to red.
I love serving wine in the correct stemware but equally enjoy gesturing toward conviviality by using tumblers.
What’s a detail people underestimate?
Knowing ahead of time which plates are to be used with each dish.
Lay out the plates, platters & boards you want to use on the table first to get an idea of what looks good, what colours work and what fits practically. Then allocate each vessel to each dish before plating.
What should guests be offered within the first few minutes?
A drink!
First, ensure you have relieved your guests of their coats, bags and any bottles, flowers or gifts they have brought. Then promptly get a beverage in hand.
Is it useful to have a simple drink ready on arrival?
Yes!
Have two options, a cocktail (or your favourite aperitif) or sparkling wine. Always have a considered non-alcoholic option too.
How many bottles is sensible for six people?
3 bottles of wine would be ‘sensible’.
With an aperitif on arrival and a digestif to finish, you’ll ensure a complete, enhanced experience.
How do you pace an evening, so it doesn’t feel rushed?
Embrace the ritual.
Confidence from the host allows the guest to feel at ease allowing them to follow your flow, from beginning to end.
The host
Once everyone is seated, what should the host be doing?
Topping up all guests’ drinks.
Then sitting down to join them as soon as possible; your guests are there to enjoy your company.
How do you stay relaxed while keeping the evening moving?
Being prepared.
The opportunity for a little magic comes from solid preparation.
What’s the sign a dinner is going well?
Laughter (or tears)
Hosting a dinner party is simply setting the stage for meaningful interactions with loved ones. Whatever the occasion, time in one’s life or the current situation of the world.
How do you end an evening gracefully?
A simple gesture.
Blowing out a candle, clearing the last glasses or letting the record play out.
What’s the one thing every host should have in the fridge or pantry?
Can I say one for each?
Great butter in the fridge and excellent anchovies in the pantry.
Any reliable fallback if something goes wrong?
Pizza, delivered!
Popping a slowly delivered, likely now sad, boxed pizza in a hot oven for 5 minutes allows them to surprisingly bounce back.
What kind of gatherings did you imagine taking place in the rooms beside Napier Quarter?
Intimate daily rituals.
Our guesthouse is designed for a couple (or a single!) seeking reprieve while still enjoying the benefits of our neighbouring wine bar. A library room with a small selection of curious design books for quiet moments with a strong coffee; the music room’s considered selection of records for late night listening with a digestif; the table for two in the cosy dining room ready for room service.
What makes people stay longer than planned?
The feeling of being home.
There’s nothing more comforting than the feeling of being home when you’re somewhere else.
What are you reading at the moment?
Bread of Angels, Patti Smith.
Always inspired by a vivid imagination and transforming the mundane into the beautiful.
When you cook just for yourself, what do you make?
An omelette.
No doubt poorly executed.
