Autumn Crostini Bar

Fall! Season of so many gorgeous delights. Entertaining in fall is my very favorite. Luckily here in Southern California the weather is still mild until evening, so that we can entertain outdoors. Learn how to set up this gorgeous Autumn Crostini Bar party today. This is a perfect inspiration for arranging an easy and relaxed party for Fall gatherings, Friends-Giving, for serving Thanksgiving appetizers. When autumn's sweet breezes bring summer's heat to a mere memory, it's time for the long-awaited season of porch parties and fall garden entertaining to begin. This year, it's a definite bonus! This amazing crostini bar idea was created by my darling friend Lisa from Delicious Table. Lisa is always my "go to" chef, I love collaborating with her. Be sure to check out her beautiful site, I'm sure you will be pinning quite a bit of her recipes for future use. What is so fabulous about this crostini bar is that your guests can create and enjoy different combinations, and share their favorites at your party. But the really great thing about this is that you can make everything ahead. So you can enjoy every moment of your own party. I'm always a fan of that! For this set-up, I used our smaller table in the front garden here at FrenchGardenHouse as the base. Having this outside fits in perfectly with our social distancing these days, too.

Gather the Necessities.

Use what you have to design a visually beautiful display. Gather these to set up your crostini display:

• Tables and chairs
• Plates
• Glasses
• Antique silverware
• Linens & Napkins
• Antique cutting boards
• Baskets
• Fresh flowers
• One or more pumpkins
• Small ceramic bowls
• Long-serving boards
• Chalkboard
• Crates

Set the Scene For Your Crostini Bar Party.

Get creative with setting up the table you are serving from. Pick a place with shade and consider the weather. {You can set your table up inside if the weather isn’t cooperating.} For our photo shoot day, the sun was waning, it was around 4:30 in the afternoon. Try to set up a scene with different levels, placing things high, low, and spilling out of baskets. I layered the wood garden table with an antique French linen sheet, then stacked a few French crates on their side for height. A large wood antique boulangerie board on top of the crate provides a firm surface for the easy flower arrangement in a pumpkin. An antique French pottery vase holds a handful of dried wheat.

Read HOW TO CREATE A PUMPKIN CENTERPIECE HERE >

A Crostini bar party is such fun! Make ahead - so that you will enjoy it just as much as everyone else. What could be better?! The basics are a whipped feta cheese and whipped goat cheese to spread on the toasts, {Lisa has the recipes!} then layer on toppings! The sky is really the limit. Most of these toppings you buy, what could be easier? To get the full details read Lisa's recipe post > Everyone can take a crostini toast or two - {make that 6 or more!} - spread whipped goat cheese or whipped feta cheese on each, and add their favorite toppings. Trust me, there won't be anything left but crumbs! HOW TO MAKE CROSTINI TOASTS Preheat your oven to 375 degrees. 1. Slice your French baguette into 1/2" slices. 2. Arrange slices in a single layer on a baking sheet. {I use parchment paper} 3. Drizzle slices with olive oil and bake for 8-10 minutes until golden brown. I usually make my crostini toasts the day before serving. Let them cool all the way to room temperature, then place in a ziplock bag. PRINT Lisa's Recipe >

Large Vintage Bread Basket | New Linen Napkins | Antique Silver | Place Cards

Happy Fall everyone! {Not entertaining just yet? You can make less of everything or choose just a few toppings and make this for 2 or 4 or 6 in your family too.} We are unpacking the most glorious French antiques. See what's new for fall!

SHOP FRENCH KITCHEN >

WHAT IS YOUR FUN "GO TO" FOOD FOR ENTERTAINING?

A BIENTOT

Shop for the best in French Antiques, furniture with the patina of age, vintage accessories to delight you and your family & friends, and French Country utilitarian pieces. Treasures that make your home fresh, beautiful, inspirational and above all uniquely yours. Visit our shop FrenchGardenHouse.com