Fall Dining

I respect the fact that not everyone lives in a climate that allows for year round outdoor dining.  It's still warm in many areas and accomplishing an outdoor evening meal is quite possible with a little extra effort - even with Jack Frost lurking around the corner.

With an outdoor fireplace, dining alfresco is not only possible but can be truly magical this time of year.  Imagine this:  A fat harvest moon beams it's radiant splendor of color from a gentle dusk sky; the cool, brisk evening air tickles the tip of your nose and the falling, jostling leaves of trees changing color almost before your eyes all set the stage for a special enchanted moment.  Sounds lovely to me!

If your going to dine outdoors and the air is getting a wee chilly, an outdoor fire place can be a excellent source of heat along with its innate charm and warm ambiance.  The natural contours and geometry of your outdoor space and the degree of commitment you are will to commit to maximizing this space will greatly influence they type of fire place you choose.

If you desire a fire place that will give off maximum heat with the added ability to cook then you will need to find a licensed contractor.  The best way to find the right person for the job is to ask friends or family.  Ideally, the person for whom you seek advice is the one who has recently had work done for them self.  Masonry work is a specialty and finding the right contractor/artisan will mean the difference between an feeling the pangs of remorse over an embarrassing eyesore or enjoying a beautiful hand-crafted centerpiece in your outdoor space of which to be proud for many years to come.

I love the openness of this fireplace!  It has a rustic feel with a twist of contemporary.

A very traditional looking fireplace.  The great thing about this style is that you can find many accessories for actually cooking.  Personally, If I were to build a fireplace into my outdoor room I would want a pizza oven!  Currently, I use a stone on my grill and it works really quite well but to have a pizza oven would be high on my lists of needed things.  Just being honest!!

One of my  favorite places for finding just the right kitchen essential is, NapaStyle .  Everytime I visit Michael Chiarello's fabulous website, I break into a cold sweat just checking out all the latest additions.  I could spend half a day at NapaStyle just browsing!



The hearthside, hanging rotisserie evenly roasts a whole chicken, leg of lamb or small turkey right in front of the fire creating a fun, dramatic focal point and filling your home with delicious fragrances.  The Italian-made kit includes an iron l-bracket that mounts to your wall with a sliding iron holder and hook that adjust for fire size and heat.  Tie and hang the meat, give it a few twists, and the natural tension of the string spins it rotisserie-style for perfect, even roasting. (No motors, electricity or batteries required!)

Photograph Courtesy Napastyle

To prepare a perfect roast with a savory, caramelized exterior and a succulent interior, you must keep the meat constantly moving.  Our Italian made double spit rotisserie turns meat automatically in your fireplace or outdoor fire.  Each spit holds up to 17 lbs. of meat (about 4 chickens.)  Use your basting pan to keep your hearth clean and not lose one drop of delicious juice.  This rotisserie is made of solid cast-iron and steel with bronze mechanisms and a durable electric motor.

Photograph courtesy Napastyle

I thought we could put a room together over the course of this week.  A space that shows just how amazing a outdoor room can be in the fall!  Each day we will add additional pieces for review.