A Tropical Table & Island-Inspired Menu by Marcia of Smart in the Kitchen

Posted by Caroline Blaylock on July 16, 2019

When you've played host a time or two, you know how much goes into executing a single evening.

There are so many layers! The guest list, the theme, setting the table, crafting the menu, cooking said menu and beyond! Sometimes, all these tasks call for pulling in pros.

So, when we wanted to showcase our incredible Les Palmiers tablecloth, we tapped Marcia Smart of Smart In the Kitchen (the most beloved food blogger in Houston if you ask us!) to put together a tropical menu fitting for the table's backdrop.

She went above and beyond and delivered a delectable menu that you're guaranteed to love. She's wearing our 'nude' apron, which as you can see reads as a subtle blush, perfect to feel pretty while slaving over the stovetop!

Her cloisonné drop earrings are great for hosts as they don't get in the way while you perform your many duties before dinner is served. At under $100, they're such a special gift.

My dress is by DOEN, and I can't get enough wear out of it. I paired it with a simple rattan earring. I picked the teardrop style, but any of these would work.

I swapped back and forth between my favorite peach frame sunglasses. These have a modern clear lens.

And these have a black lens - just restocked! Both are under $100 and will get tons of wear and compliments. Pst! If you look closely at the tablecloth, you'll see butterflies are scattered throughout. It's these kind of details that make all things Summerill & Bishop so special.

We tried out a bunch of different napkins but ultimately felt the black and white stripe played up the jungle, tropical vibe best. To not distract from the menu items, we kept it simple with these napkin rings. At $7 each, these are an easy addition to your entertaining collection.

We utilized these hurricanes as flower vessels and kept the scheme fairly simple with just white blooms. Little touches like these seagrass salt and pepper shakers ensure every element on the table fits the tropical feel we were trying to achieve.

At last, let's see more of these insanely delicious summer dishes! Below is the the full island-inspired menu; jump to the links to see the full recipes and more from Marcia on Smart in the Kitchen.

Mixed Greens with Chili Almond Croutons

This seagrass wrapped salad bowl was the perfect textural touch to the table. And at under $50, it's a no-brainer. The basketweave salad servers tie it all together -- only $30 for these!

Easy Planter's Punch

Practically any drink would look good in these tumblers, but we're convinced Marcia's planter's punch was meant for these pretties. Inspired by a recent trip to Jamaica, this cocktail will convert anyone who needs convincing that rum and fruit is the perfect sipper in the summertime.

Baked Veracruz-Style White Fish {Whole 30, Gluten-Free & Keto-Friendly!}

This recipe is a winner on so many levels: it's health-conscious and beautiful. Your guests will be wowed and leave feeling guilt-free, putting you in the running for hostess of the century.

Mango and Blueberry Eton Mess

For the grand finale, Marcia utilized the freshest fruits of the season, which displayed beautifully in our pink bistro glasses. We've got a stunning blue set if that's more your thing!

Jack approves! And he's a pretty pick judge, so this dessert's definitely a crowd-pleaser ;).

We couldn't be more pleased with how well Marcia made the palmier print tablecloth shine with her sensational recipes. Please invite us back for fall!