A note or two about the art of the apéro: this is a very convenient convention in these parts, whereby one can invite friends and neighbours (but not usually in droves) to come and take wine and some low key eats in the early evening (say 1800) for a chat. Apéro time. One usually expects those invited to start thinking about going back to their own abodes after a couple of hours or so but sometimes these affairs can run on a bit especially if the conversation is animated and the wine is flowing freely.
Mme Melling and your author have been both providers and beneficiaries of the local apéro tendency. I like them. One does not need to ‘bring a bottle’ or other equivalent although chocs, flowers, and on one occasion, tea towels have been seen to be presented and received. And bottles. Unnecessary usually if at all.
The nibbles (how I hate that term but it is in common parlance so I had better toe the line and employ the wretched word). My suggestions, lifted from the apéros we have 'hosted' (ugh!) or been recipients of this year include: nuts, stuffed olives, plain olives, tapanade, dates, three or four good cheeses, slices of salami and similar, anchovy rolls and filets, savoury biscuits, crisps, cheese straws even. Sometimes sausages on sticks may put in an appearance; Louise’s toffee-dipped mini tomatoes were very good. Indeed one can add in some hot cooked delicacies as well, hors-d'oeuvres style, maybe small pizza squares, quiches, or even a scallop shaped dish (per person) with hot prawns and a top dressing of cheesy potato (bought from a butcher, ready made – one does not go mad prepping!).
There are many other strategies that could also make one’s apéro distinguished: use your imagination, we do, and similarly we benefit too from others’ original thinking. Not paper hats. There should be choice but not so much as to stretch out the evening excessively. One should never need to start tapping your watch or hovering about in your dressing gown, the guests don't outstay in my experience. Probably grateful to get the hell out, as soon as …!
Above all one should not appear to have gone to an inordinate amount of trouble and expense while, on the other hand, demonstrating a modest generosity about the event one has instigated; and not try to go one better (but at least achieve level-pegging) than the last apéro one was invited to. But it is not a competition. We wouldn’t expect to do more than two a visit, maybe three, and we would hope to get invited to at least one or two whilst in Sablet residence.
Apéros are not parties. Numbers should be very modest. Two guests, four maybe… risky to go any higher. And anyway 1 Rue FB has limited capacity, this is not one of your grander residences.
We also serve a sweet on occasion (strawberries score well) but I have never been in receipt of a cup of coffee, had no takers when offering same, nor been asked for one. Strange, that . . . (not strictly true - ed)