| One of the most fun dinner parties I have ever been | | | | incredibly soft and laid back feel. We'd all brought a |
| invited to had a Middle Eastern theme and it was | | | | bottle of wine so enjoyed a glass with the food. |
| sensational. | | | | Once we'd got through the starters my friend |
| The reason it was so fabulous is that the hostess | | | | brought out some more dishes - felafels, lentils with |
| went to a lot of trouble to make the experience | | | | spinach and some stuffed eggplant and tomatoes. |
| authentic. | | | | Again, these were bought from a Lebanese take |
| When my partner and I arrived, the living room had | | | | away restaurant and heated just prior to being |
| been transformed - the room was lit only with candle | | | | served. |
| light and a variety of cushions had been spread | | | | By this stage we were all feeling very full and |
| around the room. There was a lovely scent in the air | | | | content. |
| - not too powerful. It must have been some sort of | | | | Then something magical happened - gradually we |
| incense. The room looked totally different to the | | | | heard the music getting louder and louder - the beat |
| way it normally looked. I almost forgot I was actually | | | | was getting faster and then out of another room a |
| at my friend's house. | | | | belly dancer appeared and came dancing into the |
| The background music was gentle but had that | | | | room. |
| Middle Eastern beat to it - it was like Arabic chill-out | | | | She looked stunning - she had the full belly dancing |
| music - very smooth indeed. | | | | costume on and her make-up was amazing - and her |
| She'd also hung some rugs or material over the walls. | | | | moves made me feel very envious (in the nicest |
| It almost felt like being inside an Arabian tent - I have | | | | possible way). She put on quite a performance, even |
| a warm feeling just reminiscing about it... because it | | | | producing a sword and doing the "sword' dance. |
| had this really mystical feel to it. | | | | Toward the end of her show, guests were invited to |
| I can barely remember what we ate because the | | | | join her but we were not put under any pressure. A |
| atmosphere and what we had in store way over | | | | couple got up and it was fun to see people having |
| took and made the lasting impression | | | | such a good time. Can you believe we got to see |
| I do recall that on arrival we were given a glass of | | | | this sort of entertainment at a friend's house during a |
| bubbly and could select appetizers from trays laid out | | | | dinner party? |
| with tempting dips like baba ghanoush (eggplant dip) | | | | After the show, my friend served Turkish coffee |
| and hummos (chick pea dip) and pitta and Lebanese | | | | and Turkish Delights which proved a lovely light way |
| breads that had been cut into smaller pieces, sprayed | | | | to finish off the meal. |
| with olive oil and then lightly baked until crisp. There | | | | It was such a great night that I'd highly recommend |
| were also stuffed vine leaves along with a selection | | | | this idea to anyone who wants to make their dinner |
| of pickled vegetables. I know my friend bought these | | | | party memorable - just as this dinner party was for |
| rather than made them herself - recipes are available | | | | me. Afterwards, my friend told me she'd been taking |
| on the Internet for free if you want to do something | | | | belly dancing lessons and had found out who could do |
| similar and cook the food yourself. | | | | a show - it didn't cost her much but she said it was |
| We of course were all given small plates and | | | | well worth every cent to see the delight on the |
| serviettes and sat comfortably on the cushions | | | | faces of her guests. |
| mingling, eating and chatting. The experience had an | | | | |