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" Many of us city-dwellers (who spend our winters in concrete boxes wistfully looking out the window waiting for spring) pay outrageous premiums for just a bit of outdoor space in our urban settings. A terrace, a roof top, even a window box are coveted possessions fiercely guarded and meticulously maintained. And while the ultimate prize is a weekend invitation to a beach house, friends will gladly settle for an evening or afternoon spent al fresco\u2014just a small glimmer of sky is restorative to the spirit of an urbanite. Having been lucky enough to have moved last year to a teeny Brooklyn townhouse with a small garden adjoining a larger courtyard, I&amp;#039;ve devised some tips and have noticed some trends for clever and stylish outdoor entertaining within confined spaces. 1. Go Potluck! While I&amp;#039;m happy to offer my space and tabletop items, often the meal itself is just more than I can manage. A modern take on the old-fashioned potluck supper works wonders. Divide the meal among the crowd as follows, one person to an item: \u2022 Pitchers of margaritas or sangria \u2022 Guacamole and chips \u2022 Chilled soup for an appetizer \u2022 Good bread and olive oil/oil \u2022 Giant ni\u00E7oise or Caesar salad for the main course \u2022 Light dessert 2. Try the Barbeque Alternative While it may seem logical that shrinking the suburban barbecue of one&amp;#039;s youth is the obvious way to go about entertaining outdoors in the city, it actually requires a bit more ingenuity. Unless you have a pit master at your beck and call, barbecue might not be the best idea. Get the vibe without the burns by serving dishes like pulled pork or beef brisket cooked slowly and lovingly in a slow cooker while you are at work. 3. Keep It Rustic Chic The juxtaposition of unexpected elegance in a funky setting is a d\u00E9cor trend that clearly has legs. Using ornate silver candelabra as the centerpiece for your rusted bistro table, or Baccarat crystal glasses to serve mojitos can be really mood elevating! 4. Use Freshest Ingredients Some of the best meals of my life have been on a porch overlooking the woods in Tuscany (I&amp;#039;m lucky, I know). But, other than the setting, what made these meals so amazing is the exuberance of the cook in sourcing the freshest beans, tomatoes, fruits and lettuces in the market. Chopped fresh parsley and herbs placed on colorful platters accompanied by wondrous olive oil, deep purple vinegar and lots of warm foccacia make the meal seasonal heaven. 5. Add the Sounds of Nature The power of sound is often underestimated, and while we are all well aware (ad nauseam) of the magic of programming one&amp;#039;s iPod with a hip medley, why not expand your small outdoor space with the sounds of the great outdoors? Transport your guests to the ocean with a CD of breaking waves (I am not above having dolphins calling in my garden) or to another world with the Zen-effect of a Japanese fountain gurgling over stones. 6. Essentials to Have on Hand Your outdoor entertaining pantry: the small but oh-so-necessary items that make all the difference \u2022 Organic bug spray (my favorite is Burt&amp;#039;s Bees Herbal Insect Repellant) \u2022 Tablecloth clips \u2022 Votive holders or hurricane lamps (to keep the candles going despite the wind) as well as candle lighters \u2022 Citronella candles for a bug-less evening (but not around food, the odor is too pungent) \u2022 Basket of inexpensive shawls for chilly nights \u2022 Flip flops or Chinese slippers (for those silly enough to wear spikes) \u2022 Sunscreen(even if it&amp;#039;s late in the afternoon)  Marcy Blum, Celebrity Eventiste MarcyBlum.com "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
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