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The Little Dinner
Can a 19th-century Martha Stewart ensure that your next backyard barbecue or potluck is the talk of the town? Like, in a good way?
If you’re a host with “large desires and small purse,” The Little Dinner is your essential guide to sidestepping a badly orchestrated dinner party. Learn how to avoid the most egregious errors, like serving your claret too cold (Keats got it wrong), timing the sorbet improperly (make sure it comes after the roast but before the game), or inviting too many dull people to your table (just please don’t).
Includes an exclusive foreword by writer, editor, speaker, and former cook Laurie Woolever.
If you’re a host with “large desires and small purse,” The Little Dinner is your essential guide to sidestepping a badly orchestrated dinner party. Learn how to avoid the most egregious errors, like serving your claret too cold (Keats got it wrong), timing the sorbet improperly (make sure it comes after the roast but before the game), or inviting too many dull people to your table (just please don’t).
Includes an exclusive foreword by writer, editor, speaker, and former cook Laurie Woolever.
238 pages, Paperback
Published November 1, 2025
14 people want to read
About the author
Christine Terhune Herrick
59 books1 followerChristine Terhune Herrick (1859-1944) was an American author who wrote mostly about housekeeping. She published articles in Harper's Bazaar and was also a journalist.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
November 22, 2025
I was totally charmed by this book about dining and dinner parties—which was originally published in 1892! I love cookbooks you can "read" (similar to cookbooks by Gladys Taber and Nigel Slater) and, even more, I adore anything that has to do with entertaining from the past. This subject is absolutely fascinating to me!
The Little Dinner by Christine Terhune Herrick had me smirking, surprised, amused and completely enthralled from the very beginning. I made notes and bookmarked passages to refer to later—not that I'll be giving a 1800s-themed little dinner party any time soon - lol.
I also found it interesting that, to this author (or perhaps in this time period), a "little dinner" consisted of at least 8 people and at least 3 full courses. To me, a little dinner means simply dinner for myself or perhaps crackers and peanut butter with a hot cup of tea and some fruit! Yikes! (People coming to MY little dinner would have been deeply disappointed...and hungry!)
My favorite sections were the ones discussing the table set up and dining room decor. The color scheme suggestions were wonderfully funny and also informative (if this combination can ever go together in a good way!). It was also a great delight to read through every recipe (I didn't pass over a single one...even though I'm vegan.) and learn the types of foods/meals that guests would expect in the late 1800s. Frankly, I'm glad I missed all of that extra fat and meat. So much butter and deep frying! My arteries felt a bit clogged after reaching the index at the end.
All in all, reading this gorgeous edition by the lovely Quite Literally Books publishing company made my experience all the more enjoyable and simply a wonderful treat. Their books are so easy to read from in every way—French flaps, perfect spacing, easy-to-read fonts and a joy to hold in the hands (especially while reading in bed!)
If you're a vintage/antique cookbook lover like I am, you NEED The Little Dinner in your collection. Not only because the cover design is dazzingly attractive, but because the content is solidly engaging and thought provoking. Be prepared to stay up late into the night reading this book...and, perhaps, have a snack on hand just in case you get the munchies.
I truly hope they will republish some of her other non-fiction books, as well! I would love to read more.
Much gratitude and thanks to QLB for sending me this book for me to read and review. It's a gem!
The Little Dinner by Christine Terhune Herrick had me smirking, surprised, amused and completely enthralled from the very beginning. I made notes and bookmarked passages to refer to later—not that I'll be giving a 1800s-themed little dinner party any time soon - lol.
I also found it interesting that, to this author (or perhaps in this time period), a "little dinner" consisted of at least 8 people and at least 3 full courses. To me, a little dinner means simply dinner for myself or perhaps crackers and peanut butter with a hot cup of tea and some fruit! Yikes! (People coming to MY little dinner would have been deeply disappointed...and hungry!)
My favorite sections were the ones discussing the table set up and dining room decor. The color scheme suggestions were wonderfully funny and also informative (if this combination can ever go together in a good way!). It was also a great delight to read through every recipe (I didn't pass over a single one...even though I'm vegan.) and learn the types of foods/meals that guests would expect in the late 1800s. Frankly, I'm glad I missed all of that extra fat and meat. So much butter and deep frying! My arteries felt a bit clogged after reaching the index at the end.
All in all, reading this gorgeous edition by the lovely Quite Literally Books publishing company made my experience all the more enjoyable and simply a wonderful treat. Their books are so easy to read from in every way—French flaps, perfect spacing, easy-to-read fonts and a joy to hold in the hands (especially while reading in bed!)
If you're a vintage/antique cookbook lover like I am, you NEED The Little Dinner in your collection. Not only because the cover design is dazzingly attractive, but because the content is solidly engaging and thought provoking. Be prepared to stay up late into the night reading this book...and, perhaps, have a snack on hand just in case you get the munchies.
I truly hope they will republish some of her other non-fiction books, as well! I would love to read more.
Much gratitude and thanks to QLB for sending me this book for me to read and review. It's a gem!
Displaying 1 of 1 review