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Round to Ours: Setting the Mood and Cooking the Food: Menus for Every Gathering
If you love planning menus, styling your home for a party and spending laidback time in your kitchen, then you need to come Round to Ours. Supper club superstars Jackson & Levine like to keep it simple. They do all the hard work for you, offering over 20 ready-made menu ideas, with more than 100 recipes that celebrate the pleasures of cooking for friends and family. This cookbook has the perfect combination of menu ideas and recipes for every occasion. It is the home cook's ultimate secret weapon; whether you're throwing a dinner party for six on a Friday night or hosting the last barbecue of the season, this one-stop-shop will tell you how to set the mood, cook the food and create a truly memorable gathering.
- GenresCookbooksNonfictionFood
272 pages, Hardcover
Published April 3, 2018
6 people are currently reading
77 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
April 3, 2018
Sometimes my husband laughs at me (in that loving way) because there are times I really get into having people over for a meal. If it's a special occasion (such as Thanksgiving) I may write out a menu and place cards but if it's just the regular brunch gang I'll set everything out on the table buffet-style. I'd like to think people enjoy coming over for the food but when you gather a group of friends to enjoy each other's company and a meal it's all about setting a tone and really making everyone feel welcome. The mark of true hospitality has nothing to do with the ingredients you use or the table settings either. The simple act of opening your door and letting others feel that kindness and generosity is important. I think this is why I'm so drawn to Laura Jackson and Alice Levine's book Round to Ours -- it's a book dedicated to gathering people together to enjoy a little food and fellowship.
Jackson & Levine is a UK-based lifestyle brand founded in 2013 by friends Laura Jackson and Alice Levine who met at rummage sale and soon discovered a shared love of food. That shared love was translated into a wildly popular "supperclub" -- if you click on that link you'll see a few examples of their different supper clubs. While each has a different theme what you'll notice from the photos is that each gathering has a warm tone, is perfectly lit, and seems so inviting. It's their skill building these events that has been shared in their debut book Round to Ours.
Offering 24 menus for almost any occasion the book begins with setting the mood (with the proper music and lighting), how to set the table (what plates to use, types of glassware, linens, etc), and how to stock the larder with hardworking, multitasking ingredients. What I really appreciate about their approach is that they don't want anyone to be anxious about hosting. It's not about being perfect which is why they suggest using enamelware or an eclectic collection of thrifted plates. It's about using what you have in a creative way that will help set the tone of your gathering. Need napkins? Use IKEA tea towels! These sections are full of helpful tips and advice on how to plan and execute your gathering.
The menus are organized into three sections -- Brunches, Lunches, and Dinners -- with food and drink ideas that are tasty but that any home cook is capable of making. The beauty of this book is that it removes the need to source recipes from different books by offering menus full of recipe that complement each other and support a theme. I also enjoyed the fact that they choose unexpected recipes for some themes. Take the Movie Night theme -- instead of using the easy movie night go-tos like pizza and popcorn they have offered an easy but elegant pasta dish finished off by some really gorgeous Salted Caramel Brownies. The snacking option is some highly addictive Spiced Nuts that you'll most likely have to hide so that you don't eat them all before the guests arrive. This is not a vegetarian or vegan-based book so with the Sausage, Broccoli & Fennel Pasta I substituted meatless sausage for the pork ones called for in the recipe. While the meatless sausage was easy to brown they didn't seem to keep their browned appearance when I added the wine so I would suggest adding them in at the end if you're partial to that. Otherwise, while not browned, the pasta dish tasted wonderful.
Some of the menus are almost vegetarian already -- take their d.i.y thai menu. It's not the kind of cookbook that labels for specific diets (gluten free, vegan, vegetarian, etc) but I feel that the recipes are easy to sub in/out different ingredients. For the meaty-mains (like roast chicken) you might need to swap the recipe for one of your old standbys. To be honest I wasn't bothered by the fact that this is not a plant-based book because my main interest is in the planning and hosting aspect of the book. Round to Ours is beautifully photographed and Jackson and Levine have a very approachable voice -- I think their style really shows and I can completely see why their brand is so popular.
While I didn't have any get togethers planned I thought I'd try some of their recipes to get a feeling on how well they stood up. Were they easy? Were they difficult? For the most part the recipes were a cinch to make and for the recipes I tried the ingredients were ones I had in my pantry/fridge already (aside from the meatless sausage). Since the book was first published in the UK last spring the book and it's writings reflect a particular (British) felicity of expression and I feel like some ingredients for some recipes may take time to source (I find that this often happens with British-based cookbooks -- you'd think that the ingredients would be the same but not always). It should also be mentioned that this book is a reprint of the original so it hasn't been rewritten for the North American home cook. The book does come with a handy conversion chart that's tucked in the front cover (which is why the book is wrapped in cellophane). I did use the chart to help convert the oven temperatures from Celsius to Fahrenheit for the roasted chickpeas, nuts, and also for the brownies.
So much more than just a cookbook Round to Ours offers a complete guide on how to host your own gatherings complete with fun-themed menus (with easy to prepare recipes -- bonus!) and lots of tips and advice on setting the mood and your table too.
Please note that this is an excerpt of a review posted to www.shipshapeeatworthy.wordpress.com
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Raincoast Books and Quadrille for providing me with a free, review copy of this book. I did not receive monetary compensation for my post, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
Jackson & Levine is a UK-based lifestyle brand founded in 2013 by friends Laura Jackson and Alice Levine who met at rummage sale and soon discovered a shared love of food. That shared love was translated into a wildly popular "supperclub" -- if you click on that link you'll see a few examples of their different supper clubs. While each has a different theme what you'll notice from the photos is that each gathering has a warm tone, is perfectly lit, and seems so inviting. It's their skill building these events that has been shared in their debut book Round to Ours.
Offering 24 menus for almost any occasion the book begins with setting the mood (with the proper music and lighting), how to set the table (what plates to use, types of glassware, linens, etc), and how to stock the larder with hardworking, multitasking ingredients. What I really appreciate about their approach is that they don't want anyone to be anxious about hosting. It's not about being perfect which is why they suggest using enamelware or an eclectic collection of thrifted plates. It's about using what you have in a creative way that will help set the tone of your gathering. Need napkins? Use IKEA tea towels! These sections are full of helpful tips and advice on how to plan and execute your gathering.
The menus are organized into three sections -- Brunches, Lunches, and Dinners -- with food and drink ideas that are tasty but that any home cook is capable of making. The beauty of this book is that it removes the need to source recipes from different books by offering menus full of recipe that complement each other and support a theme. I also enjoyed the fact that they choose unexpected recipes for some themes. Take the Movie Night theme -- instead of using the easy movie night go-tos like pizza and popcorn they have offered an easy but elegant pasta dish finished off by some really gorgeous Salted Caramel Brownies. The snacking option is some highly addictive Spiced Nuts that you'll most likely have to hide so that you don't eat them all before the guests arrive. This is not a vegetarian or vegan-based book so with the Sausage, Broccoli & Fennel Pasta I substituted meatless sausage for the pork ones called for in the recipe. While the meatless sausage was easy to brown they didn't seem to keep their browned appearance when I added the wine so I would suggest adding them in at the end if you're partial to that. Otherwise, while not browned, the pasta dish tasted wonderful.
Some of the menus are almost vegetarian already -- take their d.i.y thai menu. It's not the kind of cookbook that labels for specific diets (gluten free, vegan, vegetarian, etc) but I feel that the recipes are easy to sub in/out different ingredients. For the meaty-mains (like roast chicken) you might need to swap the recipe for one of your old standbys. To be honest I wasn't bothered by the fact that this is not a plant-based book because my main interest is in the planning and hosting aspect of the book. Round to Ours is beautifully photographed and Jackson and Levine have a very approachable voice -- I think their style really shows and I can completely see why their brand is so popular.
While I didn't have any get togethers planned I thought I'd try some of their recipes to get a feeling on how well they stood up. Were they easy? Were they difficult? For the most part the recipes were a cinch to make and for the recipes I tried the ingredients were ones I had in my pantry/fridge already (aside from the meatless sausage). Since the book was first published in the UK last spring the book and it's writings reflect a particular (British) felicity of expression and I feel like some ingredients for some recipes may take time to source (I find that this often happens with British-based cookbooks -- you'd think that the ingredients would be the same but not always). It should also be mentioned that this book is a reprint of the original so it hasn't been rewritten for the North American home cook. The book does come with a handy conversion chart that's tucked in the front cover (which is why the book is wrapped in cellophane). I did use the chart to help convert the oven temperatures from Celsius to Fahrenheit for the roasted chickpeas, nuts, and also for the brownies.
So much more than just a cookbook Round to Ours offers a complete guide on how to host your own gatherings complete with fun-themed menus (with easy to prepare recipes -- bonus!) and lots of tips and advice on setting the mood and your table too.
Please note that this is an excerpt of a review posted to www.shipshapeeatworthy.wordpress.com
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Raincoast Books and Quadrille for providing me with a free, review copy of this book. I did not receive monetary compensation for my post, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
August 2, 2018
A bit too much meat but there are some things I want to try
May 11, 2025
Round to Ours: Setting the Mood and Cooking the Food: Menus for Every Gathering" is a beautifully curated book that blends food, ambiance, and hosting tips into one enjoyable guide. The themed menus and mood-setting ideas are perfect for anyone who wants to entertain with ease and style. The recipes are creative yet accessible, making it simple to pull off impressive meals for any occasion.
For those planning a themed gathering or looking for inspiration for a WG food menu, this book pairs perfectly with helpful online resources like http://Wgmenu.co.uk. It’s a must-have for modern hosts who love to cook, connect, and celebrate
For those planning a themed gathering or looking for inspiration for a WG food menu, this book pairs perfectly with helpful online resources like http://Wgmenu.co.uk. It’s a must-have for modern hosts who love to cook, connect, and celebrate
June 4, 2025
Round to Ours: Setting the Mood and Cooking the Food is a beautifully styled cookbook that focuses on effortless entertaining. It offers themed menus, mood-setting tips, and recipes perfect for casual gatherings or special occasions. The book strikes a nice balance between atmosphere and flavor, making hosting feel fun and approachable. If you enjoy thoughtful food pairings and cozy vibes, this book delivers both. For more inspiration on simple, satisfying meals, check out https://raisingcanes-menus.com/
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November 29, 2025Round to Ours is a warm, stylish cookbook that blends simple recipes with smart hosting tips, helping anyone create memorable gatherings without stress. It offers ready-made menus, mood-setting ideas, and approachable dishes that feel both comforting and elegant. A great pick for home cooks who enjoy curated meals and cozy entertaining — much like the thoughtful food inspiration you can also explore at https://chipotalmenu.com/
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August 17, 2025
Round to Ours is a creative cookbook that blends simple recipes with tips for hosting memorable gatherings, making entertaining both easy and stylish. It highlights how menus can shape social experiences, much like professional catering does. For comparison, you can check Zaxby’s catering options here: https://zaxbys-menu-prices.com/zaxbys...
February 27, 2020
Sections: This cookbook is divided into 24 menus planned around an occasion. There are curated meal ideas ranging from "Last Barbecue of the Year" to "Mexican Fiesta" to "Pull Out All the Stops." The organization of the book challenged me to think of new and creative ways to gather in community, which I found fun.
Pros: I'm a sucker for the pretty, stylized photos, and the menu concepts inspired me to think of new ways to host and entertain friends and loved ones.
Cons: As an American reading this cookbook, it took a bit more time for me to read a recipe and seek conversions from the metric measurements and temperatures to imperial equivalents. But the authors did include a handy page of conversion tables for everything needed within the book.
No, thank you: Curried avocado on toast with quick pickles (Too much acid! *puckers*); smokey barbecued corn (A fun concept but a disaster to eat around guests. Keep the Wet Wipes handy for this one.)
More, please: Roast chicken, watercress & pistachio salad (We used rotisserie chicken as a shortcut, and loved the tarragon-mayo treatment. Delicious for lunch or dinner!); roasted chickpea salad (Simple, flavorful, and quick!)
Pros: I'm a sucker for the pretty, stylized photos, and the menu concepts inspired me to think of new ways to host and entertain friends and loved ones.
Cons: As an American reading this cookbook, it took a bit more time for me to read a recipe and seek conversions from the metric measurements and temperatures to imperial equivalents. But the authors did include a handy page of conversion tables for everything needed within the book.
No, thank you: Curried avocado on toast with quick pickles (Too much acid! *puckers*); smokey barbecued corn (A fun concept but a disaster to eat around guests. Keep the Wet Wipes handy for this one.)
More, please: Roast chicken, watercress & pistachio salad (We used rotisserie chicken as a shortcut, and loved the tarragon-mayo treatment. Delicious for lunch or dinner!); roasted chickpea salad (Simple, flavorful, and quick!)
February 5, 2021
A beautifully-formatted and informative book, with lovely menu and hosting ideas. There is a clear sense of the authors' personalities throughout the pages - a go-to volume for new recipes and dinner party ideas!
October 24, 2019
Brilliant. Comforting. Homely.
August 26, 2018
Not sure how many of these recipes I will try or how much time I actually have to execute these elaborate gatherings, but the photography & styling is gorgeous!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews