What is the Correct Way to Arrange a Table?
Have you ever felt confused by the table arrangement of a formal event?! Do you ever think that the cutlery are too many and you are not quite sure in what sequence you should use them? Relax, you’re not the only one, even though as kids, our parents were taught us what etiquette is. However, to help you be prepared and relaxed next time in formal event, we offer you some valuable tips. You can also try to impress the guests at home with them. Your table will definitely look much more stylish.
What to do with glasses, plates and cutlery?
The label requires that we always serve water to our guests and the water glass should be placed above the plate. If you are going to serve wine, then the glasses for red, white and dessert wine should be arranged in a triangle (in the sides under the water glass).
Put a plate and soup bowl in front of each place. Always put a bread saucer on the left side with a butter knife on it, with its handle turned to the right. To the left of the main dish, place the fork for the salad and the fork for the main course. To the right, arrange the knife and the spoon for the soup. It is important to remember that knife blades should point inwards. In addition, the forks and knives are always placed together. The dessert cutlery, however, stand above the centre, where the main plates are, with the fork handle to the left and the spoon handle to the right.
What determines the right table arrangement?
Of course, the proper arrangement is determined by the nature of the gathering and by the number of dishes prepared. Therefore, there are several options (like in the picture). However, if you are a host, keep in mind that you should start eating first. Also, dishes are always served on the left side and removed from the table on the right side. For drinks, the serving is to the right.
If you want your table to look even more beautiful, you can put on a decoration. The basic rule for is to be low so as not to interfere with guest conversations. Whether you put flowers, candles or anything else depends on your personal preference.
A few more highlights:
- The salt and the pepper are on the top left and always put together, even if the guest requested only one of the two spices (above a small saucer for butter or bread);
- The number of dishes should correspond to the number of dishes included in the menu;
- Foods that can be eaten with hands are bread, chips, cookies, sandwiches, asparagus, artichoke, corn, fruit with handles such as cherries;
- When you are between two people at the table, it is appropriate to talk to them both;
- Do not place your phone on the table, although it may be difficult nowadays;
- It is not brought up to ask for the food of others.
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Welcome to Art Hotel Simona where we will make your stay in Sofia unforgettable. And in addition to the modern and cozy atmosphere here, you can also enjoy the incredibly delicious culinary offers at the Simona Restaurant.
Shopska Salad – One of the Favorite Salads of the Foreigners
Bulgaria is popular around the world with its beautiful women, yogurt and rose’s butter. However, there is one more thing – the Shopska salad (also known as Bulgarian salad), which is one of the most consumed in our country. Preparing is easy and all foreigners like this salad. That is why “Shopska salata” (it is bulgarian prononsiation) is among the first phrases that guests learn in Bulgarian language.
How to make Bulgarian salad?
We are sure that every Bulgarian can answer to this question. It contains finely chopped tomatoes, cucumbers, roasted or raw peppers and onions, a little bit oil and a little vinegar, and all is covered with grated or crushed cheese and finely chopped parsley. It looks a lot like a Greek salad, but the vegetables are not wholesale, therefore the different tastes are mixed. However, the Bulgarian salad is an interesting mix of flavors and that is what appeals to everyone.
The history of Bulgarian salad
For the first time, the term „Shopska salad” has been featured in a cookbook since 1940, but in practice it is a recipe for Luthenica (vegetable relish – peppers, aubergines, carrots, garlic, vegetable oil, sugar, salt, and tomatoes). Totally different from the familiar Shopska salad nowadays. It was not until 1956 the recipe of the Shopska salad began to approach our present idea of it, but it is without cheese.
In the years that followed, various variations began to emerge. A cooking book from 1970 shows four options – with onion and cheese; without onions and with cheese; with roasted peppers and cheese; without sweet but with hot peppers and cheese.
The Shopska salad has established itself as a national culinary symbol in the 1970s and 1980s. There is the same salad in Serbian and North Macedonia’s restaurants, too. The salad is also known in Romania under the name Salată bulgărească (Bulgarian salad). Shopska salad is also quite popular in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. It is on the menus of the establishments, but with slight changes – no roasted peppers and sometimes no onions. In Slovakia, they serve the salad with sugar.
How has been the Shopska salad invented?
The idea for the Bulgarian salad is from 60s of the last century. Contrary to expectations, it did not come from a village, but from the Bulgarian state association Balkantourist, whose chefs created it at the Chernomorets restaurant in the then Druzhba resort (now St. Konstantin and Helena).
Fear of red tomatoes
In fact, the village avoided the usege of red tomato because it was considered for bad. Therefore, ripe red tomatoes had been served primarily as animal feed or had been discarded directly. However, such fear is not only a Bulgarian phenomenon, but it has also existed in other Western European countries in the 18th and 19th centuries.
In the Netherlands and Denmark, for example, in the past, red tomatoes had been believed to be poisonous. The reason for this is that the high-lead metal vessels used at that time were widely used. In contact with them, the acid in the tomatoes allows the vessels to secrete harmful substances, which leads to indigestion.
Art Hotel Simona with Special Precautions
Information for coronavirus spread in Bulgaria has been constantly changing in recent days. For this reason, we would like to assure you that Art Hotel Simona takes all necessary precautions to ensure the safety of our visitors and employees.
Measures
Periodically we clean, ventilate and disinfect common parts in the hotel, rooms and surfaces such as countertops, door locks and toilet with special preparations. All employees observe good personal hygiene at any potential contamination, and work with personal protective equipment – sanitary masks and gloves.
Symptoms:
- Temperature;
- Cough;
- Sore throat;
- Fatigue;
- Difficult breathing.
Distribution:
Experts explain that the virus spreads from person to person. This can be by direct contact, by touching objects or surfaces that have been contaminated by droplets from a person with a confirmed infection. It is not yet clear how long a person may be a vector for the infection, but doctors told about people without any symptoms or minimal symptoms that transmit the infection to others. 14 days quarantine is recommended for travelers to China, Iran, Northern Italy or the Republic of Korea.
At highest risk
People with weak immune systems, the elderly and pregnant, and many young children and babies are most at risk. More people with heart and lung diseases should be more carefull, too.
How to protect yourself from coronavirus?
Clean your hands regularly with an alcohol-based disinfectant or wash them with water and soap. When sneezing or coughing, cover your mouth and nose with a roll of your elbow or a napkin that you throw away immediately. Avoid contact with people who have fever and cough.
Wash your hands:
- After sneezing or coughing;
- When caring for the sick;
- Before, during and after cooking;
- Before meals;
- After using the toilet;
- When visibly contaminated;
- After contact with animals or their faeces.
For questions related to the coronavirus, you can call the Bulgarian Ministry of Health’s 24-hour hotline on 02 807 87 57.
All cultural Events in Sofia are Postponed
The insidious coronavirus has completely confused cultural life all around the world, and now in Bulgaria, too. That is why the cultural events related to the gathering of many people in one place are temporarily postponed. Due to the danger of the spread of the new virus, the Council of Ministers has decided to cancel all indoor events across the country.
The theatres have already postponed their performances, and the same has been done with the events in the National Palace of Culture, as well as with screenings in most of the cinemas. The International Sofia Film Fest, which was due to be officially open on March 12th (Thursday), is also being put off.
How To Improve Your Mood With… Food
Getting in a good mood can be a challenge, especially in months with less sun. The reduced amount of vitamin D that we take with the sun’s rays is a determinant of bad mood and depression. It also affects the way we make decisions, as well as impulse control. However, here are some ways to improve the situation with food.
Top foods for a better mood
- Rich in Vitamin C
Vitamin C increases immunity, but it also improves mood and relieves symptoms of depression, according to a 2013 study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. It also helps the body make effective use of carbohydrates, fats and proteins. Therefore, it is good to focuse on using foods that are high in vitamin C.
Foods: citrus fruits, chives and fresh peppers, broccoli, papaya, strawberries, cauliflower, pineapple, kiwi and mango.
- Rich in Vitamin B6
Deficiency of this vitamin can lead to depression, according to other research. Our body needs it to acquire neurotransmitters (substances that improve the functioning of the nervous system) such as serotonin, norepinephrine and melatonin.
Foods: sunflower seeds, pistachios, fish (mainly tuna), turkey and chicken, pure pork, dried fruits (eg plums), bananas, avocados, spinach.
- Rich in Omega-3 fatty acids
Omega-3 fatty acids are extremely useful for our brain and appearance, as well as for our smile. When we do not take enough, signs of depression begin to appear, a number of studies have found.
Foods: salmon, herring, sardines, chia seeds, flax seeds, nuts, veal, eggs, and EPA and DHA derived from algae.
- Rich in zinc
Studies have shown that people with the most severe depression often have low levels of zinc in their body. Its deficiency can lead to symptoms of the disease, as well as memory problems, seizures, aggression and violence.
Foods: legumes, seeds, nuts, whole grains, oysters, red meat, cashew, almonds, chickpeas, pumpkin seeds.
- Rich in magnesium
Magnesium is necessary for the transmission of nerve impulses, for muscle activity, for temperature regulation, for detoxication in the body, and for the formation of healthy bones and teeth. As a result of a comparative study in 1921, it became the first medically recognized substance to treat depression.
Foods: legumes (beans, lentils, nahut, peas), dairy products (mozzarella, goat cheese), whole grains (quinoa, millet, bulgur, wheat), dark leafy vegetables, nuts and seeds (pumpkin seeds, sesame, almonds, cashew nuts, cedar nuts, peanuts, walnuts), fish (salmon, tuna, mackerel), avocados, bananas, dried fruits (figs, plums, apricots, dates, raisins) and black chocolate.
5 Ways to Travel When You Have No Enough Time
“Work fills your pockets, but adventures fill your soul,” has been told American actress Jamie Lynn and she’s definitely right. Therefore in recent years traveling near and far has become a mania for many people. Once you have discovered this magic, you do not want to stop and continue to search for new and unknown places.
However, what to do if your work defines your daily life and you don’t have enough free time for adventures?! Well, there are different options. Here you are some useful tips.
Weekend Escape
These are two whole days and you can have unforgettable memories with your loved ones. It’s not enough time to go to the other end of the world, but you can start with a closer destination. If you focus on the native beauties, you can fly from one end of Bulgaria to the other in no time.
Go somewhere close
According to some theories, our civilization has started here (from Bulgaria). Even if this is not right (we don’t know), it is a fact that interesting people lived on our lands, who left us a rich heritage. So it is enough to search for curious entertainments around the place where we lives, and we will certainly be able to make an interesting list of activities a step away from us.
Become a local tourist
Do you know enough for the city where you live?! Take advantage of some free time and rediscover the beauty around.
Optimize your time
Don’t try to see everything – it’s impossible. You can go to the same destination second time, right?! You will be surprised how rested you will be if you choose one or two places to visit on your trip. This is one of the traveling purpose, isn’t it?! To take a break from the daily rhythm, to discover new beauties, to learn new curious things and to accumulate interesting memories?! In this regard, you shouldn’t forget that the great things are difficult for planning.
