By Gretchen McKay From Pittsburgh Post-Gazette For many of us, summer is the best time to throw a party. Getting everybody outside onto the porch, yard, or patio means you don’t have to worry about cleaning the house or squeezing a ton of people into a crowded space. Also, summer entertaining tends to be more…

Dining outside can be a treat, but it has a way of affecting how we enjoy our meals, which includes wine — which I consider to be an extra course in the meal. In the waning days of summer, many people take to patios and other alfresco venues, which is one way to avoid turning…

Dining alfresco sounds so much more impressive than “picnic,” but whatever you call it, eating under the open sky can be a delightful way to entertain friends and family. But before you grab the basket, there are a few interim steps to take in order to host the perfect picnic. Start by deciding why you…