The series is set during the Cold War and follows Elizabeth and Philip Jennings, two Soviet KGB intelligence officers posing as an American married couple living in Falls Church, a Virginia suburb of Washington, D.C., with their American-born children Paige and Henry.
According to Nielsen Media Research, the episode was seen by an estimated 0.81 million household viewers and gained a 0.2 ratings share among adults aged 18–49.
Gabriel (Frank Langella) informs Elizabeth that she must continue her operation with Young Hee (Ruthie Ann Miles) and Don (Rob Yang).
A grieving Stan (Noah Emmerich) visits Philip (Matthew Rhys), telling him that Frank Gaad was killed by KGB agents.
Stan also visits Oleg (Costa Ronin), informing him that the FBI will try to turn him and that he will stop seeing him, as he remains affected from Amador's and Gaad's deaths.
The following day, Philip and Gabriel arrive at Don's office accompanied by an agent (Marceline Hugot), pretending to be Patty's family.
In April 2016, FX confirmed that the eleventh episode of the season would be titled "Dinner for Seven", and that it would be written by Joshua Brand, and directed by Nicole Kassell.
Club gave the episode an "A" grade and wrote, "The Americans isn't the type of show to telegraph huge, tide-changing moments, but the titular scene of 'Dinner For Seven' is an exception.
"[9] Genevieve Koski of Vulture gave the episode a 4 star rating out of 5 and wrote, "Elizabeth gets a firsthand lesson in this conundrum during the closing moments of 'Dinner for Seven.'
"[10] Ben Travers of IndieWire gave the episode an "A" grade and wrote, "Elizabeth is in a delicate place — even if her last scene showcased her strength.
"[11] Matt Brennan of Slant Magazine wrote, "A feat of meticulous craftsmanship, a subtle bait and switch, 'Dinner at Seven' frames its constituent parts as opposing forces, but in the end each element contributes to a coherent, if half-hidden, whole.