Originally Posted by corky (Post 34828128)

IME no one eats a crudite tray at a party no matter how beautifully arranged or how fancy it looks. There should be a non-meat/non seafood option but I think this party could use something nicer than a veggie platter.

Originally Posted by corky (Post 34828128)

IME no one eats a crudite tray at a party no matter how beautifully arranged or how fancy it looks. There should be a non-meat/non seafood option but I think this party could use something nicer than a veggie platter.

Originally Posted by corky (Post 34821468)

It all sounds wonderful!! Lucky guests. If you want something vegetarian how about either some kind of pasta (pumpkin ravioli?) or a artichoke heart tart in filo?
I think I would add another dessert....something decadent like a flourless chocolate cake. I think people tend to indulge in sweets over the holidays.Or keeping with the NYC theme....cheesecake.
Great menu and I love your choice of bubbles...2 of my faves. I hope you are going to have lots of kitchen/serving help to keep trays of food replenished and clear dirty dishes/glasses etc.
Eggnog? Coffee?

Originally Posted by Eujeanie (Post 34822288)

How about hummus in endive? Or just hummus dip anywhere. And I wouldn't put horseradish on top of every beef - some people don't like it. Maybe a pimiento or similar on top of half. Or serve the horseradish sauce in a bowl on the side.

Originally Posted by PresRDC (Post 34831724)

Thanks. Sadly no kitchen help. There just is not a waiter service in our city. You could hire a caterer, but then they want to do the cooking and that's not what we are looking for. We have the ability to make coffee. Would you do spiked eggnog or just have eggnog and rum and let people make their own?

Originally Posted by JBord (Post 34828299)

Probably right. Potatoes of some sort are a good way to go here. Since the OP is making latkes already (not sure what other non-vegetarian ingredients go in), maybe it's possible to also top half of them with something other than the salmon? A dollop of sour cream and something else perhaps? Personally, I think if you accommodate possible vegetarians, no one should expect you to cover vegan as well. But I don't know many of either so that's my bias.

Or a homemade potato chip instead of a latke would work as a foundation too.

Originally Posted by Eujeanie (Post 34831761)

Sorta maybe/maybe not relevant, but when we needed babysitters (ages ago), the local college had lists of qualified candidates - I'm sure there's someone non-professional in town who would do light serving/cleaning up for some extra money. I've seen commercials for Care.Com, also, and they seem to have a variety of workers. I'd explore avenues like those. Or even just a reliable neighbor's teen....you don't have a "server" now, so just someone to keep the food replenished and pick up the empty glasses would be a help.

Originally Posted by JBord (Post 34827475)

Lots of good ideas above. As a fellow Midwesterner, who's also familiar with South Bend (according to your profile, correct?), I think you have a good menu that would be considered more upscale/fancy vs. casual. Looks like you're balancing that by serving buffet style. We did something similar about 2 years ago. The two big differences were shrimp cocktail (a big hit) and a veggie tray (nearly untouched).

We knew, however, that we had no vegetarians. I don't think people expect you to know and cater to their vegetarianism. Often they'll eat a bit before going to a party. But a veggie tray is a safe and affordable option to give them something to munch on with a drink.

Also a note on the bar. It looks pretty good. We had an event with about 75 people this summer, and bought two bottles of gin. Literally one gin drink was poured all night...and it was mine. So if you're not a gin drinker, keep that in mind. Consider if you want a digestif of some sort. Or maybe don't put it on the bar, but bring it out later in the evening. If nothing else it's a good sign you're wrapping up and want people to go home :D.

BTW, your salmon and whitefish dishes made me really hungry. We just ordered 6 lbs of smoked salmon/whitefish/trout from Charlie's in Door County and I'm hoping it arrives soon!

Originally Posted by Eujeanie (Post 34822399)

And speaking of preserves for your cheese board....I've recently been educated that a good choice is a cutting preserve, or membrillo, which is thicker than jam-type preserves. A local choice here in the PNW, but I'm not sure you'll find it in Indiana, is Girl Meets Dirt. Other brands will probably be in Whole Foods or that type of store. And if you're embracing your "NYC to the Midwest" story, Girl Meets Dirt was a girl who was from Washington State (orcas island I believe), went to NYC to work on Wall Street, missed the PNW, and came back to be a farmer.

Originally Posted by PresRDC (Post 34831782)

We do have a sitter coming for our son and she will be happy to help out after he goes to bed. She's a high school senior, so the right age. I asked her if she has a friend who might want to help. Unfortunately, the local college finishes exams on Friday and most of the kids will be gone on Saturday. The ones who are staying most likely will be looking to party and not work at a party!

Originally Posted by PresRDC (Post 34831759)

Hummus is a great option. I also make a really good white bean dip w/ feta and chili that I serve w/ toasted pita triangles.

Originally Posted by corky (Post 34831916)

I just looked at the menu again and it seems that everything is served on a bread or cracker or chip. I wonder if that is too much of that. Maybe something served on a toothpick? Stuffed olives? Use cucumber rounds for something? tomato & mozz balls with balsamic? Rice stuffed grape leaves? Goat cheese and strawberries on a toothpick? Might be a bit labor intensive to make that stuff though.

Originally Posted by Eujeanie (Post 34832004)

Oooh, stuffed olives. We just got from TJ's two unbelievably delicious toothpick options...Blue cheese stuffed Chaldiki olives (they are huge and delicious, but packed in oil so drain well) and Picante Peppers stuffed with creamy cheese.

Corky and I seem to go to the same parties!

Originally Posted by Eujeanie (Post 34832004)

Oooh, stuffed olives. We just got from TJ's two unbelievably delicious toothpick options...Blue cheese stuffed Chaldiki olives (they are huge and delicious, but packed in oil so drain well) and Picante Peppers stuffed with creamy cheese.

Originally Posted by corky (Post 34849897)

How was the party & what did you end up serving? I am sure with all of that yummy food and booze, it was a big success. Photos?