topic Re: I'm throwing a party...suggestions needed please! in Community Chat

I'm throwing a party...suggestions needed please!

terrier3 — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 19:44:54 GMT

It will be for two more people who quit working where we all first met. One guy went on to another TV station, the other is retiring. The whole crowd will be coming.

I am having a party the last Friday in April - after Lent Fish Fridays (and no alcohol) are out of the way.

It will be stand up - about 25- 30 people total. I have actually never had a party like this before!

We aren't big drinkers so I'm not sure what to get. I was going to have Pinot - white and red - Rhine wine, beer and light beer, and maybe a special Vitamix drink. Is it OK to not have a full set up with vodka, scotch, tequila, etc. It's after work on a Friday night 5:30-10PM or so.

I plan on getting party pizza, green salad, heating a bunch of Trader Joe Pastry Pups, shrimp and cocktail sauce, chips and dip. Coffee and cake at the end.

What else should I have to eat? Mini sandwiches?

Or should I scrap the pizza and get Dinosaur BBQ catered? Pulled pork sandwiches, mac salad, green salad, cornbread.

I'm excited to have the party - first time for the whole gang to be here at once.

Hostesses with the mostest - what do you think?

Re: I'm throwing a party...suggestions needed please!

terrier3 — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 20:00:18 GMT

I'm taking this over to Food...thought VP was a more fun bunch!

Re: I'm throwing a party...suggestions needed please!

Irshgrl31201 — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 20:02:28 GMT

I have had several friends in Buffalo tell me they really loved Dinosaur BBQ. I have never eaten there but these are people who have a lot of experience eating good BBQ in the Carolinas, Texas, etc... To be honest, I like pizza too and since we can never get any good pizza down here I would choose that. I think beer and wine is fine.

Re: I'm throwing a party...suggestions needed please!

JJsMom — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 20:04:16 GMT

You could make croissant sandwiches. Costco sells a 12-pack for $6, and they are very good. THey also sell Kirkland turkey lunch meat that isn't processed and doesn't have nitrates. You could make turkey avocado sandwiches and cut them in half. I would do that instread of the pizza. The rest sounds good.

I don't think you need a full bar of hard liquor. I never expect that when I go to a party. I would think beer and wine would suffice. You don't want to have people getting drunk at your party.

Have fun!

Re: I'm throwing a party...suggestions needed please!

azterry! — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 20:07:06 GMT

Hey terrier....

party planning lover here.

A party pizza is a good idea, but a green salad is kind of hard to eat standing up and mingling. I like to do a "mobile" Caprese salad. Alternate grape tomatoes, mozzarella chunks and basil on a small skewer. Drizzle with EVOO and Balsamic and you've got an easy to eat salad.

People like lots of variety and nibbling things at a party. I like to do Prosciutto wrapped melon slices, olive varieties, interesting cheeses, and a good hot dip.

I like your idea of the shrimp and pastry puffs too.

Re: I'm throwing a party...suggestions needed please!

------ — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 20:08:51 GMT

Friday night? People will be ready to party

Check this out for ideas:

http://www.pinterest.com/jacquirego/adult-dinner-party-hors-d-oeuvres-finger-food/

Good luck and have fun!

Re: I'm throwing a party...suggestions needed please!

Irshgrl31201 — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 20:09:06 GMT

On 3/20/2014 azterry! said:
Hey terrier....

party planning lover here.

A party pizza is a good idea, but a green salad is kind of hard to eat standing up and mingling. I like to do a "mobile" Caprese salad. Alternate grape tomatoes, mozzarella chunks and basil on a small skewer. Drizzle with EVOO and Balsamic and you've got an easy to eat salad.

People like lots of variety and nibbling things at a party. I like to do Prosciutto wrapped melon slices, olive varieties, interesting cheeses, and a good hot dip.

I like your idea of the shrimp and pastry puffs too.

I love to do the caprese salads on a stick. They are a hit at parties too, people love them.

Re: I'm throwing a party...suggestions needed please!

terrier3 — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 20:11:08 GMT

On 3/20/2014 Irshgrl31201 said:
I have had several friends in Buffalo tell me they really loved Dinosaur BBQ. I have never eaten there but these are people who have a lot of experience eating good BBQ in the Carolinas, Texas, etc... To be honest, I like pizza too and since we can never get any good pizza down here I would choose that. I think beer and wine is fine.

Dino started in Syracuse and have had a location in Rochester for years. When I worked in Ro-cha-cha, I used to bring catered BBQ lunch to my better clients.

It's fantastic.

It would be Casa-di-Pizza (I bet you know about that place). I don't want wings because they are too messy for buffet type serving. I'll have plenty of places to "perch", but I don't like leftover chicken bones...yuck!

Re: I'm throwing a party...suggestions needed please!

terrier3 — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 20:11:30 GMT

On 3/20/2014 Irshgrl31201 said:
On 3/20/2014 azterry! said:
Hey terrier....

party planning lover here.

A party pizza is a good idea, but a green salad is kind of hard to eat standing up and mingling. I like to do a "mobile" Caprese salad. Alternate grape tomatoes, mozzarella chunks and basil on a small skewer. Drizzle with EVOO and Balsamic and you've got an easy to eat salad.

People like lots of variety and nibbling things at a party. I like to do Prosciutto wrapped melon slices, olive varieties, interesting cheeses, and a good hot dip.

I like your idea of the shrimp and pastry puffs too.

I love to do the caprese salads on a stick. They are a hit at parties too, people love them.

GREAT idea...I'm stealing that one!

Re: I'm throwing a party...suggestions needed please!

JJsMom — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 20:11:43 GMT

I'd probably add fruit. What about cookies or cupcakes instead of a cake? They are easier to eat, and you don't have to serve them.

Re: I'm throwing a party...suggestions needed please!

Photo Donna — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 20:14:02 GMT

I agree about the salad being hard to handle if not a sit down.

Rather than buy BBQ -- I would cook pork in the crockpot, shred and add sauce or have it on the side with little slider buns -- easy!

I would skip the full bar and do beer and wine and if you wish a signature drink for the party -- maybe a vodka drink (something light like vodka, orange slices and orange flavored club soda like LaCroix).

Re: I'm throwing a party...suggestions needed please!

Jerz-girl — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 20:21:38 GMT

I suggest if you are doing a stand-up, then you don't want to do foods where people have to walk around with big clankey plates. Remember they will be walking around with a drink in one hand. I personally would do appetizers type foods, tapas.

I would do lots of variety of food, (people like variety) in small quantities. People at stand-ups walk around and pick. Figure roughly 4-6 appetizers per person per hour. Stay away from fried foods too, because as they sit around, they get soggy...hush-puppies are safe tho.

Anything on a stick or skewer if perfect for your type of party!! Different flavored chickens & beefs, as well as all different styles of meatballs are awesome on sticks & skewers!!

1 bottle of wine should get you about 6 glasses.

Jerz

Re: I'm throwing a party...suggestions needed please!

hennypenny — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 20:25:24 GMT

I like the bbq idea and small bites of different things. I think two types of wine and an interesting beer, and maybe bottles of tejava tea or plain water.

Re: I'm throwing a party...suggestions needed please!

terrier3 — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 20:26:17 GMT

It's not really stand up...more like grab a plate and find a place to perch. My dining room, living room and front balcony all flow together. There's the dining table and bench off the kitchen, two conversation areas in the double living room (seating for 10 there with two coffee tables and portable trays) and a love seat and chair on the porch (seats 4-5).

Re: I'm throwing a party...suggestions needed please!

MickD — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 20:28:47 GMT

Terrier ~ Ditch the pizza and do the BBQ and/or assorted scooby snacks. Beer and wine sound perfect. Make it simple so you can mingle and enjoy yourself!

Re: I'm throwing a party...suggestions needed please!

NoelSeven — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 20:31:13 GMT

Oh, fun!

I agree, a full bar would cost a fortune, stick with your plans.

I don't remember if you have a Costco nearby, but they do special cakes for parties which I'm sure would cost you a lot less. They decorate and will write what you want on the cake.

I suggest you take a run through Costco to see what they have to offer for parties. They have a list of what they'll make for you, it may also be online.

They do large shrimp rings, if you like those, and Aram sandwiches. I'd like the Aram sandwiches as a choice since I'd worry about getting pizza sauce on my front.

Re: I'm throwing a party...suggestions needed please!

NoelSeven — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 20:34:01 GMT

ps If you're not going to use ceramic plates, etc., Costco also has bulk party serving supplies.

Re: I'm throwing a party...suggestions needed please!

Jerz-girl — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 20:34:35 GMT

I wanted to add, I would stay way from sliders, why, even tho they seem harmless enough because of their size, they are messy, and when you eat a pulled pork slider, you usually need a plate, fork and napkin which means two hands which you cannot really do with a drink in one of your hands while walking around.

You can keep your BBQ theme but do it on sticks and or skewers. You can also do mini fried mac & cheese appetizers as well.

Jerz

Re: I'm throwing a party...suggestions needed please!

RainyDayGal — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 20:35:02 GMT

I would suggest renting some chairs, or even asking the guests to bring any (folding) if they have them. I've been to parties where it was requested that you bring your own if you can. Not required, obviously, but it does help. Makes it much easier eat when you can sit.

Re: I'm throwing a party...suggestions needed please!

kittykatkay — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 20:36:20 GMT

On 3/20/2014 terrier3 said:
I'm taking this over to Food...thought VP was a more fun bunch!

Terrier......I think what you are serving sounds GREAT! Will I get my invite in the mail?