Sounds delish! My only question would be if you know that everyone eats meat? If not, I would either leave the sausage out of the ziti or have a second pan of it without the meat.

For a side dish you could do oven -roasted veggies with a last-minute splash of balsamic vinegar.

For dessert, I would do something simple, like zabaglione. You could make it ahead and put in individual martini or wine glasses. Pretty, and not heavy. Have some fresh strawberries to serve with it, and some biscotti.

I think a buffet is fine for that number of people.

Are you doing any hors d'oeuvres? An antipasti platter, perhaps some gazpacho served in small cups or glasses. Easy to prepare ahead.

Will people be sitting at one table? I would think about a rustic italian feel. Start with a simple white or off-white cloth, and create runners from burlap or unbleached osnaburg (very inexpensive). You can criss-cross the runners down and across the table to create place settings. Fringe the edges a bit for a more rustic look, and to save you from hemming.

Get a couple of stone or pottery planters and fill with an abundant but low arrangement of casual flowers like solidago, sunflowers, button poms and tulips in shades of reds, oranges, yellows and creams, with some greenery and curly willow woven through. Use some terra cotta saucers to hold thick cream or ivory pillar candles.

In a nod to cliche italian, get the red and white check cloth napkins (or even small dishtowels, rolled and knotted), and add chunky drinking glasses. Use simple white plates.

To me, this sounds like comfort food, and as such, should be treated more casually as a buffet. Then that could set the tone for your decor.

Use food as part of your decor...multi-level plates with cheeses and fruit. Bowls of fruit & nuts, and bottles of wine. Dried fruits are good...and fresh figs, if you can find them! Go with a more rustic, Tuscan theme.

For dessert...well, in my book, there is nothing like cannoli. If you're fortunate to have a good bakery nearby and can get them, do it! If not, tiramisu is good for dessert, but don't forget cheese & fruit!

For a side dish, you might make green beans with tomato sauce, or just forgoe it all together, that food will be filling as it is.

My family is Italian and you're describing a pretty typical dinner at Grammy's house.

I think a buffet would fit your dinner like a glove. Are you using warming trays, no matter.

Candles, linen napkins, good looking plates, wine glasses, flowers and maybe Frank Sinatra playing low in the back ground.

Like Pesky I would go for cannoli's for dessert. Gawd, I miss them, they taste like they have wallpaper paste inside down here, yuck.

Hope your party is a smash!

....Jane

What wonderful ideas! Thanks so much Jane, Pesky and Les!! I loved everything you suggested, from food to decor, and thanks for confirming the buffet idea.

To answer a few questions:
I had thought to do a separate pan of ziti without the sausage, just in case, even though people often select where to eat based on the menus, which are sent out ahead of time. I will be using two long tables pushed together so everyone can sit around one large table. I will serve some hors d'oeuvres, so thanks for those ideas, too.

I'm feeling a little more excited about this now that you have helped me devise a plan. Thanks again!!

Why not just make all of the ziti meatless? And serve roasted Italian sausage as the meat entree? Frozen artichoke hearts drizzled with olive oil with minced garlic would be a wonderful vegetable dish.

For dessert, a layered yellow cake with a ricotta filling
(sweetened to taste with grated chocolate and minced nuts) and icing would be appropriate and easy.

Also, I would have individual dipping bowls or plates on the table for the bread.

Excellent ideas from all! :)

Love Les' decor ideas! Another vote for simple white plates; white tablecloths (maybe even dropcloths?) -- and check out local dollar stores for inexpensive red and white dish towels for napkins!

Love her ideas for using lots of terracotta plant pots and plant dishes on the buffet table! Wonderful way to display foods!

And yes! to Dean Martin ("thats amore" and "in the cool, cool, cool of the evening" and of "ain't that a kick in the head") and Frank Sinatra ("that old black magic") music ... always good at a party!

Almost forgot the classic song "Volare" by Dean Martin!

LOL! :)

I'm of less-than-no-help here, but what time's the meal?!!?
Jeeeezzz...I'm drooling reading this thread!

Sounds like fun!

Faron
(what's the address again....;-0?)

Panna cotta is another easily prepared dessert that could be garnished with some fresh fruit and maybe a sprig of mint on top.

For ease, I would suggest green beans roasted in olive oil with some slivered red onion, afterwards top with a splash of balsamic and some pine nuts. Have fun!

Thanks for the additional great ideas, including the music. I'm really looking forward to the event now that I have a plan. :) I have to turn in my menu by Monday, but the dinner is not until mid-March, so I have plenty of time to fine tune things. Appreciate all the help!

And Faron, my address is 1234 Main Street, West Michigan. See you there!

OK...
I'm off to buy a GPS car-thing tonite...;-)

I'll plug that in and see where it leads me!

;-)

Faron

Oh, if I can recommend a great CD...Hits From the Mob. It's a double disc set, and it AMAZING. All songs from great "mob" movies...the Godfather, Good Fellas, Casino, etc. Includes Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Louis Prima, Rosemary Clooney...and other great crooners. Will totally set the mood!