Follow Up: DH birthday dinner

16 years ago

Thank you all for your kind responses to my post. DH's birthday dinner went off without a hitch. There were 20 of us, and the restaurant staff was phenomenal. They printed up a beautiful menu for our guests with the appetizers, salad, choice of one of three entrees and choice of dessert. The wine flowed very freely, as did the cocktails. Even the seating worked out nicely. Although I didn't have placecards, as guests showed up I was subtly able to seat couples near matches that I thought would work. In hindsight, I'm glad the difficult couple didn't show because I know there would have been some issues with where they were seated, the food, the drinks, something...

After dinner, 4 couples came back to our house and I served a variety of cheeses and savory crackers. I have to go back to the cheese shop I went to again, because the selection the owner gave me was outstanding, but I was in such a rush I just trusted her and didn't really ask about what she gave me. I had a few bowls of mixed nuts, and then candy. Small bowls of dark chocolate m&m's, jelly beans, mike&ikes, etc. Afterall, it was a birthday party.

So, thank you all again for your advice.

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Comments (11)

lindac
16 years ago
sounds lovely....and perhaps the "difficult couple" just knew they wouldn't fit in.
And I hope the Birthday Boy was pleased!
Linda c
annie1992
16 years ago
AM, that does sound lovely, and I'll bet your husband was happy with his party.

So what were those "three entrees"? And be sure to find out the type of cheeses. We want to know these things!

Annie
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arabellamiller
Original Author
16 years ago
Glad you asked Annie!

Antipasto - calimari; arancini, tomato, red onion and basil crostini; roasted garlic and shaved piave crostini.
Insalata della casa
Secondi - ravioli ai quattro formaggi; margherita pizza; chicken piccata
Dessert - vesuvio chocolate cake; Italian cheesecake

Don't know about the cheeses at the "afterparty". Two were soft - one a very creamy brie and one more of a goat cheese with a vein of blue cheese. One of the hard cheeses tasted like a mild swiss with a nutty kind of thing going on, and the other I completely can't remember.

I think the birthday boy was pleased. He was very complimentary after everyone left. While he claims he's not one to savor the spotlight, I think he secretly enjoys it very much. And he did send out an email thanking everyone for celebrating with us with lots of kind words for me. Always nice to be appreciated.

AM
mitchdesj
16 years ago
sounds like a perfect evening, glad it went so well.
gbsim1
16 years ago
Glad it went well!! You'd have had to fight me for the arancini..... my favorite!!

Did you wind up with Limoncello?

Grace
User
16 years ago
What a great celebration for your Dh and that menu is amazing...I want it all. Should have been born Italian!
jessyf
16 years ago
'.....calimari'...???!?!?

(mostly glad you were appreciated!!!)
arabellamiller
Original Author
16 years ago
Good catch, Jessy! Since DH and I were the only kosher ones at the dinner, we caved on the calimari. I had some (shhh!); it was delicious.

I am seriously considering having this place cater my son's Bar Mitzvah and keeping it dairy only.

AM
marlingardener
16 years ago
Oh, Arabella, that sounds wonderful--the food, the good friends, the "after-party" at your home. Your husband must have been so happy!
For your husband's next birthday, could we be your new friends? We are very easy to get along with, eat any and all foods, know how to use napkins and forks and all that fancy stuff, and, if asked, will sing "Happy Birthday".
jessyf
16 years ago
LOL hey I understand

What, not going to use a kosher caterer? How much you pay me to not tell MIL ducking and running for cover.....

(Bar Mitzvah already? OMG they were just pee-wees!!! Check out the Bar Mitzvah forum at Party411, what a group!)
arabellamiller
Original Author
16 years ago
May 21, 2011. BM Date. Can you believe it? I think I can get away with a non-kosher caterer if we have an entirely dairy meal. Or maybe we'll just use them to cater the Friday night dinner.

I will definitely check out that forum. I need help, and lots of it.

Marlin, you were invited in spirit! I'm not doing this again for a while, maybe in 10 years for his 50th...

AM

PS Funny thing about the Arancini - DH loves them there (they have saffron in them), but my diehard Italian cook friends that were there gave them the "thumbs down". They loved everything else.

Follow Up: DH birthday dinner

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