Sounds like the perfect scenario for fondue. Bite size pieces are dainty to eat, it can all be done ahead of time and it provides a reason to linger at the table, drinking wine and talking. Also, there is the tradition of having to kiss the person on your left when you lose a piece of meat in the fondue, so with a little strategic planning, you could arrange your guests to take advantage of this custom. Chocolate fondue for dessert.
J Jane

Maybe this site will inspire you. ;)

Here is a link that might be useful: Eat something sexy.

J Jane's suggestion of fondue is a good one. Or a variation on that, hot pot, if you are equipped to serve that. I suspect you are.

My first thought was fettucini alfredo, but you nixed that with "No pasta (waistline considerations)". I think a cheese dish would go well with the red wines.

Another idea, keeping red wines in mind as well as your other criteria, would be beef daub.

Jim

You could make it a 'Tom Jones' night with lusty eating, but that might be a little too transparent.

Very easy suggestion for a sensuous and delicious dish:

Instead of a salad, cook a big globe artichoke for each person. (You can do it in advance and chill, or time it for serving it warm.) Serve with a few yummy dipping sauces: melted butter, hollandaise, aioli, vinaigrette--whatever you want. Pulling off a leaf, dipping it, scraping it over your bottom teeth...it tastes great and the act of eating it is somewhat messy. Breaks down barriers. (But be aware that artichokes will alter the taste buds for a while; it enhances the sweetness of whatever follows. I don't know of a wine that can go with them. Mineral water, perhaps.)

(And if you have bought a pressure cooker, John, you can have them done in 14 minutes instead of 45!)

And if you don't remember the Tom Jones reference, check out the link. "We are all as God made us, and many of us much worse."

Here is a link that might be useful: tom jones eating scene

Fondue or raclette was the first thing that came to my mind. I've been dying for an opportunity to buy a raclette grill. I think I might just have to ask Santa for one.

Artichokes are "wine killers". They interact with the wine in a peculiar way to produce an aftertaste I find pleasant, but not what you want when tasting the wine is of any importance. I once made the faux pas of taking artichokes to a wine tasting. Fortunately my friends didn't make an issue of it and expressed approval of the artichokes.

Jim

John, if you research recipes for beef daub, be aware of an alternate spelling, beef daube.

Jim

Jimster, I like the idea of hot pot, and we are equipped for it. Yes, Winemaker and Single Woman, heads together, teasing over mysterious tasties simmering in the broth - sounds promising.

Strangely, I've never had or made fondue. While it seems like something one wouldn't botch on the first try, I always manage. Could be waistline-unfriendly? I think I'll try it -20 pounds from now.

For the soundtrack, Marvin Gaye ("Let's Get It On") or Barry White ("Dark & Lovely"), in preference to Isaac Hayes ("Shaft")? I think so.

Unfortunately, Single Woman is now a ? for attendance. Jeez, not even the first blind setup dinner yet and she's already being high maintenance.

If she doesn't show, and SWMBO can't find a stand-in, the character of the menu will have to change since now it'll be Two Guys crushing on Winemaker. I'll need something prim and starchy.

Having been the "single gal" at these type of dos, I have to say that this is not the time for "Let's Get It On" or Tom Jones style eating. That' jumping the gun a bit. The emphasis needs to be on getting people to socialize and relax. The set up needs to have activity, movement, mixing it up somehow. Fondue is good but definately a waistline killer, as is hot pot I imagine. I'd go for little nibbles to be paired with wine. Lots of wine, lol! A tapas kind of thing, or dare I say it, a dim sum kind of thing. Anything that has to be made and assembled is good, like and ice cream sundae bar or some such. Lots of different cheeses and spreads, etc. Try this, try that, etc. A make your own burger bar, make your own crepes, tacos, etc. How's the weather out there, could you grill something and have outdoor games or something? People just socializing on their own is fine for gatherings of good friends with just a newcomer or two, but if it's all "get to know you" then you have to have portable food and activities for mixing and movement. I don't care if it's cocktails on the patio, dinner in the dining room and coffee and dessert and game of parchesi in the den, keep mixing it up. Nothing worse than the six of you sitting around trading amusing anecdotes from work! :)

I've also been the single woman a time or two.
As I understand the occasion, the primary reason for the get together is to showcase the wine...with an ulterior motive of getting the 2 singles acquainted...right?
so...make it wonderful and very simple. a center cut of beef filet...well but not overly seasoned with garlic and perhaps a bit of marjoram or basil...grilled rare to medium rare...good loaf of crusty bread simple sides like steamed green beans with browned butter and maybe some carrots.
And have lots of cheeses to pair with the good reds before dinner....cheeses like a good well aged chedder and a lovely blue, I am prejudiced about Maytag...and some simple water crackers and crudites and perhaps a plate of fruits.
To finish something dark chocolate to go with the big red wines...
Enjoy...but don't forget to showcase the wine.
Linda C

I agree with Linda but go easy on the garlic. Showcase the wine.

If you want ideas for recipes to pair with specific varietals, many winery websites have recipes to share. I have linked to Robert Mondavi. They make it easy as you can select recipes by course or wine varietal.

http://www.cakebread.com/recipes/index.cfm
http://www.trefethen.com/recipes.html
http://www.chalkhill.com/Estate/Recipe

It sounds like a lot of fun.

Here is a link that might be useful: Wine and recipe pairings.

How's the weather out there, could you grill something and have outdoor games or something?

It'll be 45F, windy, rainy, all the outdoor furniture is under tarps. Alas, this is Portland OR, not Malibu CA . . .

Having been the "single gal" at these type of dos, I have to say that this is not the time for "Let's Get It On" or Tom Jones style eating. That' jumping the gun a bit.

So my desire to entertain myself must be subordinated to my hostly duties. You guys are tough!

As I understand the occasion, the primary reason for the get together is to showcase the wine...with an ulterior motive of getting the 2 singles acquainted...right?

Not even that ulterior, actually. Winemaker is lonely, it's just him and his craft (actually I think he's perfectly content, I'm just romanticizing here). Single Woman is interested in meeting him (if her schedule permits, apparently). Two Guys want to meet Winemaker and shower him with accolades on his wine. SWMBO is doing her social director thing. I'm just looking for some fun, willing to cook for it, and hoping he'll bring his Reserve.

By all means the music and food should please YOU. A happy host makes a happy party! Wine parties are the BEST! Well, at least in my wineaux world.

I think you should give Jim's idea of hot pot more consideration. Chinese hot pot is a lot of interactive fun. It is seasonal, it's conversational, and it is healthy. Best thing is there will be no work and no cooking.

You can buy all the ingredients all prepared for hot pots in Asian stores.

dcarch

Yikes! SWMBO has announced that Saturday is the last meal before we (not ''she'') start a 10 day liquid diet aka quasi fast. I don't mind, I rather enjoyed the last one actually. Maybe I'll actually be able to wear my dinner jacket at Thanksgiving.

So this match-making dinner has taken on new significance. It is now The Last Supper.

Meat......red meat....rare red meat....lots of it....with giant baked potatoes with sour cream AND butter...and something very chocolate for dessert....

Dagnabit. Single Woman cannot come after all. .

So the character of this dinner has completely changed. No more teasing nibbles and significant gazes. Just SWMBO, me, some guy buddies, lots of wine, and a yawning chasm before the next solid meal.

Tear up the menu, delete the Barry White playlist, forget the delicate flavors. Lindac is right. Time to be Pinot-sipping cavemen. Red meat, and lots of it.

Plan C: Classic steakhouse menu, or something like:

Spinach salad with vinaigrette
Broiled rare steak with herb butter
Creamed spinach with bacon bits
Roasted new potatoes
Hazelnut ice cream

Should it be spaghetti carbonara, or a garlic-oil linguine, instead of the roast potatoes? No waistline or garlic breath concerns now!

What would you have for your last solid meal in 10 days?

SWMBO will be happy. She's been lobbying for ''normal food''.

Going from a caveman meal to a liquid diet seems to me like jumping off a cliff, but I'm not qualified to advise on that.

Jim

John, I know I will come off as snarky, but I really don't mean it to. I am just beyond curious about your hosting style.

Is it all about your pleasure and comfort when you host? I was always taught very stressfully that when I host, it is all about my guests. I was even taught that as a guest, I would be extremely gracious no matter what.

I guess what I am puzzled about is that when the party was a matchmaking event, you wanted to make sure the dishes were non-fattening. I wasn't sure if it was because you knew that not only yourself wanted to watch calories, but also your guests did. Now, we see that it's your "last supper" so anything goes, and the menu changes from healthy to decadent. So, are your guests going on this 10-day fast as well?

I've read many of your posts, John and think you are a wonderful and thoughtful person, so I am just wondering what is going on here.

Darn! Too bad I am not single. I live in Pdx, love Pinot and FOOD!

sonopoly,

Two things happened.

First, John found out about the "Last Supper" aspect.

Then, single woman cancelled. It wasn't until then that the menu got torn up.

Keep your faith in John as a host. He has shown great interest in providing a pleasurable evening for them.

Jim

Understandable confusion, sonopoly. I've been sort of stream-of-consciousness here.

The waistline sensitivity was primarily for me. The Two Guys eat rich food and guzzle martinis - one of them is rail-thin, and the other is happily, err, cuddly. Winemaker has never been a dieting sort. Single Woman appears perfectly svelte, not that I've noticed, of course.

I also thought that when two singles are introduced, it is best if neither is face-down at the trough at the time. I imagine Single Woman is well-bred, but I've seen Winemaker doing his Wilbur imitation before.

But now that I'm going to start ten days of 400 calories/day on Sunday, and mating/dating is now off the table, I'm no longer concerned about my waistline, or my guests' table manners, on Saturday.

Wheel in the trough!

This thread is absolutely hysterical! A classic.

Barnmom! Yes I agree this is the funniest thread I have read in a long time!! Wonderful!!! All the different menu's sound great too.
Joann

Vinaigrette is not wine friendly....and not nearly fattening enough...how about a nice mayo based blue cheese dressing. I will provide a recipe if you are lacking.
Sounds good to me....are you going to start a new thread called "What's NOT for dinner" during the next 10 days?
Linda C

Lindac, I'd love the blue cheese dressing recipe. I didn't think about the wine-phobic properties of vinaigrette.

Next 10 days: I hope to spend 7 of them not thinking about food. That may be hard as my pressure cooker should be delivered next week. Then I will need to plan Thanksgiving dinner, which I am hosting. I may talk my sister into starting the turkey at her house and bringing it here to finish, so I only have to do some sides. We will be off the quasi-fast by then, hopefully in time to actually sup bird, gravy, and mashed, instead of sipping consomme.

Wanted to share a cool experience that you on the CF will probably understand.

All the kitchen lights are off, it is very dark. Just some red XMas "chili pepper" strings glowing and the dim hood lamp. John Coltrane's "My Favorite Things" is playing, very VERY loud. We're at the rolling orgiastic soprano sax part, I'm drinking Prosecco from a measuring glass, and I'm cooking. Alone, cooking in the dark. So cool.

It's a matter of minutes before someone comes in and starts harshing my buzz, but right now it is pretty special.

Ok, that was fun. Winemaker brought his 2007 Barbera and 2002 Merlot Reserve. We finished with one of his 1999 Merlots from my basement. Impressive, that '99 spent a few years in a box in my garage - which, even in Northern California, got hot at times, and then has been sitting in my Portland basement. Not proper wine storage at all. But it was excellent.

So the wine was great. Dinner was so-so. Sad, but I'm pretty objective about my cooking, and it's true. Someone started a thread asking about ''flops'', so here are a couple.

On the good side, the rib eye steaks were very good. Trimmed and salted the meat, stored unwrapped on a rack in the refrigerator, then brought to room temp. Heated cast iron pans dry for five minutes on high flame, then a pat of butter and put the steaks down. About 4 min per side, to deep brown. Pulled them off the pans at 115F then rested them. For service, charred the tops with a torch and melted the tops with bubbling herb butter. They were perfectly medium rare.

On the not so good side, the creamed spinach tasted great, with Amaretto, crispy panchetta, deeply browned mushrooms, toasted almonds, butter, cream, and melted Brie cheese. But it wasn't creamy enough. My carbonara was mediocre. SWMBO makes a much better carbonara than I. Her salad was great, which I forgot to mention. My hazelnut ice cream was not good. I tried a different way of making it and also had a problem with the ice cream machine so that it didn't churn properly, tasted good but wrong consistency. Fortunately, Two Guys brought a dessert so full of sherry that my daughter got tipsy.

Well, there was plenty of wine and red meat so dinner wasn't a total flop. Now, it's Sunday morning, and on to eat . . . Nothing.