All I can think of is maybe some ice cream...

That is a spectacular menu! I cannot see any place to add anything. I imagine there will be plenty of Ouzo on ice.

I am getting excited about your mother's upcoming birthday. Eighty is a fabulous milestone. The festivities are going to be epic.

Oh, maybe if you need another fruity thing, watermelon with Feta is simple and supremely Greek. I know people get all fancy about it there days, but for me, it is best when it's just a big hunk of watermelon served with a pretty nice chunk of Feta.

Give me your address and I'll show up and bring a nice bottle of wine. I think it all sounds awesome!

^^^^^ Me too! I can even make galaktobourekos :-)

Thank you all..

I had considered making Baklava Ice Cream but the majority of us are lactose intolerant. Mom is not but she doesn't like ice cream (can you imagine?!).

Ah watermelon and feta-- perfect. I intend to roll out the various grazing items throughout the afternoon and that would be perfect after swimming!

Ouzo -- i like it but pretty sure the others don't. My mother will drink champagne if she drinks at all-- and betting my sisters and nieces will also. The men will drink beer or gin and tonics. I want to do a sangria but I may very well be the only one to drink it lol.. still, it makes for such a pretty presentation!

@Zalco/bring back Sophie! I never tried to make galaktobourekos but SO loves all the greek/turkish desserts that are similar. One day I'll give it a try.

Wish you all could join us.. 💞

This wouid be my dream birthday menu! In fact, I’m going to screen shot it and request it next year. Sounds like a wonderful celebration all around!

I love Greek good. It sounds delicious and plentiful.

question: since a number of us cannot eat tzatziki .. do you think a lemon vinaigrette would work to top souvlaki? Or maybe an oregano mint dressing? I welcome ideas!

I have just used a lemony, with oregano vinaigrette on souvlaki.

Funky, if I can make it, anyone can. I bet your SO like the shredded phyllo dough with sweet cheese and simple syrup. Middle Easterners call it konaffa (sp?) not sure what Turkish people call it, Greeks, call it kataiffi.

Yes-- Zalco-- Konaffa is exactly the one he mentions repeatedly!

It sounds fabulous just as it is. So happy that you will be able to celebrate you Mom's milestone birthday with her.

Love your choices, wonderful menu.

I wouldnt mind more appetizers since we'll be drinking all afternoon/evening .. but I am out of ideas. I will probably add herbed marconi almonds even though they are spanish. I think the flavors will pair well. Also, i am sure my 3 siblings will want to bring something.

I love these, but I don't think frying things at the last minute seems practical.

https://www.mygreekdish.com/recipe/fried-zucchini-recipe-greek-kolokithakia-tiganita/

Hmm, maybe a sorbet instead of ice cream? I'm thinking about how hot it is outside, so something icy might be appreciated.

Could you make tzatziki with coconut yogurt? Or another alternative to dairy? Soy? I'm not that fond of them straight, but with all the other ingredients, they might work fine.

One thing that I love for this kind of meal/snacking menu are dolmas. Nice for vegetarians, vegans and GF folks. I cut them in half on the diagonal if they are bigger than a bite so no utensils are needed. Trader Joes has decent canned ones. It all sounds yummy and a nice event for your mom.

I have no suggestions but I love the menu and I would be thrilled to be a guest at a party with that menu. I think it's so wonderful too that you are gearing it for your mom. I think it's perfect.

Love those, Zalco and I did consider them when putting the menu together -- also calamari-- but yes, I don't want to futz with frying. I will bake the fries (unless i am overruled lol).

Carolb, I am hoping it won't be so stinking hot in Sept-- but I see where you are coming from. I'll see what my sisters think.

Oly, I never tried one of the dairy alternatives for yogurt but I like the idea of a vinaigrette for those of us who can't eat the tzatziki. When I go out, I just eat mine with nothing on top.

Dolmas would be a good addition-- Ive never made them.

No veggies, vegans or GF folks -- but a couple of picky eaters LOL. I may need to adjust the menu a bit when I run it by my brother and sisters.

I noticed I missed a greek salad-- that's a given. They all like a sundried tomato chopped greek salad so we'll do that.

Thanks all!! Great ideas!

Canned dolmas doctored with additional lemon work.

This is my dream food. I'd be happy eating this every day.

your menu has a nice variety to span the event and please a group. it sounds just wonderful!

I have nothing to add to your wonderful menu (I bow down to you and others who put these together so well) but it sounds like such a lovely celebration for your mom!

It's a wonderful menu and also sounds like a perfect way to celebrate. I love parties that meander over time when it's shared with a limited group of special people celebrating - and what a celebration!

question: since a number of us cannot eat tzatziki .. do you think a lemon vinaigrette would work to top souvlaki?

Yes, if the vinaigrette has the garlic, cucumber and dill flavors forward.

I think you have plenty of appetizers, but I might move the Saganaki to the afternoon timeframe, rather than dinner. I would also include perhaps a couple different types of pita chips/flavors, since you have a couple spreads (hummus and feta dill).

What a wonderful way to celebrate your mother!

Happy Birthday to your sweet mom! My dad turns 80 tomorrow, and we had his little celebration this evening. 😊🎉

Love the menu. Wonderful.

Have you ever made flaming saganaki? (not usually made w Halloumi btw). I've tried at least twice and never got a satisfactory result. You may want to ditch the flaming part, also saganaki bites are easier.

Never made saganaki! Never even ate it-- but it's been served at my table which is what sparked the idea. It's fun.. well it is if it actually flames.

So in the light of a new day, I realize I have overdone the menu-- over planned the day. We are keeping the invite list small and the day lowkey because Mom just isn't up for our typical afternoon into evening celebrations. I was in denial-- planning as if all was good and she was healthy.

I should be able to scale this menu back-- though I am wondering if I shouldn't switch gears completely.

Yes to saganaki bites, I am guessing that can all be done in the same pan, and I love the flame part. However, if scaling back and going in a different direction that might be one to cut. But it really is incredibly yummy and worth the effort.

Funky, everything sounds wonderful.

My dad’s 80th is later this month — he wants a big barbecue at his house with family and friends, so it’ll be very casual. And very very hot!

I hope you all have a wonderful day. Happy Birthday to your mom! :)

If the day & food variety is going to be streamlined, is there something about this menu that has you questioning— it still seems to have nice building blocks to drop back to—1 or 2 of your starters, 1 souvlaki, orzo salad, greek salad, watermelon and the chocolate cake that your mom loves.

Or, to pull back a bit more 3 starters and her cake. I’m sure it’s disappointing not to hold the event with all the flourishes but we know that you’ll treasure the being together.

Have you asked your Mom what she wants? Sometimes it really is that simple. Sorry to hear she is not feeling well, Funky.

I have to say I never heard of saganiki but it sounds and looks delicious. If it's an iffy outcome then maybe you can forgo it.

I think if you are looking to streamline a bit, mother's stamina and all, my thoughts are to pretty much keep the grazing as is. If you do w.ant to cut some of it, I might eliminate the fruits (have with dessert) and the sausage and honey.

For the dinner, since I am allergic to shrimp you should eliminate that (see what I did there ) .

For the souvlaki maybe eliminate one (or two) of the choices?

For dessert, maybe your mom's favorite chocolate with raspberries, and then have the fruits and maybe sorbet. If you are buying the baklava then fine, but if you are making it I would say leave it out. I know it's the theme but you have plenty on the menu that still "represents".

Just some suggestions. I think you can't go wrong.

It's still so bountiful and varied.

I kind of had to chuckle about asking your mom what she wants because my dad who lived with me for 16 years would have been content with a McDonald's cheeseburger without pickles, a small fry and a vanilla milkshake for every single dinner of his entire life except for the occasional meatloaf and mashed potatoes.

So I cooked for him and no he didn't get that everyday lol and I cooked for everybody else.

I am so sorry your mother is not feeling well, Funky. That is so hard.

I would scale back the menu to a regular meal, starter, main, two sides, salad and dessert. Add a fruit and cheese plate for nibbling as the evening goes on. Take the pressure off entertaining, freeing up just being with your mother, or just being with friends and family while she rests at some point.

Yes, Mom has been asked-- and she is good with "whatever". She really just wants to see everyone together. She has always preferred appetizers to meals.. and really, she'd prefer sweets over anything else.

When I scale back the menu, it seems less celebratory -- nice menu but less special and less balanced.

• Marinated Olives
• Hummus
• pita
• Mini Spanakopita
• Beef/Chicken/Fish Souvlaki w/Tzatziki & veggie accoutrement (cukes, onions, tomatoes)
• Shrimp, Feta & Orzo salad
• Baklava
• Mom's favorite flourless chocolate cake with raspberries

I am thinking perhaps I should totally shift gears and go much more simple and all family favorite recipes. This menu requires less variety to please picky eaters and it's all easy to prepare. It doesn't feel all that *special to me*-- but honestly, I think that means more to me than anyone else. A "Family favorites" menu IS special to my mom.

• Filet mignon (her fav)
• Halibut (ref to a trip my parents and I took to Seattle.. and also, I don't eat filet mignon!)
• Lemon garlic grilled asparagus
• Family's "no mayo" potato salad recipe
• Marinated tomato, onion, cucumber salad
• Caesar salad
• Parmesan, garlic fries (her fav)

We can make it special with flowers, cake and conversation... and the butterfly launch.

I'll run both menus by my siblings but i am pretty certain i know which direction they'll go.

Thank you all for your ideas and sweet wishes for my DM. 💗

Funky, have you seen the edible rice paper butterflies to garnish the birthday dessert or something else?

Lots of sources etsy, A, and others

More on the above referenced butterflies, i used to purchase a lot from this company https://www.fancyflours.com/category/Butterfly-edible-wafer-paper including wafer paper designs to put on sugar cookies— great for teas, showers, holidays holidays.

Wow! I don't go to many parties/gathering ( and even less so since pandemic) so I have never seen those lovely rice paper edible decorations. Thanks for enlightening me. What a nice touch to add. (whether or not for this gathering, it's a great option to keep in mind).

I did know about the rice paper butterflies but I had forgotten about them. They would definitely be a nice touch-- thank you!

I am stalled on menu planning. I am sad with the realization that mom is doing so poorly. It seems like my parents both declined overnight. First my dad and then my mom. I'll get a new spark soon but for now, I am giving the planning a break.

Both menus sound great.

I’m sorry that your mother isn’t doing well but glad that you get to celebrate. My mother turned 80 in the throes of the pandemic (fall 2020). We had a Zoom call. Nice that we got to see her but not very celebratory.

I can all but garantee that anything you do, and anything you serve, will be appreciated. If she’s anything like my mother, she just wants to spend time with her people. Everything else is secondary.

I'm sorry, Funky, that is tough. Take some comfort in looking back on all the wonderful dinner parties you have shared with her, and plan a menu that pleases you as well as her.

Funky, I’m so sorry your mom and dad aren’t doing well. :(

{{{{{{Funky}}}}}}

I appreciate all your kind words-- I didn't mean to whine, i know many of us are dealing with aging parents. I really just wanted to explain why I was going to put a pin in the menu for a few days/a week. You all were so generous with your feedback, I didn't want you to think I just walked away.

And it is possible that mom's health/pain will improve.

You aren’t whining! Just sharing. ❤️