Advice on menu? Dinner or heavy apps?

[Anonymous]

I posted the Mediterranean catering post as well but I just wanted to start a new one to ask for more advice after receiving a note off that post.

I’m hosting a party for about 30 to 35 adults there will be drinking and it is for a birthday party for my husband. I set the time at 7 PM. Would people be expecting a full dinner? I was thinking more heavy apps. Here is my potential menu :

50 beef kibbeh
50 cheese crescent
50 grape leaves, vegetarian style
40 bacon wrapped dates
one hummus and pita platter
one baba ghanoush platter
one large Greek salad
60 falafel
60 spanokopitas.

Should I add on chicken and beef kebabs to this as well how many? Or maybe a big tray of chicken and rice? It may make more sense for me to just get something like cava and set up a cava bowl station? What do you guys think? We will be serving baklava and cookies for dessert.

[Anonymous]

That sounds like a lot of food, more than enough food. I would not add anything else.

[Anonymous]

That sounds like a fabulous spread! No need to add anything IMO.

[Anonymous]

That does not sound like enough food to me. I would add more kabobs. I think all of your food will get eaten and then it looks like you didn't have enough. Yes, I'd assume a full dinner for a 7pm birthday party.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I posted the Mediterranean catering post as well but I just wanted to start a new one to ask for more advice after receiving a note off that post.

I’m hosting a party for about 30 to 35 adults there will be drinking and it is for a birthday party for my husband. I set the time at 7 PM. Would people be expecting a full dinner? I was thinking more heavy apps. Here is my potential menu :

50 beef kibbeh
50 cheese crescent
50 grape leaves, vegetarian style
40 bacon wrapped dates
one hummus and pita platter
one baba ghanoush platter
one large Greek salad
60 falafel
60 spanokopitas.

Should I add on chicken and beef kebabs to this as well how many? Or maybe a big tray of chicken and rice? It may make more sense for me to just get something like cava and set up a cava bowl station? What do you guys think? We will be serving baklava and cookies for dessert.

Yes.

[Anonymous]

Yes, people are expecting a full dinner for a birthday party at 7pm. No, I do not think this is enough food.

[Anonymous]

How big are these?:
50 beef kibbeh
50 cheese crescent
50 grape leaves, vegetarian style
40 bacon wrapped dates

If little (like date sized or mini ball size) I would have two per person. They should keep to be brought out/warmed, so if you don't get to them you have leftovers.

I would also add:
- crudite for the fresh veggie fanatics if the platters don't include them (cucumbers, peppers, olives, grape tomatoes)
- some desserts such as baklava and mini brownies

[Anonymous]

Yes people expect dinner.

Add kabobs. I'd plan for 1.5 kabob per adult guest. With some rice and lots of dipping sauces.

You never ever want to not have enough food. Horrifying.

[Anonymous]

7 pm? yes. Otherwise you think they're eating at home at 5?

[Anonymous]

I would not expect to eat much—I usually eat very little if I’m standing around at a party talking to people. My dh would eat a plateful.i think whatever you do will be fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:7 pm? yes. Otherwise you think they're eating at home at 5?

Tbh I just went to a 7pm thing and really didn’t eat there. I’d had a snack in the late afternoon and I ate a little more around 10 at home. If it’s not a sit-down dinner people will graze, some very lightly.

[Anonymous]

Yes, people expect to eat dinner at 7pm.

It's fine if dinner is eaten with one hand/fork while standing, or balancing a plate on your knees on the couch. It's fine if dinner is grazed throughout the evening. It doesn’t need to be a traditional sit-down meal. But it does need to include enough protein, carbs, and veggies to make up a normal dinner.

That said - I think your variety is fine, you might want a little more meat depending on your crowd. If you add some kebabs I think it'll be perfect.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, people are expecting a full dinner for a birthday party at 7pm. No, I do not think this is enough food.

Agree on both counts.

[Anonymous]

I would expect the invite to specify "join us for dinner and drinks" or "join us for heavy appetizers and drinks."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would expect the invite to specify "join us for dinner and drinks" or "join us for heavy appetizers and drinks."

This is an excellent way of avoiding confusion. Let people know what to expect.