Critique my menu: Christmas for 8 adults, 2 kids

[Anonymous]

Looks like a lovely menu. You are a good host and your guests will appreciate your effort.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That's a lot of different wines and beers for a medium group. You could drop one of the reds. You could also drop the burgundy mushrooms. That's more of a beef thing. Not ham.
It's all very heavy. Are those potatoes a family favorite? A salad is just another course to fill up on.
Do a plain vegetable or lighter potatoes.

+1 to all of this

Also, you might consider another non-alcoholic beverage that would be more festive than water and soda. I’d suggest apple cider, but hot cocoa and eggnog are other options.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'd add a salad or some roasted veggies.

Thanks, I like both these ideas. If it’s a salad, I’ll do greens with goat cheese, pomegranate seeds and a simple dressing. I kind of like the idea of a side of roasted vegetables, however, because then I don’t need to fuss with salad plates in addition to dinner plates and dessert plates…
-OP

I like the goat cheese salad idea and I'd like plain roasted carrots with butter. No honey.

I like the entire rest of the menu except i'd do a different cheese. I don't think I'd go for Boursin with honey. I'd do a basic Brie with water crackers and maybe some other sides. I have recently enjoyed putting goat cheese on fig & thyme flavored multigrain crackers. I might do a cheese board with a variety of cheeses and crackers to encourage kids to at least try cheeses they are used to (cheddar cubes, Colby). In my experience, kids don't like rinded cheese and gooey gourmet cheese (but strangely like cheap stuff like cheez 'n' crackers).

Another interesting cheese option is flavored Derby cheese. Sage Derby and Port Wine Derby are very festive-looking and have complex flavors that are still pretty widely acceptable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Skip the goat cheese on the salad. There’s a lot of rich, creamy dairy in the menu already.

Agree they should skip the goat cheese since the sides are creamy (scalloped potatoes and green bean casserole).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That's a lot of different wines and beers for a medium group. You could drop one of the reds. You could also drop the burgundy mushrooms. That's more of a beef thing. Not ham.
It's all very heavy. Are those potatoes a family favorite? A salad is just another course to fill up on.
Do a plain vegetable or lighter potatoes.

+1 to all of this

Also, you might consider another non-alcoholic beverage that would be more festive than water and soda. I’d suggest apple cider, but hot cocoa and eggnog are other options.

Maybe mocktails made from cranberry juice and ginger beer? Cocoa and eggnog seem more like dessert drinks, not something people would sip on with appetizers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That's a lot of different wines and beers for a medium group. You could drop one of the reds. You could also drop the burgundy mushrooms. That's more of a beef thing. Not ham.
It's all very heavy. Are those potatoes a family favorite? A salad is just another course to fill up on.
Do a plain vegetable or lighter potatoes.

+1 to all of this

Also, you might consider another non-alcoholic beverage that would be more festive than water and soda. I’d suggest apple cider, but hot cocoa and eggnog are other options.

Maybe mocktails made from cranberry juice and ginger beer? Cocoa and eggnog seem more like dessert drinks, not something people would sip on with appetizers.

I don’t know many adults who want a sugary drink. Maybe just do frozen cranberries in the sparkling water if they don’t like the other drinks.

[Anonymous]

Pinot Grigio is a bit too summery, maybe Sauvignon blanc and then a Riesling.
Why not steamed haricots vert for the missing side?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Pinot Grigio is a bit too summery, maybe Sauvignon blanc and then a Riesling.
Why not steamed haricots vert for the missing side?

OP already has a green bean casserole that she says someone is bringing, so it might be weird/rude of her to make another green bean dish.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That's a lot of different wines and beers for a medium group. You could drop one of the reds. You could also drop the burgundy mushrooms. That's more of a beef thing. Not ham.
It's all very heavy. Are those potatoes a family favorite? A salad is just another course to fill up on.
Do a plain vegetable or lighter potatoes.

+1. Only 1 red type is fine. Maybe simple roasted brussel sprouts for another vegetable side. You don’t need 4 types of wine and 2 beers for 8 people. Are they driving home?

[Anonymous]

I mean, it’s fine. Agree you don’t need that much wine.

Did you want to elevate the menu? Or go for simple/first time hosting vibes?

[Anonymous]

A hot artichoke dip might be better than the Boursin…
Glazed carrots instead of mushrooms

Otherwise excellent traditional holiday menu!

[Anonymous]

Agree with those questioning the choices of cranberries and mushrooms without either turkey or beef as main proteins. Maybe a mustard sauce for the ham?

Yes, no need for goat cheese in the salad. This is a pretty rich meal but most of it sounds really good. You probably don't need so many beverage options.

[Anonymous]

I have my sommelier certification and I would not serve Pinot Grigio with this meal unless your crowd specifically loves it. For a ham, you want a nice rose, specifically a Tavel (not Provence style) or Gewurtztraminer.

[Anonymous]

The boursin dish is very popular right now, I see no issue with you making it. Do agree you should add another veg or salad

[Anonymous]

Mixed nuts are also nice in bowls set throughout the seating areas. Any coffee/tea service for after dinner?