Throwing first large get together - critique my menu

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks all for the recommendations and congratulations. This is a late 20s / early 30s crowd and some of the more ‘elevated’ suggestions may not hit the park. Here’s where I’ve sort of landed:

Pizzas
Caesar Salad (both catered from pizza place)
Pita chips and hummus
Crockpot meatballs
Some sort of baked dip (likely ‘Mexican’ food style - elote corn, seven layer…) and tortilla chips
Vegetable tray and dip
A ‘charcuterie tray’ of sorts with dessert options (mini brownies, cookies, chocolate covered pretzels, etc.)

This sounds 100% perfect, OP, and I think your guests will enjoy it.

[Anonymous]

Nice update, OP - and congrats!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Guac often has sour cream in it

"Often"?

Um, no. Only if the person preparing it is a psychopath.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Guac often has sour cream in it

"Often"?

Um, no. Only if the person preparing it is a psychopath.

WTF. No one in their right mind puts sour cream in guacamole That’s bat $hit crazy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks all for the recommendations and congratulations. This is a late 20s / early 30s crowd and some of the more ‘elevated’ suggestions may not hit the park. Here’s where I’ve sort of landed:

Pizzas
Caesar Salad (both catered from pizza place)
Pita chips and hummus
Crockpot meatballs
Some sort of baked dip (likely ‘Mexican’ food style - elote corn, seven layer…) and tortilla chips
Vegetable tray and dip
A ‘charcuterie tray’ of sorts with dessert options (mini brownies, cookies, chocolate covered pretzels, etc.)

This sounds 100% perfect, OP, and I think your guests will enjoy it.

+1, this sounds perfect! Enjoy the party OP.

(And for the record, I have never in my entire life heard of someone mixing sour cream into guacamole. Wtf?? Served alongside and often mixed on a nacho chip, yes, but mixed right into the bowl? Uh, no.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When I do an open house, I do things that are in components, rather than all mixed together. Like a spiral ham, beans (no bacon), rolls, salad with dressings on the side, cheese tray, fruit tray, etc. This way you don’t have to worry about anyone’s preferences in particular because they can take the things that they can eat and make their own plate. Also agree that since its an open house over several hours to not plan for food that is great when it’s fresh but is not good when it’s been sitting there.

this is what i’d do (I’d buy the ham and also roast/carve a turkey breast, so people could
make turkey or ham sandwiches).

[Anonymous]

It sounds great OP, I just wonder how you keep pizza warm for 30 people in an open house setting.

[Anonymous]

I imagine you're trying to do this on a budget, but look into catering options. We catered from a local middle eastern restaurant for our open house and it was surprisingly affordable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks all for the recommendations and congratulations. This is a late 20s / early 30s crowd and some of the more ‘elevated’ suggestions may not hit the park. Here’s where I’ve sort of landed:

Pizzas
Caesar Salad (both catered from pizza place)
Pita chips and hummus
Crockpot meatballs
Some sort of baked dip (likely ‘Mexican’ food style - elote corn, seven layer…) and tortilla chips
Vegetable tray and dip
A ‘charcuterie tray’ of sorts with dessert options (mini brownies, cookies, chocolate covered pretzels, etc.)

If you're concerned about keeping pizza warm, you could substitute them with sandwich trays from Wegman's. I LOVE Wegman's sandwiches and it's just as easy to eat as pizza (and honestly takes up less space).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Get a few boxes of Popeyes. If you’re feeding big eaters it’s easy protein they’ll gobble up and you don’t have to cook it or keep warm

Sub hummus for the ranch on crudite, in fact I’d do a mezze instead. Like add olives and grapes, stuffed grape leaves. Cukes.

Pasta salad instead of mozzarella sticks. Agree on adding green salad.

Ew, what is wrong with people? Do not serve gross fast food to your guests!

It always goes faster than the homeade healthy foods. I thought it was weird the first time my husband suggested it too. He was right though.

FWIW the pizza is fast food as well. Caesar salad from a pizza place is too. The whole menu is comfort food. Which seems to be the goal. It sounds like a casual easygoing party.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It sounds great OP, I just wonder how you keep pizza warm for 30 people in an open house setting.

You don't put it all out at once. You warm a pie at a time in the oven as people arrive. Takes like 10 minutes - they can snack on the other stuff meantime.

[Anonymous]

That’s a lot of cheese.

[Anonymous]

Too many different themes.. pick one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It sounds great OP, I just wonder how you keep pizza warm for 30 people in an open house setting.

You don't put it all out at once. You warm a pie at a time in the oven as people arrive. Takes like 10 minutes - they can snack on the other stuff meantime.

Sounds like a pain for both host and guests. Like waiting at CiCi’s cheap buffet for the pizza to be ready.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks all for the recommendations and congratulations. This is a late 20s / early 30s crowd and some of the more ‘elevated’ suggestions may not hit the park. Here’s where I’ve sort of landed:

Pizzas
Caesar Salad (both catered from pizza place)
Pita chips and hummus
Crockpot meatballs
Some sort of baked dip (likely ‘Mexican’ food style - elote corn, seven layer…) and tortilla chips
Vegetable tray and dip
A ‘charcuterie tray’ of sorts with dessert options (mini brownies, cookies, chocolate covered pretzels, etc.)

Very nice! Enjoy your new house and your party!