Trader Joe's frozen pastries/appetizers are usually decent, and of course effortless.

If you want something fancier, Balducci's has good lobster pastry appetizer, but it may be too late to order from them.

Costco. Goldbelly is way too expensive now

Anonymous wrote:Maybe see what restaurants have near you and get as takeout the day before? Where are you located?

I was going to suggest Wegmans, Whole Foods, and TJs.

OP here: I'm in Fairfax. Planning on a cheese and cracker assortment as I mentioned. I was at Wegmans this morning and didn't see anything new that caught my eye. (Does anyone else remember when they had Black Tie brand appetizers. Those were so good!) I used to make the Wegmans brand mozzarella cups in phyllo (like little pizzas and those are very good but another "cheese" item). Not enough shrimp eaters or I would do shrimp cocktail. I could do a ranch dip with veggies but they always feature carrots and I was planning on carrots with dinner. Maybe a bread bowl with a corned beef but buy that's not good for my vegetarian. Fresh fruit kabobs are popular, but I was planning on having a fruit salad. Might swap that out for kabobs. I will check the Fresh Market in Vienna for a puff pastry or phyllo stuffed something that I haven't tried before. Also looked on Schwab's and Goldbelly. Expensive and I think it's iffy for Thursday.

Maybe see what restaurants have near you and get as takeout the day before? Where are you located?

I was going to suggest Wegmans, Whole Foods, and TJs.

Trader Joe's makes the best grocery store options IMO. I like the feta & caramelized onion ones the best. The coiled cheese spiral is good too. Don't love the mushroom turnovers.

Stellas bakery in rockville. Ask for the frozen puff pastries. They come in dozens. I think like $15 per bag. Spinach, turkey, cheese, potato/leek. All are amazing. I always have some in the freezer.

Anonymous wrote:Sams Club

No and no TJS Frozen.

This is why Trader Joe’s exists.

We get ours from Trader Joes.

Sams Club

Boarderie has good baked Brie platters they’ll ship, oven ready. Expensive tho

Anonymous wrote:Do you have the fresh market nearby? They usually have good options as well.

OP: I haven't been recently, but that's a good option. Thanks.

Do you have the fresh market nearby? They usually have good options as well.

No Giant or Safeway are not going to have better options than Wegmans, Whole Foods and TJs. Could maybe try Sutton Place Gourmet if you have one nearby.

Prefer something with mushrooms as we have a vegetarian coming. Already have cheese/crackers and don't have the bandwidth to do anything from scratch. I'm not liking what I see at Wegmans, TJs, or Whole Foods this year. Is Giant or Safeway an option? Suggestions? TIA.