Anonymous wrote:I have been looking for a reason to grill polenta (don't even know why) and saw a recipe for grilling polenta squares topped with ricotta, blistered cherry tomato and basil. maybe serve that as a side dish with kebabs?

that sounds yummy! one guest is also non-dairy, but maybe I can make some squares w/o the ricotta. TY!

Anonymous wrote:These are great suggestions for a regular dinner but it doesn't strike me as special occasion. If price is not an issue, perhaps wagyu beef and lobster or stone crab? For dessert, something themed for the occasion, e.g. they met during the era of Baked Alaskas or trifles.

Maybe we go with the Waygu, but the lobster/stone crab a step too far in terms of prep and one of these folks hosts a beach seafood bake every summer, so I'm not getting into that.

I'm a dessert queen so will probably make something from whatever is fresh in terms of berries and stone fruit.

I have been looking for a reason to grill polenta (don't even know why) and saw a recipe for grilling polenta squares topped with ricotta, blistered cherry tomato and basil. maybe serve that as a side dish with kebabs?

These are great suggestions for a regular dinner but it doesn't strike me as special occasion. If price is not an issue, perhaps wagyu beef and lobster or stone crab? For dessert, something themed for the occasion, e.g. they met during the era of Baked Alaskas or trifles.

I often serve grilled steak and shrimp for summer meals with guests. For sides, I usually do:

Oven roasted potatoes: I use the mini potatoes, halved and tossed with EVOO and salt and pepper. Cook cut side down.

Green salad: Bibb lettuce with avocado, green pepper, cucumber and pepitas with a lime vinaigrette.

Grilled corn and poblano salad: https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/222849/grilled-corn-and-poblano-salad-with-chipotle-vinaigrette/

I serve home made salsa and guacamole on the side. For dessert I do brownies with vanilla ice cream and an assortment of berries.

Almost everything can be prepped in advance so only the grilling and potatoes needs to be done after guests arrive.

Charcutier board to start. Grilled kebabs, chicken, shrimp/fish, steak. Grilled veggies, some type of salad, a strawberry shortcake or other fruity dessert.

OP, Chatgpt is great for this kind of thing!

Grilled Halibut w/ lemon/herb marinade

Grilled steak served w/ homemade steak sauce (I know people don't consider steak sauce sophisticated, but I love to give people a sauce, especially if it is filet which is super tender but doesn't have as much flavor)

Grill corn on the cob made into a salad: corn and tomato salad w/ corn, diced tomato, minced red onion or shallot, capers. Dress in a simple vinaigrette.

Rice or quinoa pilaf

A strawberry pavlova -- so pretty and light for summer

Anonymous wrote:Sliced tomatoes (only if you can get good ones from farmers' market--not terrible grocery store one -- dress with olive oil and salt; corn salad (cut corn off cobs, roast under high heat until toasty, toss with chopped scallions, chives, other herbs); arugula salad with sliced raddichio and endive, maybe some avacado, toss with vinagrette. Put out a couple of baguettes with butter and other spreads like olive tapenade.

TY - appreciate the suggestions and level of detail.

We make that salad for our home dinners and I just love it.

Sliced tomatoes (only if you can get good ones from farmers' market--not terrible grocery store one -- dress with olive oil and salt; corn salad (cut corn off cobs, roast under high heat until toasty, toss with chopped scallions, chives, other herbs); arugula salad with sliced raddichio and endive, maybe some avacado, toss with vinagrette. Put out a couple of baguettes with butter and other spreads like olive tapenade.

Agreed with chicken and fish. Corn on the cob, potato wedges, asparagus. You can BBQ peaches on the grill too.

I would cater via my personal chef.

Fish, chicken and steak. With some veggie kabobs.

Chicken and shrimp kabobs. Assuming the “fish” guest would eat shrimp.

Thought I posted this yesterday, but cannot find it.

We are hosting 4 couples for a summer dinner to observe a big event for one of them. If weather cooperates, we will be dining on the patio. Regardless of weather, we will grill at least the entrée.

But I'm drained of any inspiration! One diner does not eat red meat/pork and one only eats fish. I'm not averse to grilling two proteins, so may do fish/steak.

Would just love any ideas of a soup to nuts menu. Last year I served grilled fish/steak, an orzo dish with grilled veggies, and a large summer salad, but would be delighted to crib from anyone who just served an amazing meal.

I'm not looking to economize, so don't hold back with ideas.

TIA!