Lebanese taverna for small or large group--grilled chicken, beef, rice, bread, green salad

Maggiano's does a great job catering. They bring everything- plates/napkins/sternos/serving ware etc.

We usually have our local italian place cater when we host events in our home but when we cook ourselves I keep it simple: salad, rolls with butter, baked ziti, and a dessert. I make up the salad with everything but the dressing so that when I get back all I need to do is add dressing and put it on the table. Rolls get uncovered and butter is removed from the fridge. The ziti I toss in the oven to warm before we head out and its ready by the time we get back. Dessert is usually something I pick up or make ahead.

Anonymous wrote:Not the OP, but that's what I'm on here looking for - mind my asking what your local Italian place is?

What about The Italian Store in Arlington? I went to a party post-Christening that was catered by them and it was amazing. They had a variety of the sub sandwiches, and some sides. I loved it.

If you really want to do something hot, you can do meatballs or pulled pork in the crockpot with rolls. Easy to keep warm that way.

Anonymous wrote:I got platters of cocktail sandwiches from Cosi, a nice spinach salad, and a good cake from Heidelberg. Everyone loved it.

This is what I'd do. Panera, Cotner Bakery, Wegman's, Cosi. Just use whatever is near you. I'd probably add a pasta salad and fruit too for the kids.

Oh, I love these ideas. thanks!

I got platters of cocktail sandwiches from Cosi, a nice spinach salad, and a good cake from Heidelberg. Everyone loved it.

BBQ! Ribs, burgers, hotdogs, potato salad, beans, corn, etc.

Here is what I would do. Order a baked sliced ham and turkey. Serve with good mustards and little croissants and rolls. People can eat is as mini sandwiches or sans bread if they prefer. Then I'd also order some veggie and fruit trays, a couple of side salads like a pasta salad and another, and have some cheese and crackers and himmus and chips out too. For dessert I'd serve trays of cookies and little brownie bites plus fruit. I suspect you could get all of this at costco or wegmans. If not, get the ham and turkey at honeybaked ham and the rest at costco.

Not the OP, but that's what I'm on here looking for - mind my asking what your local Italian place is?

We had a party at home catered by Boston Market that was pretty decent. We also had one catered by our local italian place - trays of eggplant parm, baked ziti, garlic knots, spaghetti & meatballs, etc. They provided the warmers and just asked us to return them the next day.

PP here: by "nice outside" I meant that in warm weather, people don't need hot, comfort food like you might expect in the winter.

Seriously, it's nice outside. Go with the cold platters. You have a baby and don't have time for reheating, etc. With both kids, we did cold food after the christening, and everyone loved it.

You can get wraps or sandwich platters. Get some nice salads. People will not need a hot dish at 4pm.

I'm not feeling very adult. We are having my baby's christening at our home. There will be about 14 adults and a handful of kids 8 and under. What should I offer? The party will be at about 4pm until whenever. I don't have sternos and racks, but could certainly buy some. The last time I made food ahead of time, I had a really hard time with reheating. I'm willing to get it catered, but not sure about from where or what. (Lots of places seem to offer cold party platters, which is nice, but I was thinking of having some more substantial- - and hot - food for the dinner hour.)
Any advice? TIA!