Anonymous wrote:Some good suggestions here. I’m vegetarian and would be excited about the Greek, Indian, Italian or Lebanese options. Not barbecue though as the sides tend to be bland and mushy.
I was at a catered dinner party a few months ago and the food was from a Burmese restaurant in Silver Spring - also delicious!

Mandalay! Agree it’s yummy.

I would get Indian food. Order it in advance and pick it up on your way home.

Some good suggestions here. I’m vegetarian and would be excited about the Greek, Indian, Italian or Lebanese options. Not barbecue though as the sides tend to be bland and mushy.
I was at a catered dinner party a few months ago and the food was from a Burmese restaurant in Silver Spring - also delicious!

District Taco is great--they cater and have big platters. Buca di Beppo is good for large italian.

Or sounds like a good option for a DCUM taco bar. Bar Taco has good carry out.

How about Chinese delivery? It’s fun when there are a bunch of options.

I like the Italian idea as well. Think there are places I can pick up big dishes and platters at 7 pm and they'll be ready to eat at home?

Anonymous wrote:Stuffed shells and salad and garlic bread.

Go Italian - eggplant parm, stuffed peppers, etc.

Stuffed shells and salad and garlic bread.

My family is pretty equally split between vegetarians and non-vegetarians and we've done parties with Maggiano's (vegetarian pasta dish and chicken dish+sides), Big Greek Cafe (falafel, chicken skewers and gyro+ sides), Indian food and even a BBQ place (BBQ meet plus green beans and mac and cheese and other sides). Most places with catering menus can accommodate this easily.

I can think of bigger problems than having leftover Lebanese Taverna food. I'd go with that -- SO good.

I'll be hosting about 15 people for a post-graduation ceremony dinner and trying to figure out a good menu or catering options. Here are the hiccups -

- This will be after a doctoral hooding ceremony and I won't be getting home until around 7 pm and everyone else will be right behind me, so I need something that can be ready very quickly!
- There are strict vegetarians AND strict non-vegetarians coming (the guest of honor is a vegetarian so I want to make sure we have a great option for him).
- There will be 4 or 5 kids from 7 - 15 years old

Otherwise, I don't this crowd is very picky and is quite open to ethnic and interesting food. I looked at Lebanese Taverna but their platters are quite large, I think I'd have a ton of leftovers given the different dietary needs of the guests. But it's an option.

Would love other options or suggestions!