I would go with a beef tenderloin or roast. Not the beef bougoinon (sp?) because it tastes great, but I don't think the presentation is great. It is essentially stew, which doesn't scream fancy dinner to me.

I also vote for the beef stew (can't spell bourginon) dish.

Anonymous wrote:My grandmother was the clam dip type. She would not have enjoyed lasagne.

How about lamb chops? And some veggie sides. Lamb is easier to cook than many meats, as the high fat content makes it harder to overcook. Most cuts are best eaten when still pink/red inside.

My other idea is salmon. Buy some nice wild caught salmon and just barely cook it in butter - leave it nice and soft. Serve with lemon.

I agree. Older people (me too, but not old) LOVE lamb chops. People don't eat it as often today. So easy to cook...little garlic, lemon juice and kosher salt. You are done! Maybe you can do au gratin potatoes. Any veggie will do.

Anonymous wrote:This is so sweet!

Good suggestions, too.

Not to sound obnoxious, but if this is their 65th anniversary maybe they're in their late 80s? So maybe they're having chipped beef and dip because of tooth/chewing issues? So sticking to softer potato and cooked-the-hell-out-of-the-meat dishes may be smart!

I had the same thought about their it potential chewing abilities! I like the beef stew idea. Very sweet, OP. Let us know what the menu turns out to be.

This is so sweet!

Good suggestions, too.

Not to sound obnoxious, but if this is their 65th anniversary maybe they're in their late 80s? So maybe they're having chipped beef and dip because of tooth/chewing issues? So sticking to softer potato and cooked-the-hell-out-of-the-meat dishes may be smart!

Ham, scalloped potatoes, salad.

Brisket

My grandparents were definitely NOT pasta or lasagna eaters.

Anonymous wrote:I second Lasagna .. it would definitely work for my parents, and their parents... Who doesn't love lasagna?? A timeless classic.

Yeah, but is it really "special"?

Pot Roast with potatoes and carrots and onions. My jewish MIL loves this. Throw in a can of Cambpell's Mushroom Soup™ and a few bay leaves. Cook it at @325 for 4 hours. It'll be a hit, I guarantee.

I would do:

- some kind of beef (a tenderloin or tri-tip - depending on how much you want to spend). If you do tri-tip here is a nice recipe: http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Tri-Tip-Roast-with-Parsley-Cherry-Tomato-234661

You could do it with or without the roasted tomatoes.

A nice potato dish (http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Yukon-Gold-Potato-Gratin-with-Horseradish-Parmesan-235926)

a vegetable and salad.

My husband is a vegetarian and I often do a meat+starch+veg dinner and for him I roast tofu or portabellas. Make or buy a pie or cake and ice cream for desert. Makes for a nice traditional dinner.

How many people are you feeding?

I second Lasagna .. it would definitely work for my parents, and their parents... Who doesn't love lasagna?? A timeless classic.