Dinner Party Menus

My favorite style of entertaining is a sit-down dinner party. I love the intimacy of gathering family and friends to share a meal.

It's up close and personal!

Sometimes dinner parties are last-minute and casual, but you can add a touch of class with very little effort.

• Add color and warmth with linen runners and coordinated place mats. Use nice paper mats if necessary
  
  
• Use small, colorful floral arrangements as centerpieces
  
  
• Use fruits and vegetables artfully arranged in colorful bowls as decorations

• Lend a sophisticated air by including appetizers or nibblers to be served with drinks
  
  
• Offer a few good cheeses with wine, fruit, olives and nuts for a super easy, super elegant presentation

• Use separate bread and butter plates with compound butter, such as orange zest and honey mixed into softened salted butter
  
  
• If you have the space, serve courses in different rooms, such as appetizers on the deck and dessert in the living room
  
  
• Let your guests help with last-minute preparation, such as putting rolls in the oven or arranging appetizers on a tray. This adds to the closeness and fun.
  
  

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Dinner Party Menus
Romantic Dinner Party
Lunch Menus
Host a Cocktail Party

Dinner Party Menus

Romantic Dinner Party For Two
Easy enough to leave plenty of time left for romance! Serve with a hearty red wine and finish with coffee or cappuccino

Champagne Cocktails or Martinis

Fruit and Cheese Board

New York Strip Steaks with Garlic Shrimp
Buttered Toast Points

Roasted Asparagus with Orange Vinaigrette

White Chocolate Crème Brulee

Also consider:
Simple Roasted Red Potatoes
Potato Pancakes
Tiramisu

Great Gourmet
Elegant and easy. Serve with a hearty red wine and finish with coffee or cappuccino

Champagne Cocktails

Shrimp with Salsa Verde

Bacon Stuffed Mushrooms
Lemon and Arugula Salad with Shaved Parmesan Cheese

Rib Roast Beef with Horseradish Cream Sauce

Spinach with Garlic and Hot Pepper Flakes
Buttered Brown Bread or Specialty Rolls

Orange Chocolate Pecan Pie

Also consider:
Simple Roasted Red Potatoes
Mashed Potatoes
Tiramisu

New Orleans Gumbo Dinner Party

This sit-down menu can also be served as a buffet. Start the evening with mixed drinks, white wine or champagne. Purchase ready-made: nibblers such as nuts and relish trays: French bread or other crusty rolls

Roasted Almonds, Pecans, Marinated Olives, Pickled Onions

Watermelon Salad with Feta and Lime

Creole Gumbo

Crusty Bread with Garlic-Thyme Butter

Fresh Strawberries with Chantilly Cream

Check out ChefRick.com. My good friend Chef Rick has great recipes plus tips on making great gumbo and more

Warm and Cozy

Here's a healthy and flavor-packed menu with all of the colors and taste off all. Take it easy and serve purchased specialty desserts and punch

Curried Nuts

Pumpkin and Apple Soup

Grilled Salmon with Cilantro Pesto
Yellow Rice

Roasted Beet Salad with Toasted Walnuts and Citrus Vinaigrette

Assorted Breads and Crackers

Warm Apple Cider

Simply Vegetarian
Mediterranean flavors highlight this easy vegetarian dinner party menu. Add lamb chops or a leg of lamb, if you wish. Serve white wine or champagne all around

Herbed Yogurt Dip
Tomato and Onion Focaccia

Orzo-Stuffed Red Peppers with Feta, Olives and Fresh Herbs

Lemony Spinach with Garlic and Hot Peppers
Italian, Cinnamon Sugar or Honey Walnut Cookies

Also consider:
Grilled Asparagus
Tiramisu
Fresh Vegetable Platter

Top Dinner Party Menus