Want Panache? Make a Menu!

Posted Fri, Mar 16, 2007, 12:10 pm PDT

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A simple way to add elegance to any gathering is to offer your guests a menu. Not only does it lend a swanky bistro vibe, it gives your gourmet preparations panache by building excitement and anticipation. A menu also eliminates the guessing game over what people are about to eat, especially if anyone is a vegetarian or has dietary restrictions. A few creative ways to use menus at your next soireé . . .

Use a computer to lend color and style. Just type up your meal selections, choose interesting lettering, and print them on nice paper. You can even accent each with a stamp, wax seal, or other embellishment. Place one on each dinner plate, or roll them scroll-style and tie each with a ribbon. Guests will love this sneak peek at the evening's gourmet selections, so have fun and make it all sound mouth-watering!
Go the extra mile and make them booklet-style. Print appetizer, soup, main course, dessert, and wine selections on separate pages, then cut them to create a small booklet. Add a cover page with textured paper, a photograph, or some artistic image. Bind the pages by punching holes along one edge and securing them with a ribbon, twine, or brads.
For a casual or al fresco meal, handwrite the menu on a small black chalkboard or a ceramic board like this one, offered by BallardDesigns.com.

Prepare a separate "kids' menu" if children are attending. They'll get a kick out of having their own version with PBJ's and pizza!
Feel free to design menus for all kinds of fare -- a cheese course, a dessert buffet, cocktails, wines, or appetizers.

Whatever you're hosting -- from an intimate dinner to a cocktail buffet -- personalized menus lend flair and five-star ambiance.

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12 Comments

1. Posted by shello513 on Wed, Mar 21, 2007, 11:21 am PDT

I like the idea of the little menu, however, I have to agree with Jim on this one, having a menu with several choices seems like a lot of work for an dinner. Have some fun and make one thing...if they don't like it, go to McDonald's when you leave! You can have a classy spread without all of the fufu!
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2. Posted by rumisyum12 on Wed, Mar 21, 2007, 2:07 pm PDT

yea i agree so uncool guests should enjoy what you make them and what are you supposed to do have 15 things in your fridge then make special things for each one omg somebody
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3. Posted by captainamerica411 on Wed, Mar 21, 2007, 2:08 pm PDT

maybe for a host with more time, rita and elycia, but not me. they'll eat what i've chosen to prepare for the evening. thanks anyway.
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4. Posted by pfarro1 on Wed, Mar 21, 2007, 2:57 pm PDT

I think perhaps you guys are missing the point. A menu doesn't have to be ordered from- perhaps just explain the dishes you are serving and allow the guests to know what and why they are eating certain things
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5. Posted by Eileen on Wed, Mar 21, 2007, 6:29 pm PDT

I agree with you pfarro1. I did a menu for my holiday party, describing the dishes I was serving. My guests just knew what was coming, so planned their protein, carbs and beverages accordingly. It was actually great fun to do, describing "an assortment of mouth watering cheeses and spreads served with crackers and toasted baguettes slices". Just plain ol' cheese and crackers.
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6. Posted by me me on Wed, Mar 21, 2007, 9:36 pm PDT

I think this article on (7) reasons to drink green tea is very informative, and I will be taking heed to this article. I plan to drink at least two cups of green tea starting today. We as Americans and all other races, need to take better care of our bodies, and what more simpler way than to drink green tea. With all these antioxidants,, to help fight off diseases of the body, lower blood pressure, among other advantages,what have you to loose?
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7. Posted by Jennifer N on Thu, Mar 22, 2007, 7:11 am PDT

Sugar snap peas (in the pod) dipped in ranch dressing. Crunchy, cool and delicious!
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8. Posted by MadisonGirl on Thu, Mar 22, 2007, 9:22 am PDT

What fun. For special evenings GREAT.
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9. Posted by Andrew U on Fri, Mar 23, 2007, 2:13 pm PDT

Yeah I don't know if I'm quite fancy enough to prepare a menu for my guests, I mean, unless I want to turn my house into a kitchen, then I might consider doing the menu thing...Course, telling your guests what you're serving them in a fancy verbal manner always works too
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10. Posted by Jim on Sat, Mar 24, 2007, 6:34 pm PDT

Computer printed little place cards, placed in front of serving dishes on a help-yourself buffet can be a nice touch, and explain what it's called, and perhaps what is in, some of those perhaps not quite recognizable dishes. I appreciated that at a B&B where I once stayed.
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11. Posted by cruisestaff on Sun, Mar 25, 2007, 7:31 pm PDT

have you seen antioxinabox? Their chocolates and chocolate cherries are out of this world.
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12. Posted by a355joannie4358 on Sun, Jun 03, 2007, 6:29 am PDT

Fun and Happy! Fun and Happy! Fun and Happy!
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