Posted on 11/23/2009 3:41:30 PM PST by dynachrome
I like the tapas idea. Along with the wine, of course!
Tapas can be a bit rich at times, so antipasto gives you the chance to lay out a diverse assortment, and stray from purely Italian, but keep it a tad lighter. A favorite is a selection of unusual jams and jellies with toast points. Though it is seldom done anymore, because few people do it right, a fondue can work.
And of course, coffees and teas are the punctuation marks to a great meal, and a good alternative both for those who shun alcohol, and those who select herb tea for its digestive qualities.
Martha? Is that you?
j/k. Good post.
I make it a point to let the guests know what will be on the menu and ask if they have any problems with it. I also tell them, if they are bringing a friend, they need to make sure there are no issues. However, that is as far as I am willing to go.
Many years ago, a friend ignored me and brought a vegan to a bbq (because she was such a hottie and he was sure there had to be some veggies around) but I ended up asking both of them to leave when she started on her “meat is murder” spiel.
Well, actually, I told him if she can’t shut up about the meat, he should give her a carrot and tell her to eat in the car.
They decided to leave shortly after that.
Except that we find we have fewer and fewer people to have over for dinner!
It is so ridiculous. We encountered this some when we lived in a more foodie-oriented place. But then we moved to a more rural town and it’s even worse, from a different direction!
Forget about a homemade, even very basic non-foodie vinagrette. If the bottled Italian dressing isn’t the brand a person is used to, not only does it not get eaten, it is greeted with an audible and visible grimace.
I have been at breakfast with someone who, when the hostess put out a box of corn flakes among other noncontroversial/can’t-you-get-a-few-spoonsful-down foods, a guest said, “Don’t you have FROSTED flakes?” Yes, this was an adult (chronologically).
I had a guest refuse every single thing we offered to drink. I finally said, “Would you like a glass of water then?” “No. I hate water.” She could have at least said, “I’m good” or equivalent. But “I hate water?,” still waiting for the host to come up with some magic liquid that meets her mysterious requirements.
I can roll with this. But why would I want to? The point of having people over for dinner or just to nosh is to have fun and fellowship. When the potato chips are “weird” because they’re Utz instead of Lays, I give up. That’s not fun.
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