What hors d''oeuvres will you have for cocktail hour?

[sunnygirl]

Hi again!

I am meeting with caterer tomorrow and one of the things we will be talking about is cocktail hour hors d''oeuvres. I don''t think they do like super fancy, innovative hors d''oeuvres but generally do more standard caterer appetizers. He basically told me last time I met with him though that they will do whatever I want...so what are you all having for hors d''oeuvres? I am looking for relatively simple things that everyone loves. Options we talked about at last meeting were tuna tartare on some sort of crunchy thing, stuffed grape leaves (for the Greeks and Persians alike!), shrimp cocktail, stuffed mushrooms, bruschetta, maybe some sort of endive-thing filled with something, maybe some sort of filo dough thing filled with cheese/mushrooms. i dont know....

Are stuffed mushrooms and bruschetta too "standard catering"?

 

[Gwyn]

we will be having:

pancetta-wrapped tiger prawns w/ spicy honey glaze
parmesan artichoke hearts
Asparagus-wrapped prosciutto
Caprese (tomato, fresh basil, mozzarella) on garlic crisp
marinated & grilled lamb chops with mint chutney

We will also have a fruit plate, and a veggie crudite.

We are debating over getting a station set up like a fruits de mer (seafood) or cheese one

 

[sunnygirl]

Thanks for the suggestions gwyn! What are the rest of youhaving for appetizers? We are leaving to meet with the dude in like 20 min!

 

[Independent Gal]

We're serving
- mini potato blinis with caviar and chive creme freche
- tiny puff pastries made with gruyere (holy smokes... to die for... who woulda thunk?)
- mini bruschetta type thingies with fresh tomato, basil, and mozarella di bufala (i.e., capreses like Gwyn is having)
- curried fish cakes

Appetizers will be a tangy duck soup and a salad made of two kinds of beets and some foamy stuff. Sounds gross. Tastes out of this world.

 

[Haven]

I LOVE stuffed mushrooms! I don''t care if they''re "standard catering"--they''re DELICIOUS!

This is what our caterer came up with, we may change some things by the time we finalize the menu, but here goes:

BUTLERED HORS D’OEUVRES

Presented Upon a Variety of Eclectic Trays & Platters with Fresh Floral Garnish
Artichoke & Jarlsberg Swiss Petite Souffle

Beggar''s Purse
of Imported Brie with Apricot Mustard

Tuscan Crostini
Our Freshly Baked Italian Bread toasted with Tuscan Marinade & Mozzarella
then topped with Cracked Olive, Tomato & Basil in Balsamic Vinaigrette

Sweet Potato Pancake
with Creme Fraiche & Lingonberry Garnish

Spinach & Feta Phyllo Triangles

LAYAROUND APPETIZERS
Hors d''oeuvres Strudel
Smoked Chicken, Fresh Asparagus, Camembert & Dried Wild Cherries
in a Flaky Paper Thin Phyllo

Fresh Vegetable Crudite
of Broccoli, Cauliflower, Asparagus, Carrots & other select Fresh Vegetables
accompanied by Spinach Spring Scallion & Roasted Red Pepper Dips

Pesto Charlotte
Our Fresh Basil & Mascarpone Torte
layered with Fresh Basil Pesto accompanied by Fresh Tomato Basil & French Breads

 

[zoebartlett]

I love hors d''oeuvres and I don''t think stuffed mushrooms or bruschetta are "standard." If some people think they are, it doesn''t matter to me -- I love them! We''re having stuffed mushrooms and a fruit and cheese platter. We''re also having lobster bisque cups and assorted toasts (crab, artichokes, shrimp, and lobster). We might have procsuitto wrapped melon as well but I can''t remember if we crossed that off the list at the last meeting with the venue''s coordinators. I think that often times, the hors d''oeuvres are the best part of the reception (food-wise, that is). I love hearing what others are having -- everything sounds yummy!

 

[karasue91]

My super-fancy venue with brown striped diner plates and brown carpeted walls and linoleum flooring gives us these options:

Cheese and crackers
Fruit plate
Vegetables and dip

I''m expecting saltines and american cheese still in the plastic wrap. And of course it''s against their rules to bring in any of your own food. I have hors d''oeuvres envy.

Have fun!

 

[Haven]

Date: 2/20/2008 6:16:04 PM
Author: karasue91
My super-fancy venue with brown striped diner plates and brown carpeted walls and linoleum flooring gives us these options:

Cheese and crackers
Fruit plate
Vegetables and dip

I''m expecting saltines and american cheese still in the plastic wrap. And of course it''s against their rules to bring in any of your own food. I have hors d''oeuvres envy.

Have fun!

Give me a plate of saltines and American cheese ANY TIME and I am one happy woman! In fact, I ate an entire plate of cheese and crackers last night at a reception. Karasue--I''m sure you''ll be so happy and glowy at your wedding that nobody will notice the wrappers on the cheese!

 

[karasue91]

haha thanks Haven

i''m sure it will be fine too, i just really hate all their silly, seemingly pointless rules.

weddings = rackets

 

[Independent Gal]

Mmmm. I love saltines and cheese too! Bring it on!

 

[sunnygirl]

Date: 2/20/2008 6:16:04 PM
Author: karasue91
My super-fancy venue with brown striped diner plates and brown carpeted walls and linoleum flooring gives us these options:

Cheese and crackers
Fruit plate
Vegetables and dip

I''m expecting saltines and american cheese still in the plastic wrap. And of course it''s against their rules to bring in any of your own food. I have hors d''oeuvres envy.

Have fun!

Karasue you are so cute! I had this image of the kraft cheese (in the wrap, of course) arranged in a nice pattern on a table. I am sure your food will be great and you will have a blast!

 

[sunnygirl]

Thanks for all your replies - everything sounds yummy!

So we met with the caterer and here is what we came up with for passed hors d''oeuvres (god, that is hard to spell).

Shrimp cocktail
Spanakopita
Dolmeh (stuffed grape leaves)
Tuna tartare on crispy thing
Stuffed mushrooms
Bruschetta
Little endive boats with cream cheese and walnuts
Lamb chops served in martini glasses with caramelized onions and mashed potatoes


That is a lot of options (i kept asking my FI, mom, the caterer and his son if that is too many) but it all sounds great so why not! Nothing too fancy but sounds tasty nonetheless.

In any case, they are doing top shelf open bar for only $10 a person (!!) so I think people will be too drunk to care if stuffed mushrooms are too "standard"!