"Rat Pack" Theme Birthday Party Help
Hi everyone! I've been an avid SE reader for a couple of years, but this is my first post
For my husbands birthday, we have booked a swanky hotel room in Detroit (hey, we live 15 min. away) and are hosting a poker party for about 18 people.
I would greatly appreciate any input given on menu, drinks, decor and entertainment other than poker (the hotel is in a casino, so there is always that...)
Party Details:
*Being held the 16th of March, in the evening
*750 sq foot suite with microwave, some counter space and small refrigerator
*18 guests, most between the ages of 27 and 35, most work the kitchen in a pretty high end restaurant (yay foodies!)
*I would like to serve finger foods that can be kept at room temp for several hours, 1 or 2 heated or chilled dishes would be ok
*I would like to serve one type of cocktail. Most of the guests-including my husband-have no love for the martini
*I would like to be able to prepare the food at home and deliver it to the party, which means I need to be able to make it ahead of time, pref. the night before.
I'll be happy to provide more detail if it is needed!
Thank you in advance for any and all suggestions
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12 Comments:
Are you looking for sixties-type food? The Rat Pack was more known for booze and cigarettes than food. Why have you chosen this theme? Is your husband a fan of them?
zucchini at 8:39PM on 03/09/09
You could serve Manhattans. How about an assortment of olives (sans martinis, of course) and an array of cheeses? Crustini with prosciuto or salami, bacon wrapped scallops.
yankeesgal at 8:47PM on 03/09/09
Rat pack makes me think steak and potatoes, maybe some kind of gourmet steak sandwiches and crashed hot potatoes.Other dishes that spring to mind are stuffed mushrooms, canapes, cheese puffs, even gourmet pigs in a blanket (sausages with puff pastry)
missjess at 9:05PM on 03/09/09
All great ideas! Thanks you guys!
@zucchini-he's not really a fan of the rat pack, but he loves his smokes and booze! I love the style of the era, the music style, and the hotel room we are in has a definitive 60's mod vibe to it...always easier to work with your environment for party planning! Also, it's an easy theme for a poker party.
@yankeesgal-love the olive assortments! That and a cheese platter would be very easy to prep
@missjess-I was thinking pigs in a blanket, and I like the gourmet idea. Steak sandwiches sound like a good idea, they should be great at room temp
RudieCantFail at 9:30PM on 03/09/09
Rudie: If you have or can find the old bridge cookie cutters, you could make layered finger sandwiches. Dark rye for the clubs and spades, white bread for the hearts and diamonds. Layer thin cold cuts and cheeses with flavored mayo, mustard, cream cheese mixes, stack and cut out shapes.
zucchini at 10:02PM on 03/09/09
zucchini has a great idea re: the cookie cutter finger sandwiches. You can pre-cut toasts/bread and cold cuts/cheese beforehand and assemble or offer the components and condiments on platters. I did a similar thing with canapes for a holiday party. Huge success.
You could also "gourmet"-up old standards. Deviled eggs with caviar, boiled new potatoes with horseradish/sour cream/chive/bacon piped in, boiled shrimp with "new" cocktail sauces, "boneless wings" (chicken breast pieces) with sriracha and/or other spicy sauces.
For drinks, you could come up with a signature drink, perhaps using an alcohol or liqueur your husband or you like. Talk to your favorite bartender or clerk at your local liquor store for suggestions. Whatever you do, have nice glasses, stemware and garnishes on hand. Even a sparkling wine or diet coke looks the part when served in a martini or wine glass!
hungryinhouston at 10:43PM on 03/09/09
Caesar salad comes to mind when you bring up the Rat pack. The famous Pou Pou platter also comes to mind. Tropical hawaii style drinks er cocktails with little umbrella's in them and skewers or pineapple and cherries,
pjracz10 at 4:11AM on 03/10/09
For drinks how about gin and tonic, whiskey sour, tom collins, brandy alexander or old fashioned.
For food: cheese and crackers (the good stuff not Cracker Barrel and saltines!) shrimp cocktail, stuffed mushrooms, olives, cheese puffs and baba au rhum or a triple layer cake for dessert.
finsbigfan at 8:28AM on 03/10/09
Now will the guests be eating and playing cards at the same time? You'd want to avoid anything that is especially greasy or messy.
missjess at 10:35AM on 03/10/09
when I think Rat Pack I think Sinatra, which leads me down the Italian path ...how about a nice antipasti platter....layers of pickled veggies and peppers, marinated mushrooms, olives, radish flowers, capers, cappicola, salami, pepperoni, chunks of sharp provolone, and those fancy frilly topped toothpicks.
juliebugsmama at 4:31PM on 03/10/09
clams casino!
andshewas at 6:23PM on 03/10/09
Monte Cristo sandwiches -- these are so elegant and they taste amazing!
2 (8-oz) cans crescent roll dough
6 oz thin sliced deli turkey
6 oz thin sliced deli ham
6 oz thin sliced Muenster cheese
4 Tbsp honey, divided
2 Tbsp butter, melted
1/2 c red raspberry preserves
sesame seeds
Heat oven to 375 degrees. Separate dough into four long rectangles. Using 2 baking sheets, place 2 rectangles on each, not touching; seal perforations. Combine butter & 2 Tbsp honey, brush over dough. Bake 8-12 min or until light golden brown. Cool 15 min. Grease a 15x10x1 baking pan and layer as follows: crust, turkey, crust, cheese, ham, crust, preserves, crust. Brush with 2 Tbsp honey and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Bake 10-15 min until loaf is hot. Let stand 5 min and cut into triangles.
They make a beautiful dish and are delicious hot or cold.
Editmom at 12:38PM on 03/11/09