Une belle fete pour une belle fille

This party makes me happy.  Throwing a birthday brunch for my dear friend Ahna truly reminded me what entertaining at home is all about.  First, it's about an occasion.  This was a chance to bring a great group of girls together to celebrate our amazing friend.  I focused on a few thoughtful touches to celebrate the guest of honor.  Because Ahna has turned us all on to incredible astrologers and healers, this was our chance to give back.  A few ladies pitched in to hire a tarot card reader to do readings for all of the guests throughout the party--super fun (not to mention a great conversation piece!).  And what a perfect opportunity to serve a few of her favorites: crepes complete, French pastries, and chocolate (all made in advance!!).  Because I kept the menu simple, I had time to play with flowers, which was enjoyable (rather than stressful!), as I wasn't trying to get a million things done.  The control freak in me let go and accepted help from good friends who brought the almond croissants (thanks Court!), helped set the table (thanks Jen!), and even assembled the hors d'oeuvres (Julianna you're the best!!).  Because I was relaxed, I felt present and really enjoyed myself amongst friends. As did the rest of the girls.  It's not about fuss or getting it all right, it's about bringing people together.  Thanks Ahna for being a wonderful and inspiring reason to throw a fete.

The Menu

Sips

pink champagne

Snacks

brillat-savarin, grapes, persimmon, fig jam & baguette

gravlax, creme fraiche & dill on toast points

To Share

ham & cheese crepes with bechamel & chives

stirred eggs with chanterelles & herbs

grapefruit, fennel & avocado

bibb lettuce with shallots & champagne vinaigrette

almond croissants, chocolate hazelnut spread & raspberry currant jam

Sweet

flourless chocolate birthday cake with whipped cream

cafe au lait

Parisian Bistro Birthday Party

The invitation said "Champagne & Onion Rings, Oysters & Absinthe".  This party was off to a good start!  And though one needs little more for sustenance, we took the Parisian bistro theme and ran with it.  Getting the French jazz band Avalon to perform set the perfect tone for this backyard fete.  While they charmingly sang and played, guest enjoyed plenty of champagne cocktails, sazeracs and mini croque monsieurs.  For dinner, we kept it totally simple and classic--e.g. steak au poivre and frisee with lardons & egg--with more ever-present champagne (and onion rings, of course!).  Bistro lights over small cafe tables made the whole night feel cozy and Amy's use of garden roses throughout the party was stunning and chic.  I'm longing for a trip to Paris and this party with a glimmer of my associations: Hemingway's obsession oysters, my favorite restaurant's profiteroles and a semester abroad filled with boozy love and fun.  Bon Anniversaire Ryan!!  xx

The Menu

sips

French 75

gin, champagne, lemon

lavender champagne cocktail

lavender, champagne, bitters, sugar, lemon

kir royale

cassis, champagne, twist

sazerac

rye, absinthe, sugar, peychaud's bitters, twist

absinthe

burnt sugar, water

snacks

raw bar with oysters on the half shell & mignonette 

mini croque monsieurs

duck confit, pickled cherry & ricotta on endive

french cheese boards, grilled toasts & accoutrement

to share

steak au poivre

onion rings with remoulade

potato & fennel gratin

haricot verts with cherry tomatoes & thyme

frisse salad with lardons & egg

sweet

profiteroles with espresso chocolate sauce

photos by Hana Ardelean 

A Parisian Baby Shower (in Lavender)

Two years ago for her wedding, my dear friend Jen, had us, her bridesmaids, wear purple; I hemmed and hawed (not my most flattering color). For her baby shower I put aside my hue biases and embraced lavender. With a Parisian theme and menu, we kept the day simple with thoughtful touches like iron-on napkins. A French brunch buffet included tangerine mimosas, quiche, brie, baguette, salads and plenty of french pastries. (The very ones that contributed to my significant weight gain during a semester in Paris where a macaroon a day gradually became a bag of macaroons a day. They're just too enticing.) And I'm not afraid to admit that the majority of our spread came from San Francisco's famed bakery Tartine. Sometimes it's fun to focus on the other details and take a break from the kitchen. Our theme developed with a playlist of Edith Piaf, Pink Martini and Brigitte Bardot. The game: a who's who guessing game with all party guests' baby photos pinned up on a clothes line. For favors: bars of lavender soap from the farmer's market with Jen's due date as the tag. Now we're all excited to meet baby Charlotte and get her in some Petit-Bateau.

The Menu

a buffet

tangerine mimosas

croissants, pain au chocolat, almond croissants

strawberry and fig jams

parisian ham and vegetable deep dish quiche

wedges of brie with baguette

green salad with champagne vinaigrette

fruit salad with satsumas, pomegranates, kiwi and blueberries and yogurt

cafe au laits

assortment of french macaroons

lemon cream tart

frangipane tart

eclairs