Après Fête: birthday party

Showing posts with label birthday party. Show all posts

October 11, 2014

Balloons, Pizza & Ice Cream. Happy Birthday Ahna!

All work and no play has me wound a little too tight these days. Hosting my dear friend Ahna O'Reilly's birthday party was a great chance to let my hair down, have a few (too many) drinks and hang with close friends. I wanted the night to feel festive so balloons and confetti fit the bill. When Greg asked me the plan, I informed him we were doing "balloons, pizza and ice cream." He thought it sounded like a little kids birthday and thought a face painter sounded in theme. While I didn't go that far, a youthful spirit was the goal. In an effort to keep things simple, we had a brick oven pizza truck at the house so guests could select their toppings and have personal pies - super fun and who doesn't love pizza? I made a couple of easy salads and let guests help themselves to drinks. For dessert, Sweet Rose Creamery set up an ice cream sundae bar with amazing flavors: mint chip, carrot cake, cookies and cream & creme fraiche with elderberry, all delicious. I paid for my evening of fun the next morning, but we all need those moments to let loose!!

The Menu

Sips

fall gimlet

vodka, concorde grapes, rosemary, lime

Snacks

charcuterie & crudites

To Share

brick oven pizzas

italian chopped salad

chickpeas, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, olives & basil vinaigrette

tricolore salad

Sweet

Sweet Rose Creamery Ice Cream Sundae Bar

confetti birthday cake

Photos by Skip Hopkins

September 13, 2014

A Floral Birthday Dinner

A great party has a high impact moment. For this intimate birthday dinner, the amazing Maurice of Bloom and Plume created said moment with a colorful hanging garden. A true artist, Maurice is so fun to work with because he always brings a creative, unique perspective to the visual story of the party. Since the flowers and bistro lights created such a festive atmosphere, I aimed to match that energy with a playful dinner menu. Guests started with Greg's delicious cocktails (the grilled peach old-fashioned is a new favorite) and yummy snacks such as b.l.t. filled cherry tomatoes. After a summery salad, we served some crowd favorites: buttermilk fried chicken with creamed corn, wilted greens, tomatoes and french fries (the best!). A great night, made special by a series of thoughtful toasts to the birthday girl, was one I was happy to be a part of.

The Menu

Sips

cucumber mint gimlet

ginger margarita

summer old-fashioned

Snacks

b.l.t. stuffed cherry tomatoes

dungeness crab with stoneground mustard on little gems

To Start

market lettuces, speck, grilled peaches, burrata, marcona almonds & basil vinaigrette

To Share

buttermilk fried chicken

creamed corn

wilted kale with chili & garlic

heirloom tomatoes with sea salt

french fries

Sweet

dark chocolate pots de creme

confetti birthday cake

October 11, 2013

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

June 27, 2013

The Taco Party

The best food for a rager is Mexican. Fact. Specifically, a taco bar. I'll admit to giving it a bad rap with a 'been there, done that' attitude. Not to mention the difficulty of competing with the amazing authentic tacos LA has to offer, like from Guisados in Boyle Heights. All that aside, when good cocktails are flowing, (and they were, in the form of spicy margaritas and smoky mescal pineapple coolers) a juicy taco is the perfect snack. While I'm a lover of fish tacos, the stars of the night were the "Mama's Tacos". After all, who isn't instantly taken back to childhood with a bite of seasoned ground beef, sharp cheddar, shredded lettuce and tomato (the pickle is a new, and delicious! touch). The bright colors of a Mexican banner are also instantly fun and Amy made the whole night more festive with pinatas galore, hanging flags, touches of turquoise, and yellow flowers. And just in case they weren't ready for the night to end, guests went home with favors filled with Greg's serrano chili margarita mix, beautifully packaged by Amy with recipe labels. I've learned my lesson: a taco party isn't boring. It's a classic.