Après Fête: picnic

September 4, 2013

"Sip & See" Picnic

As a seeker of excuses to throw parties, I was thrilled to discover the "Sip & See". It's a Southern tradition of inviting friends over to "sip" on cocktails while "seeing" a new baby. Amazing. So to help introduce a new little man to the world, we threw a classic, all-American picnic themed Sip & See (after all, what is more family oriented than a picnic?) Complete with croquet, bocce ball, white picnic tables and strewn picnic blankets, it was truly a perfect Sunday affair. Blackberries flecked Bloom and Plume's sweet arrangements and vintage picnic baskets held dishes and flatware on the buffet. The menu was relaxed (spiked lemonade bar) and traditional (it doesn't get more picnic than fried chicken) with plenty of farmers market sides (e.g. fresh tomato, corn & basil salad--so simple and tasty). And while we can ALL AGREE that we are over mason jars, they do have their time and place; in this case, as vessels for delicious blueberry & nectarine crisps and strawberry shortcakes. Now I want to have a baby just to have an excuse for another Sip & See!!!

The Menu

Sips

Lemonade, Strawberry Lemonade & Watermelon LimeAid

spiked with vodka & tequila upon request!

mint tea

rose & beer

Snacks

mini blt's

farmers market crudites, pickles & dips

To Share

buttermilk fried chicken

beef sliders

grilled caprese sandwiches

quinoa with grilled zucchini, squash, & peppers

tomato, corn & basil

citrus carrot salad with avocado, sprouts & sunflower seeds

dill flecked macaroni & potato salad

summer fruit platter

Sweet

strawberry shortcakes with buttermilk biscuits

nectarine & blueberry almond crisps ala mode

banana pudding cups

September 8, 2011

Urban Picnic

Our friend Ashley loves a picnic and so do we. For her 30th birthday party we created a picnic themed party on the roof of her apartment building. With no sand or itchy grass to distract us, we totally focused on the food & packaging. Each guest got their own picnic box to fill with whichever mains (fried quail--big hit!) and sides they preferred. There were plenty of options; I went a little nuts! This was the most collaborative party that Amy and I have ever done. Some of the menu items were inspired by her packaging ideas--for instance, fresh corn soup with jalapeno cornbread--while some of the dishes had Amy scrambling to find just the right container: e.g. the heirloom tomato shortcake with creme fraiche & basil. The final result: a delicious and eye-catching spread. It's my very favorite party that Amy has done because she elevated everything to such an impressive level. (She's a real whiz with paper products.) Be sure to check out the menu below...I forgot to take photos of all the great things that were inside of the boxes!