Après Fête: viewing party

January 16, 2012

2012 Golden Globes: Bridesmaids Robbed!!

Shouldn't the winner of 'Best Comedy' go to the movie that warranted the most laughs? That being my humble opinion, I'm outraged that Bridesmaids didn't win at last night's Golden Globes. In fact, I themed my whole Golden Globes viewing menu around the sure-to-be classic. I'm saving my ideas for the other films for my favorite party of the year: my Oscar viewing party. But the Globes were the perfect chance to honor the film I fear might not make it on the Oscar's 'Best Picture' nominations list. We started with mini hoagie bites; if you don't remember Melissa McCarthy's use of a hoagie in the closing credits, RENT IT! Next, caipirinhas and a Brazilian plate to honor Kirsten Wig's ill choice in restaurants (which led to the film's infamous gross-out scene). And since Annie owned the bakery Cake Baby, there were plenty of dessert references to recreate. It was just Greg and I, so I stuck to single servings: cream puffs (Office Nathan's favorite), a lone cupcake (I couldn't quite compete with Annie's inspired treat), carrot cake (Annie's attempt to get Nathan's forgiveness) and broken up heart shaped cookies with chocolate fondue (Annie's chocolate fountain breakdown). I can't wait for January 24th when this year's Oscar nominations come out...fingers crossed for Bridesmaids. Should it make the list, I'll need to get my hands on some butterflies for decor!

The Menu

brazilian caipirinha

hoagie bites with salami, ham & cheddar

brazillian plate: sliced rib-eye, collard greens, black beans, plantains & rice with chimichurri sauce

cream puffs

vanilla/vanilla cupcake

carrot cake

broken heart shaped cookies with chocolate fondue

January 9, 2012

Downton Abbey Viewing Party: A High Tea

Not since Sex and the City, have I been as taken with a show as I am with Downton Abbey. I love the interweavings of the 'upstairs' and 'downstairs', the greatly nuanced characters, and, of course, am obsessed with the elaborateness and care that goes into each of their fancy dinner parties. To celebrate the start of the second season, I hosted a high tea to view last season's finale, so that we were all up to speed (I die for that garden party!). I made a tea sandwich and a dessert to fit the personalities of each Crawley sister. Lady Sybil, the highly spirited, youngest, is the family's forward thinking feminist. For her, I made curried egg salad on wheat--really in homage to her fabulous harem pants from Season 1. Spiced carrot cake followed suit for her spicier ways. Salmon gravlax sandwiches embodied the unlikeable Lady Edith's fishy ways. Similarly, a lemon-almond tea cake is a perfect match for her sour puss attitude. My favorite, Lady Mary, with her gorgeous beaded gowns, got my favorite tea sandwich: the classic watercress & cucumber (she happens to be as cool as one). And since she is the fanciest, imported chocolate--something special cooks of the day would order--fit the bill. Their American mother received a nod with a turkey and cranberry sandwich on mini orange muffins. If you're not on the Downton Abbey train, hop on; it's delicious television. Next time: a downstairs affair.