What better way to beat the winter blues than by gathering friends and family to celebrate your big 5-0. Susan Lane Events catered two such events within weeks of each other and they couldn’t have been more different.

The first was for a favorite client of mine. She is a born foodie with a very discerning palate. Her taste in food is more Classical and Italian. Her home is awash in deep reds and golds… again classic and beautiful. We chose linens to match in a golden Bengaline and Organza overlays. Other decor included mountains of pomegranates, chestnuts, pears, artichokes, kumquats, rosemary trees, baby apples and pears as well as gorgeous floral arrangements from Winstons.
Kir Royales were the specialty drink that evening. That one never gets old. Champagne (gold), Chambord (red) and a twist of lemon.

65 guests flowed throughout the house that evening. No expenses were spared when it came to the food. Here is the menu from that memorable night:

Passed Hors D’oeuvres

Lobster Panini
Brie and Pear Wonton with a Port Dipping Sauce
Pulled Pork on mini buttermilk bisquits with pineapple jicama slaw and chipotle cream
Parmagiano Reggiano Toasts
Scallops wrapped in Applewood Smoked Bacon with a maple cream glaze
Mini Beef Sliders with Caramelized Onions, Cheddar Cheese and Ketchup
Coconut Shrimp with Pineapple Tamarind Dip
Chicken Satay with a Spicy Peanut Dip

Stationary Hors D’oeuvres

Raw Bar
Jumbo Shrimp, Oysters and Littleneck Clams and stone crab claws

All of these served with Traditional Cocktail Sauce, Champagne Mignonette, Lemons, and Horseradish, Mustard Sauce

Bruschetta Bar
Several Varieties of These Italian Toasts are Available, Including Tomato and Basil Relish on Fresh Mozzarella, House made Caponata on Brie, Red and Yellow Beets with Asiago cheese
Paper thin Prosciutto with Imported Provolone, taleggio cheese, aged balsamic, olive tapenade

Pepper crusted Grilled Beef Tenderloin over Watercress with mini brioche buns, wild horseradish crème fraiche, and Dijon cream

Farfalle a la vodka
Farfalle Pasta in a Pink Cream Sauce laced with a splash of Pepper Vodka, with Prosciutto, Sun-dried Tomato, and Broccoli Florets

Assorted Cheeses
Sharp Cheddar, Triple crème like St. Andre, Pecorino Romano, Gruyere
Olives and Baguette Slices and Crostini
Bowl of EVOO with garlic, romano cheese, kosher salt, fresh ground pepper

Grilled Kielbasa slices served with a Roasted Garlic Rouille

Dessert

Birthday Cake!!
Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
Gold and Cream decorated cake with “Happy 50th Santa” Card

Chocolate Dipped Strawberries
Mini Eclairs
Mini Canolli’s

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The second Big 5-0 event we did in January was for a Husband and Father of a delightful family in Dedham. This was to be a casual, fun event for 160 of their closest friends and family members. No gilded candelabras for this event. In fact, our staff was asked to wear tie dyed t-shirts and jeans while passing out baskets overflowing with Grateful Dead pins, rasat caps with dreadlocks, glow rings, Lennon glasses and neon blinking peace sign necklaces. The band for the evening was “The Greatful Dread”. Are you wishing you were invited?! It was a blast!

The client had a “Frosty Factory” margarita machine that pumped out very tasty frozen drinks throughout the evening, while others sipped on pilsners filled with Dark N’Stormy’s which contain Barritt’’s ginger beer and dark rum with a slice of lime. Yum! All drinks came garnished with a hanging plastic neon mermaid, giraffe or monkey.

Tables were covered in lime green and purple linens. Teepee leaves, coconuts, mangos, bunches of mini bananas, spicy peppers, shells, starfruit, kumquats and large hurricaine lanterns adorned the food tables. The menu was casual and fun… and somewhat ethnic. See below!

Passed Hors D’oeuvres

Coconut Shrimp with Pineapple Mango Sauce
Southwest Chicken Wonton with tomatilla Salsa verde
Spicy Tuna Roll with Soy Sauce
Pigs in a blanket with mustard
Yucca Fritters with Screaming Aioli
Zucchini and Feta Pancakes with Eggplant Caviar
Wild Mushroom Triangles

Stationary Hors d’oeuvres

QUESADILLA BAR
pulled pork with smoked mozzarella
mango, crab, and brie
chicken bruschetta with grilled chicken, tomatoes, mozzarella, parmesan and basil

With guacamole, salsa, and sour cream

PACIFIC RIM
Crispy Asian Chicken Dumplings with Soy Dipping Sauce
Beef Satay with Peanut Dipping Sauce
Shrimp Shumai with Soy Sesame Dip
Fresh Vietnamese Spring Rolls with Spicy Peanut Dip

SLIDER BAR
Beef burgers on sesame seed buns with caramelized onions, cheddar cheese, ketchup and mustard
Pulled Pork on buttermilk bisquits with slaw and chipotle aioli

GRILLED PIZZA STATION
Wild Mushroom, Goat Cheese, and Rosemary
Cheese Pizza
Barbecued Chicken Pizza with tomatoes and scallions
Grilled Veggie Pizza

Dessert

Grateful Dead Birthday Cake
Happy 50th Birthday Rod