10 A SIUSLAW NEWS ❚ WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 2015 Dinner party dos and don’ts Hosting a dinner party is no small task. First-time hosts tasked with hosting a dinner party for family and friends may not realize just how big a commitment such an undertaking can be. As a result, hosts oft en fi nd their fi rst dinner party to be somewhat overwhelming. But dinner parties need not be an exercise in crisis management. In fact, fi rst-time and even veteran hosts can put the following dos and don’ts of dinner parties to good use to ensure their turn as host goes off without a hitch. DO serve your specialty. While experimenting with new recipes is part of the joy of cooking, such experiments are best avoided when hosting a dinner party. Instead of trying a new recipe, serve a dish you have prepared numerous times in the past. Making such meals is like second nature to home chefs, and that can greatly reduce the stress of hosting a dinner party. DON’T worry if it takes longer to serve a meal than you planned. Even if you are making a dish you have prepared dozens of times in the past, expect things to move a little more slowly when hosting a dinner party. Th is is especially true when hosting a large dinner party because you will have to prepare a much larger meal than usual. So don’t worry if the meal is served later than you had planned. DO make a list and check it twice. In the days leading up to your party, make a list of ingredients you will need to prepare the meal. Once that list has been made, check your refrigerator and pantry to make sure you have enough of everything to prepare the meal on the scale it needs to be prepared. Aft er you have made your list and checked your pantry, read the recipes again just to make sure you didn’t forget anything before you head to the store to buy whatever you need. DON’T ask guests to bring essential items. While guests will oft en volunteer to bring certain items, it’s best that hosts don’t ask guests to bring anything essential to the meal. Th at’s because guests might be late, which can delay the meal, or they might just forget, forcing hosts to make last-minute trips to the grocery store. Guests can bring items, but it’s ideal if they bring items you won’t need to serve the meal, such as a bottle of wine or even premade desserts. DO ask guests if they have any dietary restrictions. Many guests, especially older guests who might be managing certain health conditions, might have dietary restrictions that govern what they can and cannot eat. Ask guests to let you know if they have any such restrictions, and if those restrictions are foods they can’t eat or simply foods they don’t want to eat. Th at’s an important distinction that can make a host’s job easier. DON’T make meals that require a specifi c taste. Certain types of cuisine are destined to produce mixed responses, and hosts should avoid such foods so no one is forced to dine entirely on appetizers and dessert. For example, Indian cuisine tends to be very spicy, and not everyone likes their food to pack such a potent punch. Stick to cuisine that is fl avorful but not so extraordinary that it may upset the stomachs of your guests who don’t oft en indulge in such foods. DO start early. In addition to preparing your entrée earlier than you would when making dinner for your family, start preparing sides or other parts of the meal in advance when possible. Some recipes include storage instructions for chefs preparing meals in advance, so heed those recommendations to take some of the pressure off come the day of your party. DON’T go overboard. While it may be tempting to stun your guests with a seven-course meal, aiming too high may lead to disaster. A simple meal with an easily prepared appetizer, a delicious entrée and a light dessert will make for a memorable evening for everyone, and your guests will appreciate both your eff orts and the time they get to spend with you throughout the night. Hosting a dinner party is a thoughtful gesture that should be fun. While hosting can be stressful, following a few tricks of the trade can make hosting duties that much more manageable. S urfside Restaurant WE NOW HAVE CRAFT BEER ON TAP MOM Join us for a topped with Asiago cheese and served with sautéed broccoli, creamy lentils Mother’s Day THURSDAY: Two Grilled pork loin chops served over garlic rosemary roasted potatoes, Celebration FRIDAY- INTRODUCING OUR NEW DINNER ENTREE The Catch WINE WEDNESDAY Pan Seared BLT Chicken Breast Sunday, May 10 12 noon – 4 p.m. Food….Fun…Frolic on the beach Special Menu by Chef for Mom Door Prizes to include an Hour Massage Reservations Needed 541-997-8263 88416 First Avenue Florence Restaurant & Tea Room Featuring this week: Cakes • Shepherds Pie Taking Savory Chicken Quiche of the Day Tuna Salad on a croissant reservations for Mother’s Day on May 10th. Soups: Hampshire Cream Clam Chowder • Salmon Bisque A SPECIAL DESSERT in honor of the new princess in England- Princess Charlotte Trifl e. 195 Nopal Street • 541-902-0502 www.spiceinfl orence.com Global & Northwest Fusion Cuisine • Tuesday - Ladies Night $2 off entrée • Wednesday - Burger & Brew $8.50 • Thursday - $4 Margaritas - $2.50 Tacos • Friday- $2 off Seafood Entrée Join Us for Mother’s Day Lunch TUE, WED, THUR: DINNER 3PM TO CLOSE FRI, SAT, SUN: LUNCH AND DINNER 11:30 TO CLOSE • CLOSED MONDAY 541-997-1646 1269 Bay Street • Old Town Florence Great pairing with a bottle of Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc grilled vegetable kebobs, and a side of apple strawberry salsa Lemon honey mustard salmon topped with slivered almonds served over sautéed green beans with pan seared scallops and sautéed prawns SATURDAY: Linguini and Meatballs tossed in a rich marinara sauce and served with warm bread and basil garlic butter Open for Lunch & Dinner • Lunch Specials Daily Reservations Suggested. 165 M APLE S T . • 541-997-9811• Prime Rib Wednesday Includes yukon mashed potatoes and salad. Only $16 1285 Bay Street in Old Town Florence, OR 97439 Hours Tues-Sat: 11:30am-9pm WWW . MAPLESTREETGRILLE . COM (541) 902-8338 Hours: Monday-Sunday 11:00am to Close Happy Hour: Monday-Friday 3:00pm to 5:00pm The Grill & Lounge at Sandpines Lunch served Wed-Sun 11:30-5:00 HAPPY HOUR 2-5 Wed-Sun Tasty Appetizers and Great Prices We will be off ering our New dinner menu on FRI and SAT nights from 5-8pm 1201 35th Street at Kingwood, Florence Highway 101 & 35 St. 541-997-4623 Hi, Welcome Restaurant to Mo’s Mo’s ® ~ FEATURED LOW-CARB SELECTIONS ~ Every Month Mo's Grilled, has brought "Motivation SALMON: Poached, in or special Blackened for Kids" tables which raise money for local charities CHICKEN BREAST: Boneless, Skinless Breast of Chicken that are devoted to helping the wellbeing of local SHRIMP SKEWERS: 2 Grilled Shrimp Skewers children. This month FLORENCE HEAD START All of the above are served with local charity being Green Beans is or the Mixed Steamed Veggies and honored. a Shrimp Dinner Salad NEW By sitting at these tables ITEMS you help a specific local RIBS: charity each BBQ PORK Baby Back and Pork Ribs with the every time. We James thank Gang you BBQ for Sauce that! BLACKENED SALMON CEASAR SALAD Mo’s Old Town, Florence • Daily 11 am - 8 pm ® Mo’s Town, Florence • Daily 11 am - 8 pm Serving Old Bowls of comfort for Over 50 Years Serving Bowls of comfort for Over 50 Years • 541-997-2185 FLORENCE FAVORITES~ TRY OUR SHRIMP & GRITS! Jumbo shrimp & grits served with 2 eggs cooked your way. Breakfast and Lunch 7 days a week from 7 am - 2 pm. 435 Highway 101 • 541-902-2449 Le Bouchon P ROVISIONS W INE B AR & S ALES - D ELICATESSEN Locally Baked Pastries – Breads – Muffins Sandwiches - Soup - Salads • Big Fat Meat Loaf Sandwich • Mac & Cheese • Broccoli & Cheddar Quiche • Morning Glory Muffins • Croissants (Ham & Cheese or Chocolate) Create a Mother’s Day Basket! Open Daily 10 am - 5pm • Closed Mondays 1277 Bay Street- Old Town Florence - 5 41-902 -1391