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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