The Rules
posted on June 16 by mark
After years of entertaining in my own home and creating all sorts of parties for my clients, I have had a rare opportunity to observe the very best and worst of people’s party behavior. So I have created ‘The Rules.’ A list of the important things every guest should know before they reach the front door of their host’s home. These do’s and don’ts (mostly don’ts!) are meant to act as a gentle reminder that being a guest at a party is a special privilege. And with that privilege comes a responsibility to be courteous, polite and gracious.
The Rules: How to be a Guest.
Don’ts:
Do not bring flowers. EVER. Finding vases at the last minute are a hassle for a host that is busy with last minute details. And your host has already thought about flowers and a color scheme that will probably conflict with the bright orange roses you bought at the convenience store. A potted plant or orchid is fine.
Wine & Champagne - Not the best gift. Unless it really reflects who you are or is a particularly special wine. But you must tell your host it is for them to enjoy at another time. They have already planned what wine will be served and you don’t want a host to feel obligated to use yours that evening.
Do not bring food. Not even cookies. You are a guest at a dinner party where there is food being served. Do I need to explain any further??
Food Allergies & Diet Restrictions. Keep them to yourself. You will not starve - enjoy what you CAN eat without making a scene or making it all about you.
Bar Etiquette. After you are served a drink, step away from the bar. There are many people waiting while you stand and chat with your friends. And for goodness sake - if you see someone cleaning up and carrying plates and glassware - try to stay out of their path. Do not ever ask for a drink that is not offered. No one should have to find you sugar free cranberry juice or Pinot Grigio even if it is YOUR signature drink.
Buffet Etiquette: Move quickly through a buffet line, knowing that there are people waiting. Move as far away from the buffet as possible after being served to allow others to circulate near the table. Never eat food while standing at or near the buffet. Do not return to the buffet for more food until all guests have been served.
Bathroom Etiquette: Don't make a mess. Always flush the toilet and put the the entire seat-cover down. Leave the bathroom spotless. If paper or soap needs replenishing - replace it if you can. If waste basket is overflowing - take the initiative to empty it or inform your host quietly that the bathroom needs attention. Never flush anything but bathroom tissue - most homes have sensitive septic tanks that can not accommodate paper hand towels or sanitary napkins.
Do not talk on your cell phone or check your messages in front of anyone. If there is an emergency or situation that requires you to check in - do it privately in a bedroom or outside.
Do not, EVER, bring an unexpected guest, child or pet. Do not even ASK to bring your pet!
Never arrive early. NEVER!
Do’s
RSVP as early as possible. Don’t assume your host knows you are coming just because you are their best friend.
Always put your name on a gift.
Always offer to help. Pass hors d’oeuvres, pick things up etc.
Offer to introduce guests to one another.
Offer to help wash glasses or serve.
Hostess Gifts. It is always nice to arrive with something for your host. But what are the options if wine, flowers and food are against the ‘rules’? Here are some suggestions: Artisanal candles or soaps. Chocolates (but always tell your host it is for them AFTER the guests leave and not meant to be shared). An orchid or small potted herb or plant, homemade or artisanal jam, a jar of French Sea Salt, Local Honey or Maple Syrup, an interesting tea. A dozen local farm eggs in a basket. A box of beautiful note cards. A wonderful bottle of olive oil. Please remember, gifts that have a personal connection - that mean something special to either you or your host, are always the best!
Always send a handwritten thank you note to your host, even if it is someone you speak with all the time.
American Goulash
posted on February 24 by mark
A cold winter day in Vienna last January inspired one of my new favorites – a modern interpretation of an old classic; Hungarian Goulash. Just across from the elaborate Jugendstil façades of the Otto Wagner apartments at a small bistro in the heart of the Naschmarkt, I had a Goulash so remarkable I had to go back and have it a second time the very next day. The Viennese certainly understand stews, soups and all the cold weather fare that provides respite from the harshness of winter. ‘American Goulash’ is a lighter ‘soup’ version of this hearty dish, prepared with slow-braised veal, winter vegetables, fresh herbs, red wine, Marzano tomatoes and Hungarian paprika. The result of hours of simmering and slow cooking is something rustic, familiar, comforting and pure heaven. Tender bites of delicate veal, mushrooms, caramelized onions and sweet red peppers float in a richly flavored and intoxicatingly aromatic broth. And if that were not enough – a dollop of sour cream and a sprinkling of slightly salty but ‘light as air’ fried capers provide a wonderful but unexpected perfect little crunch and modern touch.
Baked While You Sleep: Sweet Rolls
posted on November 01 by mark
It took a few months of trial and error, but I was determined to recreate another wonderful food memory: the cinnamon sweet rolls I had as a college student in the Midwest. In Moorhead Minnesota, some thirty or more years ago - we would gather at a local coffee shop for a very extraordinary creation. They were giant buttery sweet rolls, dripping with molten cinnamon and sugar. The dough was like silk - light and billowy with a luscious vanilla frosting that just melted down the sides. So now, every morning before dawn, at Susan Lawrence, we make these wonderful breakfast rolls - and as they bake, the wonderful aroma of cinnamon fills the air. A recent article in Westchester Magazine declared: “Once inside the elegant Susan Lawrence shop, it’s hard to pick just one thing. The cinnamon sweet rolls are a must - and among the shop’s most addictive, as is the gorgeously drizzled chocolate Babka. But it is the Buttermilk Bread, with its powdery tan color, crackling exterior, and delicate interior that takes eating pleasure to a whole new dimension.”
We truly are an old-fashioned bakery. There are not many left like us – who celebrate the art of baking cakes, pies, cookies and breads by using the very best and purest ingredients. And our Cinnamon Sweet Roll – truly an American Classic, is right at home here at Susan Lawrence with all the other wonderful artisanal specialties that are baked with such care and pride. Please stop in for a sample and allow me to share this very special memory with you.