Pasta Bar
Tuesday, February 28, 2012 at 9:30AM 
Every month we invite a handful of our friends over for a dinner party. It's a great way to feel comforted and connected in a city that has everyone going in a thousand different trajectories. There's no check at the end of the night, no closing time, no rowdy table next to us breaking up our conversation. It's those intimate and simple times that I clutch onto. Small moments in a big city.
We've done a few different themes: a soup social with the record player scratching in the background, food from the 1920s complete with a game of old-fashioned Bingo {CJ serenaded us with his trumpet} and a man food night where we had steaks and ribs.
For the next one I'm thinking about doing a pasta bar. Guests could choose between different types of noodles, sauce {Sunday marinara, brown butter + sage, white wine + cream, basil pesto, oil + fresh tomatoes} and toppings {truffles, black garlic, peas, spicy chives, grated parmigiano, smoked bacon, homemade meatballs}. Doesn't it sound nifty? Everyone's dish would make a natural conversation starter and you'd satisfy the pickiest of eaters.
What about you, lovies? What do you like to serve at dinner parties? When was the last time you hosted or went to one?
P.S. My absolute favorite spot to get fresh pasta in NYC!
{Photo credit: Hungry Cravings}
Reader Comments (6)
I like the dinner-theme thing. I'm always stuck for what to serve when people come over for dinner - especially big groups. If you have time, would you post some of the menus you've done in more detail? It would be cool to have a crib sheet!
Yes, cooking for big groups always stumps me, too. Great suggestion on posting more detailed menus. I'll definitely do that. Stay tuned...
That sounds AMAZING!!!!!! That's it! I'm coming to New York and your place is my first stop! Have my pasta bar ready :). <3
I think you'll love the pasta bar approach. That's what I do when my family comes - it is a good way to feed a group, especially if there are food allergies like in my family. I have to eat gluten-free so I also add some polenta which I put my sauce over & everyone else fights for...pan fried & with a balsamic vinegar & onion reduction spooned over the top. ;)
Have a great dinner party!!!
That balsamic vinegar and onion reduction sounds delicious, Kristina! And what a great point about how having options addresses food allergies. I'm definitely going to remember to include some gluten-free pasta when I serve up this Italian feast!
I'm gluten-free too so the addition of polenta is an awesome suggestion. Serving up gluten-free pasta is a tough one. I've never served it and left it out for a big group before. Just wondering if it might get gummy or pasty? Gluten-free girl recommends Jovial pasta, but I haven't gotten it together enough to purchase online (never seems to be in stores). Anyhoo, thanks guys!