tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post355242857011295604..comments2024-03-28T03:40:29.423-04:00Comments on Passage des Perles: Cocktails and their partiesDuchessehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09986153653120526776noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-79205922042775920662010-02-18T10:20:39.031-05:002010-02-18T10:20:39.031-05:00Like "g"-- love the idea but our geograp...Like "g"-- love the idea but our geography doesn't quite work. Tough for folks to dress when they have to walk a kilometre on a dirt road after they get off the ferry! Still, I'm going to try to figure out how to adapt the idea a bit -- perhaps Lagatta's garden cocktails will work . . .materfamiliashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16062766947897513369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-10685383575929852212010-02-18T08:56:27.826-05:002010-02-18T08:56:27.826-05:00sisty: Cheers! I only post recipes that I assess a...sisty: Cheers! I only post recipes that I assess as "gems". Glad you like them.<br /><br />Frugal: Cocktails definitely having a comeback my 20-somethings and their friends. What a great image, sounds like a porcupine inside out.<br /><br />g: I adore gougeres! We make them often but I didn't suggest as many people get nervous around pastry. But they are easy enough and so good.<br /><br />Though I have had cocktails in the country, they either precede dinner or are served as part of an afternoon gathering, like croquet. Or you might have overnight guests!Duchessehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09986153653120526776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-42285290271438486382010-02-17T22:42:24.782-05:002010-02-17T22:42:24.782-05:00I do love cocktails, but we live in a rural area a...I do love cocktails, but we live in a rural area and driving to us is treacherous, so giving a cocktail party is somewhat inappropriate. We'd rather feed folks a good dinner for coming all the way out here.<br /><br />We enjoy cocktailing in town, either at a bar with expert bartenders, or at a reception for a certain arts organization that does nice parties, usually with a theme drink and always marvelous little nibbles.<br /><br />I just recently learned to make gougeres - little puff-paste cheesy bites. They are great cocktail fare, but the best thing about them is that you can make a big batch of them and then freeze them. When you need something savory to serve with a cocktail, you can just take them out of the freezer and pop them in the oven for 10 minutes.<br /><br />The Corpse Reviver sounds delicious!Glennishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03681336164718681936noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-25365768673045605572010-02-17T20:25:12.272-05:002010-02-17T20:25:12.272-05:00I think cocktails must be coming back because my s...I think cocktails must be coming back because my son is very interested in them. I can only recall one party--I remember a hollowed out cabbage filled with cocktail sauce with zillions of shrimp on toothpicks stuck into the cabbage. I was allowed to eat a few before being banished. Is that the most 60s image? <br /><br />I guess the new ones are without the ubiquitous cigarettes??Frugal Scholarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12696815672500452503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-35363176088779857592010-02-17T20:03:20.717-05:002010-02-17T20:03:20.717-05:00Duchesse,
Just one more quick note to say thanks ...Duchesse, <br />Just one more quick note to say thanks for posting the Mark Bittman recipes. I've already copied them for future reference. Who knows, I may decide to host a "candlelight supper" someday :)Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12859755625440254862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-382019303641563282010-02-17T19:48:15.229-05:002010-02-17T19:48:15.229-05:00I decided not to wait for an actual party, and am ...I decided not to wait for an actual party, and am enjoying a Corpse Reviver as we speak! I have to say that three of your recipes -- including this one, and also the caramels and plum cake recipes -- have made it to the top of my list. <br /><br />This reminds me of when my kids were little and we were invited to a "grownups" cocktail party by a couple we knew with similar-aged kids. I remember feeling a little miffed at first that we couldn't bring the boys, but then quickly realized that there are some occasions that are much more fun adults-only. We had a ball!sistyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09053105066815670135noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-74781910401264028912010-02-17T18:43:05.069-05:002010-02-17T18:43:05.069-05:00Maravonda: Thank you and feel free to ask question...Maravonda: Thank you and feel free to ask questions; if I can't answer, someone reading likely can.Duchessehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09986153653120526776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-35788120192742445642010-02-17T16:44:48.389-05:002010-02-17T16:44:48.389-05:00Hello Duchesse! I am glad that Shelley started wi...Hello Duchesse! I am glad that Shelley started with "naive questions" because I am writing to tell you that I learn little things from you all the time, the little things that don't come up among my co-workers. For instance, I now know what fleur de sel is (and plan to have some the next time I feel like really cooking...also I thought absinthe was poisonous and did not know what pastis was. So you do not only stimulate thought, you encourage research! Please continue!Maravondanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-48179553772436463572010-02-17T16:42:00.023-05:002010-02-17T16:42:00.023-05:00Pseu: Costco- great tip. They also have good smoke...Pseu: Costco- great tip. They also have good smoked salmon.<br /><br />lagatta: Especially festive when someone offers drinks you don't see everyday. One of my friends makes a sangria with rum instead of wine. A friend who hosted a Russian themed party with lots of infused vodkas.<br /> <br />lisa: "It's Bouquet! B-U-C-K-E-T!" Love it.<br /><br />metscan: We usually host dinner parties. Sometimes I feel tired before but when everyone arrives, it lifts me.Duchessehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09986153653120526776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-41648245894916611952010-02-17T15:35:30.155-05:002010-02-17T15:35:30.155-05:00Great advice. I like the fact that there is a time...Great advice. I like the fact that there is a timetable. I want to meet people, but if hosting, I don´t think that I´d have the energy to do it any longer.mettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13732534795009852825noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-35143553046925078912010-02-17T15:14:55.609-05:002010-02-17T15:14:55.609-05:00Cocktail parties are such fun and it sounds as if ...Cocktail parties are such fun and it sounds as if you are a splendid host. (Not at all like Mrs. Bucket on Keeping up Appearances). On BBC, and very funny.Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12859755625440254862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-90855923617590794412010-02-17T10:36:46.813-05:002010-02-17T10:36:46.813-05:00We are more inclined to do terrasse/garden parties...We are more inclined to do terrasse/garden parties simply because this is an occasion when we can mix smoking friends in with the nonsmoking majority - that tends to make it an earlier affair. I like making canapés, tapas etc but not every two weeks!<br /><br />Most of us are more of the wino persuasion (including some sparkling wine à l'apéro) but there is one friend who has lived and worked throughout Latin America who is always making little rum drinks, something I never have at home. <br /><br />Now getting people to dress is another matter. Not that they are slobs who show up in sweatpants, but only certain of them will play along.lagtta à montréalhttp://www.lemab.canoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-7318006709269178862010-02-17T10:01:48.340-05:002010-02-17T10:01:48.340-05:00Cocktail parties are so civilized. I love the ide...Cocktail parties are so civilized. I love the idea of hosting one and may seriously endeavor to do this year.<br /><br />For your readers who live near a Costco, they have *amazing* canapés in the freezer section, just heat and serve.Susan Bhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16005855250089328310noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-13593999880351463432010-02-17T09:52:53.074-05:002010-02-17T09:52:53.074-05:00Shelley: Glad to answer
-How often? 2 or 3 times ...Shelley: Glad to answer<br />-How often? 2 or 3 times a year, but my parents did it at least twice a month. It's a festive way to celebrate an anniversary, promotion, return from a long trip or other personal occasion.<br />- Number: 12-35; too few is not lively, too many crowds my house. If you have a large house or yard, no max<br />- Who? Same as for dinner party: interesting mix with some new faces<br />- Start/finish time: Duration is 2 hours. On Friday, start is 6 pm- but you could go as early as 5 pm. or as late as 7 pm if people need travel time from work. On Saturday; 5-7 is nice because people can to on to other things.<br />-Put finish time on invitation (join us for cocktails, 6-8 pm.) Gently begin to clear glasses at finish time (NOT before). Occasionally you will have to tactfully hand someone their hat, if they do not know cocktail party etiquette. ("Roy and I are leaving for dinner, Stewart, can we give you a lift?", or "We promised Susie we'd pick her up from Ginger's and take her to the movies").<br />I much prefer written invitations to e-vites or phone calls, but those are OK too.<br /><br />- Night of week: typically Fri. or Sat. but you might also host during the week if you have a reason ("Please join us for cocktails on Thursday, 6-8 pm. to say goodbye to Harry, who's leaving for New Zealand".) Typically not Sunday evening (see below) or earlier in the week unless it's a business function or you have retired.<br /><br />You can also host a cocktail as a garden or deck party, say 4pm-6 pm on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon.<br /><br />- Reciprocation: You do not have to reciprocate with the same invitation. You might invite the hosts for coffee, brunch, dessert, a visit to a gallery, or an outing you'd both enjoy. Of course if you like having people for dinner, you can certainly do that.Duchessehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09986153653120526776noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-61727154423691308222010-02-17T09:51:26.195-05:002010-02-17T09:51:26.195-05:00OH I do love a cocktail party, and hosting them is...OH I do love a cocktail party, and hosting them is fun, even the making of a couple of simple appetizers. And then I can settle down and reflect after the guests have gone. <br /><br />I'll have to try your mixer. It sounds yummy.Mardelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04850551308931710502noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-9797223930546625092010-02-17T09:32:36.516-05:002010-02-17T09:32:36.516-05:00Sounds delightfully civilized!Sounds delightfully civilized!Northmoonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2872918251244874644.post-54120508915018708962010-02-17T09:18:20.682-05:002010-02-17T09:18:20.682-05:00This is on my list of things to do someday. Hope ...This is on my list of things to do someday. Hope you don't mind a bunch of naive questions. How often might you do this? How many people do you invite? How do you decide whom to invite? What time do you set as a start? What time do you set to finish (and how do you get people to go home?) What night of the week do you normally choose? How does one reciprocate for an event such as this?Shelleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10239488936038510294noreply@blogger.com