The edible flowers on these tiny, bite-sized nibbles were the perfect touch for a ladies' “April showers bring May flowers!” luncheon I hosted at Fox Hall.
A darling Southern friend recently posed the question, “What do you do when you are presented with passed hors d’ oeuvres that are HUGE? They either crumble as you bite them, drip, or you pop the entire “nibble” into your mouth, which makes you look like a chipmunk. All are dreadful options. Please, bring back the one-bite wonder!”
My response has always been to “pass” on any huge hors d’oeuvres being passed!
This rule of thumb comes from my memory of a rather traumatic party experience. When I was notably pregnant, donning my only emerald green silk maternity cocktail dress, I tried to gracefully take a bite of a warm filo pastry nibble at a lovely Christmas party. It was a two-biter. Big mistake. Butter squirted down the entire front of my silk dress. There was no hope, even when I attempted to douse it with water in the powder room in desperation. Butter does not disappear, but I soon did!
In eager anticipation of hosting parties again, even if it is only a handful of family, friends, or even a virtual cocktail party on Zoom, I thought it worthy of our attention to be mindful of offering petite hors d’oeuvres. Keep this in mind for future planning. One-bite hors d’oeuvres, and how they are presented and passed, contribute splendidly and set the tone for creating an elegant cocktail party.
If you have ever attended a dignified, albeit chic, party in New York City, Paris, or Palm Beach, it is most likely that you have experienced delicately prepared, exquisitely presented hors d’oeuvres, usually no larger than a dime. They look divine, taste divine, and are divinely little pop-in-the-mouth treasures! One can easily manage and savour an ethereal little nibble without the threat of the “How am I going to eat this thing?” dilemma. Unfortunately, this dilemma is typical of bruschetta, which is, from my experience, a recipe for disaster. As you can imagine, I am not keen on passing anything that needs to be gnawed off a bone, either.
And speaking of parties, or the lack thereof, I’m pleased to introduce The New York Social Diary as our new sponsor. The New York Social Diary website is an iconic newsletter that publishes articles and photographs of prominent, elegant and dashing people at posh celebrations in New York City and other notable places. If you have already subscribed, then you know how witty and intoxicating the writing is by the esteemed David Patrick Columbia. He is the brilliant social columnist who founded NYSD in 2000. The articles are captivating, the photographs are colorful and striking, and the Party Picture section features guests attending enchanting private fetes. Subscribe and revel in the pleasure it provides!
When my first book, The Pretty and Proper Living Room debuted, it was mentioned in the NYSD and I was beyond elated. I am overjoyed to introduce and announce the NYSD sponsorship of this newsletter… pinch me!
Millennial Tip
If you choose to decorate your serving platters, use a little bit of poster board clay to keep your ornament or figurine in place as the platter is being passed. If you use a few flowers, tie a ribbon around them in a color that complements the tray or the room in which it will be presented. The texture of the ribbon will help the flowers from sliding around onto the nibbles.
Forbidden Faux Pas
No-no: To take more than one hors d’oeuvres at a time when presented to you.
Lovely Living
Almost every living room needs additional “drinks tables” for entertaining. The Enchanted Home has the perfect sized tables. I adore the “scalloped ivory and blue ginger jar tray table.” Tina offers other charming colors and designs as well. And, for a ladies’ luncheon, especially for a Garden Club, this darling card design by Felix Doolittle, can be used to create the perfect handwritten invitation. It sets the scene for a delightfully floral party to ensue. It had me at “pink bow!”
This Scully & Scully hand made ceramic tray from Italy, is perfect for passing hors d'oeuvres. Because of the attractively painted design, additional garnish is not even needed!
