A la Carte | Fresh Dish Fall 2007, Vol. 2

TIS THE SEASON to shake it up. Parties are in full swing; planned and improptu. Between menus, decor, guest lists, themes, gifts, gab and garland, what could possibly be new?

Keep the fun and lose the stress with a Custom Cocktail Bar. It's easy for you and your guests. And even easier than a full-service bar. Put out large recipe cards for 2 or 3 festive cocktails along with the fixin's and let your guests stir up their own libations. See our Bistro Bites section for some suggestions. Remember to get your shake on responsibly. Guests should designate a driver and hosts should offer plenty of non-alcoholic beverages and food to carry guests into the evening and safely home.

If you are a guest, be retro and write a paper thank you note to your hosts. They will be ever so pleased and impressed they chose to invite you.

Merry to all! Karen Baker, Proprietor

It's our custom cocktail corner. Set out the mixings for a Peppermint Breeze Mocha Swirl and Winter Tea. recipes>> Already have one? Print out our fun cocktail cards and write up your own. here>>
No guilt banana splits. Try these mini versions served up in a demitasse cup for a childlike memory and guilt-free indulgence. recipe>>

In addition to being a world traveler and making the occasional list, the Claus' love to entertain.
We were able to get a sampling of party favorites from this on-the-go icon.

Use a peppermint stick as a coffe stirrer
Use one kind or color of flower all over
Use 1 or 2 cocktails or punch instead of a bar
Decorate with generous bowls of fruit and nuts
Use lollypops as swizzle sticks
Keep wrapping paper scraps for placecards -
just wrap around a tiny box with a tag
Run a Christmas video without sound on your TV - gets rid of the big black hole in the room
Add instant levels to your table, place paint cans under your table cloth, set platter on top
RSVPers. Polite guests will accept the first invitation, not wait for something "better" to come along. A late RSVP is a dead giveaway.

À la Carte was honored to be at Macy's with celebrity chef Ming Tsai recently, our Chefs Kyle, Jung and Andrew worked alongside Chef Tsai to prepare savory hors d'oeuvres and sweets. A featured dessert was the delectable Chocolate Lava Pops, available on the À la Carte Holiday Menu for 2007, at left.

Mark your calendar for more Macy's events and À la Carte.

MetroCenter Thursday December 6th at 12pm
Martha Stewart and friends Holiday Party Planning presentation. where>>

Macy's Columbia Sat. December 9th at 1pm
Martha Stewart Holiday Entertaining presentation. directions>>