Entertaining & Etiquette

Happy Thanksgiving

Our group of about 16 people are planning a backyard Oktoberfest this next week. We usually go to a German restaurant but have decided to forgo that this year. I had thought about bringing Jäg...

So you and the Mrs are invited to a “less than stellar” restaurant or, even worse, an acquaintance’s home for dinner! Somehow they know you’re “particular about food” and keep asking your opinion ...

I'm planning a breakfast "reception" for about 10 people following my morning wedding. I'd like some input on my menu: Doughnuts from a local bakery Strawberries and dip (any recommendations fo...

by AmblerGirl 14 years ago

I have seen alot of diversity regarding the etiquette of who pays if a group of people go out to a restaurant to celebrate someone's birthday. It looks like people expect one of three things: - ...

Have you had any success hosting a dinner party, lately? I'm wondering about dinner parties for young singles and young professional couples in their early thirties or mid thirties. In your experie...

I offered to buy and take the needed groceries to my friend’s so we could have a hamburger cookout. I bought hamburger meat, one large onion, a small jar of pickles, a head of lettuce, four avocado...

We are always the host of friend get togethers. While I wouldn't call these get togethers "dinner parties", they are events where I cook for everyone. I get great joy and satisfaction out of doin...

Seems there are two rules of thought -- that it be left on the chair (as no one wants to see a used napkin on the table or next to a dish) -- which is what I usually do; or, that it be left to the ...

Hypothetically, let’s say you invited 20 friends to your home for wine-tasting and dinner. 10 of the invitees rsvp within the allotted time. Plus two are “likely maybes”, which makes 12 total. At...

by AmblerGirl 13 years ago

What is the appropriate tip % at a brazilian steakhouse? We recently went to a loca brazilian steakhouse, similar to a Fogo de Chao but much more casual. I tipped aropund 10% which is what I usua...

I have always been eating fish side down on tongue and that seems the norm at most of the top places I've managed to visit in Tokyo and elsewhere. However, I just landed reservations at Jiro Honten...

We're throwing a party at the park for my son's 4th birthday. I know I want to make the Momofuku birthday cake/cupcakes. (I made it last year and I think it's the best cake I've ever had!). For foo...

by Melanie Wong 1 year ago

" . . . One other way of handling a horrifying guest is to follow the 'shun, don't shame' advice of Daniel Buccino, the director of the Johns Hopkins Civility Initiative. 'If somebody calls that yo...

Here we are at a popular local arts theater waiting for the film to begin when a couple comes in, paper bag in hand, and begins to spread their larder on their laps. It was a sandwich and sides the...

by Melanie Wong 2 years ago

"Yuki Tatsumi was working as a waiter in a restaurant when one day, as he was cleaning up a table, he noticed that a customer had intricately folded up the paper chopstick sleeve and left it behind...

I've been invited to a friends suprise birthday party by a mutual acquaintance. When she had initially invited she did not mention there would be a cost and I had even asked her if she needed anyth...

Scenario A: Greek Resto X was a two hour drive from home and had delicious moussaka. I happened to be in the area on business and ordered take-out. My mouth was watering during the drive home b...

Hello chowhound! I'm a newbie here but have been lurking and cooking for awhile. I recently turned 20 and I cook dinner for company 2-3 nights per week. During the school week I keep meals simple b...

by danhole 12 years ago

What is the standard, wherever you are, after a death in the family? Does someone bring food to your home, for the family, or is food provided after the service (as in funeral/memorial/burial)? I a...