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Original poster

Is this enough food? Or do people expect a cooked dinner

137 replies

Erter · 22/03/2025 20:03

I’m trying to figure out my birthday, any input would be greatly appreciated.

We’re going out for a posh lunch, musical (matineee) and then back to mine for games and cocktails.

Im going to get dh to put us out a charcuterie board (cheese, olives, pickles, fresh bread, chutneys, grapes, cured meat, pears, crackers), some sweet treats, crisps and dip, fruit and a few samosa, spring rolls, sausage rolls etc. This will probably be eaten at 7-7:30.

Bear in mind we will be drinking and going to bed very late. Do you reckon I will have to budget for a late night Chinese/Indian/Pizza.

Or the picky bits is fine?

OP posts:
Pickleton1992 · 22/03/2025 21:26

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NeverDropYourMooncup · 22/03/2025 21:25

That's ideal stage setting for a midnight Dominos - hotdog stuffed crusts, garlic bread, wings, the whole caboodle.

Pickleton1992 · 22/03/2025 21:24

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Riversof0tter5 · 22/03/2025 21:24

What kind of games? Board games? Guessing games? Charades? BDSM? Will there be dancing?

If people have been sitting hunched over the Battleships sets that's very different from if you've had an energetic session of lindy hop or flagellation.

Eldermilleniallyogii · 22/03/2025 21:24

After a three course lunch I think it will be fine

Drivingmissrangey · 22/03/2025 21:24

Jazzjazzyjulez · 22/03/2025 20:30

I’d definitely be hungry at 7pm if I hadn’t eaten from lunch. Do most people have lunch them only a snack?

if I’m honest I’d much prefer a take away than picky bits especially if it was scrambled egg 😂

Do you usually have a 3 course lunch then a full meal in the evening?

If so it’s no wonder this country has such a weight issue.

Crumpleton · 22/03/2025 21:23

Only thing I'd add is a few crackers to go with the cheese and maybe a pate for the bread.

But with a decent lunch what you're setting out sounds lovely..

FluffyGreat · 22/03/2025 21:20

I curse the person who first coined the phrase “picky bits” it’s on par with lush and hun.

😫

Drivingmissrangey · 22/03/2025 21:19

When ever I have hosted after a big lunch out we’ve been left with masses of leftovers. What you have suggested is absolutely fine unless your guests are complete fat bastards.

Riversof0tter5 · 22/03/2025 21:15

I mean you could buy a few marinated chickens from somewhere and put one or two in the oven every 90 minutes starting from about 8.30pm...

Or have gigantic bowls of buttery popcorn and corn on the cob at 11pm...

I'm not suggesting a fondue, or anchovy paste sandwiches.

lavenderlou · 22/03/2025 21:15

I think it sounds plenty if you've eaten a 3-course meal earlier in the day. You wouldn't have Chinese for lunch then go out for a three course dinner, so it probably wouldn't be necessary the other way round.

TooFancyNancy · 22/03/2025 21:14

Just to reiterate please don’t offer/feed me scrambled eggs in the evening if we’ve been drinking
I think a couple of frozen pizzas added to your list OP would help bulk it out, or some French baguettes to make sandwiches

CaptainFuture · 22/03/2025 21:13

CraicBird · 22/03/2025 20:25

Ah yes, scrambled eggs- the preferred snack of the reveling masses.

That’s why scrambled egg shops can be found on every corner and open late on Friday and Saturday nights. Or, you can order online via JustEggs.

Show quote history

Had just managed to feed baby to sleep, then my snort at this woke them...best get order in to Just Eggs... wonder if they'd do a poached one for me!

Regretsmorethanafew · 22/03/2025 21:12

Jazzjazzyjulez · 22/03/2025 20:30

I’d definitely be hungry at 7pm if I hadn’t eaten from lunch. Do most people have lunch them only a snack?

if I’m honest I’d much prefer a take away than picky bits especially if it was scrambled egg 😂

A three course lunch means I wouldn't eat a dinner, a few bits to pick at would be more than enough

Hollowvoice · 22/03/2025 21:10

If I've had a 3 course lunch I don't want a proper evening meal so picky bits sounds perfect. I'd definitely go overboard though and make sure there's loads for people who may be hungrier.

dapsnotplimsolls · 22/03/2025 21:09

Have some pizzas in the freezer just in case.

GravyBoatWars · 22/03/2025 21:08

Yes, plan for both nibbles and a full meal - Pizza, indian, lasagnas, pasta bowls, etc. You're going to end up with a bunch of overly drunk people either getting sloppy and sick or leaving to find food otherwise.

If you planned on everyone leaving at 8 or 9 or if you weren't starting early I'd say differently, but it sounds like you expect people to be drinking 9-10 hours or more after their last full meal.

MissedItByThisMuch · 22/03/2025 21:05

A charcuterie board can be quite substantial if it has plenty of meats, cheeses and nice bread as well as crudités and dips. I think it would be perfect for dinner after a big lunch. People can eat as much or as little as they want.

Clearly I’m in the minority based on this thread but I would much prefer to be offered that than awful supermarket pizza.

theriseandfallofFranklinSaint · 22/03/2025 21:05

I wouldn't want a Chinese takeaway if I'd been out for a three course meal and I'm a pig! Snacks bits as you've suggested would be lovely @Erter but sticking a couple of pizzas in too would be even better!

Riversof0tter5 · 22/03/2025 21:03

The real question is how late is late.

Riversof0tter5 · 22/03/2025 21:02

CraicBird · 22/03/2025 20:25

Ah yes, scrambled eggs- the preferred snack of the reveling masses.

That’s why scrambled egg shops can be found on every corner and open late on Friday and Saturday nights. Or, you can order online via JustEggs.

Show quote history

Yes indeed, my revelling masses stay out all night and then have cooked breakfast.

Zandie · 22/03/2025 20:57

A 'real' French onion soup is my go-to for this kind of thing.

I'd go with the charcuterie and cheese board, then serve a cauldron of exquisite French onion soup with extra bread if it's needed. It's nicely convivial, too. Plus you can make it the day before and just warm it up/toast bread etc.

sprigatito · 22/03/2025 20:56

Misorchid · 22/03/2025 20:49

If you are having a three course lunch, surely your picky bits should be enough!
Also it’s your blinking birthday so why should you have any extra bother🙄

Bother? Confused If you don’t want to cater for people, surely you would simply not invite them to your house for a meal.

If lunch is early, and people will be drinking late into the night, then most of them will need something substantial as an evening meal. And if there do happen to be any MN competitive undereaters present, they will have a ball swooning at the sight of all that food they couldn’t possibly “manage”. Everyone wins.

JLou08 · 22/03/2025 20:53

I think it's a good idea. I wouldn't want a hot meal after a 3 course lunch and drinking. Picky bits would be perfect for me.

Pigeon31 · 22/03/2025 20:51

Sounds fine to me -- you're going out for a big lunch.