Not in the right forum but tips please -WWYD?

[atosilis]

I'm going to see a male friend who I have known for 10 years on and off. Haven't seen him for a year and I said I would bring lunch so he doesn't have to cook. I'm not travelling with a hot box of curry so thought a salad including fish (salad nicoise sort of thing) and an additional bottle of bubbly. I don't want to look 'meals on wheels' but just want to bring something we can talk over. How do you look all cool with plate of food in your hand?

Not sure what you mean. Are you asking how you could transport it?
I would take the raw ingredients in a normal bag and put it together at his house rather than carrying a plate of food.

Pack a nice picnic hamper (but for inside) full of goodies?
Or are you using train/bus as opposed to a car - which would make lugging a hamper a bit difficult?
I always think proper picnic hampers are lovely. But then I'm always wishing I lived in a novel!

Is it relevant that it's a male friend and why is him cooking for a friend who is kind enough to visit him a bother?

No, no, no, no, no regarding transport......

I would like to turn up looking like something out of, ooooh, I don't know, Desperate Housewives, all smart with lush food.

Smart dress, macaroni cheese -NO

Smart dress - smart food. That's what I'm asking about

Delete the Desperate Housewives bit but I don't want to turn up looking like meals on wheels

Well then - a proper picnic hamper with lovely things like pate, cold meats, salad, cheese, crackers, wine, strawberries etc. etc.
With linen napkins and crystal glasses.

Yellow submarine - he is always abroad, his kitchen contains a jar of coffee, he is a freelance international reporter. If I wait for an invite WITH food, I will wait years

Don't do anything fishy unless you have good tupperware, GREAT tupperware can be cool. I'd turn up with raw ingredients, posh picnic nibbly food... but nothing too complex. Certainly nothing sloppy of fishy.

So olives, crudities, M+S nibbles, dips, fresh bread, cheeses, nice meats and anti-pasti etc, I guess it depends what kind of man he is... but with the above ingredients you can nibble like a lady or build a monster manly sandwich!

Salmotrutta, yes, that's it, and what we don't eat he can put in his backpack for the next trip! Thanks

Thanks aldiwhore too, getting the picture here

He's not really a freelance international reporter. That's just his cover story. He's a a spy (or a hired gun).

I'm just 'cos it all sounds jet-setting and exciting.

He really is, it's a bit 'One Day' with us, we meet every now and then when we can

If you are desperate and not sure about him: open smoked salmon triangles; caviar, sour cream and blinis; if you can get them really good patisserie raspberry tarts - if not fresh raspberries; and lashings of champagne and he will stay in your dreams - a couple of BLT's and a £7.00 bottle of wine will be OK, won't make you look desperate and if he's not interested you will enough cash left to cheer yourself up. If you think he's desperate for you and you feel the same, I'd take a few cans and order a pizza!

marriedinwhite

He's an old mate but I don't want him to see me for the first time in a year looking less than SMOKING. Love the blinis and raspberry tarts idea. Getting great ideas for my trip to M&S on Saturday.

Chloroform quiche?

You know it's been a good day on mn when there's been stationery porn and meals on wheels picnic porn on the same day.

Late on the marketing there - whole new market about to appear - PICNIC PORN. Jeez, dragons den here we come

Fish and chips and champagne. Never fails. Seriously, NEVER FAILS.

If he jets all over the world, I suggest you can hasten the inevitable by going with "lifechanger"'s suggestion of a fabulous home cooked dish that will taste better after being allowed to cool and then reheated.

A home-made carrot and coriander soup would be the perfect starter for your salad nicoise, or a delicious home-baked pie (chicken, ham, & mushroom?) that can be warmed through and served with the last of the seaon's small new potatoes cooked in their skins and maybe some runner beans?

A bought dessert will suffice - the seductive combination of dark chocolate and raspberries goes wonderfully with a crisp Pinot Grigio or a cava.

Give the man a taste of what he's been missing and what he could enjoy on a regular basis with you..... and don't forget to come back with an update after your repast.

I questioned family on the matter.

DS age 23- Macaroni and cheese with a face made of deviled eggs, cocktail weenies and beer.
Ds's GF, 23 - (Outraged stance) She does not need to impress him with food, the days of getting to a man through his stomach are gone! Impress him with her brains.

DH -Something homemade, desert and wine.

I agree with the lifechanger and izzywhizzyletsgetbusy . Make something special, like you would if he were to come to your home for lunch. You can call him up and ask what his favorites are if you don't know. I send my fil dinners for one in glass casserole dishes that have tight fitting lids, that he can warm in the oven. Carry it in either a thermal food tote or a real picnic basket, you didn't mention if you are taking public transport or driving, but either of those could go on the train. The only worry I would have (me being about as graceful as a bull in a china shop) would be wearing high heels if going by public transport. But you could wear something for traveling and switch into the heels just before you arrive at your stop.
Let us know what you decide to bring.

Beer for drinking, not the face. I missed the comma after weenies.