What's the best starter for a big party out of these 4 choices?

[TuttiFrutti]

The choice is:
salmon gravlax with beetroot creme
asparagus, buratta mozzarella and herb veloute sauce
prawn cocktail with vodka Marie Rose sauce
warm goat's cheese tart with walnut salad

This is for my 50th. We will have about 70 people and the hotel has given us these 4 options. We have to choose just one. What would you go for?

I'm edging towards the goat's cheese tart but my dh says it's got to be the prawn cocktail.

Do you have vegetarians to cater for, or is that a separate option?

I find quite a lot of people don't like goats cheese. Prawn cocktail may be a bit too retro - I'd only do it if you are confident it will be very good and not just feel old fashioned.

So I'd go for salmon or asparagus. Asparagus if you have veggies and would like everyone to have the same (it's easier, and I think it is nice if everyone has the same). If not then probably salmon as most will probably think it is a bit more special.

Goats cheese is a bit like marmite and I wouldn't personally choose it for that reason although I love it I would be too worried about everyone else. I think I would go with the salmon.

I find it hard to give a definitive answer without knowing what main and pudding are but I would choose either the prawn or the goat cheese tart
Not the tart if pudding is also a tart but otherwise I would go for that with the prawns a closesecond

Sounds yum. I love all of them but a lot of people are funny about prawns. If it was a menu in a restaurant I'd choose the asparagus and then have a fish or meat main.

Asparagus would be my choice too.

I like the sound of all of them. I'd go for prawns, and given it's a 50th, it's perfectly appropriate to be retro. BUT, not everyone likes prawns.

Still, you can't please everyone and since it's your birthday, I think you should pick the one you most like!

I love all 4 but I have a few friends who aren't fussy eaters but despise goats cheese (crazy!) and also people can be squeamish about prawns and salmon. I'd definitely go with the asparagus and burrata as no one can moan about that

We will have a few vegetarians, but they will have a separate menu - although no need for that if we go for a veggie starter, and I take your point Irregular that it's nicer if everyone is eating the same (for at least one of the courses).

I hadn't thought about people not liking goat's cheese (I love it myself) but actually I think that's right.

Main course will be a beef casserole with dauphinoise potatoes (separate option obviously for vegetarians). Pudding not chosen yet but probably pannacotta with fruit or Eton mess.

I'd happily eat any, but I think asparagus is the safest choice for a crowd.

Ooh go for Eton mess. Definite crowd pleaser and it's so yummy

They all sound nice but I think the asparagus would be the best choice

I'd eat all four but they're all a bit risky - lots of people don't like fish, or goats cheese, or asparagus.

Isn't there a safer option?

If the asparagus is British in reason I'd go for that, otherwise the smoked salmon. I bow to no man in my love of a prawn cocktail but it may not feel special enough for a big occasion.

Goat's cheese tart I'd happily eat and enjoy but lots of people may feel they're getting fobbed off with a veggie starter.

I'd eat them all though!

I'd go asparagus. I've got a fair amount of experience in feeding large groups and would say fish and seafood are things that a lot of people won't eat.
Agree with others re goats cheese being love or hate, there's not much I couldn't eat out of politeness but I would really struggle with goats cheese.

I don't like any of them!

Yes - I'd choose asparagus if it is June, it's the only time it is really good.

But what time of year is the do because beef casserole would be weird in June?

The prawn goes better with the beef casserole.

Similarly, I'd only choose strawberries (therefore Eton mess) in Jun/Jul. But again, doesn't seem right with casserole/dauphinoise.

I'd eat any of those but agree that asparagus is the safest bet, provided it's in season. I'd prefer Eton Mess to panacotta for pudding, but would eat either, dauphinoise potatoes are the only thing I wouldn't eat.