We were all fascinated by the swank dinner party on a budget from the Times last weekend, and it also generated quite a bit of discussion yesterday. The general consensus was that the table was gorgeous and magical -- a setting for a special dinner that went far beyond our usual small arrangements of flowers and candles. It was breathtaking. But the food -- well, it didn't overwhelm us the way the once-a-year-special, magical realist table setting did.
So we went shopping. Virtually, via Fresh Direct and Trader Joe's, to see what kind of dinner party we could throw for eight people on a $100 budget.
This isn't your average twice-monthly dinner party, remember; any of us could feed eight people very well for half that amount. This is a holiday party, one with glittered snowflakes suspended above the table, and soft glowing lights in birch bark and cotton wool. It's a winter wonderland -- something special and one of a kind -- with food to match and a bit bigger budget to really impress.
What kind of food would go along with this setting? Food that would wow your guests as much as the decorations, yet still have the nostalgic, almost retro feel of the winter wonderland theme? We did love David Monn's quote about the food: “People love the permission to be comfortable." Comfort food is always a big theme during tough economic times, and we don't want to forget that with this dinner party. But the food still could stand to be a little more special than potatoes and storebought cake (not to mention well-matched to the decor).
Also, don't forget that food costs more than you think. We cook several times a month for a large group of people, and even though we do it for less than $100, when you're throwing a party with wine and dessert your costs can mount very fast. We're also not assuming that the virtual cook we're designing for has anything in her cupboards. We'll allow salt, pepper, flour and olive oil - but other than that we're budgeting for all the ingredients.
And finally, this budget breaks down to $12.50 a person, which would barely get you a burrito and beer at Chipotle. Even the original article's $30/head budget for food and decorations is very low for a swank restaurant; you couldn't get a three-course, five-hour meal with wine at a good restaurant for that amount. (Try $130 -- at least.)
So, with all that in mind, we set out to create a special, once-a-year meal to match the lovely decor in that piece. Here's our first try. What would you do?
Wines and cheeses from Trader Joe's, and everything else from Fresh Direct.
Winter Wonderland Menu for Eight
The Budget: $100
Starter: Soft goat cheese on crackers with sliced pickled beets
• Carr's Cracked Pepper Thins - $2.79
• Soft chevre, 4-6 ounces - $3.99
• Pickled beets - $5
Starter Total: $12
Soup: Creamy mushroom soup plus Bread
• Unsalted butter - $3.49
• 1 large white onion - $.99
• 2 heads garlic - $1.50
• 1 package fresh rosemary - $1.49
• 16 ounces white mushrooms - $3.60
• 5 cups chicken or vegetable stock - $3.59
• Two baguettes - $4.60
Bread and Soup Total: $18
Main Course: Rosemary-garlic pork tenderloin with fig-port cranberry sauce and Parmesan-roasted cauliflower
• Pork tenderloins, 2 pounds - $16
• Garlic (already purchased)
• Rosemary (already purchased for soup; will be used in pork and cranberry sauce.)
• Dried figs - $4.99
• Cranberries - $2.99
• Tawny port - $7
• Sugar - $1.79
• Balsamic vinegar - $2.99
• Cauliflower, 2 heads - $6
• Parmesan - $4.50
Main Course Total: $46
Dessert: Dark chocolate cake with red wine sauce
• Dark chocolate - $3.49 at TJ's
• Eggs, half dozen - $1.99
• Sugar (already purchased for cranberry sauce)
• Butter (already purchased for soup)
• Charles Shaw Cabernet Sauvignon, $3 at Trader Joe's
Dessert Total: $8.50
Wines
• Starters: Barefoot Bubbly from Trader Joe's. $5/bottle. You should only need one bottle.
• Dinner: Santa Rita 120 Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, two bottles. Last time we looked, this was $5 at Trader Joe's, and it is Mary's top pick for a budget red wine. Open the bottle and let the wine breathe for a couple hours before your party; it makes a real difference in this wine.
• Dessert wine: Small glasses of that tawny port (already purchased for sauce).
Wine Total: $15
Total Meal Cost: $99.49
We did leave out the Fresh Direct delivery cost, since this is an extra that most of us won't need to pay. Also, we think that most of these food costs are high, and if you did all the shopping at Trader Joe's or some at your farmer's market the cost of this meal could actually come in much lower.
Recipes
Here are the recipes referenced, with any cost-cutting changes noted.
• Goat cheese with pickled beets on crackers: Just smear the pepper thins with softened goat cheese and add a slice of pickled beet.
• Creamy mushroom soup: Leave the wild mushrooms and white wine out of our mushroom soup (they're too costly) and puree it after it's simmered for a creamy, rich mushroom soup. It feels indulgent but is actually quite light.
• Rosemary-garlic pork tenderloin: An easy dish. Use this recipe from Epicurious and ditch the prune sauce.
• Cranberry sauce with port and dried figs: Serve the pork with this sauce instead, slightly warmed. We had this with Thanksgiving dinner and it was mindblowingly good.
• Roasted cauliflower with Parmesan: We love this recipe from Elise. Roast while the pork is resting.
• Chocolate cake: This melt-in-your-mouth chocolate cake can be made a day ahead.
• Red wine syrup: Also can be made a day ahead, but warm before serving. Simmer a bottle of red wine with sugar and any spices you have around (cinnamon, cloves, maybe an orange peel) - although spices aren't entirely necessary.
OK, that's our menu! Does anyone else want to have a try? What would you serve for dinner in Joanna and Alex's charming little apartment, transformed into an amazing winter wonderland, and can you make a special holiday dinner for eight, with wine, come in under $100?
this was really great. not sure about just having a potato and soup for dinner, though. This concept would be great applied to say a wedding reception done on the cheap...
view wwoolsey's profile
I am not impressed with Mr. Monn at all, but I am crazy impressed with y'all's menu. Except for the wine sauce on the cake - I would have gone with an orange sauce, I think. And I think I might have gone with something ginger-y on top of the chevre, like a dab of ginger preserve. But the pickled beet slice would certainly look beautiful and holiday-ish.
I would have just used a shitload of tea lights (scented cheap ones from KMart), and a white sheet for a tablecloth, and maybe some glitter sprinkled on the sheet. Same effect could be done with aluminum foil and candles, one length rolled straight down the middle on top of the sheet; plus, you can just roll up the foil and throw it away.
You could put foil on the mantle with cheap holiday lights and greens.
I think Mr. Monn is waaaaaayyyyy overpaid. I'd like to see what my clever daughter could do with $25.00 to decorate a tiny apartment.
view dksbook's profile
When I read the article I thought their budget was $30/head.
Potatoes for dinner is a bit frumpy, but a 4 oz portion of meat while entertaining also feels a bit meager. A beautifully made gratin and a salad might have worked. Is half-and-half more expensive that shiitakes?
No excuse for that Sandra Lee-style dessert. It was missing some corn-nuts and popcorn, though.
view renata's profile
The budget was $30/head for everything - decorations included. When they got to the groceries they had $100 left to spend.
view faith's profile
I absolutely LOVE that you did this!
I always overspend when we have dinner but I suspect I could do this for $100.
I would most likely make the mustard pork loin recipe from Sunday Suppers at Lucques and serve with roasted red potatoes and grilled beans with almonds.
I have found that the easiest (and cheapest) dessert is to buy a box of chocolate cake mix and make a two-tiered cake with fresh whipped cream layered with whatever fruit is in season.
I'd likely start with a cheese or a dip (hummus, BG) and crackers/pita/sliced carrots.
For wine, Forestville chard is my cheap pick for white (3 bucks a bottle) and I'd leave it to my guests to bring red.
view kari-anne's profile
Maybe I'm just being stubborn, but what on *earth* did they spend $140 on for decorations? Did they buy the stemware (which I adore, btw!) and place settings? That would justify the expense. But, if not, $140 for decorations (that involve quilt batting, some candles, and some cut out snowflakes) seems so terribly expensive...
Your menu, by the way, looks absolutely superb! I think I'm going to have to steal a bit of this for my upcoming holiday dinner party (which will, alas, lack the snowflakes hanging from the ceiling!).
view laetitiae's profile
you're not being stubborn, laetitiae - the article was absurd. the main absurdity was spending 2/3 of the budget of a dinner party on cheap crap from kmart (quilt batting is synthetic and if your hand brushes against it, it feels like sand paper. festive!) instead of on good food. and who considers $320 for dinner for 8 to be a *recession budget* ?? as stated above, most of us could prepare a festive feast for much less. absurd. bah on the ny times.
view civita's profile
dks i love the idea of using tin foil as a runner! I am unsure if you were kidding or serious but I think it would be an awesome idea with candles glittering over the foil! That idea really could go for several occasions and it feels better then batting!! But on a cost note I had 20 people at my home for a week last week and I think I spent less then 320 total for 4 breakfasts and 3 dinners and lunches as well!
luv2cook
view luv2cook's profile
I think - just for the record (I should probably add this to the post) that the original budget amount in the article was $240. ($30/head times 8 people.)
After they spent $140 on decorations, there was $100 left for food.
view faith's profile
oops, *sorry* to introduce the totally incorrect amount of $320 (i've no idea where i got that from...late night brain fog i guess).
it was indeed $240 - and i still say a bigger portion of that should have been spent on food.
view civita's profile
One thing I don't understand about fancy parties (maybe because I always throw, or attend, casual friendly get-togethers) is the need for decorations.
I know it's christmas time and people usually have a stash of decorations for the season, but going out of your way to buy decor for a specific party seems very luxurious to me and very unnecessary. What are you supposed to do with these things once the party is over?? Do you keep all your paper snowflakes and cheap dollar store candle holders? I can't see the reason to store these cheap things when next year you're going to want the NEW trend in holiday decorating anyways.
My plan is to only have what I need and make the decorations flexible. The seasonal touches (snowflakes and whatnot) can be made easily and for free.
It's the idea of having a set of festive dishes, glassware, etc for ONLY these occasions that just feels excessive.
view revolution9's profile
where did you get those lovely wine glasses by the way?
view lindsz's profile
That allowance for wine would totally not work for my friends.
view Erika in Seattle's profile
Yes, thank you for posting a much better menu for under $100! I threw a little vegetarian dinner party for 5 a few months ago-- made pumpkin raviolis with a sage/butter/white wine reduction (using canned pumpkin, fresh herbs and wonton wrappers), beet mashed potatoes, swiss chard, a squash/gruyere dip (ok, the gruyere made my bill add up a bit), and simple dried fruit, yogurt raisins and nuts for dessert. Those dishes weren't crazy expensive, and not too much trouble to prepare.
I agree with revolution9's suggestion that many of us save certain simple decorations year-to-year. You can always use a white tablecloth or white Christmas lights. And then of course, it's easy to make simple decor and placesettings with cheap flowers, a little glitter, construction paper and tea lights.
view meganificent's profile
You dinner looks lovely, and I couldn't agree more that $100 is more than plently for a party of this size. My big qualm is this: why would you blow $140 on decorations that you wouldn't use again? These decorations are designed to be tossed after said party. Why not choose items that could be reused, thus reducing the "decor budget" (ha!) for the next party? Invest in some silver or beaded chargers, a beautiful vintage table cloth, glass candle holders, etc. And check Enderby Nest for some fabulous green table setting ideas. ($140 on disposable decorations. Who are these people?)
view ayme's profile
I love the wine glasses too... Crate and Barrel has something similar but with slightly sharper edges... take a look:
http://www.crateandbarrel.com/family.aspx?c=130&f=6633
view burrda2000's profile
Gosh, I could feed 12 for well under $100 with my Chicken Marbella recipe over rice, a salad of radicchio and arugula with mandarin wedges and goat cheese, some roasted pumpkin or eggplant, and apple crisp for dessert! Chicken Marbella is a miracle recipe! Flawless and easy!
view alexarc's profile