Help: Food options and RSVP cards

[wembley]

We finally have started talking about food options for our reception. The caterer has a list of suggested options but they said they could make almost anything we wanted. That's a big list of options and it's been challenging.

There were two options listed that we liked the best. One is Chicken Milano. It's marinated charbroiled chicken quarter with herb sauce julienne marinated chicken breast, sun dried tomatoes and mushrooms, tossed with roasted garlic cream sauce and penne. Or the pan searce altantic salmon with balsamic orange glaze excited FH. We've been going back and forth and we're thinking a sit down meal with a couple of options will probably end up our plan.

The thing is we need a vegetarian option as well. We have a few, including two in our wedding party, that are vegetarians and so they should have something to eat too. I don't know what to pick though. I sent a message to the caterer asking if they had suggestions for a good veggie option and they said they have thousands of recipes and can do anything. That didn't help me! Anyone have any good suggestions?

Also, if we do it with the choices, how would I put it nicely on the RSVP card? People will have to pick but I don’t want to be tacky either. Oh, and do I write Chicken Milano even though I would have no idea what that meant or do I write Chicken and Penne or what should I list on the card?

[wembley]

Oh, and the Chicken and Fish would include seasonal vegetables, potatoes or rice, dinner roll and choice of either house, caeser, spinach or mixed field green salad as they have it listed. I'm sure if I wanted something else I could ask for it though.

[breezy]

I think I would write chicken and penne.
Would it simplify things to offer the penne without the chicken to the vegetarians???

I have seen RSVP card that have the blanks for attending and how many. They also do this with the mean choices... give the choices and then have a blank for the # that desire that meal.

I personally don't think it is tacky, but it is not a focal point *for me*. I am sure the girls will have some ideas

[ljeagle]

I think the meal sounds great. If you want it to be formal then I would put altantic salmon and Chicken Milano. If you don't think people will know what it is then you might want to put what it is under each one of them explain them. I wouldn't no what Chicken Milano was but then I don't like salmon so I would choose chicken milano.

[cru5h]

You could offer a simplified, yet upscale sounding, name (ask the caterer) of each dish. And I wouldn't say anything about the vegetarian offer, I'd just make it as Choice 3. It may sound so good to someone who likes veggie dishes in addition to meat.

Veggie suggestion: Eggplant parmigiana? Or something more exotic? Ask the caterer for ideas s/he can work with using certain ingredients so it narrows the list down.

[Marrying_the_Good_Husband]

Originally Posted by cru5h

YAnd I wouldn't say anything about the vegetarian offer, I'd just make it as Choice 3. It may sound so good to someone who likes veggie dishes in addition to meat.

Man, I can't think straight when my blood sugar is low (eating now--will hopefully have a functioing brain shortly!). Do you mean, not to specify but just put vegetarian? I think it's a good idea to offer a specific dish--it's ok for nonvegetarians to choose it, too. I suggest asking the caterer what they do with tofu. Because I think it just seems like an oversight for the poor vegetarians if they just get the chicken dish without the chicken or just random side-dish vegetables or something. It would be nice if they could have a substantial meal of their own. Eggplant parmegian might not work if some of your friends are vegan (no cheese).

[cru5h]

I mean not to specify that there's a vegetarian option, just to put it on the card as a third option with all the others.

[Marge129]

On my RSVP, we simply put at the bottom:
___# of Chicken
___# of Beef
___# of Cheese Manicotti (our veggie option)

[wembley]

I agree, not to list Chicken, Fish, or Vegetarian but List Chicken, Fish, or Whatever food we pick.

I don't know that we have any vegans but I guess I can only say that for sure for the people on my side.

I've never had eggplant. It's always been one of those foods that sounds interesting but I haven't had the occasion to eat it and I haven't gone out of my way to try.

[cru5h]

I've never had it prepared really nicely. But it was pretty good the way I had it. Maybe you could get suggestions from the people you know who are vegs to see their favorites.

[Complicated Woman]

I like Margies option. I agree that simplest is best and that you should specify what the vegetarian dish is.