I love NYE -- the moment of reflection, the eagerness for the new, the declaration of intentions, the pause to celebrate a blank slate. I think hosting a dinner party is the best way to celebrate as restaurants are too expensive, bar lines are too long, and expectations are generally too high. Instead, invite whoever is left in town, dress up sparkly, and feast and party where you know you'll get in.
We invited folks over later -- around 8pm -- and started with cocktails and snacks. We sat for a late dinner then continued to festivities to ring in the New Year. As a fun conversation starter, we made fortune tellers with silver paper, with pop-culture references as the labels (quiet quitting, Jan 6, Be Real -- this was 2022) and questions like: Favorite song of of the year? Favorite trip? Embarrassing story?
Menu:
Apps (served during cocktail hour):
Blistered shishito peppers
Marinated olives
Patatas bravas
Pan con tomate (used a gluten free baguette)
Dinner (served buffet style for seated dinner):
Stewed garbanzos & greens
Smokey meatballs
Championes al ajillo (mushrooms)
Veggie Paella
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