We were originally having our starter and dessert served to the table, and having a buffet main with choices of mini rib-eye steak, pan-fried salmon, chicken cordon bleu, a couple of vegetarian dishes and a variety of sides and salads. I emailed them to find out about having the main course served to the table to, but still with choices for the guests, expecting it to be more, but they can offer choices (though people will have to choose in advance) for the same price as the buffet.

The options they offered are:

Coq au vin
Oven baked fillet of silver mullet
Hereford Angus sirloin steak
Butter bean and chorizo casserole
Spinach, ricotta, and wild mushroom lasagne


I'm happy with the lasagne and the steak, but unsure on the others. I was considering swapping coq au vin for a different chicken dish as I'm worried that it will mainly be fussy eaters who will pick chicken, and that if they're fussy, they might not like sauces or mushrooms. OH is picky and doesn't like mushrooms, and will have the coq au vin, and doesn't see the need to substitute it for something else, but I'm not sure. Was also considering seeing if we can have salmon instead of mullet (might be a surcharge for those who choose it, but we could live with that), and we definitely want to swap the butterbean and chorizo thing.

We're stuck on what to swap the butterbean thing for though. I think we should pick another vegetarian dish as we have two vegetarians coming and a couple of people who like vegetarian food and often choose it over meat, so I thought it would be nice to have another option for those people. OH thinks we should include another meat dish if possible instead, but I think a steak, chicken and fish choice is more than enough.

Thoughts?..

Also, if anyone can suggest a crowd-pleasing starter, it would be much appreciated! We were going to have a goats cheese tart with side salad, but are worried some people won't like it. But, I don't want a salad to start, or soup, so I'm stuck! I'd also ideally like a vegetarian option so that I'm not faffing about offering choices for the starter as well as the main (we're also offering drink choices, so I already have a lot I have to include on invites, and a lot of info I have to collate and feed back to the venue); this was why we went with a goats cheese tart in the first place (we figured those who don't like it can eat the side salad lol)

I think you should stick with coq au vin. Its a lovely dish.
I would provide a second veggi dish as I no some vegetarians who don't like pasta or lasagne etc.

Don't forget you are paying for x amount of people to eat and unless you ask each person individually what they want like an a la carte menu your not going to please everyone. People will be fussy no matter what.

I know some people don't like mushrooms but my fav starter is mushrooms in Stilton sauce on toasted Chiabatta bread. With side salad.
Pâté is a very common starter aswell.
Cauliflower with goats cheese tart

X

I would have another vegetarian item that isn't pasta, as said before a lot of vegetarians don't care for pasta. An upgrade to salmon would be nice.

I haven't fully decided I'm not sure how many vegetarians are coming it might only be 1 so will just ask what they want individually.
Some vegetarians also eat fish. Are those coming to wedding Vegan or Pescetarian?
If they are pescetarian you could and another fish dish.

How about a curry?
X

We have gone for dishes where sauces can be served on the side to try and make it easy...

Lamb with a minted gravy / chicken with bacon and red wine sauce/ sea bass /mushroom wellington with a red pepper sauce

if you only have the one 'non fussy' vegetarian i would maybe ask her what she'd like.

Could they maybe do the chorizo and butter bean casserole with kidney beans or tomatoes or something instead?

It does sound a fantastic menu though, and I think your guests will be happy. XX

I think that bean and chorizo main will be well delish!!! Very tapas like, love it!

What about substituting the goats cheese tart with a three cheese tart which is what I'm having for one of mine, it's not as strange for ppl who haven't had or don't like goats cheese... I personally love it but some friends think it's too much like cottage cheese lol x