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)
CommentAuthorJoanna
I don't know how much help I'll be but I'll try!
I don't think the coq au vin needs to be changed as there's plenty of other options if you don't like it. If you don't mind paying extra for salmon, I think the salmon would be a very popular option. I can't think what to swap the casserole for. You have all options covered already - chicken, beef, fish, vegetarian. Maybe some sort of pasta dish? I can't help with the starter because the goats cheese tart sounds perfect to me! :)
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CommentAuthorBobsi
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
Got together June 11th 2006
Getting married June 11th 2014
8 years to the day and I'll be Mrs T.
CommentAuthorJoanna
For the other main option, maybe a risotto?
The greatest thing you'll ever learn
is just to love and be loved in return
<3
CommentAuthorsarah
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.
Thanks guys; that's what I thought, my mum said we could speak to them and see what they want, but I think it starts getting complicated then.
I know zilch about vegetarian food though; I had considered risotto, but, it can be quite rich, and it's kind of similar to lasagne in that sense; anyone have any ideas? What vegetarian options are you having?
CommentAuthorBobsi
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
Got together June 11th 2006
Getting married June 11th 2014
8 years to the day and I'll be Mrs T.
CommentAuthorbarbie86
One is pescatarian, the other vegetarian; but the pescatarian is really fussy about fish and rarely chooses it >-(
Hadn't thought of a curry, I could ask the venue; my concern with that would be that they don't do curries and it might not be that great.
God, I wish everyone coming ate meat! ;-)
CommentAuthorKimD7
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
CommentAuthorBobsi
It should be easy for a good chef to whip up a curry most ingredients are in a kitchen anyway. Maybe a stir fry?
Xx
Got together June 11th 2006
Getting married June 11th 2014
8 years to the day and I'll be Mrs T.
CommentAuthorLauraJo87
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
My Beating Heart Belongs To You
30 August 2013
The First Day Of My Happily Ever After
CommentAuthorLinzi-jo
chorizo is a spicy spanish sausage so would be no good for vegetarians, my personal favourite veggie dishes are grilled stuffed peppers (normally with a mozarella and rice) and vegetable tarts as these can be very tasty if cooked well, for the starter what about a prawn cocktail, or roasted tomato and feta salad? xxx
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CommentAuthor*KelBel*
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
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CommentAuthorbarbie86
Thanks for your help guys!
We've decided to leave the coq au vin as is after reading the replies on here, and have also decided to speak to the vegetarian and pescatarian and find out if they're happy with the options, and, if not, what sort of things they would like.
I've also emailed the venue to find out what meat alternatives we can offer instead of the butterbean and chorizo stew (if any), as now that we're catering specifically for the vegetarians we don't really need two veggie options, and have also asked if we can swap the mullet for salmon (I'm guessing that this will incur a surcharge for those who order it, but that's fine as I don't think huge numbers will have it).
Will update you when we hear back, and thanks again for all your advice!
