Close Out the Year with a Bang with These Festive New Year’s Eve Party Menu Ideas
“Should auld acquaintance be forgot, And never brought to mind? Should auld acquaintance be forgot, And auld lang syne.”
Those are the beginning lyrics to Robert Burns’ “Auld Lang Syne,” a song most commonly sung when the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve, and the calendar flips to a new year. New Year’s Eve get-togethers are notoriously festive, and sometimes extravagant and luxurious occasions, yet low key and casual are definitely good options too
However you intend to celebrate this year, one thing’s for certain: If you’re hosting a party, you want to present a New Year’s Eve party menu that your guests will never forget. The best way to do that is to hire a fine NY caterer that will be able to elevate the food and drinks to a different level, and provide your guests with a truly remarkable experience.
Here are some unique dishes and unique ways that you can make your New Year’s Eve party menu unlike any other this year.
Serve Small Bites
Tapas are all the rage at parties no matter what the occasion. Offering a variety of small bites throughout the night will accomplish a few things. First, it will allow your NY caterer to present a wide selection of dishes that could satiate anyone’s appetite. Second, it will allow you to keep your guests satisfied throughout what is sure to be a long night.
New Year’s Eve parties are often longer than most other get-togethers. Guests begin arriving around a traditional dinner time of 5:00 or 6:00, and most stay at least until the ball drops at midnight. Some of your guests will even stay well into the New Year as they burn the midnight oil, as they say.
Because of this, you’ll want to make sure that you not only have enough food to last the night, but that you are able to provide a variety of foods so your guests aren’t simply eating the same thing over and over again throughout the evening. That’s a main reason why small bites can be so effective as a way to present your New Year’s Eve party menu.
In addition, New Year’s Eve parties are often formal affairs that include mingling, dancing and sometimes games. Small bites allow your guests to enjoy food when they want, where they want at your party — without the fear of dropping a big plate of messy food on their nice clothes.
Use Elegant Ingredients
As New Year’s Eve is the last party of the year, it’s a great event to take to the next level. One way to do this is to have your New Year’s Eve caterer use elegant ingredients and elevate some more common dishes.
Elegant ingredients that fit the bill here would be scallops and lobster, prosciutto, steak and champagne. Scallops wrapped in bacon are always a hit, as are chilled lobster claw pieces or lobster puffs. Prosciutto is great for wrapping around olives or melon. Steak can be served in mini bites, shaved thin on sliders or even served raw as a tartare dish. Champagne can be served as part of unique drinks or even as part of an elegant sauce.
A fun way to give your New Year’s Eve party menu a lift is to elevate more common dishes and ingredients to another level. A simple Caesar salad can be transformed into bit-sized cups of wedges. Grape tomatoes can be halved and filled with cheese. Buffalo wings can be smoked instead of fried, and new flavor combinations can be created for both the wing itself and the dipping sauce it’s paired with.
Crafting creative NYE party menu items can be a fun endeavor and will ultimately keep your guests talking long after the party is over.
Do Your Guests a Favor
Want a unique way to keep a smile on your guests’ faces after they leave your party? Give them a unique and scrumptious party favor that your New Year’s Eve caterer can prepare.
Simple party favor ideas could include homemade “fortune cookies” with a personalized well-wishing message inside. Another idea would be to create unique flavor combinations for popcorn and put them in a themed to-go bag. You could even have homemade chocolates or mini cakes wrapped up perfectly in customized paper.
Your guests will most likely not be expecting a favor when they leave your New Year’s Eve party, which is the reason why it works so well.
Choose a NYE Caterer That Can Cater to Your Needs, Too
New Year’s Eve is your last chance to throw a truly impressive bash. By creating a unique menu with luxurious ingredients and elevated food, your guests will be glad they came to your place to celebrate the final moments of the year.
Choosing the right NY catering company that knows how to throw a truly unique and remarkable New Year’s Eve party is so important. Paul Evans Catering, a premier New York caterer serving Manhattan to Montauk, can help you do just that.
Paul Evans Catering has locations in Long Island, The Hamptons and Manhattan, and can help you choose among endless menu options to help you curate the perfect items for your NYE party menu. Visit their website or call Paul Evans Catering today to plan the perfect Hamptons party. Long Island (516) 889-4101, Hamptons (631) 288-5992, Manhattan (212) 321-1822.
