XP: Rehearsal dinner idea.

Rose March

Well it's not really a rehearsal dinner since there's no rehearsal and a only FI, myself and a BM & MOH as a wedding party but we would like to have a more relaxed get to know everyone dinner for our immediate family, most closest friends and OOT guests especially since it looks like the wedding itself is going to be less intimate than we had originally planned. I really like the idea of a more interactive meal rather than just an entree placed in font of you. So there is this amazing Greek restaurant that has a fun family like atmosphere. Nothing fancy: checked tablecloths, paper placemat, pitchers of soda. Every time we go there's always several big groups just having a blast. The staff treats everyone like family plus the food is spectacular. 

We where thinking of doing a Family Style dinner for about 25-30, so on table wold be different platters of foods to be passed and shared.

I was thinking along the lines of a make your own pita sandwiches

Greek Salad (side)

Dolmades - stuffed grape leaves (appetizer) 

Dips & spreads: Hummus - chickpea, Tzatziki - yogurt an cucumber, Melintsanosalata - eggplant, Skordalia - potato and garlic (appetizer and accompaniment)

Assorted Souvklaki: Grilled Lamb, chicken, beef, pork and swordfish skewers (main)

Grilled vegetables (main and side) 

Falafels - fried chickpea fritters (main)

Pitas, Olives, Feta Cheese, Red Onions, Tomatoes, Lettce, Cucumbers(accompaniment)

Or I could make it more entree based.

Tropita - cheese & filo triangles (appetizer)

Spanakopita - spinach & filo triangles (appetizer)

Olives (appetizer)

Dolmades - stuffed grape leaves (appetizer)

Falafels - fried chickpea fritters (appetizer)

Dips & spreads with pitas: Hummus - chickpea, Tzatziki - yogurt an cucumber, Melintsanosalata - eggplant, Skordalia - potato and garlic (appetizer)

Assorted Souvklaki: Grilled Lamb, chicken, beef, pork and swordfish skewers (main)

(main)

Moussaka - Eggplant and potato, chopped meat with cream sauce (main)

Pastichio - Eggplant and potato, chopped meat with cream sauce (main)

Vegetarian Moussaka/pastichio (main)

Rice pilaf (side)

Grilled vegetables (side)

Greek Salad (side)

Kids could choose chicken fingers and french fries or a pita pizza instead if they want.

Beer, Wine, Ouzo, soda, tea & coffee to drink

Assorted greek pastries & desserts

RebeccaB88

OMG, that all sounds awesome. I personally lean towards #1, but I'd be totally happy with either one.

secondtimemob

Please invite me!  I love Greek food!

MrsGandthebeag

I like the first option better.  But, honestly when you said an "interactive meal" this is not what I envisioned.  For our rehersal dinner we ate at a Japanese steak house where everyone sits around the big grill and they cook all the food in front of you.  This is more interactive I think.  

hoffse

I love greek food, but PP is right that it's sort of a love-it-or-hate-it thing.  The stuff I love, I really love - the stuff I don't like I pretty much hate.  So I think the build-your-own thing is a good option so that people can dig in to what they like and avoid the stuff they don't.  My biggest annoyance with Greek in general is that it's hard to find a place that will let you just pick and choose which ingredients you want.  I'd say go for it, and if you give your guests advanced notice that it's a Greek restaurant (maybe on the invitations or something) then people who can't eat it will avoid that event.  I would bet that most show.