Hi all- my fiance and I are planning a sit-down dinner for our wedding reception in late November (the day before Thanksgiving, actually) and are going to offer our guests two options for their entree. My fiance and I are kind of "foodies" and both love lamb and duck, which I think would be perfect to offer as our two options because 1) those aren't things that people usually just make for themselves so they're more of a "treat"/feel more special, 2) from what I understand they are some of the easiest meats to prepare for a large crowd because they stay juicy and don't dry out like chicken and many cuts of beef do, and 3) they seem to fit the general vibe of a late-fall wedding. So I'm really pumped about these options but my fiance is a little concerned that these options will be considered too adventurous for our guests, who admittedly (on his side at least) are not necessarily adventurous eaters. What do y'all think, are these options just too "out there"??
Re: Lamb and Duck for the Reception Dinner?
Add a vegetarian option and you're all set!
I'm probably the most adventurous eater out of my family and friends, but I really only like lamb or duck prepared in certain methods. I've gotten my mother to be a little more adventurous and we were out at a restaurant and she said "I've always felt I should try duck", so she ordered the duck. She ate about a third of it, shrugged her shoulders, and said "The idea of it was better than the reality. I'm glad I tried it once, but once was enough." Then we ended up having to get a second dinner somewhere since she didn't eat all that much of her duck entree.
Have a lamb and/or duck appetizer option to satisfy your foodie nature and mainstream the actual meal or at least one of the options. Being the most adventurous in my group, I probably would say "What the hell, I'd never make lamb or duck on my own" and pick it, but I guarantee I'm the only in my group who would think that way and everyone else would pick the mainstream option (and I might even pick the mainstream option if I liked the sides and the composition of the dish as a whole more) or check out early to grab food elsewhere if lamb and duck were the only options.
I would be so excited and impressed if I were to attend a wedding and these were my options. I would want to order both.
You can't please everyone. We are having a really nice mexican buffet, in Southern California of all places, and are STILL getting questions about it. "Are you sure everyone is going to like chili verde? Maybe you should just serve chicken." Siiiiggghhhh.
But the reception is a thank you to your guests, not a showcase for your hobbies. Sure, you incorporate some personal touches that reflect your personality, but if you KNOW a large subsection of your guest list (his family) wouldn't be comfortable with either of those options, then why would you knowingly alienate them when you're supposed to be thanking them?
I mean, I get it - I love food and am the most adventurous eater in my family. But when I invite them to dinner, I'm not going to put out an Indian buffet knowing that most of them are going to be really uncomfortable with it. I might put an appetizer or two out that is Indian themed and try to slowly introduce it to them (and know in the end I'm going to have a bunch leftover because maybe only half will try a bite to be polite), and then I'm going to make things I know they'll enjoy because they are guests in my home and I want them to be comfortable and enjoy their company.
One thought along those lines - all of my chef friends - including my TV type friends - "Nothing succeeds more than the simple done well!". Doesn't matter the item, a true foodie is focused on doing homage to the beast or plant who gave its all and is prepared to perfection. And how true - DH & I went to a banquet dinner at a restaurant - the steak was so well seasoned and prepared that there wasn't the need to pick up the salt shaker. That's success!