Tea Travels!™... Retro Dinner Parties
by Ellen Easton ©2011  - All Rights Reserved

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Check out more of Ellen Easton's Tea Travels™ articles and recipes.

Learn about the History of English High Tea and more delicious Afternoon Tea and High Tea Recipes.
 

I was looking for an old family photo, when I found the following two 1959 and 1960 dinner party menus in the album. Read the oh-so retro selections and then check out the costs at the bottom of the menus - one could faint at the low prices. Yes, the caterer is now out of business!

For one night, forget your cholesterol count and blow caution to the wind! These are perfect menus for a MAD MEN party!

 


1959 Backyard Tented Summer Dinner Dance for 50 People

Cocktail Hour Smorgasbord
HOT:
BBQ Ribs
Sliced London Broil
Fried Chicken Wings
Chicken Liver & Bacon

COLD:
Artichokes with Sour Cream Caviar
Cold Shrimp
Cold Lobster Tails
Dinner Menu
 Assorted Dinner Rolls
Chicken Tettrezinni
Prime Rib Roast Beef with Tomato Aspic
Caesar Salad
Fresh Fruit


 Dessert
Vanilla Ice Cream with Fresh Strawberries & Strawberry Sauce

Barman & Bar Supplies
 Chairs,, tables, yellow cloths, hurricane lamps, club soda, ginger ale
Liquor supplied by hostess
 

Food
$6.50 per person = $325.00, tax $48.45

Barman
$17.00, plus extra items

Grand Total = $487.50

 

  


Early 1960 Sit Down Christmas Dinner for 20 People

Cocktail Hour Smorgasbord
Assorted Cold:
 Stuffed Beets
Savory Filled Crème Puffs
Deviled Eggs
Cold Shrimp
Cold Lobster Tails

Hot Canapes Passed:
Chicken Liver & Bacon
Quiche Lorraine


Dinner Menu
 Assorted Dinner Rolls & Butter
Crudités - Celery, Olives & Radishes
Roast Turkey with Cornbread Stuffing
Sweet Potato Casserole with Marshmallow Topping
Green Vegetable Platter with Stuffed Onions
Spiced Peaches
Ambrosia
Seafood Aspic


Dessert
Pumpkin Pie
Apple Pie
Whipped Cream


Food
Two tables of 10 at $14.00 per person
Plus chairs - $15.00

TA DA - Grand Total = $295.00

 

 

ELLEN EASTON, author of AFTERNOON TEA...TIPS, TERMS and TRADITIONS, Manners Do Matter™ and Good $ense For $uccess™ (RED WAGON PRESS), is a consultant to leading hotels and tearooms, including The PLAZA and LADY MENDL’s, is speaker and designer of related products to the hotel, food service, retail, and special event industries.

REVA PAUL, an internationally acclaimed confectionery artist, hand decorated floral sugars and mints are available by special order for teas, weddings, and special events. Wholesale/Retail - Bulk & Gift boxed. All prices on request via RED WAGON PRESS (212) 722-7981.

AFTERNOON TEA...TIPS,TERMS and TRADITIONS By Ellen Easton
72 pages of how to’s, history, etiquette and FAQ about afternoon tea, serving styles and more. 

 

TEA TRAVELS™FOR THE HOLIDAYS By Ellen Easton
64 pages, 21 color photos. A complete holiday menu includes 25 easy to prepare recipes; theme teas, decorating & gift ideas; invitation template & secret sources.
 

Each 5 x 7 paperback book fits into an A-7 envelope for easy mailing, great gift or party favor item. Each book is $20.00 post paid. Continental US Only. Final sale. (Wholesale and Fundraising accounts are welcome. Call for Special Prices) Please include your name, address and telephone number for shipping. Please make check or M.O. payable to: RED WAGON PRESS and send to: RED WAGON PRESS, 45 East 89th Street, Suite 20A, NYC, NY 10128-1256

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