Wedding menu. Can't decide on the first course!?

Question

I need opinions on what guests would like better. I was given a million choices, one of which is: Do I want a first course followed by a salad or a first course/salad combo (thereby eliminating a course). I have narrowed it down to these two. The first is: A sculptured melon and strawberries served in a martini glass with frosted grapes and mint. The second is:Crab cake w/ Bibb lettuce, enduve, arugula served w/ a roasted tomato, caper and lemon emulsion (whatever that is!). Which would YOU rather eat? Is it even worth getting off the dance floor for fruit? Opinions welcomed.

Just to add if this makes a difference to anyones answer. There will be a cold fruit display at the cocktail hour, but also lots of seafood and other stations too. Am I being "fruit-redundant"?

Someone asked what the salad would be. If I go with the crab cake there is no salad, since all those greens would be considered a salad/first course combo. If I decide on the fruit, I have another choice to make which is either:

Diced french baguette seasoned with fresh herbs, mixed w/ wild field greens and a warm balsamic vinaigrette OR

Baby romaine, radicchio and endive served w/ roasted shiitake and portobello mushrooms, herbed crostini w/ basil oil and aged red wine vinegar.

Those are the descriptions right off the menu. Feel free to toss in an opinion on that too! I need the help..too many choices.

For Cinnamon: Unfortunately, this isn't an iceberg lettuce kind of place. It's at a country club in Bergen County NJ. All thier food is on the fine dining level. I think the guests will be familiar with all the food, I'm not worried about that part. But you have a point, Caesar or iceberg tossed salads are pretty universally known/enjoyed.

Answer 1

I would go for the second one, it sounds really nice and you do get the salad with it. The caper and lemon emulsion would most likely be just a butter (or olive oil) sauce with lemon and capers. It sounds really nice too me. The fruit in martini glasses sounds a bit naff. Unless it is an 80s wedding.

RE: additional details. Since there is already fruit available then I even more strongly suggest the crab cakes. I think you will find on the day that it will be easier to have that combo dish than to have people seated for all the time it takes to serve an extra course. Having catered many weddings I have found that people get tired of all the courses and inevitably, they end up eating less of the main or meat course. You still have to pay for all that food and a lot of it tends to go to waste. Keep it short and sweet by having the combo first course. A wedding is an exhausting event for the bridal party and guests alike and having to sit through course after course can get tiresome. Get some food in their bellies and then dance the night away with your guests. Of course you should go with what you are happy with but the day is about you, not the food. It sounds like whatever you choose, the venue will do a stellar job.

Answer 2

I'd much rather eat the fruit (which really does sound yummy) than the crab cake. I don't like those those types of lettuce at all and I don't go near seafood (not allergic but can't stand the smell, taste or texture). I also know many people who feel the same.

Since you don't know what the "topping" is on the crab cake, you really need to find out exactly what it is and do a tasting of it asap before you decide whether to serve it.

Also, what is your salad choice?

I'd get off the dance floor for the fruit. Then again, I have never heard of people dancing before dinner is over.

Edited to add: while I still stick by my choice to go with the fruit, neither of the salads sound appetizing to me, sorry. Could you possibly go with something guests will be more familiar with and thus more likely to eat, such as Caesar or a tossed green (iceberg) salad with their choice of dressing?

Answer 3

If your main course is a pasta or chicken dish, go with the fruit. If its a beef dish go for the crab cakes, they will compliment each other.

Also, people dont generally dance suring the dinner hour because the meal is being served. Once the first course comes out people will sit and remain seated until the meal is over. So dont worry about the food not being eaten because people wont leave the dance floor to eat it.

Answer 4

I'd like to put in my vote for #2 and agree with an earlier answer that it has more substanance and it just seems more elegant a choice.

If you're from the south, I highly recommend the seafood choice. ;) I also agree that while some don't like seafood, just as many won't like fruit. Ask both parents what their thoughts are on what members of the family would like better.

Congrats and best of luck!!!

Answer 5

The second sounds to have more substance. I personally prefer the second. But not everyone can eat seafood.

The fruit is a safe bet, but not everyone likes to fruit either (I personally do). But at least they have an option of being able to eat it. Does this make any sense? Good luck.

Answer 6

Fruit any day! Always worth the break from dancing or whatever it is refreshing!

Answer 7

Do the fruit it is cool and refreshing. Receptions can be very warn with all the people. Why eat something if you don't know what it is.

Answer 8

Fruit , is a good choice presented the right way..

Answer 9

At a wedding guest want to feel decadent and eat what they normally would not. I would go with choice number two. It sounds amazing.
Congrats and good luck.

Answer 10

I personally would prefer the fruit and so would my husband ( I figured I would ask him too )