Hellobee Boards

I’m assuming this is a 40th birthday? Just my two cents- I’d be unlikely to dance during the day, I would not eat two desserts, and I’d prefer an event to attend without my kids to have a fun night out with my DH. I don’t have a dietary restriction but as a general rule I’d expect any event space or caterer to be able to accommodate a one off exception for substitutions based on legitimate restrictions, but not preferences. In other words the main menu should be based on the honerees preferences (within the realm of standardly acceptable food for most) with options to address alternative needs.

@crazydoglady: haha! I’m finding myself wayyyy more sensitive to sugar this time around, so it’s easier to say no because I feel SO AWFUL afterwards. It’s so clear and dramatic I really try to limit myself to just a little bit so I don’t feel wretched afterwards. Otherwise I’d be right there with you! I also think the late 30s / early 40s demographic is more conscious of that type of thing so I’d imagine most wouldnt, but maybe that’s just my circle!

Fancy party!! Sounds like fun! I would never dance during the day, I would taste two desserts but not finish them. You’d probably have a lot thrown away. Def no kids.

People dance during the day - think about weddings!

I would do no kids

Agree with @MrsBucky: that the caterer should be able to easily make accommodations for allergies while the guest of honor enjoys his favorites!

@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: I love a good dessert but I also know that most wedding cakes and catered desserts are pretty meh. I always give it a try since sometimes it surprises you, but 9/10 times it’s just not worth it to me!

@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: I love when there are multiple smaller size dessert options so I can try a bunch without seeming like a total glutton. Also, I usually skip wedding cake bc it’s served when I’m dancing!

I have never been to a bday party that fancy! I can’t imagine there would be much time for dancing around 4 courses though? I’d be less likely to dance during the day.

You could also see if they can do an extra app or salad instead of the dessert course? But I think fruit and a thin slice of that cheesecake sounds good too. Those cheesecake factories cakes are super rich so nice thin slice is the way to go.

One venue that has a great menu and bar is based on consumption, but can’t accommodate the DJ. If the party was moved to the daytime it might. Would you dance in the daytime?
- Only if I was drunk, like maybe at a daytime wedding, but I don't think I would go to a daytime bday party expecting to get very drunk or dance.

All of the standard 4 course menus already include a dessert course, but they don’t make the birthday cheesecake I want. Would you eat two desserts? Sliced cheesecake may not travel well as a take home edible favor.
- I would ask them if they could forego the included dessert and instead for the same cost cut something I brought in. I saw that you mentioned a cheesecake. Since a lot of places might have a cutting/plating fee for your own dessert, that's what Id ask them to apply the unused dessert cost towards. Otherwise, yes, I would eat two desserts ETA: Or I would do what Mrs.Champagne suggested and ask them to apply the dessert cost to another app OR upgrade the app or something.

If you are a VIP party guest with an allergy would you expect the host to serve only food that you and by default everyone else can eat? Shellfish & Nut allergy. The guest of honor happens to love crustaceans.
- No, I would just ensure that there's one option for the VIP guest (since usually there's a vegetarian option at an event like that anyway). If they aren't the guest of honor, I don't care how VIP they are. They'll be able to eat SOMETHING, don't' need to deprive everyone else.

Would you rather go bowling (upscale/ trendy, laser tag, arcade, yummy bar food, decent drinks) and everyone’s kids (5 yr olds to teens) could attend?
- For daytime, I'd do the bowling thing. Still no kids.
For night time, I would do the seated dinner with maybe music the restaurant can play from an iphone playlist or spotify or whatever. Maybe you could still dance? But even if not I think music would still be necessary.

What else to consider?
-Maybe a slide show set to music? Either as a feature presentation or set up to the side that people can go over and watch as they'd like.

-A signature drink with a fun name after the guest of honor. Could even be pre-made and passed on trays. But even just a cool sign made at the bar so people know its there would be cool.

-Maybe sort of like a wedding you could have a fun guest book or frame or something that people can sign OR write down a funny/favorite memory.

A 4-course meal with 2 desserts for a 40 year old birthday party! I don't even remember what did I do on my 40 year old birthday. Probably something lame with my little family at a chain restaurant

At first glance I thought this was a party for an older person as 4-course meal seems very formal. But I guess it highly depend on the personality of the birthday person. What is s/he like? Honestly this sounds like something you'll get a lot of ideas from binge-watching Real Housewives of NYC Not joking at all! They throw really great parties. Maybe you can have all the guests wear the birthday person's favorite color?

RE: 2 desserts: if the party consists of a ton of 40-year-old women who cares about what they eat, I'd say 1 dessert is fine.

@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: Another good food truck option with the Mac n cheese would be lobster rolls. One of my close friends had a backyard wedding and had 3 food trucks park out front. She printed cards with the food options so you could just circle what you wanted and hand it to the truck vs all the guests standing at the truck and looking at a menu and ordering.
They had gourmet grilled cheese truck, lobster rolls, and one other thing...I want to say tacos? But I can’t remember for sure.
At the end instead of wedding cake they had the Waffles & Dinges truck come (its known in nyc) and I believe they did have a small cake made from the stacked waffles.
Anyway I know this was a wedding but just shows how you can incorporate the food trucks!
They had a dance floor and tent set up in back yard too. If weather is nice that could be an option.
ETA: also an option if it’s at your home - I assume you have a playroom or something? Maybe you could hire sitters or daycare teachers or something to come for a couple of hours so parents have option of dropping off for kids activities.