How to Host A Black Tie Affair at Home

Remember those old black and white films from the ‘40’s where fabulous dinner parties were thrown at someone’s fabulous mansion or penthouse?  Fast-forward seventy years later and partygoers in Los Angeles know that the most exclusive affairs in the city still typically take place at someone’s private estate. Wanna move and shake like the beautiful people? For your next function, why not consider offering your VIPs the finest of foods and drink in the privacy and comfort of your elegant abode?

Need help pulling together a menu? Have no fear, Wiles is here!

APPETIZERS: For starters, we recommend keeping it light. A nice gourmet cheese set-up or veggie and fruit platters will suffice. Kobe beef sliders are also among our favorites. But don’t overdo the appetizers. After all, you don’t want guests to be too full to enjoy the elaborate dinner you’ll prepare!

COCKTAILS: We absolutely adore Voli Vodka’s Red Carpet Martini. It’s gorgeous, fruity and, at only 158 calories, it’s nearly guilt-free!

   2 oz Raspberry Cocoa
   1 oz POM
   1/4 Lemon Juice
   ½ Packet Sweetener
   2 Blackberries
   2 Raspberries

Method: Shake all ingredients and strain.

Glass: Martini

Garnish: Blackberries and Raspberries

 APPROX 158 CALORIES

For more cocktail recipes, please visit: www.volispirits.com

DINNER: We love seafood and salmon is a crowd pleaser for even the most finicky of eaters.  This salmon dinner recipe courtesy of Chef Arturo Vargas is easy, delicious and oh-so-chic!

SALMON & VEGETABLES SAUTEE  WITH LIME, MANGO, PAPAYA AND CILANTRO SAUCE

Ingredients: :

 1 1/2 lbs of Salmon ( about 4 Filets)

2 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice

6 medium garlic cloves, pressed

1 Teaspoon of honey

Salt and pepper to taste

1 cup chopped fresh papaya

1 cup of mango puree

1 bunch of cilantro, chopped

1 chopped jalapeno

3 squeezed  limes

1 whole has avocado, chopped

1 bunch of cleaned and washed spinach

8 whole and cleaned asparagus

8 whole organic baby carrots

 Preparation:  Preheat broiler on high and place a hot medium stainless steel skillet, or cast iron pan under a flame for 10 minutes to get very hot. The pan should be at least 7 inches from the heat source.

Garlic should be sit at least 5 minutes to bring out a nice aroma

Rub salmon with a tablespoon of lemon juice, salt and pepper after that sauté the salmon form both sides after gets nice and  golden approx. 4 minutes, or best when still pink inside.

To make the sauce, start chopping in a very small pieces the papaya, tomatoes, jalapenos, Cilantro, red onions add the mango puree and lime juice with salt and pepper mix it up and ready to serve.

SWEETS: Nothing screams “exquisite” quite like an amazingly decadent chocolate.  Since 1935, the lovely folks at Mignon Chocolate have been creating sweet creamy bites of chocolate heaven. Consider having a chocolate fountain with delicious treats like fresh strawberries, bananas and pretzel sticks for your guests to dip. If you’re more interested in the tradition fare, Mignon’s got you covered there, as well. And with truffle flavors like Almondine-White Chocolate, Hazelnut, Tiramisu and more, your guests will surely thank you for the indulgence!

To view a comprehensive catalog of Mignon’s chocolate offerings, please visit:

www.mignonchocolate.com

Have a favorite Black Tie recipe or treat you’d like to share? Please “Join the Conversation” on Facebook and Twitter and tell us all about your favorite five-star fare!